Former CIA Director slams Trump for Iran strategy

Washington D.C. [United States], Jan 03 : Former Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan has slammed United States President Donald Trump's administration for its hard-line stance toward Iran, saying it has diminished the possibility of peaceful political change there. "With wholesale condemnation of Iran and nuclear deal over past year, Trump Admin squandered the opportunity to bolster reformists in Tehran and prospects for peaceful political reform in Iran.

Trump takes hard line on a dreamers,a but remains interested in a deal

DECEMBER 07: Demonstrators from The Seed Project stage a protest in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center to demand immigration reform and a renewal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. Made up of undocumented immigrant youth or 'dreamers,' The Seed Project is in the nation's capitol 'to say that we won't accept a government budget without protection for all undocumented youth.'

Perils abroad, full plate at home as Trump embarks on 2nd year

The glamour of his holiday break behind him, President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Monday to face a hefty legislative to-do list, critical midterm elections and perilous threats abroad. Trump is starting his second year in office after a lengthy sojourn at his private Palm Beach club, capped by a New Year's Eve bash.

Hatch to step down, Romney; could run for seat

US Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said on Tuesday he will not seek re-election in November, opening the door to a potential Senate bid by Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate and one of the party's harshest critics of US President Donald Trump. "Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves.

Iran deal deadlines loom as Trump weighs sanctions

President Donald Trump has used Iranian anti-government protests as an opportunity to slam the Iran nuclear deal ahead of key legal deadlines looming this month, actions that may foreshadow how he plans to proceed. In mid-January, Trump will once again have to decide whether to certify Iran's compliance with the deal - a process that must occur every 90 days according to the terms of the agreement.

The Republicans’ Fake Investigations

Russia probe grand jury looks like 'a Black Lives Matter rally,' says witness - The federal grand jury handing down indictments for special counsel Robert Mueller doesn't appear to include any supporters of President Donald Trump, according to one witness who recently testified before the panel. Roy Moore's Jewish lawyer voted for Doug Jones, raised money for his campaign - The Jewish attorney who Roy Moore's wife touted employing in an attempt to fight off claims of anti-Semitism is actually a longtime friend and supporter of Senator-elect Doug Jones, who defeated Moore last month.

MSNBC analyst reveals to Nicolle Wallace why Trump constantly ‘acts so crazy’ on Twitter

During a panel discussion on President Donald Trump's latest flurry of attacks on the FBI and the Justice Department a MSNBC analyst said the president's continuous drumbeat of criticism of law enforcement is his way of setting the stage for firing special counsel Robert Mueller. On MSNBC's Deadline White House , host Nicolle Wallace began by reciting the details of the New York Times bombshell report that George Papadopoulos boasted to an Australian diplomat that the Trump campaign had dirt on Hillary Clinton.

2 new faces and old partisan standoffs as Congress returns

There will be two fresh Senate faces and some familiar but stubborn clashes facing lawmakers Wednesday as Congress begins its 2018 session staring at the year's first potential calamity - an election-year government shutdown unless there's a bipartisan spending pact by Jan. 19. Looking to prevent a closure of federal agencies, top White House officials planned to meet at the Capitol Wednesday with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Utah’s Hatch to retire, opening door to possible Romney run

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said today he will not seek re-election after serving more than 40 years in the Senate, opening the door for former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney to run for his seat. Hatch, 83, said he's always been a fighter, "but every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves."

The Latest: Trump says Dems not helping young immigrants

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives to board Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Fla., to return to Washington. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives to board Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Fla., to return to Washington.

CNN Commentator: Trump, GOP Need To Come To Dems With ‘Open Hands And Open Heart’ [VIDEO]

CNN commentator Keith Boykin said that Donald Trump and the Republicans need to approach Democrats with "open hands and open heart" to work on bipartisan legislation Tuesday. Boykin, appearing on CNN's "At This Hour With Kate Bolduan," said, "There's just so much hypocrisy there and Republicans have to-if you want the Democrats to work with you, you have to come with open hands and open heart."

Trump takes credit for one of several years of air safety

President Donald Trump is taking credit for the safety of the U.S. aviation system even though it is being run by a holdover from the previous administration and has avoided any commercial passenger fatalities for several years before he took office. "Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation," Trump said in a tweet Tuesday morning.

As U.S. budget fight looms, Republicans flip their fiscal script

The head of a conservative Republican faction in the U.S. Congress, who voted this month for a huge expansion of the national debt to pay for tax cuts, called himself a "fiscal conservative" on Sunday and urged budget restraint in 2018. In keeping with a sharp pivot under way among Republicans, U.S. Representative Mark Meadows, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," drew a hard line on federal spending, which lawmakers are bracing to do battle over in January.

Admiral Mike Mullen: Obama Not As Supportive of Iranian Protesters As He Could Have Been

Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen -- no fan of Donald Trump -- nevertheless agrees with President Trump's support for the Iranian people who are protesting against their hardline rulers. Mullen, who served under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that President Obama was not as supportive as he could have been in 2009, when the Iranian people waged similar anti-government protests.