congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before the deadline to fund the federal government or face a shutdown. The meeting involving House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune as well as House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was confirmed Saturday by a White House official and two other people familiar with the planning. The parties have been in a standoff for days as Democrats, namely in the Senate, have refused to offer the necessary votes to pass a funding measure that would keep the government open beyond Tuesday.… Continue Reading

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man representing himself in federal court against charges of trying to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course has told jurors he didn’t intend to kill anyone that day. Jurors have begun deliberating the charges against Ryan Routh, who says he could’ve shot Trump or a Secret Service agent if he had intended harm. On Tuesday, prosecutors argued Routh spent weeks plotting to kill the Republican before aiming a rifle at him. Prosecutors say the evidence shows Routh “wanted Donald Trump dead.” Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.… Continue Reading