Trump news: President rages over impeachment talk as Nancy Pelosi attacks immigration hypocrisy over Melania
President posts tweet claiming 'the case is closed' after Robert Mueller's surprise public statement
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Donald Trump is facing rejuvenated calls for his impeachment by House Democrats following FBI special counsel Robert Mueller's surprise statement on Wednesday in which he suggested only Justice Department policy prevented his team from charging a sitting president with a crime.
Mr Trump was quick to declare “The case is closed!” on Twitter but 2020 challengers Kamala Harris and Cory Booker called on Congress to hold the president to account while House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has so far attempted to resist “divisive” impeachment proceedings, said: “Nothing is off the table”.
Quickly moving on to a fresh controversy, Mr Trump has been forced to deny asking the US Navy to have its destroyer the USS John S McCain, named after the late senator and Trump antagonist, kept “out of sight” during his recent four-day trip to Japan.
The Pentagon’s acting chief, Patrick Shanahan, said he never authorised attempts to make sure Mr Trump would not see the USS John S. McCain at its homeport in Japan and would have his chief of staff investigate. Trump said he was not involved in the matter.
Mr Trump, who long feuded with Mr McCain, told reporters at the White House that he “was not a big fan” of the Arizona Republican and onetime presidential nominee “in any way, shape or form.” But, Mr Trump added, “I would never do a thing like that.”
“Now, somebody did it because they thought I didn’t like him, OK? And they were well-meaning, I will say,” he said, while insisting he was kept in the dark.
The order that a Navy destroyer be kept out of sight reflected what appeared to be an extraordinary White House effort to avoid offending an unpredictable president known for holding a grudge, including a particularly bitter one against Mr McCain.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that a US Indo-Pacific Command official wrote an email to Navy and Air Force officials about Mr Trump’s Memorial Day weekend visit, including instructions for preparations for the USS Wasp, where he was to speak.
Mr Trump tweeted late Wednesday that he “was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan.”
Still, he added Thursday that he “was very, very angry with McCain because he killed health care. I was not a big fan of John McCain in any way, shape or form.”
Additional reporting by AP. Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
We're still waiting for the president to begin delivering his remarks at the commencement ceremony in Colorado.
The Air Force Academy's 2019 graduation ceremony has begun. Trumpets are playing as Donald Trump stands with Air Force Academy officials and graduates near the podium. He is expected to begin speaking momentarily.
The Air Force Academy graduates are now makign their way to their seats, marching as trumpets continue to play over the field.
An Air Force captain is beginning the commencement with a prayer.
Donald Trump is seated behind the podium in the wing, smiling as Air Force officials take the stand and speak briefly about the graduating class.
Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein is now beginning his remarks.
Donald Trump is listening as members of the Air Force speak at the podium, and appears to have become rather friendly with the official sitting next to him. Always nice to have a friend in the audience during a lengthy commencement ceremony!
The president receives a standing ovation before beginning his speech. He is shaking hands with Air Force members and raising a fist into the air.
"You just like all those brand new, beautiful airplanes that we're buying," he joked.
"You truly make America proud, you make us all proud," Donald Trump said. He is thanking the Air Force secretary for her work, the superintendent and other top members of the Air Force.
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