Trump undoes parts of Obama agenda with executive actions

President Donald Trump signed three executive memorandums on Monday, kicking off his first full week in the White House by undoing parts of his predecessor’s agenda and renewing a longtime Republican priority on abortion funding. Trump signed a memorandum that freezes hiring for some federal government workers, a notice to abandon the proposed Pacific Rim trade pact known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and another executive action to reinstate a ban on providing federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option.

Schock prosecutor pursues Mautino

The same prosecutor who has handled the case against former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock also was involved in two grand jury subpeonas involving former state Rep. Frank Mautino. Since last spring, federal authorities have been investigating Mautino, D-Spring Valley, over his spending of campaign money on gas, repairs and bank payments.

Pompeo confirmed as CIA chief

JANUARY 12: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the director of the CIA, Rep.Mike Pompeo attends his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mr. Pompeo is a former Army officer who graduated first in his class from West Point.

Minnesota Gov. Dayton, 69, collapses during speech

Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed while delivering his State of the State speech on Monday, striking his head on a lectern. The 69-year-old Democrat appeared to be conscious as he was helped into a back room several minutes later, and a top staffer said he walked out of the Capitol under his own power.

Israeli army has a smoking problem, new study finds

Nearly 40 percent of Israelis are smokers by the time they finish their compulsory army service, according to a new study. That is twice as high as the overall national rate and dramatically higher than among American soldiers, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

Trump and Sisi discuss fight against terror

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday discussed ways to boost the fight against terrorism and extremism, Reuters reports. Trump told Sisi in a telephone call that he appreciated the difficulties faced by Egypt in its “war on terror”, and affirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the country, Sisi’s spokesman Alaa Youssef said in a statement quoted by the news agency.

Vice President Mike Pence, right, swears in CIA Director Mike Pompeo, …

Mike Pompeo was sworn in Monday night as director of the CIA at a crucial time for U.S. national security as intelligence – traditionally a nonpartisan issue – has been thrust into the political arena. “You are stepping up to lead the finest intelligence-gathering operation the world has ever seen,” Vice President Mike Pence said during the nighttime swearing-in ceremony.

Trumpa s First 100 Days: Delivering on campaign promises

President Trump spent much of his first Monday in office delivering on campaign promises: he withdrew the United States from a major trade agreement, ordered a hiring freeze for most federal agencies, and blocked foreign aid for organizations that perform or discuss abortion. President Trump hosts a reception for House and Senate leaders including, from left, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Trump moves to pull US out of big Asia trade deal

Charting a new American course abroad, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership on Monday, using one of his first actions in office to reject a centerpiece of Barack Obama’s attempts to counter China and deepen U.S. ties in Asia. Trump’s move on trade aimed to fulfill a central campaign promise even as he appeared to be fixated on re-litigating the 2016 election.

White House opens door to military cooperation with Moscow, but it would be illegal

The White House indicated Monday that President Donald Trump would be open to military cooperation with Russia to fight Islamic State, a move that would be a big policy change for the U.S. government, and one that would run afoul of current law. “I think if there’s a way that we can combat ISIS with any country, whether it’s Russia or anyone else, and we have a shared national interest in that, sure, we’ll take it,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters, using an acronym for the militant group.

Trump wrongly blames fraud for loss of popular vote

President Donald Trump, center, hosts a reception for House and Senate leaders in the the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. Some of the participants are, from left, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NyY., House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif.

5 things you need to know Tuesday

Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2kmVM4f As President Trump plans to meet with top auto industry executives Tuesday , his Cabinet nominees will face another round of Senate hearings on Capitol Hill. The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, California Sen. Diane Feinstein, plans to request a delay on the confirmation vote for Jeff Sessions’ nomination as attorney general Tuesday, just days after a new commercial, backed by a Republican non-profit group , called Sessions a “civil rights champion.”

White House opens door to military cooperation with Moscow, but it would be illegal

The White House indicated Monday that President Trump would be open to military cooperation with Russia to fight Islamic State , a move that would be a big policy change for the U.S. government, and one that would run afoul of current law. “I think if there’s a way that we can combat ISIS with any country, whether it’s Russia or anyone else, and we have a shared national interest in that, sure, we’ll take it,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters, using an acronym for the militant group.

White House press secretary: ‘Our intention is never to lie’

White House press secretary Sean Spicer told a roomful of reporters that “our intention is never to lie to you,” although sometimes the Trump administration may “disagree with the facts.” Spicer’s first full press briefing was closely watched Monday following a weekend statement about President Donald Trump’s inauguration audience that included incorrect assertions.

Trump moves to pull US out of big Asia trade deal

Charting a new American course abroad, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership on Monday, using one of his first actions in office to reject a centerpiece of Barack Obama’s attempts to counter China and deepen U.S. ties in Asia. of a central campaign promise.

Trump pulls out of major trade accord

Charting a new American course abroad, President Trump withdrew the United States from the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership on Monday, using one of his first actions in office to reject a centerpiece of Barack Obama ‘s attempts to counter China and deepen U.S. ties in Asia. For Trump, the move was a fulfillment of a central campaign promise.

a Sister Wivesa challenges Utah ban on polygamy; rejected

The Latest on the Supreme Court’s decision against hearing an appeal from the family on TV’s “Sister Wives” challenging Utah’s law banning polygamy : An attorney for a TV’s “Sister Wives” family says the U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear an appeal of Utah’s law banning polygamy won’t end the larger fight by plural and unconventional families for equal status. Lawyer Jonathan Turley said Monday in a statement posted on his blog that he and the Brown family are disappointed but not surprised by the decision that was issued by the high court without comment.

a oeDay Onea of Donald Trump presidency: The latest

President Donald Trump is telling union leaders that he is redoing the nation’s trade deals “to put a lot of people back to work.” He noted that he earlier in the day signed a memorandum announcing the United States’ intention to withdraw from the multi-nation trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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The panel voted along party lines, 11-10, to recommend Rex Tillerson’s nomination to the full Senate, where the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil is almost certain to be confirmed by the Republican-led chamber. Sen. Bob Corker, the committee’s Republican chairman, says he has “no doubt” Tillerson is well-qualified, citing his leadership of the energy giant.

Oklahoma lawmaker accused of sexual harassment won’t testify

In this Jan. 3, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma state Rep. Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, top, sits in the Oklahoma House in Oklahoma City. Kirby, who has been the subject of sexual harassment complaints, said Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, he will not testify before a special closed-door House committee looking into the allegations and the use of government funds to settle with one of his accusers.

17 state attorneys general ask to defend CFPB; cite Trump

Attorneys general from 17 states are seeking to defend the U.S. consumer watchdog agency in court amid speculation that President Donald Trump may fire its director, Richard Cordray. The attorneys general, all Democrats, said in a court filing Monday they have “a vital interest in defending an independent and effective” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and are seeking to intervene in a case over whether its structure is constitutional.

Fox News drops Stacey Dash, critics rejoice

Actress Stacey Dash speaks onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Fox News contributor Stacey Dash hasn’t been seen on the network since September, and she might not be returning any time soon.

If Trump ends America’s world leadership, who will step up?

President Donald Trump’s pursuit of an “America first” foreign policy is raising questions about who, if anyone, will fill the void if the U.S. relinquishes its traditional global leadership role. China and Russia are among the aspirants for greater economic and military influence, while an ambivalent Germany could emerge as the West’s moral compass.