Jan 14, 2019

Mitt Romney slams Trump's handling of Putin meeting records

Shannon Vavra

Presidents Trump and Putin in Helsinki. Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Sen. Mitt Romney said Monday he thinks it's "inappropriate" for the president to communicate with the leader of another global power without keeping "careful records" of it, noting what President Trump did "should not be repeated," CNN reports.

Between the lines: After President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin behind closed doors and with only translators present last year, he took the translator’s notes from her and repeatedly tried to conceal the contents of the meeting from administration officials, per The Washington Post.

Romney’s comments come after the NYT reported the FBI opened an investigation into whether Trump was acting on behalf of Russia after he fired FBI Director James Comey.

What's next: Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwall tried and failed to subpoena the records of Trump's conversation with Putin last year. Now that Schiff is the House Intel chair, he has floated that he may try to subpoena them again.

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Marisa Fernandez

Alaska becomes latest state to issue coronavirus stay-at-home order

Data: Axios reporting; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

All Alaskans in the state are under a mandate to "remain at their place of residence and practice social distancing" except for those engaged in essential services, including health care and government functions.

The big picture: This is the latest state to announce policies to enforce social distancing. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide were asked to stay home Monday.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 3 mins ago - Health
Dave Lawler

Hungary's Viktor Orbán granted sweeping powers amid coronavirus crisis

Viktor Orbán. Photo: Michal Cizek/AFP via Getty Images

Hungary's parliament passed a law Monday to allow Prime Minister Viktor Orbán almost unlimited power, for an indefinite period, to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Why it matters: Hungary has taken a sharply authoritarian turn over the past decade under Orbán, and its likely that he and other strongman leaders around the world will seek to maintain powers they gain during the current crisis long after it's over.

Go deeperArrow38 mins ago - World
Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 a.m. ET: 737,929 — Total deaths: 35,019 — Total recoveries: 156,507.
  2. U.S.: Leads the world in cases. Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 a.m. ET: 143,055 — Total deaths: 2,513 — Total recoveries: 4,865.
  3. Federal government latest: The White House will extend its social distancing guidelines until April 30.
  4. Trump latest: The president brushed aside allegations that China is spreading misinformation about the origin of the coronavirus on "Fox & Friends."
  5. Business updates: Americans are calm about their retirement savings despite coronavirus fallout.
  6. World updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will self-isolate after an aide tested positive for coronavirus.
  7. What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingArrowUpdated 49 mins ago - Politics & Policy