Mar 14 Justice Department investigates Columbia University amid growing deportation crackdown By Larry Neumeister, Associated Press The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed “illegal aliens” on its campus, one of its top officials said Friday, as the Trump administration intensified its campaign to deport foreigners who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the school… Continue reading
Mar 14 Trump demands admissions overhaul and control of academic department at Columbia University By Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press The Trump administration has delivered an extraordinary ultimatum to Columbia University, threatening to permanently end federal funding to the school unless it cedes control of an international studies department and implements sweeping changes to other policies. Continue reading
Mar 14 WATCH: Trump speaks at Justice Department, pledging to 'expel rogue actors' By Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press Trump used a triumphant visit to the Justice Department on Friday to air a litany of grievances about the criminal investigations that threatened to torpedo his political career, decrying in often profane terms his adversaries and casting himself as a… Continue reading
Mar 14 Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, who bridged partisan gaps with quick wit, dies at age 93 By Mead Gruver, Associated Press Relatives are remembering former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming as "an uncommonly generous man" who was "gifted in crossing party lines." The Republican died Friday at age 93 after struggling to recover from a broken hip in December. Continue reading
Mar 14 WATCH: Senate hearing on nomination of Mehmet Oz as head of Medicare and Medicaid services By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, dodged several opportunities Friday to say broadly whether he would oppose cuts to Medicaid, the government-funded program for people with low incomes. Continue reading
Mar 14 WATCH: Senate passes Republican funding bill hours before shutdown deadline By Kevin Freking, Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. Continue reading
Mar 14 Senate approves bill that would increase penalties for fentanyl traffickers By Stephen Groves, Associated Press The Senate on Friday passed a bill that would result in more prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers as both Republicans and Democrats seek to show they can act to rein in distribution of the deadly drug. Continue reading
Mar 14 Hamas agrees to release a U.S.-Israeli hostage and bodies of 4 other dual nationals By Julia Frankel, Associated Press The militant group did not immediately on Friday specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would occur, and other countries party to the agreement did not immediately confirm the Hamas statement. Continue reading
Mar 13 Watch 5:39 News Wrap: Judge orders Trump administration to rehire thousands fired government workers In our news wrap Thursday, a judge ordered the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary employees let go in mass firings, a group of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit to try to stop the Department of Education's plans to… Continue watching
Mar 13 Watch 4:29 Senate Democrats weigh GOP stopgap bill as government shutdown looms By Lisa Desjardins, Ali Schmitz There are signs from the Senate on a potential way to avoid a federal government shutdown. But 60 votes are needed to move anything forward and it's still unclear if enough Democrats will join Republicans to pass a stopgap deal. Continue watching