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Battle Lines Form Within Republican Party Before Trump’s Call With Putin Battle Lines Form Within Republican Party Before Trump’s Call With Putin
(35 minutes later)
Right Now: President Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May are holding a news conference at the White House. Follow our live coverage and analysis.
■ Battle lines are forming ahead of President Trump’s phone call Saturday with Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin.■ Battle lines are forming ahead of President Trump’s phone call Saturday with Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin.
■ President Trump spoke for an hour to Mexico’s president, a few hours after he tweeted out another salvo at America’s southern neighbor.
■ President Trump latches on to a conspiracy theorist to promote his lie that millions of illegal immigrants gave Hillary Clinton her victory in the popular vote.■ President Trump latches on to a conspiracy theorist to promote his lie that millions of illegal immigrants gave Hillary Clinton her victory in the popular vote.
■ A Trump lie about illegal voting has morphed into a promise to investigate the nation’s voter rolls. Democrats are very worried.
President Trump’s phone call scheduled on Saturday with Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin — their first conversation since Mr. Trump took office — has Republicans on edge. As one of his last acts as president, Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia for interfering in the election to help install Mr. Trump in the Oval Office.President Trump’s phone call scheduled on Saturday with Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin — their first conversation since Mr. Trump took office — has Republicans on edge. As one of his last acts as president, Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia for interfering in the election to help install Mr. Trump in the Oval Office.
Senator John McCain of Arizona, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned Mr. Trump on Friday against lifting the sanctions.Senator John McCain of Arizona, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned Mr. Trump on Friday against lifting the sanctions.
What came next was a list of Russian abuses: its invasion of Ukraine, its annexation of Crimea and its support of “the murderous Assad regime as it has waged war on the Syrian people and killed more than 400,000 civilians.”What came next was a list of Russian abuses: its invasion of Ukraine, its annexation of Crimea and its support of “the murderous Assad regime as it has waged war on the Syrian people and killed more than 400,000 civilians.”
Then came this: “And in the most flagrant demonstration of Putin’s disdain and disrespect for our nation, Russia deliberately interfered in our recent election with cyberattacks and a disinformation campaign designed to weaken America and discredit Western values.”Then came this: “And in the most flagrant demonstration of Putin’s disdain and disrespect for our nation, Russia deliberately interfered in our recent election with cyberattacks and a disinformation campaign designed to weaken America and discredit Western values.”
President Trump spoke by phone on Friday with Enrique Peña Nieto, the president of Mexico, White House officials said, less than 24 hours after the Mexican president canceled a White House meeting over anger about Mr. Trump’s intentions to build a border wall.
A senior White House official confirmed Friday that the call had taken place and said that an official description of what the two leaders said will be released soon.
In the wake of the deepening diplomatic tensions on Thurdsday, aides to Mr. Trump had said they still intended to keep lines of communications between the two governments open. The call suggests that the two leaders may be attempting to reschedule the planned meeting.
That could begin to repair the relationship in the short term, though differences will likely remain about construction of the border wall and who will finance it.
Then again, Mr. Trump tweeted another salvo on Friday morning.
Mr. Trump is just not going to give up his claim that 3 million to 5 million illegal immigrants voted for Hillary Clinton, but he’s grasping for evidence.Mr. Trump is just not going to give up his claim that 3 million to 5 million illegal immigrants voted for Hillary Clinton, but he’s grasping for evidence.
On Friday morning, he looked to VoteStand, which calls itself “America’s first online fraud reporting app” for the smartphone but does not appear to actually exist beyond the Twitter account of its founder, Gregg Phillips.On Friday morning, he looked to VoteStand, which calls itself “America’s first online fraud reporting app” for the smartphone but does not appear to actually exist beyond the Twitter account of its founder, Gregg Phillips.
The president seemed to be responding to an interview with Mr. Phillips on CNN Friday morning that was, shall we say, inconclusive. Mr. Phillips at once said 3 million illegal immigrants voted and said he is still working to prove that.The president seemed to be responding to an interview with Mr. Phillips on CNN Friday morning that was, shall we say, inconclusive. Mr. Phillips at once said 3 million illegal immigrants voted and said he is still working to prove that.
“You can reach a conclusion and still verify it,” he maintained.“You can reach a conclusion and still verify it,” he maintained.
Mr. Phillips began pressing his case that 3 million illegal votes were cast shortly after Election Day in November, but pressed repeatedly, Mr. Phillips has never produced any evidence. As the debunking site Snopes.com wrote:Mr. Phillips began pressing his case that 3 million illegal votes were cast shortly after Election Day in November, but pressed repeatedly, Mr. Phillips has never produced any evidence. As the debunking site Snopes.com wrote:
Mr. Phillips has been adamant on Twitter of course.Mr. Phillips has been adamant on Twitter of course.
But as PolitiFact wrote, “There is no report.”But as PolitiFact wrote, “There is no report.”
And that is not all Mr. Phillips has asserted.And that is not all Mr. Phillips has asserted.
He now has an endorsement from the president of the United States.He now has an endorsement from the president of the United States.
Mr. Trump’s fallacious argument that he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million because of illegal immigrant ballots started as the stuff of wonderment and ridicule.Mr. Trump’s fallacious argument that he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million because of illegal immigrant ballots started as the stuff of wonderment and ridicule.
Now that the Trump administration has shifted to an investigation of the voter rolls, things have gotten serious.Now that the Trump administration has shifted to an investigation of the voter rolls, things have gotten serious.
Democrats appear to be girding for battle, but if, as is likely, Senator Jeff Sessions, a conservative from Alabama, becomes the attorney general, it does not appear to be a fight that the minority can win. The Democrats fear the hunt for illegal voters will become a pretext to tighten voting requirements nationwide and bar many minority voters who tend to side with the Democrats.Democrats appear to be girding for battle, but if, as is likely, Senator Jeff Sessions, a conservative from Alabama, becomes the attorney general, it does not appear to be a fight that the minority can win. The Democrats fear the hunt for illegal voters will become a pretext to tighten voting requirements nationwide and bar many minority voters who tend to side with the Democrats.
Even moderate Democrats are alarmed.Even moderate Democrats are alarmed.
Word from Politico is that President Trump will not be attending the fancy, tuxedo-only Alfalfa Club dinner Saturday night, a chummy gathering with many of Washington’s journalists and every president since Ronald Reagan. Word from Politico is that President Trump will not be attending the fancy, tuxedo-only Alfalfa Club dinner Saturday night, a chummy gathering with many of Washington’s politicians, journalists and every president since Ronald Reagan.
Lest we get too excited — could the White House Correspondents Association dinner be next? Please? — we should wait and see. It is true that every president since Mr. Reagan has attended the annual roast and silly cabaret dinner of the Alfalfa Club, a century-old, invitation-only journalistic clique that seems like it was hatched from a bygone era. But not many of those presidents have attended each year. Lest we get too excited — could the White House Correspondents Association dinner be next? Please? — we should wait and see. It is true that every president since Mr. Reagan has attended the annual roast and silly cabaret dinner of the Alfalfa Club, a century-old, invitation-only Washington clique that seems like it was hatched from a bygone era. But not many of those presidents have attended each year.
Mr. Trump may yet keep the soiree alive.Mr. Trump may yet keep the soiree alive.
Mr. Trump traveled to the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday to decry Philadelphia’s rising murder rate — “I mean, just terribly increasing.”Mr. Trump traveled to the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday to decry Philadelphia’s rising murder rate — “I mean, just terribly increasing.”
But it isn’t.But it isn’t.
Last year’s 277 homicides was down from 280 in 2015. That is up from 2014, when 248 were murdered, and in 2013, when 246 were killed. But recent years are markedly down from 2007 to 2012 when Philadelphia had more than 300 killings, 391 in 2007 alone.Last year’s 277 homicides was down from 280 in 2015. That is up from 2014, when 248 were murdered, and in 2013, when 246 were killed. But recent years are markedly down from 2007 to 2012 when Philadelphia had more than 300 killings, 391 in 2007 alone.
“President Trump’s false statements today were an insult to the men and women of the Philadelphia police force — the very same men and women who are working long hours today to ensure his safety,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement Thursday.“President Trump’s false statements today were an insult to the men and women of the Philadelphia police force — the very same men and women who are working long hours today to ensure his safety,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement Thursday.
Of course, in the era of alternative facts, Mayor Kenney may be spitting in the wind.Of course, in the era of alternative facts, Mayor Kenney may be spitting in the wind.
Mr. Trump’s orders on immigration enforcement and a border wall, his casual suggestion of a 20 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and his Twitter salvos precipitated something of a diplomatic crisis with America’s neighbor to the south.
But the president isn’t done yet. Contrition and diplomacy are just not his thing.
It seems that the British news media is being left in the cold as Prime Minister Theresa May visits the White House.It seems that the British news media is being left in the cold as Prime Minister Theresa May visits the White House.
The Trump administration’s decision to drop advertisements encouraging people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act was greeted with anger and alarm by supporters of the law — and a recognition that Mr. Trump wants the law crippled.The Trump administration’s decision to drop advertisements encouraging people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act was greeted with anger and alarm by supporters of the law — and a recognition that Mr. Trump wants the law crippled.
“This is sabotage, pure and simple,” fumed Leslie Dach, a senior official in President Barack Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services who now heads a coalition to save the law. “This proves that this administration doesn’t care about people who need health coverage. And it clearly shows that they now own the consequences of their efforts to undermine the health care system.”“This is sabotage, pure and simple,” fumed Leslie Dach, a senior official in President Barack Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services who now heads a coalition to save the law. “This proves that this administration doesn’t care about people who need health coverage. And it clearly shows that they now own the consequences of their efforts to undermine the health care system.”
The ads were to have run only for a few more days, until the annual open enrollment period ends on Tuesday. In the last few years, large numbers of consumers signed up just before the deadline.The ads were to have run only for a few more days, until the annual open enrollment period ends on Tuesday. In the last few years, large numbers of consumers signed up just before the deadline.
But Mr. Trump and Republicans in Congress are determined to repeal Mr. Obama’s signature domestic achievement.But Mr. Trump and Republicans in Congress are determined to repeal Mr. Obama’s signature domestic achievement.
Since Nov. 1, more than 11.5 million people have signed up for insurance or had their coverage automatically renewed. And when the enrollment period ends, it’s anyone’s guess who will announce the total number of people who would lose their insurance if the law is repealed.Since Nov. 1, more than 11.5 million people have signed up for insurance or had their coverage automatically renewed. And when the enrollment period ends, it’s anyone’s guess who will announce the total number of people who would lose their insurance if the law is repealed.
Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw America’s name from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership was hailed on the left and the right — and in Beijing.Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw America’s name from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership was hailed on the left and the right — and in Beijing.
Now China and Germany are talking about expanding trade ties between the world’s second largest economy and Europe’s first, says Bloomberg News.Now China and Germany are talking about expanding trade ties between the world’s second largest economy and Europe’s first, says Bloomberg News.
Mr. Obama had tried to sell the largest regional trade accord in history as a geopolitical necessity to tie the United States to Asia and stand against the rising economic might of China, which was not party to the deal. China was pursuing its own trade deals, with considerably lower standards for labor rights, environmental protection and intellectual property controls.Mr. Obama had tried to sell the largest regional trade accord in history as a geopolitical necessity to tie the United States to Asia and stand against the rising economic might of China, which was not party to the deal. China was pursuing its own trade deals, with considerably lower standards for labor rights, environmental protection and intellectual property controls.
With Washington out, Beijing has an open lane, and China’s leaders appear to be running down it at full tilt.With Washington out, Beijing has an open lane, and China’s leaders appear to be running down it at full tilt.
Big city mayors across the country have vowed to resist Mr. Trump’s proclamation that they cooperate with his drive to find and deport unauthorized immigrants or risk losing federal assistance.Big city mayors across the country have vowed to resist Mr. Trump’s proclamation that they cooperate with his drive to find and deport unauthorized immigrants or risk losing federal assistance.
But Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has decided his city will no longer be a sanctuary.But Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has decided his city will no longer be a sanctuary.
The president appears to be thrilled.The president appears to be thrilled.
Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois, has called for House leaders to condemn the recent meeting between Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Democrat of Hawaii, and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois, has called for House leaders to condemn the recent meeting between Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Democrat of Hawaii, and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.
There was a strong undercurrent of betrayal to Mr. Kinzinger’s criticism of Ms. Gabbard, who serves with him on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The two Iraq war veterans have often worked together on behalf of veterans issues and used to argue side-by-side against the Obama administration’s approach to ISIS.There was a strong undercurrent of betrayal to Mr. Kinzinger’s criticism of Ms. Gabbard, who serves with him on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The two Iraq war veterans have often worked together on behalf of veterans issues and used to argue side-by-side against the Obama administration’s approach to ISIS.
“In no way should any government official ever travel to meet with a guy that has killed 500,000 people and 50,000 children,” Mr. Kinzinger told reporters gathered in Philadelphia for a congressional Republican retreat.“In no way should any government official ever travel to meet with a guy that has killed 500,000 people and 50,000 children,” Mr. Kinzinger told reporters gathered in Philadelphia for a congressional Republican retreat.
Ms. Gabbard confirmed Wednesday that she had taken a recent, weeklong trip to Damascus and Aleppo, as well as Beirut, describing it as a fact-finding mission “to see and hear firsthand the impact of the war in Syria directly from the Syrian people.” She went on to refer to the rebels being armed and assisted by the United States as “terrorists.”Ms. Gabbard confirmed Wednesday that she had taken a recent, weeklong trip to Damascus and Aleppo, as well as Beirut, describing it as a fact-finding mission “to see and hear firsthand the impact of the war in Syria directly from the Syrian people.” She went on to refer to the rebels being armed and assisted by the United States as “terrorists.”
Ms. Gabbard also verified she had met with Mr. Assad, mentioning him briefly in a list of leaders and dignitaries. She said the House Ethics Committee had approved the trip, which she added was sponsored by the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services of Ohio.Ms. Gabbard also verified she had met with Mr. Assad, mentioning him briefly in a list of leaders and dignitaries. She said the House Ethics Committee had approved the trip, which she added was sponsored by the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services of Ohio.
Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader, seemed displeased when asked about it, repeating three times, in clipped tones, that she had not seen Ms. Gabbard.Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader, seemed displeased when asked about it, repeating three times, in clipped tones, that she had not seen Ms. Gabbard.
But with Mr. Trump in the White House, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia vouching for Mr. Assad, attitudes might be shifting in Washington.But with Mr. Trump in the White House, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia vouching for Mr. Assad, attitudes might be shifting in Washington.
The leading candidate to be the Pentagon’s new spokesman is John Ullyot, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and veteran of Capitol Hill.The leading candidate to be the Pentagon’s new spokesman is John Ullyot, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and veteran of Capitol Hill.
Mr. Ullyot served as spokesman and deputy chief of staff for two Republican senators, John W. Warner of Virginia and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and as spokesman for the Senate Armed Services Committee from 2003 to 2007.Mr. Ullyot served as spokesman and deputy chief of staff for two Republican senators, John W. Warner of Virginia and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and as spokesman for the Senate Armed Services Committee from 2003 to 2007.