Donald Trump could possibly be Russian asset, says former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
FBI special counsel Robert Mueller could hand in his report into allegations members of the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 US presidential election as early as next week, according to reports on Wednesday.
As that report was hypothesised about, Donald Trump’s former confidant, the flamboyant political consultant Roger Stone, appeared in court after posting an image on Instagram appearing to threaten a US district judge overseeing his criminal trial, itself instigated by Mr Mueller’s investigation.
The judge, who he repeatedly apologised to, then issued a full gag order on him and warned him that he would not be given another chance to keep his freedom as he awaits trial.
House Democrats will meanwhile file a resolution tomorrow against Mr Trump’s controversial decision to declare a national emergency over illegal immigration from the southwestern border in order to bypass Congress and get his wall built.
As all of that Washington drama swirled, Mr Trump weighed in on a number of issues on Thursday, including the case of Empire actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged in Chicago on Thursday for filing a false police report.
Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet
Show all 20
"What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!?" the president tweeted, referring to Smollett's claims that he was attacked by two men who told him he was in "MAGA country", referring to the president's popular slogan. Chicago police have said that Smollett's attack was staged and orchestrated by the actor.
The White House also detailed on Thursday the president's upcoming trip to Vietnam, where he will have his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The judge told Roger Stone that he is smart enough to understand the significance of words and symbols.
But, while Mr Stone has apologised in court today, she said that the Instagram post had a "sinister message" and that she does not believe the apologies.
"So thank you, but the apology rings quite hollow," Judge Amy Berman Jackson said.
Donald Trump has been criticised for his decision to keep 24-year-old woman Hoda Muthana — who allegedly left the United States in 2014 to join Isis — from returning to the US.
The US government says she is not a citizen, even though she was issued a passport. Lawyers say the president doesn't have the power to unilaterally decide that some Americans are no longer citizens.
The judge has decided to gag Roger Stone completely after his Instagram post, which featured her head shot alongside what appeared to be gun cross hairs.
After he apologised repeatedly, the judge suggested that the apologies ring "quite hollow."
"No Mr Stone, I'm not giving you another chance," Judge Amy Berman Jackson said before imposing the full gag order.
Donald Trump has instructed the White House to review potential dangers posed by climate change — which the president has repeatedly mocked.
They're forming a panel to review the evidence. The only problem? Well, some of those who are reportedly going to join the panel have rejected some near universally accepted facts about how fossil fuels impact the environment.
And, he made some interesting comparison between carbon monoxide and jewish people during the Holocaust:
Earlier today, Donald Trump lashed out at Empire actor Jussie Smollett, and asked why he did not apologise for allegedly fabricating a story in which he was attacked by seeming supporters of the president.
Smollett was charged with filing a false police report this morning in Chicago. Here's our report:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies