Politics

WASHINGTON -- For nearly five years, the young Russian political-science student was an unusual fixture at the most important events of the U.S. conservative movement. Maria Butina, who was indicted this week on charges of being a covert Russian agent, struck up friendships with the influential leaders of the National Rifle Association and the Conservative Political Action Conference, touting her interest in U.S. affairs and efforts to promote gun rights in Vladimir Putin's restrictive Russia. She sidled up to GOP presidential candidates, seeking first an encounter with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and then, after his rising candidacy stumbled, with Donald Trump. But by August 2016, when she moved to the U.S. on a student visa, the FBI was watching, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.Rather than question or confront her, they said, officials decided to track her movements to determine whom she was meeting and what she was doing in the U.S. -- the kind of monitoring … [Read more...] about ‘She was like a novelty’: How an alleged Russian agent gained access to elite conservative circles

Share Tweet Share Email Comments Print A legal and political showdown is intensifying over a proposed rule change to block federal grant funding to health centers that perform abortions or make referrals for abortions, one Planned Parenthood supporters say will cripple women’s health and physicians’ freedom if successful. Lucas County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution this week opposing the proposal. Rob Salem, a Toledo attorney and board member of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, introduced the resolution, saying the measure “essentially imposes a gag rule on health care providers” by preventing them from counseling patients about where to obtain a legal abortion. “It is unbelievable to me that there would be a proposed rule that would prohibit doctors from counseling women,” said Commissioner Carol Contrada, calling it an attack on poor people who “don’t have other options to receive … [Read more...] about Battle brewing over Trump proposal to separate abortion from Title X funding

close Video Former CIA analyst: US hitting roadblocks with North Korea Tara Maller breaks down the latest developments with North Korea. Russia has agreed to help improve relations with North Korea, President Trump said in a tweet Wednesday. Trump made the comments in a series of early morning tweets after his highly criticized meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland and his visit with NATO countries. “…Russia has agreed to help with North Korea, where relationships with us are very good and the process is moving along,” Trump wrote. “There is no rush, the sanctions remain! Big benefits and exciting future for North Korea at end of process!” ....Russia has agreed to help with North Korea, where relationships with us are very good and the process is moving along. There is no rush, the sanctions remain! Big benefits and exciting future for North Korea at end of process!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018 … [Read more...] about Russia agrees to help with North Korea relationship, Trump says