Trump news: US delays tariffs as president threatens long jail sentences for FBI 'spying' against his campaign

Follow the latest updates from Washington, as it happened

Donald Trump mocks Bill de Blasio after 2020 annoucement

Donald Trump has claimed on Twitter he was “conclusively spied on” by the Obama-era Justice Department in 2016, citing a Fox News opinion poll as proof and threatening long jail sentences for those found responsible in attorney general William Barr‘s upcoming investigation into the matter, widely regarded as revenge for the Mueller report.

The president meanwhile unveiled plans to revamp US immigration at the White House on Thursday, proposing a more selective, merit-based system and English tests for asylum seekers. It has also emerged he wants his US-Mexico border wall to be painted black and lined with spikes to intimidate and deter would-be illegal entrants.

As Washington reacted to those plans — they are likely dead on arrival with Democrats in control of the House — the Trump administration has continued to wrestle with potential crises when it come to trade, and Iran.

As tensions with Iran rumble on, Mr Trump is also reported to be seething in private about the perception his hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, is dictating policy on Tehran and leading the US to the brink of a war the president says he “hopes” can be avoided.

As for trade, Mr Trump has given a pass to the European Union and Japan for tariffs for the next six months on autos, after threatening a stiff tax on the goods if they're brought into the US.

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

Key Points

• Trump cites Fox opinion poll as proof he was 'conclusively spied on' in 2016
• President revising US immigration system to be 'merit-based'
• Trump 'wants US-Mexico border wall painted black and lined with spikes'
• Trump 'fumes at perception John Bolton dictating Iran policy'
• Trump mocks Bill de Blasio after 2020 run announced

[17 May 2019 19:40 · Clark Mindock]

Alabama's extreme abortion law isn't finding many allies in Washington.

Many Republicans in Congress have spoken out to explain that they do not favour the bill.

That includes senator Susan Collins, who told The Hill that she isn't a fan of the law.

“I’m very much opposed to the Alabama law,” Ms Collins said. “I think it’s completely inconsistent with Roe v Wade and will lead to a virtual ban on abortions in Alabama, even for victims of incest and rape.”