White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 30, 2017.
Category: George Bush
Obama ‘fundamentally disagrees’ with Trump’s immigration order
Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s executive order curbing immigration in a statement on Monday, backing protesters who have taken to the nation’s airports to express their displeasure with Trump’s action on Friday. “The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion,” said Kevin Lewis, spokesman for the former president, in a statement.
Thorner: Will Trump be misled to pick another Souter?
Tomorrow, January 31, 2017, will be a momentous day for pro-life conservatives. It is then that President Trump plans to make known his choice to replace the vacancy of Anthoin Scalia on the Supreme Court.
Trump needs to accept waterboarding is prohibited torture, U.N. specialist says
U.S. President Donald Trump needs to acknowledge that the extreme interrogation technique known as waterboarding is torture and therefore absolutely prohibited, the U.N. special rapporteur on torture said on Monday. “Without any doubt, waterboarding amounts to torture,” Nils Melzer said in a statement, adding that a U.S. revival of torture would be catastrophic because other countries would also “get back into the torture business”.
Hope native first black chief judge on 8th circuit court
A Hope, Ark., native is to become the first black chief judge of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Lavenski Smith, now of Little Rock, is to become chief judge of the St. Louis-based on March 11. He succeeds Judge William Jay Riley, whose seven-year term as chief judge is expiring.
Kansas State president warns students about travel restrictions, calls Trump order ‘detrimental’
In this Nov. 15, 2016, file photo, Kansas State President Gen. Richard Myers is announced.
Kansas State president warns students about travel restrictions, calls Trump order ‘detrimental’
In this Nov. 15, 2016, file photo, Kansas State President Gen. Richard Myers is announced.
A look at the reported top contenders for the Supreme Court
A look at Neil Gorsuch, Thomas Hardiman and William Pryor, the federal appeals court judges who are seen as the leading candidates to be President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court. Each was appointed to the appellate bench by President George W. Bush, appeared on Trump’s list of 21 possible choices that he made public during the campaign and has met with Trump to discuss the vacancy that arose when Justice Antonin Scalia died nearly a year ago.
John Dickerson: Who is Trump’s restraint officer?
U.S. President Donald Trump walks through the Colonnade to the Oval Office after returning to the White House in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017. Sometimes your morning reading can collide.
Analysis: Trump’s border wall faces reality check
President Donald Trump’s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality – who’s going to pay for it and how? Instead, U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with money already in the Department of Homeland Security account that amounts to a small down payment. Then it’s up to the Republican-led Congress to come up with $12 billion to $15 billion more, according to an estimate offered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday from a GOP issues retreat in Philadelphia.
Analysis: Trumpa s border wall faces reality check
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump’s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality – who’s going to pay for it and how? Instead, U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with money already in the Department of Homeland Security account that amounts to a small down payment. Then it’s up to the Republican-led Congress to come up with $12 billion to $15 billion more, according to an estimate offered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday from a GOP issues retreat in Philadelphia.
Historic Address: Vice President Pence Scheduled to Speak at March for Life
Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to speak at tomorrow’s March for Life, the first time in the march’s 44-year history that a sitting vice president will address the hundreds of thousands of marchers who have come to Washington, D.C. every year since 1974 to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
Analysis: Trump’s border wall faces reality check
President Donald Trump’s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality – who’s going to pay for it and how? U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with existing money in the Department of Homeland Security account that amounts to a small down payment. Then it’s up to the Republican-led Congress to come up with possibly billions of dollars more, cutting money for other domestic programs to finance the wall.
Today in History
On Jan. 26, 1942, the first American Expeditionary Force to head to Europe during World War II arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Trump says torture works as his government readies a review
President Donald Trump declared Wednesday he believes torture works as his administration readied a sweeping review of how America conducts the war on terror. It includes possible resumption of banned interrogation methods and reopening CIA-run “black site” prisons outside the United States.
Draft White House order calls for review of both CIA interrogation…
The CIA could potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture. An executive order drafted by the Trump administration calls for a policy review that could authorize the CIA to reopen “black site” prisons overseas and potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture.
Top Democrats Voted For TheBorder Wall Trump Is Building
President Donald Trump will be able to order the construction of a wall on the Mexico border Wednesday with the stroke of a pen, because of a 2006 law passed with the help of Democrats including Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The 2006 law authorized the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the southern border, as well as additional lights, cameras and sensors to enhance security.
Top StoryTrump moving forward with border wall, weighs refugee cuts
President Donald Trump will begin rolling out executive actions on immigration Wednesday, beginning with steps to build his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to two administration officials. He’s also expected to target so-called sanctuary cities and is reviewing proposals that would restrict the flow of refugees to the United States.
Trump moving forward with border wall, weighs refugee cuts
President Donald Trump will begin rolling out executive actions on immigration Wednesday, beginning with steps to build his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to two administration officials. He’s also expected to target so-called sanctuary cities and is reviewing proposals that would restrict the flow of refugees to the United States.
Donald Trump to address plans for Mexican border wall, other security issues Wednesday
President Donald Trump shows off a signed executive order to reinstitute a policy barring any recipient of U.S. assistance from performing or promoting abortions abroad with money they receive from non-U.S. sources, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. ORG XMIT: DCEV111 President Donald Trump shows off a signed executive order to reinstitute a policy barring any recipient of U.S. assistance from performing or promoting abortions abroad with money they receive from non-U.S. sources, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Dan Rather post referring to ‘alternative facts’ as ‘Orwellian’ goes viral
Rather, 85, left CBS news in 2005, the year after he was involved in a report on the Air National Guard service of President George W. Bush which some contend was based on a fabricated document. Following Sunday’s Facebook post, some critics are questioning his standing in commenting on the truthfulness of a presidential administration.
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.
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.
Vice President Mike Pence, left, and White House Chief of Staff…
Vice President Mike Pence, left, and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as President Donald Trump shows off an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact agreed to under the Obama administration, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
‘Harassment’ lawsuit filed against President Trump
A nonprofit advocacy group has announced that it will file suit against President Donald Trump. Brought by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics , the lawsuit alleges that the “emoluments” clause in the U.S. Constitution bars payments to Trump’s various businesses from foreign governments.
Glad to see Obama go, Gulf Arabs expect Trump to counter Iran
Gulf Arab states are quietly applauding the arrival in the White House of a hawkish leader opposed to their adversary Iran, even if they suspect Donald Trump’s short temper and abrasive Tweets may at times heighten tensions in the combustible Middle East. While many countries around the world listened with concern to his protectionist inaugural address, Gulf Arab officials appear optimistic.
Trump’s ‘running war’ on the media undermines trust
Donald Trump’s “running war” on the media is continuing into his presidency, with statements over the weekend calling into question the extent to which information from the White House can be trusted. White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday will hold his first daily press briefing, at which he could face questions about a statement Saturday night that included demonstrably false assertions about the crowd size at Trump’s inauguration and a promise by the new administration that “we’re going to hold the press accountable.”
Today in History
On Jan. 23, 1933, the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the so-called “Lame Duck Amendment,” was ratified as Missouri approved it. In 1516, King Ferdinand II of Aragon, who with his late queen consort, Isabella of Castile, sponsored the first voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, died in Madrigalejo, Spain.
First family settles into White House life
The first family is also adjusting to life in their new roles as first lady, first sons, first daughters and first grandchildren. Following the inaugural ball festivities Friday night, Tiffany and boyfriend Ross Mechanic; Donald Jr., wife Vanessa and daughter Kai; and Eric and wife Lara split off from the presidential motorcade and headed to the Trump International Hotel DC, where they were spotted celebrating the day with a midnight balloon drop with friends and family.
Trump returns bust of ‘real ally’ Sir Winston Churchill to Oval Office
President Donald Trump has hailed Sir Winston Churchill as a “real ally” after returning a bust of the wartime leader to the White House’s Oval Office. In a nod to the “special relationship”, Mr Trump appeared to make good on an agreement to return the former prime minister’s likeness to the famous office within hours of being sworn in.
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“That’s what you guys should be writing and covering,” new White House press secretary Sean Spicer angrily lectured reporters on Saturday during his first remarks from the podium of the press briefing room. He was referring to the delay in Senate confirmation for President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, Congressman Mike Pompeo, but the comment came after a long digression about how many people had shown up to watch Trump be sworn in as president.
Trump inauguration draws nearly 31 mln U.S. television viewers
Nearly 31 million viewers watched live U.S. television coverage of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, far fewer than tuned in to Barack Obama’s first swearing-in, but otherwise the biggest such audience since Ronald Reagan entered office, ratings firm Nielsen reported on Saturday. The tally for Trump – 30.6 million viewers on 12 broadcast and cable networks that aired live coverage from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST – surpassed the TV audiences measured for his two most recent Republican predecessors – both inaugurations of George W. Bush and the one of his father, George H.W. Bush.
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush’s health improves
Former President George H.W. Bush smiles as he listens to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak as he met with Bush to pick up his formal endorsement in Houston in this March 29, 2012 file photo. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush is recovering well from pneumonia but will remain in the intensive care unit at the Texas hospital where he has spent the last week, a spokesman said in a statement.
Trump speech shows America getting what it ordered
The new president delivered an inaugural address Friday that was straight from his campaign script – to the delight or dismay of different subsets of Americans. Trump gave nods to unity and began with kind words for Barack and Michelle Obama, but pivoted immediately to a searing indictment of the status quo and the Obama years.
President Trump
From the West Front of the Capitol as rain began to fall, Trump presented a vision of a nation afflicted by division and dislocation, exploited and forgotten by Washington elites and diminished around the world. His arrival, he promised, would finally turn it around.
Trump’s Pledge of Quick Action Stymied by Cabinet-in-Waiting
U.S. President Donald Trump formally signs his cabinet nominations into law during the 58th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20. President Donald Trump vowed to bring swift change to Washington in a fiery inaugural address, yet that promise is colliding with the reality that only two members of his Cabinet cleared the Senate by the end of his first day in office. Unlike his successors Barack Obama and George W. Bush — who each had seven of their cabinet members confirmed on Inauguration Day — Trump saw votes only for Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.
Trump brings Churchill bust back to Oval Office
President Donald Trump restored the bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office immediately after assuming the presidency on Friday, the most notable move in an aesthetic redecoration of the space. Trump signed his first executive orders at the Resolute Desk before new gold curtains with a blue trim, a new sunburst-patterned carpet and new brocade couches.
Obama leaves letter for Trump in Oval Office
U.S. President Barack Obama walks with a letter before he departs the Oval Office for the final time as sitting president, at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2017. In keeping with presidential tradition, President Obama slipped a letter into the desk in the Oval Office for President-elect Donald Trump — on Thursday the letter that George W. Bush wrote to him was released by Bush, as well as the letter that Bill Clinton wrote to Mr. Bush, each on the last day of his presidency.
President Trump’s Inauguration Day
TIME selects the best photos from Barack Obama’s last moments in the White House and Donald Trump’s first hours as 45th president TIME’s photo editors select the best photographs of President Barack Obama’s last moments in the White House and Donald J. Trump’s first hours as the 45th President.” It all begins today!” Trump tweeted.
Pundits predict: What will Trump say in his inaugural address?
The Hill asked several of its longtime contributors to predict what soon-to-be President Trump will say in the inaugural address. Here are their thoughts.