Jan 18, 2018

FBI investigating whether NRA used Russian money to help Trump

Image: Scott Olson / Getty Images

The FBI is investigating whether top Russian banker Alexander Torshin, who has close ties to the Kremlin, sent money to the NRA to help President Trump win the election, reports McClatchy.

Why it matters: The NRA spent $30 million to support Trump in 2016, triple what they spent on fellow Republican Mitt Romney in 2012. The sources of those donations were not disclosed, and two people told McClatchy that the gun lobby's actual election spend may have been closer to $70 million.

Torshin is a lifetime NRA member who has been described as a "godfather" in a Russian organized crime syndicate known as Taganskaya. In November, NBC News reported that Jared Kushner nixed a meeting between Torshin and the Trump campaign, though Kushner later failed to disclose the email exchange.

In May 2016, Torshin reportedly sat next to Donald Trump Jr. at a private dinner hosted by the NRA.

Go deeper

Orion Rummler

Updated 7 mins ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protesters and police clash nationwide over George Floyd

A firework explodes behind a line of police officers next to the Colorado State Capitol during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Denver on May 30. Photo : Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray as the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd continued nationwide into early Sunday.

The big picture: Police responded over the weekend with force, in cities ranging from Salt Lake City to Atlanta to Des Moines, Houston to Detroit, Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., Denver and Louisville. Large crowds gathered in Minneapolis on Saturday for the fifth day in a row.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Axios

Updated 47 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd protests: What you need to know

Photo: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Clashes erupted between police and protesters in several major U.S. cities Saturday night as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black men spread across the country.

The big picture: Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody is the latest reminder of the disparities between black and white communities in the U.S. and comes as African Americans grapple with higher death rates from the coronavirus and higher unemployment from trying to stem its spread.

Go deeper (2 min. read)

Rebecca Falconer

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Massive demonstrations put police response to unrest in the spotlight

Washington State Police use tear gas to disperse a crowd in Seattle during a demonstration protesting the death of George Floyd. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

The response of some officers during demonstrations against police brutality in the U.S. has been criticized for being excessive by some officials and Black Lives Matter leaders.

Why it matters: The situation is tense across the U.S., with reports of protesters looting and burning buildings. While some police have responded with restraint and by monitoring the protests, others have used batons, tear gas, rubber bullets and other devices to disperse protesters and, in some cases, journalists.

Go deeper (2 min. read)