Trump Spars With Roberts- After President Trump attacked a judge from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for placing a temporary restraining order on the Trump administration’s policy of blocking illegal migrants crossing the southern border from seeking asylum, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked the President, saying the judiciary was independent and faithfully upholds the Constitution. Trump fired back at Roberts, tweeting “Justice Roberts can say what he wants, but the 9th Circuit is a complete & total disaster”. The President continued complaining about the 9th Circuit in a conference call with military leaders on Thursday, calling the Court ‘a thorn in the side’ of the nation.
Trump Sides With Saudi Arabia Over CIA- As repercussion against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continue to gain popularity, President Trump defended the crown prince, saying that “nobody was more upset” about the cover up than the prince. Trump went on to say that perhaps “the world is to blame” for the Khashoggi’s murder. Meanwhile, the CIA has concluded that the killing of Khashoggi was ordered by Mohammed bin Salman, but Trump has brushed aside their conclusion, calling it nothing more than “feelings”.
Ivanka Used Private Emails- The Washington Post reported that Ivanka Trump, the President’s daughter and one of his top aides, used a private email to communicate with White House and Cabinet officials, in possible violation of federal records rules. President Trump incessantly attacked Hillary Clinton during and after the presidential campaign for using a private email, with his supporters chanting “lock her up!” over the controversy. On Thursday, Trump defended Ivanka’s use of a private email as “very innocent”, contrasting his daughter’s use of private email with Clinton’s by pointing out that Ivanka didn’t delete her emails, whereas Hillary Clinton did.
Comey, Lynch Subpoenaed- Former FBI Director James Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch have been subpoenaed by House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte. House Republicans want Comey and Lynch to testify in a deposition in early December. Comey announced the subpoena on his Twitter account, and said he would resist testifying in a closed hearing which would allow Republicans to selectively leak information from the hearing.
White House Restores Acosta Pass, Adds Rules- After a judge ordered the White House to return CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press pass, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced that the White House would comply, but would also be placing new, unprecedented rules on reporters during press briefings. The new rules include journalists only being allowed to ask one question, and surrendering the microphone when commanded to do so. Failure to abide by the new rules could result in the suspension of a journalists White House press pass, said Sanders.
Trump Gives Written Responses To Mueller- President Trump said he submitted his written answers to questions posed by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The President reportedly only provided answers to questions regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election, but not those regarding his alleged attempt to obstruct the broader investigation of possible collusion between his campaign and Russia. The written responses came as a compromise of sorts between Trump and Mueller, who wanted the President to answer questions from his investigators in person.
Trump Offers Republican Votes For Pelosi- With House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi facing stiff opposition from Democrats who oppose her candidacy to become Speaker of the House, President Trump said that Pelosi deserves to become Speaker, and offered Republican votes to help get her over the line. No Speaker has ever been elected by votes from the opposition party, and it is unclear which, if any, Republicans are willing to break from party loyalty to vote for Trump’s choice for House Speaker.