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Republicans dispute Trump's claim Isis has been defeated in Syria – live Republicans dispute Trump's claim Isis has been defeated in Syria – live
(35 minutes later)
Attorneys for the family of a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl who died in border patrol custody called for an independent investigation into the death Wednesday.
“The investigation should not be the exclusive purview of the agencies whose actions and policies are being questioned. The investigator should not be the same entity as the investigated,” lawyer Enrique Moreno said at an El Paso press conference, NBC News reported.
Neither the girl nor her father, Nery Gilberto Caal Cuz, were given water during their confinement, another lawyer said - contradicting statements by the Department of Homeland Security that they had access to food and water.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will not be changing its name after all.
Kathy Kraninger, the bureau’s new director, decided to reverse course and keep the name the same, Politico reported. Her predecessor Mick Mulvaney, now acting White House chief of staff, wanted to change it to Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
“I care much more about what we do than what we are called,” Kraninger in an email to staff, obtained by the consumer group Allied Progress. “As of December 17, 2018, I have officially halted all ongoing efforts to make changes to existing products and materials related to the name correction initiative.”
South Carolina may skip holding a 2020 presidential primary and put its support behind Donald Trump without a vote.
“We have complete autonomy and flexibility in either direction,” South Carolina Republican chairman Drew McKissick told the Washington Examiner. “Considering the fact that the entire party supports the president, we’ll end up doing what’s in the president’s best interest.”
The primary is traditionally thirds in the nation and hard fought among presidential contenders.
Former vice president Joe Biden has the highest favorability rating among potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, with 53% of voters viewing him favorably and 33% unfavorably, according to a new poll.
Among the ratings for other contenders in the Quinnipiac University poll:
A divided 44 - 42 percent favorability for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, including 74 - 13 percent among Democrats and 57 - 29 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old;
24 - 20 percent for Texas U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, with 55 percent who haven’t heard enough about him to form an opinion;
Negative 30 - 37 percent for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren;
22 - 26 percent for New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, with 51 percent who haven’t heard enough;
Negative 22 - 32 percent for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg;
A divided 20 - 22 percent for California Sen. Kamala Harris, with 57 percent who haven’t heard enough;
14 - 17 percent for New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, with 68 percent who haven’t heard enough;
12 - 9 percent for Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, with 77 percent who haven’t heard enough.
The Washington, D.C. attorney general filed a lawsuit against Facebook over the scandal involving political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica’s use of data from the social media site.
“Facebook failed to protect the privacy of its users and deceived them about who had access to their data and how it was used,” Attorney General Karl Racine in a statement, according to Reuters. “Facebook put users at risk of manipulation by allowing companies like Cambridge Analytica and other third-party applications to collect personal data without users’ permission.”
The D.C. attorney general says in the suit that this exposed nearly half of the district’s residents’ data to manipulation for political purposes during the 2016 presidential election, Reuters reported. Cambridge Analytica at one point worked for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The AG charged Facebook’s “lax oversight and misleading privacy settings” had allowed the firm to access the data.
Donald Trump’s decision to pull US forces out of Syria follows a phone call with Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan on Friday where he agreed to do so, Reuters reported.Donald Trump’s decision to pull US forces out of Syria follows a phone call with Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan on Friday where he agreed to do so, Reuters reported.
“Everything that has followed is implementing the agreement that was made in that call,” a US official told the news agency.“Everything that has followed is implementing the agreement that was made in that call,” a US official told the news agency.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says her caucus will support a continuing resolution to fund the government into the new year and avert a partial government shutdown.House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says her caucus will support a continuing resolution to fund the government into the new year and avert a partial government shutdown.
.@NancyPelosi officially backs the CR to Feb. 8: pic.twitter.com/btdUpMSVlz.@NancyPelosi officially backs the CR to Feb. 8: pic.twitter.com/btdUpMSVlz
Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tore into a Politico article she did not like, criticizing it on the basis that it used unnamed sources.Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tore into a Politico article she did not like, criticizing it on the basis that it used unnamed sources.
Now her comments are providing fuel for Donald Trump Jr., who sees some similarities with his father’s grievances against the press.Now her comments are providing fuel for Donald Trump Jr., who sees some similarities with his father’s grievances against the press.
Welcome to our world... You think that's bad? Imagine what it's like when they actually hate you. https://t.co/YQ99UU5pHBWelcome to our world... You think that's bad? Imagine what it's like when they actually hate you. https://t.co/YQ99UU5pHB
The story in question reported that Ocasio-Cortez was looking at backing a primary challenge against a fellow New York Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries. Her spokesman, who was quoted in the story, did not deny it, but she has since said on Twitter it is untrue.The story in question reported that Ocasio-Cortez was looking at backing a primary challenge against a fellow New York Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries. Her spokesman, who was quoted in the story, did not deny it, but she has since said on Twitter it is untrue.
All US State Department staff will be withdrawn from Syria in the next 24 hours, per Reuters.All US State Department staff will be withdrawn from Syria in the next 24 hours, per Reuters.
The move comes as the Trump administration is planning to withdraw US troops from the country.The move comes as the Trump administration is planning to withdraw US troops from the country.
MORE: All U.S. State Department personnel are being evacuated from Syria within 24 hours - official pic.twitter.com/XOnbuEzarZMORE: All U.S. State Department personnel are being evacuated from Syria within 24 hours - official pic.twitter.com/XOnbuEzarZ
Senators Jeff Flake, Cory Booker and Chris Coons will attempt to force a vote this afternoon on a bill to protect the job of special counsel Robert Mueller, per NBC.Senators Jeff Flake, Cory Booker and Chris Coons will attempt to force a vote this afternoon on a bill to protect the job of special counsel Robert Mueller, per NBC.
INBOX: TODAY, APPROX. 2:50PM: Sens. Flake, Coons, Booker to force a vote on bill to protect the Special CounselINBOX: TODAY, APPROX. 2:50PM: Sens. Flake, Coons, Booker to force a vote on bill to protect the Special Counsel
Flake, an Arizona Republican who will leave office at the end of the year, has been holding up judicial nominations in an effort to get a vote on the legislation.Flake, an Arizona Republican who will leave office at the end of the year, has been holding up judicial nominations in an effort to get a vote on the legislation.
In addition to shutting down, Donald Trump’s charitable foundation will have to sell off its property under a deal with the New York Attorney General.
That property consists of exactly three objects, per the Washington Post’s David Fartenhold. One of them is a Denver Broncos helmet signed by ex-quarterback Tim Tebow, which Trump bought using foundation money. The other two are large portraits of Trump, which he also purchased with foundation money.
.@realDonaldTrump's charity only owns 3 physical objects. Why is one of them a Denver Broncos helmet signed by Tim Tebow? https://t.co/urqUIi4Keo
A federal judge has struck down most of the Trump administration’s policy to make it more difficult for immigrants to claim asylum, per Buzzfeed. The policy, by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, tightened the standard required to demonstrate “credible fear,” the first hurdle to begin the asylum process.
BREAKING: Judge Emmet Sullivan isn't done this week, striking down most of AG Sessions' move to heighten standards for "credible fear" asylum determinations and order the return of those deported under that policy. pic.twitter.com/KuCELoasoV
The ruling is from Judge Emmet Sullivan, the same judge who presided over former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s delayed sentencing Tuesday.
Congressional Democrats will investigate how the White House handles security clearances when they take control of the House next month.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, the incoming chair of the House Oversight committee, sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly asking for documents related to the White House security clearance process. The documents were requested on three previous occasions, but not turned over, he wrote.
“These are documents that even the Republicans on the Oversight Committee—at least at some point in time—believed we needed to conduct effective oversight, but when the Trump Administration refused to comply fully, the Republicans would not issue a single subpoena,” Cummings said. “Many of these requests were bipartisan, and some are now more than a year old. As Democrats prepare to take the reins in Congress, we are insisting—as a basic first step—that the Trump Administration and others comply with these Republican requests.”
Another Republican Congressman is disputing Donald Trump’s claim that ISIS has been defeated in Syria, used to justify his decision to withdraw US troops from the country.
“This is simply not true,” said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican and Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is simply not true. https://t.co/Jvie2NxgWz
“Really? Iran is rejoicing right now,” he said of the decision to withdraw. “We left Iraq, and had to come back. I would sure hope the President and his advisers are smarter than this.”
A spokeswoman for New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood says she “believes there should be one set of rules for everyone,” after being targeted in attacks by Donald Trump.
The statement comes after Trump unleashed a Twitter rant against Underwood, without naming her, also tearing into her predecessor and successor as attorney general. Trump said he was treated unfairly after he agreed to a deal to dissolve his personal charity, the Trump Foundation, which was accused of a series of legal violations.
“President Trump should know that the NY Attorney General who sued the Trump Foundation is Barbara Underwood,” said the AG’s spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick.
“Barbara Underwood is a career prosecutor who served as U.S. Solicitor General, clerked for Thurgood Marshall, and has argued before the Supreme Court 20 times,” she said. “AG Underwood believes there should be one set of rules for everyone - no matter who they are. That’s why she filed suit against the Trump Foundation, after an investigation found a shocking pattern of flagrant and repeated illegality - including willful self-dealing to serve Mr. Trump and his business and political interests.”
My statement on Trump’s twitter rant this morning, which simultaneously tried to blame AG Underwood’s Trump Foundation suit on the prior AG, and accused Barbara Underwood - seriously, Barbara Underwood - of ranting, raving, and politicking. pic.twitter.com/0Qu5RwUOci
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirms the US has begun withdrawing troops from Syria, but says they are ready to “re-engage” as necessary.
NEW: Statement from Sarah Sanders on Syria “These victories over ISIS in Syria do not signal the end of the Global Coalition or its campaign... The United States and our allies stand ready to re-engage at all levels to defend American interests whenever necessary.” pic.twitter.com/CWfDvLKKAu
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer points out that Mexico is still not paying for Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.
This morning, @realDonaldTrump also tweeted that Mexico could somehow pay for the wall through a new trade deal. Of course, there have been multiple fact checks that show a new NAFTA could not possibly fund a wall, directly or indirectly. https://t.co/y5hQ1Mpgm1
Trump has claimed that through a revised trade agreement between the US and Mexico, Mexico would indirectly pay for the wall. The White House has been unable to explain how this is supposed to work. Experts have found no conceivable way it could happen.
Senator Rand Paul is welcoming the decision by Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from Syria.
I am happy to see a President who can declare victory and bring our troops out of a war. It’s been a long time since that has happened. https://t.co/fEBb8080fK
The Pentagon is pushing to keep troops in Syria despite Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw them, according to a reporter for the Daily Beast.
Pentagon clearly pushing hard to stay in Syria despite Trump. Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, issues statement: "At this time, we continue to work by, with and through our partners in the region."
Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch is answering questions behind closed doors Wednesday from House committees probing the FBI and Justice Department’s handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton’s emails and the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.
She’s likely to be asked about the extent of oversight she had over those probes as attorney general under President Barack Obama, as well as whether an anti-Trump bias affected any investigative decisions, the Washington Post reported.
Lynch’s testimony comes days after former FBI director James Comey appeared before the panels, also in a closed-door session.