Trump news – live: Damning evidence uncovered in classified documents probe as Trump lashes out at DeSantis

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he was breaking rules by taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing it had found 16 records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was president.

“The 16 records in question all reflect communications involving close presidential advisers, some of them directed to you personally, concerning whether, why, and how you should declassify certain classified records,” wrote archivist Debra Steidel Wall.

These records will be turned over to Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the criminal investigation into Mr Trump’s handling of classified documents.

The revelation comes as Mr Trump continues to lash out at Ron DeSantis, as the Florida governor prepares to launch his 2024 campaign next week.

“After campaigning for five months, and going nowhere but down, it looks like Ron DeSanctimonious will soon be entering the race. He has ZERO chance, and MAGA will never forget!” Mr Trump fumed on Truth Social on Thursday night.

Key points

• ‘Ron’s magic is GONE!’: Trump floods Truth Social with negative DeSantis posts

• Trump lawyer exits legal team as Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe heats up

• Trump takes ‘credit’ for overturning of Roe v Wade and questions DeSantis’s six-week ban

• Florida governor expected to enter US presidential race next week

• Trump lashes out at DC ‘cockroaches’ following release of Durham report

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion

18:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign wasted no time in knocking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the news that Disney is cancelling a $1bn plan to expand its business in Florida.

The campaign for the former president to return to the White House sent out a fundraising email on 18 May after the news broke about the shelving of the planned relocation of some thousands of staff to the Orlando area.

Headlined: “President Trump is always right”, the email included a Truth Social post from Mr Trump dated 18 April.

Oliver O’Connell and Alex Woodward report:

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion plan

Former Playboy model who allegedly had ‘affair’ with Trump says she’d work for DeSantis

17:03 , Graig Graziosi

Former Playboy model Karen McDougal, 52, claims she at one point had a "love" affair with Donald Trump, and offered details of their relationship on Friday.

McDougal described Mr Trump as both "crass and vulgar" but said he had "kind moments," during an interview with The Daily Mail.

Ms McDougal has voted Republican her entire life, and voted for Mr Trump in 2016. She reportedly will not be doing so again in the Republican primary.

"I'm hoping [Florida Governor Ron] DeSantis gets in," she told the paper. "I'd be willing to work for his campaign."

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

16:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

Trump ally could be forced to testify against him

15:00 , Graig Graziosi

One of former president Donald Trump’s loyal allies, and former CFO of the Trump Organisation, Allen Weisselberg, could be forced to testify against Mr Trump or face jail time.

Mr Weisselberg, who was recently released from jail after pleading guilty to tax fraud, could be asked by New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg to testify or face an alleged perjury charge, according to a report from The New York Times.

Mr Weisselberg a longtime associate of Mr Trump, could have information that Mr Bragg could be used against the former president related to his recent indictment.

Should Mr Weisselberg choose not to testify, as he has so far, Mr Bragg could bring forth a false statement that Mr Weisselberg allegedly made under oath in an interview with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2020.

It is not clear what the statement was nor if Mr Weisselberg intentionally made a false statement.

Who is running for president in 2024?

14:00 , Ariana Baio

Who is running for president in 2024?

Trump releases ad reminding DeSantis of former allyship

13:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump posted a political advertisement video to his Truth Social account on Friday - reminding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of their former camaraderie while Mr DeSantis was campaigning for governor.

Mr DeSantis was elected the governor of the state of Florida in 2018, partially thanks to an endorsement from the former president.

The ad reminds Mr DeSantis of his polling before Mr Trump endorsed him as well as shows old photos of the two Republican politicians smiling together.

“Instead of being grateful DeSantis is now attacking the very man who saved his career,” the voiceover in the political ad says.

Mr DeSantis is expected to announce his run for president next week, putting himself in direct competition with Mr Trump.

The ad finishes by playing footage from one of Mr DeSantis’ old political ads where he uses Trump-isms like “build the wall” and “you’re fired” to show his support.

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

12:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

The most disturbing allegations from the Giuliani lawsuit

11:00 , Ariana Baio

Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and personal attorney to Donald Trump, has been hit by a $10m sexual assault and harassment lawsuit from a former aide who worked for him between 2019 and 2021.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

The most disturbing allegations from the Rudy Giuliani lawsuit

ICYMI: New Hampshire college condemns Trump after ‘deeply troubling’ CNN town hall on its campus

10:00 , Ariana Baio

The New Hampshire college that hosted Donald Trump’s CNN town hall has condemned the former president for the “deeply troubling” event.

Saint Anselm College criticised both the comments of the ex-president and the reactions to his statements by the Trump-friendly audience in the auditorium.

Gustaf Kilander reports:

New Hampshire college condemns Trump after ‘troubling’ CNN town hall on its campus

WATCH: Former Trump White House lawyer says he believes Trump will go to jail

09:00 , Ariana Baio

Bill Barr indicates classified documents investigation could be bad for Trump

08:00 , Ariana Baio

Bill Barr, the former Attorney General under the Trump administration and Bush administration, indicated that the classified documents investigation into Donald Trump could be bad news for the former president.

While speaking with CBS on Thursday, Mr Barr said the situation could ‘expose’ Mr Trump if he ‘played games’ after the government requested the classified documents.

“He was given a long time to send them back. And they were subpoenaed. And I’ve said all along that he wouldn’t get in trouble, probably, just for taking them, just as Biden I don’t think is going to get in trouble or Pence is not going to get in trouble.”

“The problem is what did he do after the government asked for them back and subpoenaed them? And if there’s any games being played there, he’s going to be very exposed,” Mr Barr said.

ICYMI: More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

07:00 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden would be vaulted to a massive lead over Donald Trump if the former president faces further criminal charges from the federal and state criminal investigations into his conduct, according to a new poll obtained by The Independent.

The poll of 1,571 registered voters was conducted by WPA Research, a Republican polling firm. The CEO of WPA is an adviser to Never Back Down, the Super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, but the survey was conducted independently without his input and was not sponsored by the Super PAC.

It found that voters currently prefer Mr Biden over Mr Trump by a margin of 47 per cent to 40 per cent, including a 14-point lead for the sitting president among registered independents.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

Court finds FBI improperly used surveillance tool on Jan. 6 suspects, racial justice protests

06:00 , Ariana Baio

FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when they searched a vast repository of foreign intelligence for information related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a heavily blacked-out court order released Friday.

FBI officials said the violations predated a series of corrective measures that started in the summer of 2021 and continued last year.

But the problems could nonetheless complicate FBI and Justice Department efforts to receive congressional reauthorization of a warrantless surveillance program that law enforcement officials say is needed to counterterrorism, espionage and international cybercrime.

Court finds FBI improperly used surveillance tool on Jan. 6 suspects, racial justice protests

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

05:00 , Ariana Baio

The Georgia prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election in Georgia is seemingly hinting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to other Fulton County judges indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens his campaign for 2024 president.

DeSantis privately shares Trump cannot win election, report says

04:00 , Ariana Baio

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is confident in his abilities to win the 2024 presidential election, according to statements he made on a call as heard by The New York Times.

On Thursday, Mr DeSantis reportedly called donors and supporters to unofficially declare his campaign.

On the call, Mr DeSantis allegedly said, “You have basically three people at this point that are credible in this whole thing,- Biden, Trump and me.”

“And I think of those three, two have a chance to get elected president — Biden and me, based on all the data in the swing states, which is not great for the former president and probably insurmountable because people aren’t going to change their view of him,” Mr DeSantis added.

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

03:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump has again complained that he is the “victim” of what Republicans baselessly claim is the “weaponisation” of the federal government.

The one-term president made the remark in response to the Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Thursday.

The committee descended into chaos with lawmakers shouting at each other as two suspended FBI agents and one fired agent spoke about how the agency had retaliated against them for claims they had made about it.

Graeme Massie reports:

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Trump could be handed Georgia indictment this summer

02:00 , Ariana Baio

The Georgia prosecutor investigating former president Donald Trump and his allies’ possible interference in the 2020 election has indicated there could be an indictment by August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter to Fulton County judges asking to not schedule trials during the first three weeks of August and announced remote working days for most of her staff.

Already, Ms Willis has requested additional security around the courthouse.

Ms Willis and her office have spent more than two years investigating the case.

Chris Christie rumoured to be planning presidential run

01:00 , Ariana Baio

Chris Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey and former presidential candidate, is apparently gearing up to announce another bid for 2024 president.

Mr Christie, who has been outspoken about his disdain for Donald Trump, told supporters last month during an event in New Hampshire that, “Tonight is the beginning of the case against Donald Trump.”

“You’re not going to beat someone by closing your eyes, clicking your heels together three times and saying, ‘There’s no place like home.’ That’s not going to work. In American politics, you want to beat somebody? You have to go get them,” he added.

Though Mr Christie has not formally announced a campaign, rumours are swirling that he may announce next week as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also expected to.

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

Saturday 20 May 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

Trump claimed the Durham report would uncover the ‘crime of the century.’ Here’s what it really found

Friday 19 May 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

After a two-year investigation by a Trump administration prosecutor charged with undermining and discrediting the FBI’s probe into alleged ties between former president Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Russian government has ended after four years and just a single criminal conviction, a report on the findings of that investigation found that the FBI was justified to open a preliminary probe into the matter.

Eric Garcia and Andrew Feinberg report:

What did the Durham probe uncover?

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour criticises network over Trump town hall

Friday 19 May 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio

CNN’s town hall with Donald Trump proved so divisive that even its own staff have taken issue with the event - with Christiane Amanpour the latest of the network’s high-profile names to voice their dissatisfaction.

The New Hampshire event drew 3.3 million viewers, who watched as the former president sparred with CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins, whom Mr Trump referred to as a “nasty person”.

Speaking in an address to Columbia Journalism School on Wednesday, Amanpour said if she were Collins, she would have “dropped the mic” as soon as Mr Trump called her nasty, adding that she had spoken with the network’s CEO Chris Licht and told him the ex-president should not have been able “to appear in that particular format”.

‘I would have dropped the mic’: CNN’s Christiane Amanpour hits out at Trump town hall

Trump uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Friday 19 May 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump’s campaign used the entrance of Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) into the 2024 Republican presidential race to hit his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Mr Scott, the Senate’s sole Black Republican, filed paperwork to run for president. He is largely expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.

But Mr Trump’s campaign spokesman Taylor Budowich used Mr Scott’s planned announcement to continue the campaign’s attacks on Mr DeSantis.

Eric Garcia reports:

Trump uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Trump ally could be forced to testify against him

Friday 19 May 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

One of former president Donald Trump’s loyal allies, and former CFO of the Trump Organisation, Allen Weisselberg, could be forced to testify against Mr Trump or face jail time.

Mr Weisselberg, who was recently released from jail after pleading guilty to tax fraud, could be asked by New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg to testify or face an alleged perjury charge, according to a report from The New York Times.

Mr Weisselberg a longtime associate of Mr Trump, could have information that Mr Bragg could be used against the former president related to his recent indictment.

Should Mr Weisselberg choose not to testify, as he has so far, Mr Bragg could bring forth a false statement that Mr Weisselberg allegedly made under oath in an interview with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2020.

It is not clear what the statement was nor if Mr Weisselberg intentionally made a false statement.

FBI veterans admit to taking money from ex-Trump aide Kash Patel

Friday 19 May 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

A pair of federal law enforcement veterans who accused the FBI of drumming them out of service because of their conservative political beliefs have admitted to receiving money from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel.

The shocking admission came during a Thursday hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government.

The GOP-led panel has largely devoted its time to investigating conspiracy theories about social media companies’ cooperation with law enforcement, as well as advancing allegations that the Department of Justice probes into prominent Republicans who may have committed crimes are politically motivated.

Eric Garica and Andrew Feinberg report:

Anti-FBI witnesses at GOP hearing say they took money from ex-Trump aide

Village People slap Trump with cease-and-desist after his ‘Macho Man’ dance

Friday 19 May 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

Seventies disco band Village People has asked Donald Trump to stop using impersonators while playing their music without consent.

The wife of one of the band members on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to the former president, according to reports.

Mr Trump has been using the band’s songs such as “YMCA” and “Macho Man” at his events and rallies for years now.

WATCH: Former White House lawyer predict Trump will go to jail

Friday 19 May 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponization of government’ hearing

Friday 19 May 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Shortly after the hearing began, however, Democrats began raising an issue: Mr Jordan’s refusal to turn over evidence, including witness testimony, to the Democrat members of the committee.

Trump encourages Republicans not to seek common ground in debt ceiling talks

Friday 19 May 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump dished out some advice for Republicans in Congress on Friday (19 May) when it comes to negotiating for the debt ceiling with President Joe Biden.

“REPUBLICANS SHOULD NOT MAKE A DEAL ON THE DEBT CEILING UNLESS THEY GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT (Including the “kitchen sink”). THAT’S THE WAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS DEALT WITH US. DO NOT FOLD!!!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The advice comes as Republicans are trying to find middle ground with the President and other Democrats when discussing budgets.

The US is expected to default by June should lawmakers fail to reach a deal.

Republican Senator Tim Scott launches 2024 presidential bid

Friday 19 May 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has officially declared himself a candidate for president in next year’s Republican primary election.

According to a statement of candidacy filed on Friday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Mr Scott has designated his official campaign committee as “Tim Scott for America,” with a campaign address in the state’s capital, Charleston.

Mr Scott, who has served as South Carolina’s junior senator since 2013, was first appointed to his Senate seat by one of his presidential primary opponents, then-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. He filled a vacancy left by the resignation of Jim DeMint, who left the Senate to lead the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Mr Scott, whose campaign website has teased a “special announcement” on 22 May, joins a GOP primary field that includes Ms Haley, former president Donald Trump, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are also expected to officially enter the GOP presidential field in the coming days.

DeSantis privately shares Trump cannot win election, report says

Friday 19 May 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is confident in his abilities to win the 2024 presidential election, according to statements he made on a call as heard by The New York Times.

On Thursday, Mr DeSantis reportedly called donors and supporters to unofficially declare his campaign.

On the call, Mr DeSantis allegedly said, “You have basically three people at this point that are credible in this whole thing,- Biden, Trump and me.”

“And I think of those three, two have a chance to get elected president — Biden and me, based on all the data in the swing states, which is not great for the former president and probably insurmountable because people aren’t going to change their view of him,” Mr DeSantis added.

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion

Friday 19 May 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign wasted no time in knocking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the news that Disney is cancelling a $1bn plan to expand its business in Florida.

The campaign for the former president to return to the White House sent out a fundraising email on 18 May after the news broke about the shelving of the planned relocation of some thousands of staff to the Orlando area.

Headlined: “President Trump is always right”, the email included a Truth Social post from Mr Trump dated 18 April.

Oliver O’Connell and Alex Woodward report:

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion plan

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

Friday 19 May 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio

The Atlanta prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and others broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia seems to be suggesting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to county Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely for most days during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time. Copied on the letter are 20 other county officials, including Sheriff Pat Labat, the court clerk and top leaders.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens the former president as he campaigns to regain the White House in 2024.

Can Donald Trump run for president in 2024?

Friday 19 May 2023 16:30 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump has now been found to be both a sexual abuser and a defendant in a criminal case – at a time when he is eyeing a third run for the White House.

John Bowden reports:

Can Donald Trump run for president in 2024?

Former Trump White House lawyer says he believes Trump will go to jail

Friday 19 May 2023 16:02 , Ariana Baio

Former White House Lawyer Ty Cobb told CNN that he believes Donald Trump will go to jail based on information related to the mishandling of classified documents investigation.

Mr Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer under the Trump administration from July 2017 until May 2018, said there seems to be enough evidence in the investigation that can prove Trump knowingly moved documents when he should not have.

“I think this obstruction case is a tight case and yes, I do think he’ll go to jail on it,” Mr Cobb said.

Trump claims DeSantis has “zero” chance of winning election

Friday 19 May 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of having “zero chance” of winning the presidential on Truth Social.

“After campaigning for five months, and going nowhere but down, it looks like Ron DeSanctimonious will soon be entering the race. He has ZERO chance, and MAGA will never forget!” Mr Trump wrote.

Biden's reelection campaign sees 'viable pathways' to 2024 election win

Friday 19 May 2023 14:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

President Joe Biden ‘s reelection campaign is vowing to hold the states that won him the White House in 2020 but also compete in places it lost like North Carolina and increasingly Republican-dominated Florida, providing what it says are “a number of viable pathways to the 270 electoral votes” needed to clinch four more years.

Offering her first extensive comments on strategy since she was named manager of Biden’s campaign last month, Julie Chavez Rodriguez wrote in a memo to “interested parties” that the 2024 race presents “significant opportunities to grow Democratic support.”

Read more:

Biden's reelection campaign sees 'viable pathways' to 2024 election win

Who is running for president in 2024?

Friday 19 May 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio

Who is running for president in 2024?

ICYMI: More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

Friday 19 May 2023 13:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

President Joe Biden would be vaulted to a massive lead over Donald Trump if the former president faces further criminal charges from the federal and state criminal investigations into his conduct, according to a new poll obtained by The Independent.

The poll of 1,571 registered voters was conducted by WPA Research, a Republican polling firm. The CEO of WPA is an adviser to Never Back Down, the Super PAC supporting Florida governor Ron DeSantis, but the survey was conducted independently without his input and was not sponsored by the Super PAC.

It found that voters currently prefer Mr Biden over Mr Trump by a margin of 47 per cent to 40 per cent, including a 14-point lead for the sitting president among registered independents.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Friday 19 May 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

“The 16 records in question all reflect communications involving close presidential advisers, some of them directed to you personally, concerning whether, why, and how you should declassify certain classified records,” wrote archivist Debra Steidel Wall.

Read the full story:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

At least 80 calls to National Archives since 2010 about mishandling classified information

Friday 19 May 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio

The National Archives has been called more than 80 times in the past decade-plus about classified materials found in the papers of former members of Congress and other US officials, according to newly released congressional testimony.

That figure underscores the weaknesses in how the US government tracks and safeguards its most important secrets.

Investigations are underway into the classified materials found in the holdings of former president Donald Trump and in later searches of files held by President Joe Biden before he won the White House and those in the possession of Mr Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence.

At least 80 calls to National Archives since 2010 about mishandling classified information

Chris Christie expected to join 2024 race within days

Friday 19 May 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp

Chris Christie is expected to enter the 2024 presidential race within the coming days.

Multiple sources told “New Hampshire Today” host Chris Ryan that the former New Jersey governor and Mr Trump adviser-turned-critic will throw his hat into the ring “in the coming days”.

His campaign will be backed by Steve Cohen, the billionaire owner of the New York Mets on which Mr Christie is a board member.

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponisation of government’ hearing

Friday 19 May 2023 12:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Abe Asher has more:

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic hearing

Trump continues to lash out at ‘Ron DeSanctimonious'

Friday 19 May 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump continues to lash out at Ron DeSantis, as the Florida governor prepares to launch his 2024 campaign next week taking on the former president in the race for the Republican vote.

“After campaigning for five months, and going nowhere but down, it looks like Ron DeSanctimonious will soon be entering the race. He has ZERO chance, and MAGA will never forget!” Mr Trump fumed on Truth Social late on Thursday night.

People close to Mr DeSantis told The Wall Street Journal that the Florida governor will officially launch his presidential bid next week.

He is expected to file official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on 24 May.

VOICES: What if it’s neither Biden nor Trump?

Friday 19 May 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio

VOICES: “We all know of Trump’s myriad of legal woes. I do not think most Americans have stopped to consider what they mean for the future of our country, though. I am not talking about the implications of (re)electing a man who, whether being found credibly liable for sexual assault by a jury of his peers or attempting to overthrow the government of the United States of America, is manifestly unfit for office. I am talking about the fact that he might not be able to serve at all.”

Skylar Baker-Jordan writes:

What if it’s neither Biden nor Trump?

Tim Scott launching ad campaign in Iowa, New Hampshire for expected presidential bid

Friday 19 May 2023 11:45 , Rachel Sharp

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina plans to begin airing TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire early next week as he prepares for an expected 2024 Republican presidential campaign.

The ad buy, valued at about $5.5 million, is scheduled to run through the first GOP presidential debate in late August and marks the most significant advertising expenditure by a potential or declared candidate in the early stages of the 2024 nominating campaign.

Scott, who last month formed an exploratory committee allowing him to raise and spend money while weighing a White House campaign, is scheduled to make a “major announcement” on Monday in his hometown of North Charleston regarding his decision on a presidential bid.

Scott has been traveling to early voting states including Iowa, which holds the leadoff caucuses, and New Hampshire, host of the first-in-the-nation primary, while also campaigning in his home state, which holds the first Southern primary next year.

He would start a bid with more campaign dollars than any of his 2024 rivals — roughly $22 million that he can automatically convert from his U.S. Senate campaign account to a presidential campaign. The figure is the most any candidate in history has had when beginning a campaign for president, according to the Federal Election Commission,

Aides to Scott, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy not yet made public, said he planned to run ads without interruption in the earliest voting states starting next week and lasting until the South Carolina primary.

If he enters the race, he would join a field that includes former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and radio host Larry Elder.

Associated Press

Pete Buttigieg says GOP falling in ‘delicious’ trap

Friday 19 May 2023 11:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg said there’s something “delicious” about far-right members of Congress positioning themselves against corporations that promote diversity or progressive ideas as he believes it unites most Americans who are on the other side of the fence.

Despite what seems like an increasingly polarised political environment, Mr Buttigieg expressed hope about common ground in America, in part thanks to the GOP, while speaking with Wired.

Over the last few years, several notable right-wing members of Congress have blasted companies like Bud Light, Disney, Coca-Cola and American Express for promoting inclusivity.

Ariana Baio reports:

Pete Buttigieg says GOP falling in ‘delicious’ trap against US majority

Trump whines that he is a 'victim' of the 'weaponization of Justice'

Friday 19 May 2023 11:15 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump complained that he is a “victim” of the “weaponization of Justice” in a self-pitying Truth Social post.

“Very sad watching what took place today in Congress regarding Whistleblowers and the FBI. There has never been a time like this in our Country, the complete weaponization of Justice,” he wrote.

“I am a victim also, but the real victim is the United States of America. Congress must use its purse strings to straighten it out, before it is too late!”

Mr Trump was speaking in response to a House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government’s hearing on Thursday where Republicans claimed that FBI agents were retaliated against for holding conservative views.

Don Jr suggests Prince Harry’s ‘near-catastrophic’ car crash ‘didn’t happen’

Friday 19 May 2023 11:00 , Ariana Baio

The ex-president’s conspiracy-minded son, self-proclaimed “future leader of the ministry of truth”, is about as sympathetic as you would expect about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s claim that they were involved in a dangerous chase with paparazzi in New York on Tuesday night after attending an awards gala.

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponization of government’ hearing

Friday 19 May 2023 10:45 , Rachel Sharp

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Shortly after the hearing began, however, Democrats began raising an issue: Mr Jordan’s refusal to turn over evidence, including witness testimony, to the Democrat members of the committee.

Read the full story:

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic hearing

Disney cancels $1bn Florida theme park extension amid war with DeSantis

Friday 19 May 2023 10:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

The Walt Disney Company has pulled the plug on a $1bn office complex in Orlando, following a warning from Disney leadership that billions of dollars in projects were on the line after Florida governor Ron DeSantis escalated his feud with the company.

The development scheduled for construction in the Orlando area was set to bring 2,000 jobs to the region, with 1,000 employees expected to be relocated from southern California.

Alex Woodward has more:

Disney cancels $1bn Florida theme park extension amid war with DeSantis

Trump takes credit for overturning of Roe v Wade while raising questions about DeSantis’ six-week ban

Friday 19 May 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump is taking credit for the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade last year by claiming he nominated the justices who did not agree with the 1973 precedent.

On Tuesday night’s episode of Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax, Mr Trump compared his action against abortion to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’, saying he has done more for pro-life people.

“First of all, I’m the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade and everybody said that was an impossible thing to do,” Mr Trump boasted.

The Independent reports:

Trump takes credit for overturning Roe v Wade while questioning DeSantis’ 6-week ban

Damning evidence surfaces in classified documents probe

Friday 19 May 2023 09:48 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he was breaking rules by taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing it had found 16 records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was president.

“The 16 records in question all reflect communications involving close presidential advisers, some of them directed to you personally, concerning whether, why, and how you should declassify certain classified records,” wrote archivist Debra Steidel Wall.

These records will be turned over to Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the criminal investigation into Mr Trump’s handling of classified documents.

Ron DeSantis mocked over bizarre video of roaring laughter: ‘A faulty robot’

Friday 19 May 2023 09:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Ron DeSantis has been mocked for a bizarre video that shows him roaring with laughter at an Iowa car show.

The Florida governor, who is expected to soon announce he is taking on Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was caught on video cracking up at the Feenstra Family Picnic event last weekend.

During the appearance in Sioux Center, Iowa, Mr DeSantis asked a man how much a 1955 Porsche at the event was worth.

“Ugh, we won’t even talk about that,” the man replied, which saw the Republican hopeful throw back his head and howl with apparent amusement.

Mr DeSantis’s seemingly over-the-top reaction in the viral clip saw him widely ridiculed online.

Graeme Massie reports:

Ron DeSantis mocked over bizarre video of roaring laughter: ‘A faulty robot’

Georgia prosecutor fights back against Trump attempt to remove her from election probe

Friday 19 May 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio

The Georgia prosecutor who’s investigating whether Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws as they tried to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state fought back Monday against the former president’s attempt to remove her from the case and exclude certain evidence.

Trump’s Georgia legal team in March asked the court to toss out the report of a special grand jury that had been seated in the case and to prevent prosecutors from using any evidence or testimony stemming from the panel’s investigation. They also asked that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office be barred from continuing to investigate or prosecute the case.

Willis responded in a filing Monday that Trump’s motion is “procedurally flawed” and advances “arguments that lack merit.”

Former FBI employees testify on GOP politicisation claims after losing clearances

Friday 19 May 2023 08:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Former FBI employees accused the bureau of politicisation in congressional testimony on Thursday, a day after the agency disclosed that two of the men had seen their security clearances revoked over concerns about how their views of the Capitol attack on 6 January 2021 affected their work.

The three men alleged overreach and retaliation by the FBI in testimony to a special House committee investigating what Republicans assert is the “weaponisation” of the federal government against conservatives.

Read more:

Former FBI employees testify on GOP politicization claims after losing clearances

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponisation of government’ hearing

Friday 19 May 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Shortly after the hearing began, however, Democrats began raising an issue: Mr Jordan’s refusal to turn over evidence, including witness testimony, to the Democrat members of the committee.

Abe Asher reports:

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic hearing

Bill Barr calls Trump's classified documents case his biggest legal risk

Friday 19 May 2023 07:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Donald Trump’s former attorney general Bill Barr has said that he believes the former president will be “very exposed” legally if he was playing “any games” with the documents marked as classified that were kept at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

In an interview with CBS News’ senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge on Thursday, Mr Barr said: “It doesn’t go a lot on intent or anything like that. It’s very clear that he had no business having those documents.

“He was given a long time to send them back. And they were subpoenaed. And I’ve said all along that he wouldn’t get in trouble, probably, just for taking them, just as Biden I don’t think is going to get in trouble or Pence is not going to get in trouble.

“The problem is what did he do after the government asked for them back and subpoenaed them? And if there’s any games being played there, he’s going to be very exposed.”

He added that he also thinks Mr Trump’s claim in a recent CNN town hall that he was declassifying records as they left the White House isn’t going to satisfy the special counsel.

“I don’t think that argument’s gonna fly,” Mr Barr said.

“I don’t think the idea that you know, he automatically — that they were somehow automatically declassified when they were put in the boxes. I don’t think that will fly.”

Top White House aides reveal Trump’s alleged inappropriate conduct towards female staffers

Friday 19 May 2023 07:00 , Ariana Baio

Just one week after a Manhattan jury found former president Donald Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E Jean Carroll, no fewer than three women who had senior roles in his administration have come forward to allege inappropriate behaviour on Mr Trump’s part towards women on his White House staff.

Top aides reveal Trump’s alleged inappropriate conduct towards female staffers

Trump on House ‘weaponisation’ hearing: ‘I am a victim also’

Friday 19 May 2023 06:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Donald Trump has responded to the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee hearing on the “weaponisation of the federal government” and claimed that he too is a “victim” of this “weaponisation”.

The former president wrote on Truth Social: “Very sad watching what took place today in Congress regarding Whistleblowers and the FBI. There has never been a time like this in our Country, the complete weaponisation of Justice.

“I am a victim also, but the real victim is the United States of America. Congress must use its purse strings to straighten it out, before it is too late!” he added.

Earlier on Thursday the House panel met for a tense hearing over three FBI agents that Republicans say faced retaliation for their conservative views.

Trial over Kari Lake’s last challenge to loss in Arizona governor’s race enters 2nd day

Friday 19 May 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

Attorneys for Kari Lake entered a second day Thursday of trying to build a case for the only remaining legal claim in her challenge to the Arizona governor’s race.

A judge in suburban Phoenix is allowing Lake a three-day trial to prove county election officials failed to perform higher level signature verifications on mail-in ballots that had been flagged.

Maricopa County has a failed process for verifying thousands of ballot signatures that even some of its own workers question, her attorneys argued in court Wednesday.

Trial over Kari Lake’s last challenge to loss in Arizona governor’s race enters 2nd day