Trump news - live: Kim Kardashian speaks at the White House, as president announces Sarah Sanders' departure
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Donald Trump has once more stirred up calls for his impeachment after saying in an interview he would accept intelligence on a political opponent from a foreign power rather than inform the FBI.
“If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent’ – oh, I think I’d want to hear it”, the president said during an Oval Office interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
The remark immediately inspired Mr Trump’s 2020 Democratic challengers to unite in calls for his removal from the White House, with Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren all condemning his words and California senator Kamala Harris branding him a “national security threat”.
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The White House just provided us with this response to the Kellyanne Conway news, from deputy press secretary Steven Groves:
“The Office of Special Counsel’s (OSC) unprecedented actions against Kellyanne Conway are deeply flawed and violate her constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Others, of all political views, have objected to the OSC’s unclear and unevenly applied rules which have a chilling effect on free speech for all federal employees. Its decisions seem to be influenced by media pressure and liberal organizations – and perhaps OSC should be mindful of its own mandate to act in a fair, impartial, non-political manner, and not misinterpret or weaponize the Hatch Act.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for the oil tanker incident that led to boat evacuations in the Gulf of Oman.
The waterway is critical for the transportation of oil, and the conflict there has raised concerns of an armed conflict between the US and Iran.
Mr Pompeo said the sabotage of the tankers is the latest in a series of violent acts from Iran.
"Taken as a whole, these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security," he said.
Donald Trump says that Sarah Huckabee Sanders leaving her post in the White House, and heading back to her home state of Arkansas.
In tweets, the president praised his outgoing press secretary, and said he hopes she runs for the governor's mansion when she returns home.
"After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas," Mr Trump wrote.
He continued: "She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!"
You can read our full story on Sarah Huckabee Sanders' imminent departure here:
In other White House news, Kim Kardashian West has been speaking at an even promoting efforts to help former prisoners returning to the workforce.
Speaking ahead of the event, she said: "I am heading to the White House to speak at the second chance hiring and reentry event." The reality TV star also said she was "honoured to be a part of the announcement that the administration and the private sector are stepping up to create opportunities for these men and women to succeed once home."
The president has posted a video from the 'Second Chance Hiring' event at the White House today, featuring Kim Kardashian:
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