Trump Says He Has “Absolute Right” To Pardon Himself

By JONATHAN LEMIRE and CATHERINE LUCEY , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump declared Monday that he has the “absolute right” to pardon himself, but added he had done nothing wrong, asserting his presidential power as the White House is sharpening its political and legal defenses against the special counsel Russia probe. Trump’s…

Greitens’ Resignation Shifts Missouri’s Focus To Senate Race

By SUMMER BALLENTINE , Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — While Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ resignation dealt a blow to his political prospects, his departure could breathe new life into U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley’s campaign. Greitens’ troubles posed challenges on multiple fronts for Hawley, as Democrats tried to tie him to the embattled…

Five Years On, US Government Still Counting Snowden Leak Costs

By DEB RIECHMANN , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Whistleblower or traitor, leaker or public hero? National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden blew the lid off U.S. government surveillance methods five years ago, but intelligence chiefs complain that revelations from the trove of classified documents he disclosed are still trickling out. That includes recent reporting…

Report: Trump Lawyers’ Letter To Mueller Challenges Subpoena

By JONATHAN LEMIRE , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s lawyers composed a secret 20-page letter to special counsel Robert Mueller to assert that he cannot be forced to testify while arguing that he could not have committed obstruction because he has absolute authority over all federal investigations. The existence of the letter,…