Steve Bannon, Ivanka Trump could soon testify in congressional Russia probes

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and President Donald Trump's daughter and senior aide Ivanka Trump could soon testify before congressional Russian election meddling probes, according to a range of sources and reports. On Thursday, the House Intelligence committee's top Democrat, Adam Schiff, told reporters at the Capitol that Ms.

Washington Post: Trump attacks protections for immigrants from ‘s—hole’ countries in Oval Office meeting

President Donald Trump grew frustrated with lawmakers Thursday in the Oval Office when they floated restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, according to two people briefed on the meeting. "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" Trump said, according to these people, referring to African countries and Haiti.

WH: ‘No Conflict’ on Trump Tweets Before House FISA Vote

President Donald Trump did not post contradictory tweets Thursday about the controversial FISA surveillance program - including prior claims it was used to spy on his campaign team - as the House voted on extending the effort, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "We don't think there was a conflict at all," Sanders told reporters at the daily briefing.

WaPo: Trump Rips Protections for Those From ‘Sh**hole Countries’

President Donald Trump on Thursday slammed protections for immigrants from "s**thole" countries during an Oval Office meeting about a bipartisan immigration deal, The Washington Post reported. The Post, citing two unnamed sources briefed on the meeting, reported the president became frustrated with lawmakers when they floated the idea of restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries as part of a deal.

Judge invites Ohio attorney general to discuss opioid crisis

A federal judge who's overseeing lawsuits from around the country against the pharmaceutical industry has invited Ohio's attorney general to brief him on the impact of the opioid epidemic in the state. Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland is overseeing a consolidated case involving dozens of suits filed by communities against drugmakers and drug distributors.

Democratic lawmakers want to subpoena Trump Organization

Democratic members of the House oversight committee asked the Republican chairman to begin a serious investigation into President Donald Trump's conflicts of interests. The letter was sent to Chairman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina on Thursday, one year after a news conference held by Trump and his attorney announcing efforts to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest by handing over his businesses' reins to his sons and putting his assets in a trust, among other measures.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe reinvents image as state CEO

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe , once best known as a top Democratic money man and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, reinvented his image during a largely successful four-year term that saw him tirelessly market the state, make major transportation deals and restore more voting rights than any other governor in the country. The fundraiser-turned-administrator, who leaves office on Saturday when his four-year term is up, is frequently mentioned as a potential 2020 presidential contender.

John Kennedy: America needs ‘idiot control,’ not more gun control

Sen. John Kennedy said Wednesday that the problem in America isn't guns but the "idiot" government workers who fail to enforce already existing gun-control laws. Mr. Kennedy , Louisiana Republican, said he opposes a bipartisan gun-control bill put forth by Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn that reinforces the requirement for federal agencies to report criminal offenses to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database, the Washington Free Beacon reported .

UPDATE 6-U.S. House passes NSA spying bill after Trump tweets cause confusion

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to renew the National Security Agency's warrantless internet surveillance program, overcoming objections from privacy advocates and confusion prompted by morning tweets from President Donald Trump that initially questioned the spying tool. The legislation, which passed 256-164 and split party lines, is the culmination of a yearslong debate in Congress on the proper scope of U.S. intelligence collection - one fueled by the 2013 disclosures of classified surveillance secrets by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

Paul calls for filibuster of surveillance bill

Randal Howard Paul Lexington mayor launches bid for Congress Trump-free Kennedy Center Honors avoids politics Meet the Iran hawk who could be Trump's next secretary of State MORE on Thursday appeared to call for a filibuster to try and block a bill passed in the House that renews government surveillance powers. The House voted Thursday morning to approve a bill that renews the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with a few small changes.

After Florida, more states press for offshore drilling exemptions

Governors and other officials from several U.S. coastal states ramped up pressure on the Trump administration on Wednesday to exempt their waters from an offshore drilling plan, hours after the Interior Department granted Florida's request to opt out. The backlash could complicate President Donald Trump's efforts to expand oil and gas production offshore.

Rick Scott isn’t the only Republican who opposes offshore drilling. Far from it.

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke's surprise trip to Tallahassee Tuesday night to announce Florida would no longer be considered for future offshore oil and gas drilling leases has left governors and lawmakers from other coastal states wondering when their voices will be heard as well. Last week, after the Trump administration released an unprecedented plan to sell off more than 90 percent of America's oceans to offshore drillers, a large and bipartisan group of elected officials - including at least five Republican governors, two Republican senators, and 15 Republican U.S. representatives from coastal states, along with scores of Democrats - denounced the proposal.

Immigrants’ health withered by ongoing fear of deportation. Study suggests link to heart risks.

JANUARY 10: Activists rally for the passage of a "clean" Dream Act, one without additional security or enforcement measures, outside the New York office of Sen. Chuck Schumer , January 10, 2018 in New York City. The Dream Act, first introduced in 2001, is a proposed bill that would allow undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children to stay in the country legally.

States rethink sexual misconduct policies after complaints

Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, left, R-Scottsdale, listens to Rep. Don Shooter, right, R-Yuma, as he reads a statement regarding sexual harassment and other misconduct complaints made against him by Ugenti-Rita and others, as h... . Rebekah Browder, chief counsel for the Arizona Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office, stands at a podium as she gives a presentation as Arizona House members receive mandatory sexual harassment and ... .

The facade of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

The House will vote Thursday on whether to rein in a surveillance program that collects the content of Americans' email, text messages, photos and other electronic communication without a warrant. The program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, was approved by Congress in 2008 to increase the government's ability to track and thwart foreign terrorists in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Michael Graham: Pot party coming to a theater near you

So, will U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' anti-pot jackboots soon be kicking in the doors of our local pot-friendly bars, yoga studios and massage parlors? Second answer: Yes, Massachusetts Cannabis Commission rules - now in their final draft stage - really would allow pot use at recreational venues like movie theaters and massage spas. Talk about "working your joints."

European Central Bank officials cautious despite recovery

Fans of President Donald Trump who use marijuana say Attorney General Jeff Sessions' move to tighten federal oversight of the drug is the first time they've felt let down by the man they helped elect. Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens acknowledges he was "unfaithful" in his marriage but denies allegations that he blackmailed the woman he had an extramarital affair with to stay quiet.

YouTube limits Logan Paul vlog due to apparent suicide post

Fans of President Donald Trump who use marijuana say Attorney General Jeff Sessions' move to tighten federal oversight of the drug is the first time they've felt let down by the man they helped elect. Fans of President Donald Trump who use marijuana say Attorney General Jeff Sessions' move to tighten federal oversight of the drug is the first time they've felt let down by the man they helped elect.

Global stocks stabilize after China-led wobble

Asian stock markets were lower on Thursday after Wall Street posted i... . Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018.