WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is defending his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, citing a focus on the “BIG PICTURE!” Trump tweeted Wednesday that “GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY!” Trump says “stupid endless wars, for us, are ending!” […]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Democratic Party’s national leader and five of its presidential candidates will highlight the Ohio Democratic Party’s annual state dinner. State Democrats say Sunday’s dinner at the Greater Columbus Convention Center will feature national chairman Tom Perez and candidates Pete Buttigieg (BOO’-tuh-juhj), Julian Castro, Amy Klobuchar (KLOH’-buh-shar), Tom Steyer and Tim […]

By ZEKE MILLER and JILL COLVIN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House declared it will halt any and all cooperation with what it termed the “illegitimate” impeachment probe by House Democrats, sharpening the constitutional clash between President Donald Trump and Congress. Trump attorneys on Tuesday sent a lengthy letter to House leaders bluntly […]

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge rejected President Donald Trump’s claim to be immune from all criminal investigations Monday and dismissed his lawsuit challenging a state grand jury subpoena for eight years of his tax returns sought by Manhattan’s district attorney. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said in his […]

By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The justices are returning to the Supreme Court bench for the start of an election-year term that includes high-profile cases on about abortions, protections for young immigrants and LGBT rights. The court meets Monday morning for its first public session since late June. First up is a […]

By ERIC TUCKER, RICHARD LARDNER and JILL COLVIN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats leading an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine may have fresh information to work with after a new whistleblower stepped forward with what the person’s lawyer said were firsthand knowledge of key events. With Congress out for […]

By LISA MASCARO, ERIC TUCKER and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Top U.S. diplomats encouraged Ukraine’s newly elected president to conduct an investigation linked to Joe Biden’s family in return for a high-profile visit to Washington with President Donald Trump. It soon escalated into what one feared was a “crazy” swap that […]

By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is preparing to formally object to Democrats’ impeachment inquiry as soon as Friday, saying it won’t cooperate with the probe because it was initiated without a vote of the House. The White House Counsel’s Office was preparing to send a letter […]

By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Agitated and angry, President Donald Trump squared off against House Democrats, packing his increasingly aggressive impeachment defense with name-calling and expletives. Quietly but just as resolutely, lawmakers expanded their inquiry, promising a broad new subpoena for documents and witnesses. Democratic leaders […]

By ZEKE MILLER and LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders’ campaign said Wednesday that the Democratic presidential candidate had a heart procedure for a blocked artery and was canceling events and appearances “until further notice.” The 78-year-old Sanders experienced chest discomfort during an event Tuesday and sought medical evaluation, according to a […]