Trump: Russia Controversy a 'Ruse' by 'Dishonest' Media Aggrieved and spoiling for a fight, Donald Trump used a marathon encounter with reporters Thursday to denounce the "criminal" leaks that took down his top national security adviser and revived questions about his own ties to Russia. But he offered only a lawyerly denial that his campaign aides had been in touch with Russian officials before last fall's election. The 77-minute event amounted to a free-wheeling airing of complaints, with the new president attempting to find his footing after the rockiest launch in recent memory. Trump slammed a "bad court" of appeals judges for blocking his refugee and immigration executive order and denied that his White House was paralyzed by chaos and infighting among top advisers. Get More Harward Rejects Offer to Replace Flynn: Official Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward has turned down an offer to become President Donald Trump's national security adviser, a White House official told NBC News Thursday.
"It's purely a personal issue," Harward told The Associated Press Thursday evening. "I'm in a unique position finally after being the in military for 40 years to enjoy some personal time." Get More Black Lawmakers Dismayed by Trump's Invite to Black Reporter Members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed bafflement and dismay Thursday after President Donald Trump asked a black reporter to set up a meeting with them. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina said there is "an element of disrespect" in Trump's comment to journalist April Ryan, asking her whether she was friends with CBC members and could convene a get-together. Get More Calif. Actor Announces Death of #MyNeighborNorma A man who became best friends with his elderly neighbor and cultivated a social media following of people who adored keeping up with their unique relationship, announced Wednesday that she has died, the "Today" show reported. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that earlier this morning the world lost a truly inspiring, beautiful woman," Chris Salvatore wrote in an Instagram post.
"Norma is now resting peacefully in the eternal and while she may no longer physically be with us, her spirit will continue to fill the hearts of so many people." Get More at 'Today' Top News of the Week: China's Children 'Left Behind'View daily updates on the best photos in domestic and foreign news. View gallery »Kushner Family Puts Brakes on Talks to Buy Miami Marlins The Kushner family, which has close ties to the president, put the brakes on its negotiations to buy the Miami Marlins due to a report of team owner Jeffrey Loria possibly being nominated by the president to become ambassador to France. Get More 'Day Without Immigrants' Shuts Down Businesses Nationwide The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in Washington and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks and taco joints in places like Chicago, Houston, Boston, and California's Bay Area shut down. Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to America's economy and its way of life, and many businesses closed in solidarity, in a nationwide protest called "A Day Without Immigrants."
Get More 2016 an 'Unprecedented Year for Hate': SPLC The Southern Poverty Law Center reported an increase in U.S. hate groups in 2016—the second year in row that the number has risen. The number of anti-Muslim hate groups saw the greatest rise, ticking up to 101 from 34 in 2015, according to the annual census of hate groups by the SPLC. President Donald Trump's election and rhetoric during the campaign is, in part, responsible for this rise of anti-Muslim hate groups, according to the report. Get More CIA Director: Agency Isn't Hiding Intelligence From Trump CIA director Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the agency is providing President Donald Trump with the best intelligence it can, disputing reports that the spy community is withholding information from the commander in chief. "The CIA does not, has not, and will never hide intelligence from the president, period. We are not aware of any instance when that has occurred," Pompeo said in a statement aimed at quelling reports that the intelligence community and Trump were in conflict.
Get More Fact Check: Trump Makes Familiar False Claims President Donald Trump offered his spin on the first weeks of his administration, and made some familiar false claims, during his Feb. 16 news conference Get More EPA Nominee Pruitt Must Provide Records of Meetings: Judge An Oklahoma judge Thursday ordered state Attorney General Scott Pruitt, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, to turn over documents related to Pruitt's communications with coal, oil and natural gas corporations that an advocacy group has sought for more than two years. District Judge Aletia Haynes Timmons said "there really is no reasonable explanation" why Pruitt's office has not complied with a request filed in January 2015 by the Wisconsin-based Center for Media and Democracy for communications between Pruitt and Koch Industries and other major energy companies as well as the corporate-funded Republican Attorney General's Association. Get More Trump Taps Alexander Acosta as New Labor Secretary
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration. Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Andrew Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well." If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school. Get More Fact Check: Trump's Iffy Grasp of Autism Research President Donald Trump has weighed in on child autism, apparently without a complete grasp of the research. Trump in the past has promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, and shortly before his inauguration was considering a commission on the matter. Such comments have alarmed health professionals. Just last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics and dozens of other health organizations signed a letter to Trump saying claims that vaccines aren't safe "have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature," and offering to meet with him to explain that science.
Here is a look at his statement at a forum Tuesday and what is known about the prevalence of autism in children. Get More Fla. Airport Shooting Suspect Mentally Competent: Lawyer An Alaska man accused of killing five people and wounding six in a shooting rampage at a major Florida airport is competent to proceed with his court case despite indications of mental illness, his attorneys told a judge Thursday. Esteban Santiago, 26, was treated briefly before the shooting at an Anchorage, Alaska, psychiatric facility after showing up at an FBI office and telling agents he was hearing voices and was under CIA mind control. He made similar statements about mind control after he was arrested in the Jan. 6 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, authorities said. Defense attorneys Hector Dopico and Eric Cohen, however, told U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom at a hearing that Santiago understands court proceedings, comprehends the charges against him and is able to assist in preparing a defense.