President Donald Trump made a surprise Christmas visit to U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday, his first trip to a conflict zone nearly two years into his presidency and days after announcing a pullout of American troops from neighboring Syria. Trump was looking for some positive headlines after several days of turmoil over his decisions to withdraw the 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, pull out half of the 14,000-strong contingent in Afghanistan, and push out Defense Secretary James Mattis two months earlier than planned for criticizing his policies. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and speaking at the Al Asad Air Base west of Baghdad, Trump defended the withdrawal from Syria and said it was made possible by the defeat of Islamic State militants. "Our presence in Syria was not open ended and it was never intended to be permanent," he told troops wearing camouflage fatigues in a hangar at the base. He said some troops "can now return home to their families." Many Republican and … [Read more...] about In a first, Trump makes surprise visit to U.S. troops in Iraq
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Donald Trump engaged in suspect tax schemes as he reaped riches from his father, investigation reveals
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By David Barstow The New York Times Susanne Craig Russ Buettner Wed., Oct. 3, 2018 President Donald Trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud, that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents, an investigation by The New York Times has found. Trump won the presidency proclaiming himself a self-made billionaire, and he has long insisted that his father, legendary New York City builder Fred C. Trump, provided almost no financial help. But The Times’ investigation, based on a vast trove of confidential tax returns and financial records, reveals that Trump received the equivalent today of at least $413 million (U.S.) from his father’s real estate empire, starting when he was a toddler and continuing to this day. Much of this money came to Trump because he helped his parents dodge taxes. He and his siblings set up a sham corporation to disguise millions of dollars in gifts … [Read more...] about Donald Trump engaged in suspect tax schemes as he reaped riches from his father, investigation reveals
It looks like Trump’s plan to protect himself in New York has backfired spectacularly
President Donald Trump personally interviewed Geoffrey Berman to be US attorney for the Southern District of New York. Berman reportedly recused himself from the Michael Cohen raid. It was exactly the kind of thing Trump was likely looking to avoid. It appears as if President Donald Trump‘s plan to protect himself in New York just completely backfired. ABC News reported Tuesday that Geoffrey Berman, the interim US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, recused himself from the investigation into Trump’s longtime lawyer Michael Cohen. Two sources told ABC News that Berman was not involved in the decision to raid Cohen’s office and residences because of that recusal, which was approved by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Other attorneys in the office handled the raid, which was approved by a federal judge. It’s unlikely that Trump had such a situation in mind when he made the … [Read more...] about It looks like Trump’s plan to protect himself in New York has backfired spectacularly
Mueller is reportedly scrutinizing Trump’s efforts last July to force Jeff Sessions out of office
caption President Donald Trump speaks with Attorney General Jeff Sessions as they attend the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., May 15, 2017. source Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Special counsel Robert Mueller is said to be investigating President Donald Trump’s heated attacks last summer on Attorney General Jeff Sessions. At the time, Trump asked why the “beleaguered” attorney general wasn’t “looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations.” Sessions’ recusal from the Russia investigation is a key point of frustration for Trump, who once reportedly asked why he couldn’t order “my guys” at the “Trump Justice Department” to do his bidding. Sign up for the latest Russia investigation updates here. The special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is eyeing … [Read more...] about Mueller is reportedly scrutinizing Trump’s efforts last July to force Jeff Sessions out of office
At Davos, delegates talk down Trump but bet big on US
DAVOS, Switzerland: Since Donald Trump won the US presidency, business has been booming for Monaco-based businessman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio. His privately owned luxury cruise operator, Silversea Cruises, registered an immediate pick-up in bookings from its main US market and demand has continued to grow."Let's face it, we should be grateful to Trump," said Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a delegate to the World Economic Forum at the Swiss ski resort of Davos where Trump will speak on Friday."The economy is strong, and the American consumer is spending."As the world's top policymakers and executives await Trump to address the Davos summit, they are privately voicing disbelief and disgruntlement at his foreign affairs, retreat on environmental issues and colourful tweeting.African leaders feel insulted after Trump is said to have classified their countries as shitholes, a comment he denies making. Latin American leaders are criticising his retreat from a Pacific-wide trade pact. And some … [Read more...] about At Davos, delegates talk down Trump but bet big on US