Donald Trump claims Nancy Pelosi would have leaked details of Iran raid to media
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A judge in New York has refused a request by Donald Trump’s legal team to have a defamation lawsuit brought against him by the writer E Jean Carroll dismissed, ensuring her allegations of sexual assault are heard while the president seeks re-election.
Mr Trump went after his domestic rivals over the Iran crisis during a wild campaign rally in Ohio on Thursday night, suggesting House speaker Nancy Pelosi would have leaked the US plan to assassinate Qassem Soleimani to the media had she had prior warning.
The president also told his supporters in Toledo the mission that killed the Quds commander was instigated to “preserve peace”, took credit for inspiring a revival of Christian faith in America and claimed 44th president Barack Obama had played too much golf in office and “violated the carbon footprint”.
On Friday, his administration announced sweeping and "punishing" sanctions against Iran, targeting key economic drivers like manufacturing, until the country "changes its behaviour", he said.
Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal
The Senator Majority Leader has threatened to coordinate with the White House as the president faces trial, and Speaker Pelosi refused to send impeachment articles passed by House Democrats without assurance from Senate Republicans that witnesses could be called and evidence be presented in an impartial trial. In a statement announcing next week's plans, Ms Pelosi said "McConnell does not want to present witnesses and documents to Senators and the American people so they can make an independent judgment about the president's actions."
Trump supporting teen unable to name single thing the president has done well
I feel mean laughing about this viral video from Ohio last night but it does capture something about the unquestioning mania of Trumpworld that a more articulate answer just couldn't.
Trump: 'punishing' sanctions will remain until Iran 'changes its behaviour'
Here's the full statement from Donald Trump regarding executive orders targeting severe sanctions against Iran.
"Today, I am holding the Iranian regime responsible for attacks against United States personnel and interests by denying it substantial revenue that may be used to fund and support its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism and terrorist proxy networks, and malign regional influence. I have issued an Executive Order authorizing the imposition of sanctions against any individual or entity operating in the construction, manufacturing, textiles, or mining sectors of the Iranian economy or anyone assisting those who engage in this sanctioned conduct. This order will have a major impact on the Iranian economy, authorizing powerful secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions. Iran continues to be the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. The Iranian regime has threatened United States military service members, diplomats, and civilians, as well as the citizens and interests of our allies and partners, through military force and proxy groups. The United States will continue to counter the Iranian regime’s destructive and destabilizing behavior. Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. These punishing economic sanctions will remain until the Iranian regime changes its behavior. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."
Pelosi: Articles of impeachment will head to the Senate next week
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will prepare a resolution to appoint managers and send articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate next week.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has threatened to coordinate with the White House as the president faces trial, and Speaker Pelosi refused to send impeachment articles passed by House Democrats without assurance from Senate Republicans that witnesses could be called and evidence be presented in an impartial trial.
In a statement announcing next week's plans, Ms Pelosi said "McConnell does not want to present witnesses and documents to Senators and the American people so they can make an independent judgment about the president's actions."
She said that "every senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the president or the Constitution."
After House Democrats voted to impeach the president nearly a month ago, Nancy Pelosi is ending the delay in her transmission of the charges to the Senate — but she continues to pressure Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans who have threatened to give Donald Trump a pass.
She said: "A dismissal is a cover-up and deprives the American people of the truth. Leader McConnell's tactics are a clear indication of the fear that he and President Trump have regarding the facts of the President's violations for which he was impeached."
A US Army general has refused to reinstate the Special Forces tab for a disgraced officer pardoned by Donald Trump last year, potentially setting up yet another high-profile clash between the president and the US military.
Despite Donald Trump's repeated claims that Americans' job prospects are better than ever, wage growth in the US remains stubbornly low.
The drop in annual wage growth to 2.9 per cent from 3.1 per cent in November was the first time it had fallen below 3 per cent since July 2018, according to the data from the US labour department.
Fox will air an interview with Donald Trump tonight, in which he says that Iranian General Qassem Soleimani had planned to attack four embassies.
This follows reluctance among cabinet members to say what "imminent" threat he posed and where, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's assertion that conflicting statements were "consistent".
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