Jun 14, 2017

Report: Trump has discussed firing Mueller

Morry Gash / AP

The NY Times reports that President Trump has contemplated firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but has thus far been dissuaded from doing so by staff. Among those pushing back, per the Times — Reince Priebus and Melania Trump.

  • Reasoning: Reports in Breitbart News and elsewhere have convinced Trump that Mueller is a Comey ally, and part of a "witch hunt" against him.
  • Key point: "The president was pleased by the ambiguity of his position on Mr. Mueller, and thinks the possibility of being fired will focus the veteran prosecutor on delivering what the president desires most: a blanket public exoneration."
  • Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders: "While the president has every right to, he has no intention to" fire Mueller.
  • Fact check: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein would have to fire Mueller, and he says he won't follow orders to do so unless there is "good cause."

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Axios
Updated 16 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Politics: The swing states where the pandemic is raging — Pence no longer expected to attend Barrett confirmation vote after COVID exposure.
  2. Health: 13 states set single-day case records last week — U.S. reports over 80,000 new cases for second consecutive day.
  3. Business: Where stimulus is needed most.
  4. Education: The dangerous instability of school re-openings.
  5. World: Restrictions grow across Europe.
  6. Media: Fox News president and several hosts advised to quarantine.
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Dave Lawler, author of World
42 mins ago - World

U.S.-brokered ceasefire collapses in Nagorno-Karabakh

Volunteer fighters in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh crumbled within hours on Monday, leaving the month-old war rumbling on.

Why it matters: Nearly 5,000 people have been killed, according to Vladimir Putin’s rough estimate, including more than 100 civilians. Between 70,000 and 100,000 more are believed to have fled the fighting.

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Ben Geman, author of Generate
3 hours ago - Energy & Environment

Japan's big new climate goal

Climate protest in Tokyo in November 2019. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images

Japan's new prime minister said on Monday the nation will seek to become carbon neutral by 2050, a move that will require huge changes in its fossil fuel-heavy energy mix in order to succeed.

Why it matters: Japan is the world's fifth-largest source of carbon emissions. The new goal announced by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is stronger than the country's previous target of becoming carbon neutral as early as possible in the latter half of the century.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow