Trump news – live: Ex-president’s intelligence chief ‘stunned’ by former boss’s praise for Putin

Donald Trump’s former director of national intelligence has voiced his dismay at the ex-president’s remarks praising Vladimir Putin as he mounts a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to The Daily Beast, Dan Coats said he was “stunned” by Mr Trump’s remarks. “I cannot think of any other US president that would in a situation like this say what he said,” he told the site.

Twice in two days, the former president hailed Mr Putin as “smart” and blamed Joe Biden for what is happening. “He [Mr Putin] was going to be satisfied with a piece and now he sees the weakness and the incompetence and the stupidity of this administration,” Mr Trump said while speaking with Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham. “As an American I am angry about it and I am saddened by it. And it all happened because of a rigged election.”

In another video clip from Wednesday night that was circulated on social media, Mr Trump can be heard saying: “Trump said Putin is smart. He’s taken over a country for $2 worth of sanctions. I’d say that’s pretty smart.”

Meanwhile, a House of Representatives committee investigating the handling of Trump administration records has asked the National Archives for more information on the documents the former president kept at Mar-a-Lago rather than transferring to the archives as required by law. In particular, the committee has asked for a rundown of the classification status of the documents after it became clear that the boxes may have contained sensitive material.

Key Points

• Trump insists Ukraine crisis would not have happened while he was president

• Truth Social goes live - but many users report being stuck on waiting list

• Trump’s days are ‘numbered,’ Glen Kirschner says

• Flashback: How Trump sided with Putin

Former Trump national intelligence chief ‘stunned’ by remarks praising Putin

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

While Donald Trump has spent this week heaping praise on “savvy” Vladimir Putin for his “genius” initial moves on Ukraine preceding the invasion, one of the former president’s aides has come out against the stunning comments.

Donald Trump’s former intelligence chief Dan Coats ‘stunned’ by Putin praise remarks

Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine after trying to blame Biden

00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Texas senator Ted Cruz did not react well to being challenged on the timeline he was citing to assign blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to President Joe Biden.

Mr Cruz, who serves on the Senate’s foreign relations committee, spoke to The Independent on Thursday as he arrived to speak at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando.

Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine after trying to blame Biden

Republicans at CPAC cast blame for Russia’s Ukraine invasion – but not on Vladimir Putin

Friday 25 February 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republicans are placing blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on a certain commander in chief – but not the one who gave the order to attack, Andrew Feinberg writes.

At CPAC, GOP casts blame for Russia’s Ukraine invasion — but not on Putin

Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare

Friday 25 February 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The speech given by DeSantis was at times ridiculous, yet also clearly a pitch for a presidential run in 2024 — and he delivered it convincingly, writes Holly Baxter.

Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare while onstage at CPAC

Jan 5 rioter who carried Pelosi lectern sent to prison

Friday 25 February 2022 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

A man who was photographed waving and smiling while carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern out of the US Capitol was sentenced to 75 days in prison, among the harshest misdemeanor sentences connected to the riots on 6 January, 2021.

Alex Woodward reports.

Capitol rioter who carried Pelosi’s lectern sentenced to prison

CDC: Most Americans no longer need to wear masks

Friday 25 February 2022 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Most Americans no longer need to wear face masks indoors after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Covid-19 guidelines amid falling infections and hospitalisations across the US.

Rachel Sharp reports.

CDC says most Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors

White House: Biden will sanction Putin and Lavrov

Friday 25 February 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The White House announced that the United States would personally sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made the announcement on Friday amid Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Ms Psaki said that the decision came after Mr Biden had a conversation had with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Eric Garcia reports.

Biden will sanction Putin and Russian foreign minister Lavrov for Ukraine invasion

ICYMI: CPAC Day 1

Friday 25 February 2022 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In case you haven’t been on the edge of your seat watching the Conservative Political Action Conference, anti-Trump Republican group The Lincoln Project has put together a compilation video of Thursday’s action.

And surprisingly, Ted Cruz found it funny.

“Even a stopped clock is right twice a day,” he tweeted. “This is pretty damn funny!”

January 6 Committee meeting with Kimberly Guilfoyle

Friday 25 February 2022 21:04 , Oliver O'Connell

The House select committee investigating the riot January 6 riot at the US Capitol is meeting with Kimberly Guilfoyle.

CNN reported the development on Friday. Ms Guilfoyle is currently engaged to former president Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr and was involved in raising money for the “Stop the Steal” rally on 6 January 2021. While the committee had subpoenaed and obtained Ms Guilfoyle’s phone records, it had not subpoenaed her.

January 6 Committee meeting with Kimberly Guilfoyle

Barack Obama salutes Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

Friday 25 February 2022 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Barack Obama has saluted Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, noting the judge has “already inspired young Black women like my daughters”.

The former US president reacted to the nomination on Twitter on Friday (25 February).

“I want to congratulate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson has already inspired young Black women like my daughters to set their sights higher, and her confirmation will help them believe they can be anything they want to be,” he wrote.

Clémence Michallon has the story.

Barack Obama salutes Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

Trump dominates CPAC merchandise

Friday 25 February 2022 19:57 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump national intelligence chief ‘stunned’ by remarks praising Putin

Friday 25 February 2022 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

While Donald Trump has spent this week heaping praise on “savvy” Vladimir Putin for his “genius” initial moves on Ukraine preceding the invasion, one of the former president’s aides has come out against the stunning comments.

Dan Coats, who served as the former president’s director of national intelligence, told The Daily Beast on Thursday: “I cannot think of any other US president that would in a situation like this say what he said.”

Asked to further comment on the situation, specifically how President Joe Biden is handling the crisis, Mr Coats declined to comment on the matter.

Donald Trump’s former intelligence chief Dan Coats ‘stunned’ by Putin praise remarks

Paul Ryan praises relative Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court

Friday 25 February 2022 19:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan praised his distant relative Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson upon President Joe Biden nominating her to the Supreme Court.

Ms Jackson is married to surgeon Patrick Jackson, whose twin brother married Dana Little Jackson, Mr Ryan’s wife.

“Janna and I are incredibly happy for Ketanji and her entire family,” he tweeted. “Our politics may differ, but my praise for Ketanji’s intellect, for her character, and for her integrity, is unequivocal.”

Eric Garcia reports.

Former GOP Speaker Paul Ryan praises Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination

ICYMI: Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine invasion

Friday 25 February 2022 18:39 , Andrew Naughtie

The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg caught up with Ted Cruz at CPAC in Florida and pressed him on the issue of sanctions, which he claims the Biden administration has been too slow to enact after a bill he put forward failed. When it was pointed out to him that the Russian troop buildup began before the legislation died in the Senate, he simply complained “fake news” and walked away.

Read more:

Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine after trying to blame Biden

Voices: A pro-Trump Ukraine talking point that needs to be avoided

Friday 25 February 2022 18:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Writing for The Independent, Jay Caruso takes apart the “debate” over whether Vladimir Putin would have invaded Ukraine if Donald Trump were still president today – and points out the insidious effect such arguments can have.

Read the piece below:

Would Putin have invaded Ukraine if Trump was president? Don’t ask

From CPAC: Trump’s former secretary of state won’t engage on Putin remarks

Friday 25 February 2022 17:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state under Donald Trump, has joined the former president lately in praising Vladimir Putin’s “shrewd” conduct. Collared by reporters at the CPAC conference in Florida, he declined to engage with a question about his approving remarks being played on Russian state TV.

Right-wing news network condemns Vladimir Putin

Friday 25 February 2022 17:20 , Andrew Naughtie

Newsmax, the loyal pro-Trump network that has often trafficked in conspiracy theories flattering the former president, has come out strongly against the Russian invasion of Ukraine – putting it at odds with Fox News, and in particular Tucker Carlson, whom it specifically calls out in its message.

Dan Coats on Trump’s “stunning” Putin remarks

Friday 25 February 2022 16:47 , Andrew Naughtie

The Daily Beast reports that friends and allies of Mr Trump’s have been imploring him to stop showering praise on Vladimir Putin. The president has often bragged about how well he supposedly knows and understands the Russian president, but his relationship with his Kremlin counterpart has long been a source of alarm in the intelligence community.

Hillary Clinton condemns Trump’s Putin remarks

Friday 25 February 2022 16:22 , Andrew Naughtie

Speaking to MSNBC’s Morning Joe today, Hillary Clinton said that it was the responsibility of “what’s left of the Republican Party” to call out those in its ranks who are effectively supporting the Russian president as he invades Ukraine.

“We have to also make sure that within our own country,” she said, “we are calling out those people who are giving aid and comfort to Vladimir Putin, who are talking about what a genius he is, what a smart move it is, who are unfortunately being broadcast by Russian media, not only inside Russia, but in Europe to demonstrate the division within our own country.”

Read more:

Hillary Clinton blames Trump for ‘giving aid and comfort’ to Putin

Jan 6 rioter who stole Pelosi’s lectern gets jail sentence

Friday 25 February 2022 15:58 , Andrew Naughtie

Adam Johnson of Florida, who was infamously pictured walking through the Capitol with a lectern from Nancy Pelosi’s office, has been sentenced to 75 days in jail.

Mr Johnson, who claimed that had he found Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol he would simply have asked her for a selfie, failed to convince the judge that he had learned his lesson and that the notoriety of the picture of him is punishment enough.

Loyal pro-Trump senator complains about Supreme Court nominee

Friday 25 February 2022 15:25 , Andrew Naughtie

Lindsey Graham, the Republican South Carolina senator who sits on the judiciary committee, is unhappy at Joe Biden’s nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson for his Supreme Court seat. Mr Graham pushed for a nominee from his home state, but did not suceed in his lobbying.

It’s worth pointing out that Mr Graham voted to confirm Ms Brown Jackson when she was nominated to the circuit court.

Leitita James says she will not be deterred in Trump investigation

Friday 25 February 2022 14:54 , Andrew Naughtie

New York Attorney General Letitia James has reiterated that she intends to seek testimony from Donald Trump, his daughter Ivanka and his son Donald Jr in a probe into their family’s financial dealings. The Trump are currently trying to appeal a judge’s decision ordering them to testify.

“While they have the right to seek a delay, they cannot deter us from following the facts and the law wherever they may lead,” she said in her statement. “Make no mistake: My office will continue to pursue this case without fear or favor because no one is above the law.”

Follow the story here:

New York AG responds to Trump’s plans to appeal order to testify

ICYMI: Senior Republican leaving Senate

Friday 25 February 2022 14:43 , Andrew Naughtie

GOP Senator James Inhofe, a notorious climate change skeptic, is set to retire from the Senate at the age of 87. He was elected to his fifth term in 2020, but is expected to leave office in January.

Read more here:

AP source: Oklahoma GOP Sen. Inhofe to announce retirement

CPAC: Trump’s rival DeSantis relegated to subpar speaking slot

Friday 25 February 2022 14:17 , Andrew Naughtie

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is increasingly seen as the natural stand-in for Donald Trump if he doesn’t or cannot run for re-election in 2024 – and there is even speculation he could run for the nomination anyway. That may explain why the CPAC organisers stood him up in front of a part-empty room before the event had begun in earnest, guaranteeing that his appearance would not receive the sort of rapturous reception that might irk the infamously sensitive Mr Trump.

Here, Richard Hall unpacks the two men’s brewing rivalry, and examines what future Mr DeSantis might have in a party that the 45th president still all but dominates.

Don’t mention the Donald: The Trump-DeSantis rivalry hits CPAC

Is Tucker Carlson changing tack on Ukraine?

Friday 25 February 2022 13:37 , Andrew Naughtie

Fox News’s most-watched and arguably most extreme talking head has lately been espousing a more Putin-friendly view of the war launched against Ukraine – but with events rapidly taking a turn for the worse, he appears to be adjusting his tone...

Justice Department makes philosophical point in Jan 6 case

Friday 25 February 2022 12:43 , Andrew Naughtie

The Department of Justice is still proceeding aggressively with the hundreds of cases brought against participants in the 6 January Capitol attack. In a latest filing in a case of relatively minor charges, it gives this rationale for why it is holding everyone responsible for their behaviour that day:

How would Hillary Clinton have handled Putin?

Friday 25 February 2022 12:08 , Andrew Naughtie

Back in 2016, when Donald Trump was running for president, his rival Hillary Clinton criticised him to his face as a “puppet” of Vladimir Putin’s – a claim that she and many others have made ever more vociferously since the start of his administration.

Now, Ms Clinton has weighed in on what’s happening in Ukraine with an op-ed for The Atlantic in which she writes that Republicans are aiding and abetting the governments of Russia and China as they attack the world order.

“Much has been said about the assault on American democracy by a radicalized Republican Party,” Ms Clinton writes, “but its international consequences have not gotten the attention they deserve. Republican leaders are abandoning core tenets of American democracy even as the stakes in the global contest between democracy and autocracy are clearer and higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War.”

Watch her 2016 exchange with Mr Trump below:

Inquiry into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago documents widens

Friday 25 February 2022 11:22 , Andrew Naughtie

The New York Times reports that the House Oversight Committee is expanding its investigation into Donald Trump’s stashing of White House documents at Mar-a-Lago in violation of laws that require him to submit them to the National Archives.

According to the paper, committee chair Carolyn B, Maloney has written to the national archivist requesting a “detailed description” of the contents of the 15 boxes of documents recovered from the president’s Florida encampment – including documents the president “had torn up, destroyed, mutilated or attempted to tear up, destroy or mutilate.”

It has been reported that some of the recovered material is in fact classified or sensitive.

Read the report here.

AZ governor: better a white nationalist than a Democrat

Friday 25 February 2022 10:29 , Andrew Naughtie

GOP Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who has been a target of Trumpist resentment for refusing to sign up to the false claim that his state was stolen for Joe Biden in 2020, has defended a sitting state senator who is speaking at a white nationalist conference next week.

Wendy Rogers’s name features prominently on the agenda at the third annual America First Political Action Conference, a right-wing racist gathering started by “groyper” Nick Fuentes. Asked what he thought of Ms Rogers’s extreme views, Mr Ducey said he’d rather have her in office than a Democrat.

Republican Senators split on Ukraine

Friday 25 February 2022 09:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Two Republican Senators have given strikingly different diagnoses of where the US stands in relation to events in Ukraine. Speaking to a reporter at CPAC, Missouri’s Josh Hawley said not just that the US shouldn’t send forces to fight in Ukraine (there is nothing to suggest it will), but that it should in fact be pulling troops out of Europe in order to focus on China’s threat in East Asia.

Contrast that view with the below from Florida’s Marco Rubio, who argues against the idea that Vladimir Putin could have been placated out of invading Ukraine with the offer of security guarantees from Nato – and insists that the conflict’s implications should not be underestimated.

A Trumpist speaks: Flynn on Ukraine

Friday 25 February 2022 08:48 , Andrew Naughtie

Michael Flynn, the retired general and extreme conspiracy theorist who was a central figure in the long-running scandal over Donald Trump’s Russian connections, has put out a statement conveying his views on Ukraine.

In it, he condemns the invasion, but frames it basically as a failure of diplomacy on the part of the Biden administration – that is, a failure to address Vladimir Putin’s “legitimate security concerns” and “legitimate ethnic problems” in Ukraine itself.

Read the statement below:

ICYMI: Republicans break with Donald Trump over Russia praise

Friday 25 February 2022 07:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Few Republican politicians criticised President Joe Biden as Russia invaded Ukraine, breaking with former president Donald Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy squarely placed the blame for the invasion on Mr Putin’s shoulders and did not even mention the Democratic president.

Read the full story here:

Top Republicans condemn Russian invasion – days after Trump called Putin a ‘genius’

ICYMI: Obama backs Biden response to Russia invasion of Ukraine

Friday 25 February 2022 06:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin “savvy” and a “genius” for invading Ukraine, the former Democratic president Barack Obama praised Joe Biden for his response to Russia.

Mr Obama accused Russia of launching “a brazen attack on the people of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic principles of human decency”.

Read the full story here:

Bush and Obama back Biden response to Russia invasion of Ukraine

ICYMI: Two New York prosecutors investigating Trump have resigned

Friday 25 February 2022 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Two prosecutors leading the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into the former president and his business practices resigned on Wednesday.

The prosecutors, Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz submitted their resignations after new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, indicated that he had doubts about moving forward with a case against Mr Trump.

Read the full story here:

Two New York prosecutors investigating Trump have resigned, report says

Study finds belief in QAnon has strengthened since Trump left office

Friday 25 February 2022 06:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

According to the latest study of its followers, the QAnon conspiracy movement has continued to thrive in the US more than a year after Donald Trump left the White House.

The Public Religion Research Institute’s latest study has revealed that about 22 per cent of Americans believe that a “storm” is coming, “18 per cent think violence might be necessary to save the country and 16 per cent hold that the government, media and financial worlds are controlled by Satan-worshipping paedophiles.”

The study states that “the share of QAnon believers has increased slightly through 2021.”

It added that in March, 14 per cent of Americans were QAnon believers, compared to 16 per cent in July, 17 per cent in September, and 17 per cent in October.”

The PRRI study also revealed that the “share of QAnon doubters has remained relatively steady.”

Bernie Sanders calls Trump's praise of Putin 'outrageous'

Friday 25 February 2022 05:29 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Bernie Sanders called Donald Trump’s praise of the Russian president “outrageous” but said that it was “unsurprising.”

The Vermont senator said: “It is outrageous, if unsurprising, that Trump would praise Putin’s murderous invasion of Ukraine as an act of ‘genius.’” He added that “it should concern us all that Putin is exactly the kind of leader Trump would like to be, and that so few Republicans have the courage to say this out loud.”

During the interview, the former president had called Mr “savvy” and “genius” for invading Ukraine. He said: “I said, ‘How smart is that? He’s going to go in and be a peacekeeper,’” Mr Trump said.

“That’s the strongest peace force. We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re going to keep peace, all right.”

Confused Trump believes US has invaded Ukraine in Fox call-in

Friday 25 February 2022 05:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Former US President Donald Trump appeared to be under the impression that the US had invaded Ukraine during an exchange with Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Bashing President Joe Biden for his handling of the crisis, Mr Trump and Ms Ingraham discussed the invasion, with Ms Ingraham repeating a report about an amphibious landing in Odessa, which Mr Trump appeared to think was a reference to US troops.

Harriet Sinclair reports.

Confused Trump believes US has invaded Ukraine in Fox call-in

Jon Stewart calls Trump’s views on Putin ‘f****** bonkers’

Friday 25 February 2022 04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Jon Stewart has branded Donald Trump’s reaction to Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine “f****** bonkers”.

Stewart directed the same criticism toward Fox News, tweeting on Wednesday, 23 February: “The Trump/Fox axis isn’t soft-pedaling Putin’s actions... they agree with them. They are political allies. They believe in the same things. To them, the American Left and most of Europe are the Evil Empire.”

In a follow-up tweet, Stewart added: “It is f****** bonkers.”

Clémence Michallon reports.

Jon Stewart summarises Trump’s views on Putin in four damning words

Bernie Sanders calls for world to ‘defend democracy’ in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Friday 25 February 2022 04:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Bernie Sanders has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “an act of premeditated aggression” and called for a global response to defend the country from attack.

“This aggression is unacceptable and the nations of the world must respond vigorously to defend democracy and the rule of law,” Mr Sanders said in a video message on Thursday.

Read the full story here:

Bernie Sanders calls for world to ‘defend democracy’ in response to Russian invasion

Trump’s former energy secretary blames Biden for Ukraine crisis

Friday 25 February 2022 04:25 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Rick Perry, former energy secretary in Donald Trump’s administration, criticised Joe Biden for providing the Russian president “leverage” by “rubber-stamping” the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Europe.

Mr Perry said on Twitter: “Putin got an assist from incompetent world leaders who propped up Russia while risking their own energy security.”

He added: “By killing the KeystoneXL pipeline and rubber stamping NS2, the Administration increased Russia’s leverage over global energy markets, which got us here.”

In another tweet, he said: “It didn’t have to be this way. The United States can rescue Europe from a looming energy crisis by opening the Keystone XL pipeline and exporting US LNG to provide Europe with a reliable energy supply so they don’t have to rely on Russia.”

Trump’s former press secretary ridiculed for saying Putin has no greater supporters than the Democrats

Friday 25 February 2022 04:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The last press secretary of the Trump White House was mocked after claiming that her former boss would have done a better job of standing up to Vladimir Putin and Russian aggression in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Kayleigh McEnany, now a co-host of the Fox News show Outnumbered, made the eyebrow-raising remarks on Tuesday’s broadcast while a discussion of Russia’s decision to move troops into Donbas was underway.

John Bowden reports.

Trump’s ex-spox ridiculed for saying Putin has no greater ally than the Democrats

Ilhan Omar warns against broad-based Russia sanctions

Friday 25 February 2022 04:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Representative Ilhan Omar warned against broad-based sanctions against Russia and said that they could in fact harm Russian citizens.

A day before, former president Donald Trump had called Vladimir Putin a “savvy” man and a genius for taking the decision to invade Ukraine.

Ms Omar said in a statement: “I support sanctions that are targeted at Putin, his oligarchs, and the Russian military, including and especially targeted at their offshore assets.”

But she said that: “I will continue to oppose broad-based sanctions that would amount to collective punishment of a Russian population that did not choose this.”

She added: “I am heartened that the Biden Administration has included humanitarian exemptions and general licences to the first tranche of sanctions, but I am also aware that exemptions and licences have never been sufficient to prevent indiscriminate human suffering.”

Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine after trying to blame Biden

Friday 25 February 2022 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Texas senator Ted Cruz did not react well to being challenged on the timeline he was citing to assign blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to President Joe Biden.

Mr Cruz, who serves on the Senate’s foreign relations committee, spoke to The Independent on Thursday as he arrived to speak at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando.

Ted Cruz dodges questions on Ukraine after trying to blame Biden

Outrage as Florida Republicans pass ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and ‘Stop Woke Act’

Friday 25 February 2022 02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida’s Republican-dominated House of Representatives passed a pair of bills that opponents argue will chill classroom instruction on racism and injustice and stigmatise LGBT+ children and families by banning discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Outrage as Republicans pass ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and ‘Stop Woke Act’

Don Jr invokes wrath of Twitter after linking Russian invasion to they/them pronouns

Friday 25 February 2022 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump Jr has invoked the wrath of social media users for suggesting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the fault of they/them pronouns.

The former US president’s eldest son immediately earned condemnation for the tweet on Thursday, with many arguing it was both alarmist and transphobic.

He tweeted: “Maybe it’s time we start worrying about real s*** instead of our pronouns?”

Don Jr ridiculed for linking Russian invasion to they/them pronouns

Biden’s approval polls hang in the balance as he insists he didn’t underestimate Putin

Friday 25 February 2022 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has insisted he never underestimated Vladimir Putin amid uncertainty over how his response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will affect his approval rating.

Mr Biden’s old remarks about Mr Putin were dredged up during a heated Q&A following his remarks on the invasion on Thursday - where he announced harsh new sanctions against the Russian leader and his allies.

The president was asked by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy: “Did you underestimate Putin, and would you still describe him the way you did in the summer as a ‘worthy adversary?’”

Biden polls hang in the balance as he insists he didn’t underestimate Putin

Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare

Friday 25 February 2022 01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The speech given by DeSantis was at times ridiculous, yet also clearly a pitch for a presidential run in 2024 — and he delivered it convincingly, writes Holly Baxter.

Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare while onstage at CPAC

Biden vows to do ‘everything’ to ‘limit the pain’ on gas prices amid Russia’s Ukraine invasion

Friday 25 February 2022 00:20 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden acknowledged a wave of incoming turbulence for US gas prices and potentially other areas of the economy on Thursday but vowed that his administration would do “everything” it could to minimise the effects felt by Americans.

He made the remarks during a short national address and subsequent q&a session with reporters at the White House, his first address of the type since Russian forces invaded Ukraine late on Wednesday night.

Biden vows to ‘limit the pain’ on gas prices amid Russia’s Ukraine invasion

State Department left speechless over Trump and Pompeo praise of Putin

Friday 25 February 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

State Department spokesman Ned Price was left speechless by Donald Trump and Mike Pompeo’s praise of “genius” Vladimir Putin.

Asked for his reaction to the accolades for Mr Putin’s cleverness, strength and smartness, Mr Price said he had “no response”.

“In fact, I have no words,” Mr Price said.

State Department has ‘no words’ in reaction to Trump’s praise of Putin

Voices: Trump praised Putin over Ukraine so much he seemed to imply US should invade Mexico

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:40 , Oliver O'Connell

‘That’s wonderful,’ the former president said when asked about Putin’s latest moves. ‘…I said, ‘How smart is that?’ And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper….We could use that on our southern border’, writes Noah Berlatsky.

Trump praised Putin over Ukraine so much he ended up suggesting invading Mexico

Don’t ask whether Putin would have invaded Ukraine if Trump was still president

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The kind of division happening in American politics right now is exactly what Putin wants, writes Jay Caruso in Washington, DC.

Would Putin have invaded Ukraine if Trump was president? Don’t ask

Bush and Obama back Biden response to Russia invasion of Ukraine after Trump branded Putin ‘genius’

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Two former presidents have issued harsh condemnations of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine - days after a third branded the dictator a “genius”.

George W Bush and Barack Obama released statements on Thursday, hours after Russia began its attack on multiple targets within Ukrainian territory, including its capital city.

Megan Sheets reports.

Bush and Obama back Biden response to Russia invasion of Ukraine

Trump-DeSantis rivalry hits CPAC

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Ron DeSantis has been closing on Trump in the polls, but can he really challenge his Florida neighbours grip on the Republican Party? Richard Hall reports from CPAC.

Don’t mention the Donald: The Trump-DeSantis rivalry hits CPAC

Biden’s approval polls hang in the balance as he insists he didn’t underestimate Putin

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has insisted he never underestimated Vladimir Putin amid uncertainty over how his response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will affect his approval rating.

Mr Biden’s old remarks about Mr Putin were dredged up iduring a heated Q&A following his remarks on the invasion on Thursday - where he announced harsh new sanctions against the Russian leader and his allies.

The president was asked by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy: “Did you underestimate Putin, and would you still describe him the way you did in the summer as a ‘worthy adversary?’”

Megan Sheets and John Bowden report.

Biden polls hang in the balance as he insists he didn’t underestimate Putin

Kimberly Guilfoyle lauds her ex-boss at CPAC

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Kimberly Guilfoyle spoke at CPAC in Orlando this afternoon, and the theme of her speech is “President Trump was right”.

Ms Guilfoyle, who dates Mr Trump’s oldest son Don Jr, says what is happening in Ukraine is because of the weakness of the Biden administration and would not have happened under Trump’s leadership.

“We are at the risk of losing freedom and respect... and fear that people had from other countries about this country being strong,” Ms Guilfoyle said.

She blamed the “rigged election” for all of the US’s current problems, referring to the current president as “Bare shelves Biden”.

“Forget Miley Cyrus, the real wrecking ball is Joe Biden,” she said referring to the 2013 hit.

“Woke leftists are working overtime to strip us of our freedoms... Every major social media platform banned President Trump last year... No one is safe.”

“Twitter and Facebook are not the be all and end all. We have other platforms now...”

Ms Guilfoyle then plugged the former president’s Trump’s Truth Social platform.

“In 2022 the American people will retake Congress and will retire Nancy Pelosi,” said Ms Guilfoyle, saying they will send Speaker Pelosi back to San Francisco so she can “ruin” it some more.

Step two, she continued, is reclaiming the White House and returning President Trump to the Oval Office.

“I am confident that if we are lucky enough to have President Trump make that sacrifice, he will defeat Joe Biden for the second time!”

Ms Guilfoyle ended with call with a call to “Fight! Fight!” and “The Silent Majority is silent no more!...”

She finished with a resounding: “Make America Great Again!”

Voices: Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The speech given by DeSantis was at times ridiculous, yet also clearly a pitch for a presidential run in 2024 — and he delivered it convincingly, writes Holly Baxter.

Ron DeSantis just turned into Trump’s worst nightmare while onstage at CPAC

Trump fans at CPAC ahead of his Saturday night speech

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden vows to do ‘everything’ to ‘limit the pain’ on gas prices amid Russia’s Ukraine invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden acknowledged a wave of incoming turbulence for US gas prices and potentially other areas of the economy on Thursday but vowed that his administration would do “everything” it could to minimise the effects felt by Americans.

John Bowden reports.

Biden vows to ‘limit the pain’ on gas prices amid Russia’s Ukraine invasion

Outrage as Florida Republicans pass ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and ‘Stop Woke Act’

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

With CPAC underway in the state, Florida’s Republican-dominated House of Representatives passed a pair of bills that opponents argue will chill classroom instruction on racism and injustice and stigmatise LGBT+ children and families by banning discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Alex Woodward reports.

Outrage as Republicans pass ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and ‘Stop Woke Act’

‘Putin chose this war, he will pay’

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden forcefully condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday afternoon, and announced strong sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Mr Biden’s words come after Russia invaded the former Soviet bloc nation after he had recognised two regions as independent. Mr Putin had accummulated a series of troops on the ground.

Eric Garcia reports.

Biden says Putin ‘will pay’ as he announces ‘major’ sanctions on Russia

McMaster says Putin ‘not someone to be praised’, breaking with Trump

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former national security adviser HR McMaster said Russian President Vladimir Putin was not worthy of praise following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, breaking with the views of his former boss President Trump.

Speaking on CNN, Mr McMaster said: "He is certainly not someone to be praised, and I think what we ought to be encouraged by is the reaction across the free world. Really what Putin wants more than anything is disunity, because disunity will lead to an ineffective response.”

"This is one campaign in his larger effort to drag everybody else down," Mr McMaster also said of Mr Putin.

Mr Trump called Mr Putin a “genius” for his move on Ukraine.

Top Republicans condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine – days after Trump called Putin a ‘genius’

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Few Republican politicians criticised President Joe Biden as Russia invaded Ukraine, breaking with former president Donald Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy squarely placed the blame for the invasion on Mr Putin’s shoulders and did not even mention the Democratic president.

Eric Garcia reports.

Top Republicans condemn Russian invasion – days after Trump called Putin a ‘genius’

George W Bush warns of ‘danger that Putin poses’

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

George W Bush has condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, describing it as “the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II”.

George W Bush warns of ‘danger that Putin poses’