Politics & Government

Morning News Brief: Comey Fallout, Reaction To Trump-Lavrov Meeting

6:47am May 12, 2017

President Trump says he would have fired James Comey regardless of the recommendations of the attorney general. Russians react to a meeting between their Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Trump.

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a speech in April.

Recused And Accused: Critics Say Sessions Should Have Stayed Out Of Comey Firing

5:00am May 12, 2017

by Scott Horsley

Attorney General Sessions' recommendation that President Trump fire the FBI Director has raised eyebrows. Sessions had promised to keep his distance from an investigation of last year's campaign.

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It's Been A Rough Week for James Comey, But At Least He Got Some Cookies

4:14am May 12, 2017

by Mara Liasson

A 9-year-old who lives in Comey's neighborhood dropped off the treats earlier this week, after she saw reporters swarming the former FBI director's house.

Woman typing on a laptop computer in a commercial airplane.

DHS Considers Carry-On Laptop Ban On Flights From Europe

4:12am May 12, 2017

by James Doubek

The Trump administration has already banned large electronics in cabins of flights from several Middle Eastern countries. The European Union wants talks over the proposal, which could cost airlines.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe prepares to testify during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats on Thursday.

McCabe: You Cannot Stop 'The FBI From Doing The Right Thing'

6:56pm May 11, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

New acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe assured senators Thursday that the agency will continue to pursue its Russia investigation "vigorously and completely" and has adequate resources to do so.

Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., faces angry constituents at a town hall meeting Wednesday in Willingboro, N.J. MacArthur wrote a key amendment to the American Health Care Act.

Is Rape A Pre-existing Condition? Not Exactly.

6:39pm May 11, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Before the Affordable Care Act, rape victims could have been denied coverage for conditions tied to their assault. Some worry those practices could return if the current GOP health bill becomes law.

President Trump holds his first official meeting with members of his Cabinet, including Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (from left), Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in March.

Federal Ethics Office Wants To Know If Trump Appointees Are Keeping Their Promises

6:06pm May 11, 2017

by Peter Overby

The compliance forms are to be posted online, along with the ethics agreements the appointees signed during the Senate confirmation process.

Trump Claims He Asked James Comey If He Was Under Investigation

5:15pm May 11, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Amy Jeffress, former counselor to the attorney general for national security and international matters, about Trump's claims he asked Comey if he was under investigation.

Trump Planned To Fire Comey Regardless Of Justice Department Recommendation

5:15pm May 11, 2017

by Mara Liasson

Trump says he was intent on firing the FBI director no matter what Justice Department officials recommended. Washington Post reporter Robert Costa talks about why these statements are contradictory.

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Democrats Claim Sessions' Role In Comey's Firing Violates Recusal Pledge

5:15pm May 11, 2017

by Scott Horsley

The Justice Department says the attorney general's recommendation the FBI director be fired was based on ineffective leadership, not any investigation he was overseeing. But some Democrats say Jeff Sessions' role violates his pledge to stay out of any campaign-related investigations.

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