Washington, United States | AFP | When Donald Trump literally belittles his perceived enemies — by mocking their stature — he is weaponizing a long-standing maxim of US presidential politics: taller guys tend to win the White House. Trump — who stands at about 6’3″ (1m90) depending on which source you …
Read More »White House rejects participation in ‘baseless’ impeachment probe
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House blasted the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump as “completely baseless” Friday, signalling it would not seek to defend the president in Democratic-led hearings to draw up formal charges against him. But Republicans demanded that Joe Biden’s son Hunter, the lawmaker leading the …
Read More »How Trump’s impeachment will unroll
Washington, United States | AFP | The start of open hearings in the impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump on Wednesday will give the American public their first chance to witness live the explosive showdown between Democrats and Republicans over the US leader’s future. The hearing before the House Intelligence Committee …
Read More »Democrats subpoena White House as impeachment probe intensifies
Washington, United States | AFP | Democratic lawmakers on Friday demanded that the White House turn over documents related to allegations that President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine for political favors, as the explosive impeachment investigation against the US leader intensified. The congressional committees leading the probe cranked up the heat on …
Read More »White House accused of cover-up over Trump-Ukraine call
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House scrambled to “lock down” records of President Donald Trump’s phone call pressing for Ukraine’s interference in next year’s US election, an incendiary whistleblower complaint released Thursday alleged, in the latest episode of an intensifying impeachment drama. The complaint caps a stunning week …
Read More »More than ever, Mike Pompeo at helm of Trump foreign policy
Washington, United States | AFP | Speaking at the White House after John Bolton’s surprise exit as national security adviser, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo couldn’t hide a smile of satisfaction. With the departure of Bolton, Pompeo has become the undisputed king of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy — with the …
Read More »Trump fires hawkish national security chief Bolton
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the firing of hawkish national security advisor John Bolton, a move widely seen as boosting the president’s push to negotiate with US foes in Afghanistan, North Korea and other trouble spots. Trump, who said he had disagreed “strongly” with …
Read More »In first press brief, Pentagon chief aims to keep Trump happy
Washington, United States | AFP | New US Defense Secretary Mark Esper picked his way through a political minefield in his first public meeting with the media Wednesday, skirting anything that could irritate his irascible boss President Donald Trump. Just hours after predecessor James Mattis wrote that Trump’s policies toward US …
Read More »Trump on summer vacation but not in summery mood
Berkeley Heights, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump is on summer vacation. Just don’t call it that. “It’s never a vacation,” he said before leaving the White House last Friday for the 10-day non-vacation at his luxury golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The former real estate dealer …
Read More »Candidates descend on Iowa state fair to make pitch for 2020
Des Moines, United States | AFP | Deep-fried corn dogs, a blistering summer sun, and discerning American voters greet the presidential candidates at Iowa’s state fair, a must stop on the early road to the White House. Two dozen candidates — 23 Democrats and a longshot Republican primary challenger to President …
Read More »