May 11, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Giuliani cancels trip to Ukraine as Trump suggests investigating Biden

Giulani and Biden. Photos: Siavosh Hosseini/NurPhoto via Getty Images and Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Rudy Giuliani told Fox News on Friday night that he no longer plans to travel to Ukraine to ask Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the origins of the Mueller investigation and, separately, former Vice President Joe Biden's alleged intervention in Ukrainian politics on behalf of his son, CBS reports.

What's new: Giuliani walked back what he previously described as lawfully "meddling in an investigation," and said on Friday he now thinks going to Ukraine would be "walking into a group of people that are enemies of the president ... in some cases enemies of the United States."

House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff told Axios' Executive Editor Mike Allen Friday when he asked him about Rudy's plan:

  • "The fact that he would be so open about it, boastful almost ... it takes your breath away."

The backdrop: President Trump commented on possibly investigating Biden's alleged actions in Ukraine in an exclusive interview with Politico on Friday. Trump said it would be "appropriate" to discuss the issue with Attorney General Bill Barr, but said he hadn't done so yet. "It could be a very big situation," he added.

  • Meanwhile, Giuliani has faced "withering attacks accusing him of seeking foreign assistance for President Trump’s re-election campaign," the New York Times reports.

Be smart: The New York Times, which broke the story on allegations of Ukrainian conflicts of interest against Biden, reports that "no evidence has surfaced that the former vice president intentionally tried to benefit his son by pressing for the prosecutor general’s dismissal."

Go deeper:

Go deeper

Ben Geman, author of Generate
20 mins ago - Energy & Environment

The climate stakes of the Supreme Court fight

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death and the battle over her vacant Supreme Court seat have real implications for energy and climate policy.

Why it matters: If President Trump replaces her, the court will likely become more skeptical of regulations that claim expansive federal power to regulate carbon under existing law, and perhaps new climate statutes as well.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
33 mins ago - Economy & Business

The tech war between the U.S. and China escalates

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Economic tension between the U.S. and China continues to escalate but is shifting in focus — away from the tit-for-tat trade war and toward a more direct confrontation over the future of technology at the heart of the conflict between the world's two largest economies.

Why it matters: The battle between the U.S. and China was always about tech supremacy and the direct confrontation could result in an accelerated splintering of global supply chains and a significant reduction of international commerce.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Mike Allen, author of AM
Updated 46 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump's next moves in Supreme Court fight

Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

President Trump told "Fox & Friends" on Monday that he plans to announce his pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court on Friday or Saturday.

The state of play: Axios has heard that Trump's choices to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg are down to two women, both federal appeals court judges. The frontrunners are Amy Coney Barrett of Chicago, the early favorite, and Barbara Lagoa, who is viewed as easier to confirm. The Senate confirmed Lagoa 80-15 last year, so many Democrats have already voted for her.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow