Apr 10, 2018

White House: Trump thinks Mueller probe "has gone too far"

Michael Sykes

Sarah Sanders at the White House press briefing. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday that Trump thinks special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation has "gone too far." The comments follow the FBI's raid of the president's personal lawyer Michael Cohen's office.

Sanders said she isn't sure if Trump is still represented by Cohen and included that the president hasn't spoken to him since the raid. Trump believes he has the power to fire Mueller if he "chooses to do so," added the press secretary.

Other highlights:

  • On Jeff Sessions and Rod Rosenstein: Sanders said the president has "voiced his frustrations" with Sessions and Rosenstein. When asked if Trump had spoken to either, Sanders said "not that I'm aware of."
  • On Chinese promises of trade reform: The administration believes President Xi Jinping’s trade concessions are a “very good sign” but the president wants “to see concrete actions from China.” 

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Government tech struggles to dole out coronavirus stimulus cash

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Tech challenges are hampering federal and state government efforts to get funds from the $2 trillion coronavirus relief law into the hands of newly unemployed workers and struggling small businesses who need it.

Why it matters: Many businesses and individuals need the money now for essentials, including meeting payroll and paying rent.

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U.S. coronavirus updates: Death toll passes 9,600

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

Recorded deaths from the novel coronavirus surpassed 9,600 in the U.S. on Monday, per Johns Hopkins data. More than 1,000 people in the U.S. have died of coronavirus-related conditions each day since April 1.

Why it matters: U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said on Sunday the coming week will be "the hardest and saddest week of most Americans' lives" — calling it our "our Pearl Harbor, our 9/11 moment."

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9 a.m. ET: 1,288,372 — Total deaths: 70,482 — Total recoveries: 270,249 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9 a.m. ET: 337,993 — Total deaths: 9,653 — Total recoveries: 17,582 — Map.
  3. Federal government latest: White House adviser Peter Navarro battled Dr. Anthony Fauci in the Situation Room over the use of hydroxychloroquine.
  4. Trump latest: The pandemic may delay a Supreme Court case on the president's tax returns, sparing him from having to release them before the 2020 election.
  5. 2020 latest: Joe Biden says DNC may have to hold a virtual convention.
  6. World update: U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to the hospital as a "precautionary step."
  7. What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

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