Trump news: President lashes out amid widespread ridicule over fake weather map, after repeating 'kill 10 million' Afghans remark

Donald Trump shows off map purporting to support false claim that Hurricane Dorian was heading for Alabama

Donald Trump has lashed out after being roundly mocked once again for posing in the Oval Office with a map of Hurricane Dorian that had been altered to include Alabama in the storm’s path, therein backing up one of the president’s weekend tweets contested by government meteorologists.

Asked who had made the change – it being a federal offence to publicise misleading weather forecasts - Mr Trump told reporters: “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.” An incriminating black Sharpie pen had been spotted lying on his desk.

The president also suggested the government was powerless to stop mass shootings, mused on killing 10m Afghans and defended vice president Mike Pence staying at one of his own resorts in Ireland as the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security over Mr Trump's alleged promise to pardon aides who broke the law in order to get his border wall built.

The committee issued the subpoenas Wednesday, having approved them in July.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler said the subpoenas are part of the panel's investigation into whether to pursue articles of impeachment against Mr Trump.

The questions focus on acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan.

Shortly after Mr McAleenan took over, Mr Trump told him he'd pardon him if he were to find himself in trouble for blocking people legally seeking asylum, according to people familiar with the conversation. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation.

Mr McAleenan has said he was not asked, directed or pressured to do anything illegal, but has also said his conversations with the president are privileged information.

The committee said the subpoena requires production of documents related to meetings in March and April between the president and Homeland Security officials in which pardons may have been discussed.

It also requires documents related to possible pardon offers related to the wall being constructed on the southern border.

Nadler said the dangling of pardons "would constitute another reported example of the president's disregard for the rule of law."

Additional reporting by AP. Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

Key Points

• Trump ridiculed over doctored Dorian map in 'Sharpiegate'
• Retweets Epstein conspiracy theorist and suspended account
• Suggests government powerless to stop mass shootings
• House Judiciary subpoenas Homeland Security over pardons promise
• US to meet China for high-level trade talks in October

[5 September 2019 21:40 · Chris Riotta]

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