Nov 14, 2017

Sessions: It "would be wrong" to use Justice Department against political opponents

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is sworn in before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 14. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

Attorney General Jeff Sessions told lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday "the Department of Justice can never be used to retaliate politically against opponents. That would be wrong," but also hedged when asked if he was recused from investigating Hillary Clinton.

Why it matters: Sessions on Monday directed federal prosecutors to report directly to him and the deputy attorney general in assessing whether a special counsel should investigate the Hillary Clinton-era sale of Uranium One and "unlawful dealings related to the Clinton Foundation." Sessions recused himself in March from investigating "any matters related in any way to the campaigns for President of the United States."

Go deeper

Gigi Sukin

7 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Robert Mueller speaks out on Roger Stone commutation

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Capitol Hill on Wednesday July 24, 2019. Photo: The Washington Post / Contributor

Former special counsel Robert Mueller responded to claims from President Trump and his allies that Roger Stone was a "victim" in the Justice Department's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, writing in a Washington Post op-ed published Saturday: "He remains a convicted felon, and rightly so."

Why it matters: The rare public comments by Mueller come on the heels of President Trump's move to commute the sentence of his longtime associate, who was sentenced in February to 40 months in prison for crimes stemming from the Russia investigation. The controversial decision brought an abrupt end to the possibility of Stone spending time behind bars.

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Jacob Knutson

8 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump dons face mask during Walter Reed visit

Trump wearing a face mask in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on July 11. Photo: Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump wore a face mask during his Saturday visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to AP.

Why it matters: This is the first known occasion the president has appeared publicly with a facial covering as recommended by health officials since the coronavirus pandemic began, AP writes.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Axios

Updated 8 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 5:30 p.m. ET: 12,607,510 — Total deaths: 562,338 — Total recoveries — 6,948,863 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 5:30 p.m. ET: 3,228,884 — Total deaths: 134,600 — Total recoveries: 983,185 — Total tested: 38,919,421 — Map.
Public health: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: "Please wear a mask to save lives" — Fauci hasn't briefed Trump on the coronavirus pandemic in at least two months — We're losing the war on the coronavirus.
Food: How the coronavirus pandemic boosted alternative meat.
Sports: Charge of "money grab" by college football.
World: India reimposes lockdowns as coronavirus cases soar.