Trump-Mueller investigation: New Manafort hearing as President lashes out over chief of staff, border wall and Democrats

Potential successors to John Kelly rule themselves out of job as Russia probe moves closer to White House

Former FBI Director James Comey tells MSNBC Trump is not yet an unindicted co-conspirator to charges but 'is certainly close'

President Donald Trump is scrambling to find a new chief of staff after his first choice to replace John Kelly rejected the role at the last minute and several other potential successors signalled they did not want the job.

Leading contender Nick Ayers, said to have been in talks over taking the position for several months, ruled himself out of the running amid mounting chaos at the White House.

Mr Trump is reported to have been “super pissed” by the development, which leaves him racing to fill a job described as “one of the toughest in DC” at a time when Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation is getting ever nearer to the Oval Office.

Five people linked to the president have pleaded guilty to federal charges as investigators probe whether Mr Trump’s campaign coordinated with the Kremlin in the 2016 election campaign.

Prosecutors in New York have also for the first time linked the president to a federal crime, accusing him of orchestrating hush-money payments by his long-time lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to a porn star and a former Playboy model.

Mr Cohen is due to be sentenced on Wednesday, and is likely to face years in prison after admitting campaign finance offences.

Key Points

• Judge requests more information from Robert Mueller and sets new hearing for Paul Manafort
• Bizarre Oval Office meeting turns into public sparring between president and Democratic leaders
• Trump's approval rating at this stage of presidency worst in 50 years, poll says
• President insists 'over ten' are vying for 'truly great' chief-of-staff job

[11 December 2018 21:40 · Chris Riotta]

As he continues to spearhead the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is being remembered for his service 50 years ago today during the battle of Mutter’s Ridge in Vietnam. 

Mr Mueller received a Bronze Star for his work that day. 

[11 December 2018 22:00 · Chris Riotta]

With the latest developments indicating Paul Manafort and his attorneys may be bad in court at the end of next month, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will officially continue into 2019.