Trumpland escaped the swamp and went global this week. POTUS is wrapping up his big foreign trip that's encompassed nine days, five countries, three major world religions, and two key alliances. It's been a really busy week, especially if you haven't been able to catch up on your favorite cable news! So take our hand — don't swat it away — for the highlights of the White House's week abroad.
Jared Kushner had at least three undisclosed calls with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak during and after the 2016 presidential campaign, seven current and former U.S. officials tell Reuters. Two of these calls occurred between April and November last year. Kushner's lawyer, Jamie Gorelick said Kushner had "no recollection" of the calls. The FBI declined to comment to Reuters and the Russian Embassy said it is policy to not comment on diplomatic contacts.
Why it matters: Reuters, citing a current U.S. official, says the FBI is looking into "whether Russians suggested to Kushner or other Trump aides that relaxing economic sanctions would allow Russian banks to offer financing to people with ties to Trump."
Two Chinese fighters conducted an "unsafe and unprofessional intercept" of a U.S. Navy plane over the South China Sea, the AP reports. The Navy is reviewing the incident where one Chinese plane flew about 200 yards in front of a Navy P-3 surveillance plane that was in international airspace.
Why it matters: The South China sea has been called "the future of conflict" and is one of the most likely places for a clash between the U.S. and China. See our Facts Matter on the issue.
