Trump investigation designed to 'impeach or embarrass' president, furious leading Republican claims amid fury at Manafort sentence
The latest updates from Washington
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Donald Trump has again attacked the “witch hunt hoax” embroiling his administration following the sentencing of ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort, declaring the outcome proved “no collusion” with Russia as Democrats decried the lenience of Manafort’s 47-month sentence as a “miscarriage of justice”.
Departing for Alabama to tour the state’s devastation by a recent tornado, the president found time to denounce his opposition as an “anti-Israel, anti-Jewish” party over Congresswoman Ilhan Omar‘s comments on the influence of Israeli interest groups in Washington, despite the House having passed a resolution condemning prejudice of all kinds by 402 to 23.
Meanwhile, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Doug Collins, has sent a scathing letter to its chairman, Jerrold Nadler, attacking the panel’s motivations in investigating the president for abuse of power, saying: “Either you intend to impeach the president, for alleged crimes that have yet to be discovered, or you intend to embarrass him.”
Manafort, was sentenced on Thursday by a federal judge to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians. The charges were unrelated to his work on Mr Trump’s campaign or the focus of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
The president repeated on Friday as he departed the White House to survey tornado damage in Alabama that Manafort’s case “had nothing to do with Russia.”
It has been a "very, very tough time" for Manafort, he added.
In Alabama, the president signed Bibles at a local Baptist church and took photos with survivors of the deadly tornado outbreak that killed nearly two dozen people.
Mr Trump used a felt pen to scratch out his signature on the cover of a little girl’s Bible, which is decorated with pink camouflage, and first lady Melania Trump then added her signature.
The president and first lady surveyed the damage on Friday, meeting with local officials and victims. They also visited a makeshift disaster relief center set up at the church.
Additional reporting by AP. Check out The Independent's live coverage from Friday below.
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
As the news about Bill Shine broke, Donald and Melania Trump landed in Georgia on their way to tornado-hit Alabama.
Here's the full story on the resignation of White House communications director Bill Shine:
In other Trump news, new photos show that, weeks before the sting that implicated Robert Kraft in a prostitution and human trafficking operation, the owner of the day spa he allegedly patronised attended a Super Bowl party with the president.
Read more from Clark Mindock here:
Donald Trump received an economic blow today as it was revealed US employment growth almost stalled in February, with the economy creating only 20,000 jobs. This adds to indications of a sharp slowdown in economic activity in the first quarter.
The president is today visiting Alabama after a deadly tornado killed 23 people.
A team of local meteorologists are being praised for potentially saving lives ahead of the natural disaster. Here's why:
Yesterday the House passed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry. Since passing the resolution, Trump has told reporters that the Democrats have become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar - who has been under the spotlight for her controversial comments about Israel - has praised the vote as condemning "anti-Muslim bigotry."
Here's what you need to know about Ilhan Omar's comments that have caused a nationwide debate about anti-semitism:
Donald Trump is currently surveying damage in Alabama from the deadly tornado that struck last week, killing nearly two dozen people.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump first flew to Georgia, then took a helicopter to Alabama. The Trumps greeted people awaiting their arrival before departing by motorcade.
Here's the pair arriving in Georgia:
Credit: Reuters
I'm sure it won't have escaped your notice that today is International Women's Day. For the annual celebration, Donald Trump shared a “presidential message”, saying his administration wants to “honour” and “celebrate” them.
This positive message comes from a president who has himself being accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments