Aug 31, 2017

Trump's lawyers present case that firing Comey wasn't obstruction

Andrew Harnik / AP

President Trump's lawyers have presented memos to Special Counsel Robert Mueller making their case as to why Trump did not obstruct justice when he fired former FBI Director James Comey, per the WSJ.

What the memos say: One says that Trump, as president, has the power to hire and fire whomever he pleases under the Constitution. It also cites additional case law meant to strengthen the argument that Trump didn't obstruct justice. Another details why they believe Comey is an unreliable witness prone to exaggeration.
Why it matters: It makes sense that Trump's legal team would try to get ahead of the Mueller team's expected arguments — it's what any good defense team would do. But there's no indication that Mueller has been persuaded to stop investigating possible obstruction.

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Rebecca Falconer

Joe Biden places second in Nevada caucuses, ahead of Pete Buttigieg

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden a Nevada Caucus watch party in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo: Ronda Churchill/AFP via Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden secured second place in the Nevada Democratic caucuses with former Southbend Mayor Pete Buttigieg third, according to NBC News projections Sunday.

By the numbers: With almost 88% of precincts reporting, Biden has 20.9% of the Nevada votes and Buttigieg has 13.6%.

Flashback: Bernie Sanders wins Nevada caucuses

Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.

Keep Reading39 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Rebecca Falconer

Sanders reveals free childcare plan for preschoolers

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally on Saturday in El Paso, Texas. Photo: Cengiz Yar/Getty Images

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday a new plan to guarantee free child care and pre-kindergarten to all American children from infancy to age four.

Details: In the wide-ranging interview, Sanders told Anderson Cooper he planned to pay for universal childcare with a wealth tax. "It's taxes on billionaires," he said.

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Jonathan Swan

Exclusive: Trump's "Deep State" hit list

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: WPA Pool/Getty Pool, Drew Angerer/Getty Staff

The Trump White House and its allies, over the past 18 months, assembled detailed lists of disloyal government officials to oust — and trusted pro-Trump people to replace them — according to more than a dozen sources familiar with the effort who spoke to Axios.

Driving the news: By the time President Trump instructed his 29-year-old former body man and new head of presidential personnel to rid his government of anti-Trump officials, he'd gathered reams of material to support his suspicions.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Politics & Policy