WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as Washington’s “emergency police commissioner,” saying she is granting him the powers of the police chief amid President Donald Trump’s takeover. Bondi said in an directive issued Thursday evening that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume “powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.” But the capital’s attorney general responded that Bondi’s order was “unlawful” and said local officers must continue to follow Police Chief Pamela Smith’s orders. Mayor Muriel Bowser says “there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects to know quickly if a deal can be made with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. Trump plans to meet Putin on Friday in Alaska. He suggested on Monday that he could know how serious Putin is within two minutes. He also refused to say if the meeting should involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appeared dismissive of Zelenskyy’s role. European allies want Ukraine involved to prevent a deal favoring Moscow. Germany plans a separate, virtual meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy and other leaders to prepare for peace negotiations.… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s placing the Washington, D.C., police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the nation’s capital safer. Trump has promised to address homelessness and crime. Trump posted online Monday the nation’s capital would be “LIBERATED” and he’d end the “days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.” Last week, Trump directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the city for seven days “with the option to extend as needed.” The Republican president’s claims are leading the city’s Democratic mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets.… Continue Reading

CHICAGO (AP) — Many of President Donald Trump’s picks to be federal judges have revealed anti-abortion views, been associated with anti-abortion groups or defended abortion restrictions. With Senate confirmation, they’d have lifetime appointments and be in position to roll back abortion access long after the Republican president leaves the White House. Of the 17 judicial nominees so far in Trump’s second term, an Associated Press review finds at least eight have argued in favor of abortion restrictions or against expanded abortion access. No such records could be found for the other nine, nor did the AP review find evidence that any nominees support increased access to abortion.… Continue Reading