Aug 1, 2019 - World

Trump discusses U.S.-Russia trade and Siberian wildfires with Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump at the G20 Osaka Summit 2019. Photo: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone Wednesday to discuss wildfires in Siberia and trade between the U.S. and Russia, the White House said, according to Reuters.

The big picture: The statement by White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley comes hours after the Kremlin said on its website that Putin expressed "sincere gratitude" to Trump for offering help with the wildfires, saying he may accept the offer if the situation demands it, per Radio Free Europe.

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Mike Allen

22 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Ben Sasse emerges as GOP Trump critic ahead of November

Sen. Ben Sasse walks to the Senate from the subway to vote in June. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) has dialed up his spicy slams of President Trump, including this swipe at yesterday's signing ceremony: "The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop."

Why it matters: Trump increasingly looks — to business and to fellow Republicans — like a loser in November. So they're more likely to create distance to save their own skins. Sasse also won his May primary, further freeing him.

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Fadel Allassan

54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi: "States don't have the money" for Trump's unemployment order

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed on "Fox News Sunday" that states don't have the funds to comply with the executive order President Trump signed on Saturday, which requires them to cover 25% of an additional $400 in weekly unemployment benefits.

Why it matters: Many state and local governments have had their budgets devastated by the economic impacts of the coronavirus, which have caused expenses to soar and revenues to plunge.

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Fadel Allassan

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kudlow says he regrets claiming Trump couldn't use executive order for unemployment

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he regrets suggesting this week that unemployment benefits can only be extended by Congress.

Why it matters: President Trump's decision to bypass Congress to sign four executive actions, including one that provides $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits, has prompted outcry from Democrats and even some Republicans who believe he is overstepping his constitutional authority.