White House official cites problems in security clearances

WASHINGTON (AP) — A career official in the White House security office says dozens of people in President Donald Trump’s administration were granted security clearances despite “disqualifying issues” in their backgrounds, including concerns about foreign influence, drug use and criminal conduct. Tricia Newbold, an 18-year government employee who oversaw the issuance of clearances for some […]

EU warns Trump: auto tariffs could lead to $300B retaliation

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is slamming the Trump administration for considering tariffs on auto imports, saying they could lead to global retaliation against some $300 billion in U.S. goods. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said Monday the U.S. investigation into the possibility of auto tariffs “lacks legitimacy, factual basis and violates international trade […]

Panama government to investigate Trump hotel dispute

PANAMA CITY, Panama — The government of Panama said on Monday it was formally investigating a complaint that executives for US President Donald Trump’s family hotel business were illegally occupying a 70-story luxury Trump hotel amid a management dispute. The Public Ministry said it was investigating whether there was any “punishable conduct” in the matter […]

Warning signs may have been missed in school shooting case

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Months before authorities say Nikolas Cruz walked into his former high school and slaughtered 17 people, the troubled teen began showing what may have been warning signs he was bent on violence. “Im going to be a professional school shooter,” a YouTube user with the screen name “Nikolas Cruz” posted in […]

The Latest: Agriculture secretary to skip State of the Union, Trump to hail ‘our new American moment’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech (all times local): 6:50 p.m. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will skip Tuesday’s State of the Union address, serving as the so-called “designated survivor.” A member of the presidential line of succession traditionally skips the address to the joint session of Congress […]

Senate Dems question legality of Trump work requirements

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic senators are questioning the legality of the Trump administration’s new policy letting states make low-income adults work to get Medicaid coverage. Expect their arguments to be echoed in lawsuits planned by opponents of work requirements. Last week, the Trump administration said it will let states require work […]