Dec 21 Large U.S. troop pullout planned in Afghanistan, officials say By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Pentagon is developing plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Thursday, marking a sharp change in the Trump administration's policy aimed at forcing the Taliban to the peace table… Continue reading
Dec 21 Trump says a shutdown would ‘last for a very long time’ By Lisa Mascaro, Matthew Daly, Zeke Miller, Associated Press Facing a midnight deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump said Friday a closure would drag on "for a very long time" and he tried to lay blame on congressional Democrats if there's no deal over his… Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 6:14 Defense Secretary Mattis resigns, citing differences over the role of alliances A day after President Trump announced a surprise decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, Secretary of Defense James Mattis submitted his resignation, which will take effect in February. The Wall Street Journal’s Michael Gordon joins Judy Woodruff to discuss… Continue watching
Dec 20 Watch 5:28 Where Congress stands now on government shutdown The GOP's short-term spending deal to fund the government until February was expected to be solidified Thursday. Instead, Congress erupted into chaos as President Trump declared he wouldn't sign bill, resuming his insistence that $5 billion be allocated for a… Continue watching
Dec 20 Read James Mattis’ full resignation letter By Daniel Bush In his resignation letter, Defense Secretary James Mattis appeared to point to his policy differences with President Donald Trump, who has frequently clashed with U.S. allies. Continue reading
Dec 20 Trump signs $867B farm bill without food stamp program cuts By Associated Press Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the regulation to tighten work requirements was a tradeoff for Trump's support for the bill. Continue reading
Dec 20 House panel finds U.S. Olympic officials valued image over safety amid sex abuse By Eddie Pells, Associated Press The report acknowledges the changes that have come since Nassar's crimes were exposed. But it criticizes the lack of conformity among the organizations, noting some didn't use background checks or publish banned lists. Continue reading
Dec 20 4 questions about the Trump administration’s decision to make asylum seekers wait in Mexico By Joshua Barajas Asylum seekers at the southwest border will now have to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in U.S. immigration courts, a significant departure from decades of American immigration policy. Here's what we know about the change. Continue reading
Dec 20 Trump announces Defense Secretary Mattis will retire in February By Zeke Miller, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The announcement came a day after Trump surprised U.S. allies and members of Congress by announcing the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Syria, and as he continues to consider shrinking the American deployment in Afghanistan. Continue reading
Dec 20 House passes major criminal justice overhaul By Associated Press The bill passed 358-36 and now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. He had urged lawmakers to support it, saying the bill would provide hope and a second chance to those who earn it. Continue reading