Ellen Cranley

Sen. Angus King said new court filings on President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn were "the most troubling" recent development in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian involvement with Trump's 2016 campaign and election.

Speaking on Sunday's "Meet the Press," King said prosecutors' recommendation of no prison time for Flynn, who provided <a id="07799882-8dad-3213-a0dc-2a22ae825ad2" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5425867-Flynn-SCO-Supp.html"> early and extensive cooperation </a> , means he provided enough significant information to spell trouble for Trump.

"The filing last week that should be the most troubling to the White House weren't the ones made on Friday, but the ones made with regard to General Flynn earlier in the week," King said, referring to separate filings, one of which recommended " <a id="4618c789-df04-37c5-afe3-7fe7c2df2243" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/special-counsel-mueller-recommends-three-half-year-sentence-for-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> substantial </a> " prison time for Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and longtime fixer.

King, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that "Robert Mueller felt that [Flynn's] cooperation has been of such an extent that he recommended no jail time," which apparently caused Mueller to give Flynn "a kind of prosecutorial pardon, if you will."

King went on to point out Flynn's potential for providing extensive information about Trump's campaign, that included "nineteen meetings with the special counsel, and a lot of redacted pieces in the filing that was made last week."

"That's the one I think that really raises some very difficult questions that go to the heart of the question of whether there were relationships between the Trump campaign, President Trump, and the Russian government during the campaign in 2016," King said. "Flynn was, as they say in Hamilton, in the room where it happens."

Read more : <a id="b5ff9aae-8b4d-317c-a943-616ade021b1d" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-flynn-sentencing-memo-takeaways-implications-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Mueller sent a clear message — and a warning — with Flynn's sentencing memo </a>

The sentencing memo for Flynn claims he lied in a 2016 FBI interview about what he said to the Russian ambassador regarding sanctions. Trump's former aide also made false statements to the Department of Justice about his contact with Turkey.

The memo reads: "When the FBI interviewed the defendant on January 24 about his interactions with the Russian ambassador, the defendant falsely stated that he did not ask the Russian ambassador to refrain from escalating the situation in response to the sanctions, and falsely disclaimed any memory of his subsequent conversation with the ambassador in which the ambassador stated that Russia had acceded to the defendant's request."

Trump fired Flynn, who was on the job for just 25 days, in February 2016, citing an "evolving and eroding level of trust" after the former national security adviser lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his interactions with Kislyak.

Sean Spicer, who was then the White House press secretary, said at the time the firing was "not based on a legal issue, but based on a trust issue."

Flynn is due to be sentenced December 18, 2018.

NOW WATCH: <a id="554804a8-641b-3638-a6f7-6cdadbd1ac94" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-scaramucci-trump-press-economy-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists' </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lashes-out-on-twitter-after-james-comeys-testimony-all-lies-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump lashes out on Twitter after James Comey's testimony: 'All lies!'</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-flynn-sentencing-memo-takeaways-implications-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Mueller sent a clear message — and a warning — with Flynn's sentencing memo</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mocks-emmanuel-macron-over-paris-yellow-vest-riots-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump mocks Emmanuel Macron as rioters set Paris ablaze in a second week of anti-government protests</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Trump says he wants Michael Cohen to receive a 'full and complete sentence' and goes on raging tweetstorm about Mueller

DON'T MISS: Trump lashes out on Twitter after James Comey's testimony: 'All lies!'

Senate Judiciary Committee member Angus King says Mueller's filing for Michael Flynn is the 'most troubling' for Trump

Former FBI director James Comey said in a testimony Friday that anyone who thought the FBI sought to favor then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in an investigation into her use of a private email server was "smoking something."

Comey was testifying to the House Judiciary Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concerning his role in investigating Clinton's email server and the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia.

According to the session's transcript, Rep. John Ratcliffe addressed Comey to summarize his remarks and confirm his <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/statement-by-fbi-director-james-b-comey-on-the-investigation-of-secretary-hillary-clinton2019s-use-of-a-personal-e-mail-system" id="d3ce915e-e9fd-3ce7-a158-5fce7c021a01"> July 2016 </a> statement that though Clinton had mishandled and lied about emails, no criminal charges should be brought against her.

"Yep, I believed it then, I believe it now," Comey said. "Anybody that thinks we were on team Clinton trying to cut her a break is smoking something."

Ratcliffe replied before moving on to the next question, "I'll object to everything after 'yep' as nonresponsive to my question."

After months of pushing for public testimony, Comey <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-says-he-struck-deal-with-republican-lawmakers-over-his-testimony-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="0503dfb2-0907-3d3b-a74e-83de7e286e90"> settled for closed-door </a> proceedings with a transcript released the next day. However, in a tweet posted Friday evening after the session, Comey said House Republicans were not conducting "a search for truth" as much as they were executing "a desperate attempt to find anything that can be used to attack the institutions of justice investigating this president."

Though he first earned Trump's ire when he publicly confirmed the existence of the Russia investigation in March 2017, Comey's participation has earned a resurgence of public hits from Trump.

In a series of tweets posted Sunday morning, Trump accused " <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lashes-out-on-twitter-after-james-comeys-testimony-all-lies-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="989a15b7-29f6-3445-a5ed-e65e2167f9ef"> Leakin' James Comey </a> " of lying to Congress in his testimony but offered no evidence or further explanation.

Read more: Trump lashes out on Twitter after James Comey's testimony: 'All lies!'

Comey and Clinton have been two of President Donald Trump's most notable targets long after the 2016 investigation and election.

Clinton's use of a private email server to conduct government business when she was secretary of state remains one of Trump's key talking points with his supporters, who often chant "lock her up" at rallies.

The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/us/politics/president-trump-justice-department.html" id="75f2baf9-e6ce-364d-a219-f433867a9cdb"> reported </a> last month that Trump wanted to order the Justice Department to investigate the two, who he sees as two of his biggest political rivals, but backed down when he was told he didn't have the authority.

NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-scaramucci-trump-press-economy-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="554804a8-641b-3638-a6f7-6cdadbd1ac94"> Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists' </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lashes-out-on-twitter-after-james-comeys-testimony-all-lies-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump lashes out on Twitter after James Comey's testimony: 'All lies!'</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-says-he-struck-deal-with-republican-lawmakers-over-his-testimony-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Comey agrees to semi-public testimony after dispute with Republican lawmakers</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-not-friends-with-mueller-despite-trump-claims-house-testimony-transcript-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">James Comey told lawmakers that he's 'not friends' with Mueller, despite Trump's claims</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lashes-out-on-twitter-after-james-comeys-testimony-all-lies-2018-12

DON'T MISS: James Comey told lawmakers that he's 'not friends' with Mueller, despite Trump's claims

Comey says anyone who thinks the FBI favored Hillary Clinton in its emails investigation is 'smoking something'

President Donald Trump lashed out at James Comey on Twitter Sunday morning to accuse the former FBI director of lying to Congress in testimony he delivered Friday.

Comey delivered private testimony to the House Judiciary Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concerning his role in investigating Hillary Clinton's email server and the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia.

Committee leaders released a <a id="68cf215d-70d4-3f00-ad51-cc745a38100e" href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Comey-interview-transcript-12-7-18_Redacted-1.pdf"> redacted transcript </a> of the proceedings on Saturday.

"Leakin’ James Comey must have set a record for who lied the most to Congress in one day. His Friday testimony was so untruthful!" Trump tweeted. "This whole deal is a Rigged Fraud headed up by dishonest people who would do anything so that I could not become President. They are now exposed!"

Trump also took aim at the recorded instances where Comey said he couldn't remember certain specifics, or could not answer questions because of ongoing investigations.

Read more: <a id="2e6ac023-7938-3a87-a38e-bfc3b04a85fb" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-not-friends-with-mueller-despite-trump-claims-house-testimony-transcript-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> James Comey told lawmakers that he's 'not friends' with Mueller, despite Trump's claims </a>

It was widely reported that Comey stated he opened <a id="c7978f90-5cbc-37bf-a263-45f197d55e7a" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-russia-investigation-initially-looked-at-4-americans-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> investigations on four Americans </a> , none of whom were Trump, in the FBI's counterintelligence probe into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump tweeted that this statement, and that Comey didn't know former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, were "all lies!"

"On 245 occasions, former FBI Director James Comey told House investigators he didn’t know, didn’t recall, or couldn’t remember things when asked. Opened investigations on 4 Americans (not 2) - didn’t know who signed off and didn’t know Christopher Steele. All lies!"

Trump offered no further explanation.

Comey took to Twitter after leaving the hearing Friday, saying House Republicans were not conducting a "search for the truth," but executing "a desperate attempt to find anything that can be used to attack the institutions of justice investigating this president."

This is the latest in Trump's hits on Twitter against Comey and the investigations into the Trump campaign's possible collaboration with Moscow to tilt the 2016 race in Trump's favor.

Special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation released new filings Friday that most notably recommended "substantial" prison time for Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who the filings say committed campaign finance violations " <a id="b4e84a2f-c437-3ce9-a0ad-46393fb88064" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-cohen-committed-crimes-with-and-for-trump-prosecutors-say-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> in coordination with and at the direction of </a> " a code-named figure believed to be Trump.

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comey-not-friends-with-mueller-despite-trump-claims-house-testimony-transcript-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">James Comey told lawmakers that he's 'not friends' with Mueller, despite Trump's claims</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-michael-cohen-told-mueller-about-moscow-trump-tower-talks-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Everything Michael Cohen told Mueller about the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia, according to the memo that could land Cohen a 'substantial' prison sentence</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweets-after-mueller-filings-no-collusion-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump after bombshell Mueller filings: 'NO COLLUSION!'</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: James Comey says the Russia investigation initially focused on 4 Americans

DON'T MISS: Here's everyone who has been charged and convicted in Mueller's Russia probe so far

Trump lashes out on Twitter after James Comey's testimony: 'All lies!'

Jared Kushner reportedly developed a close relationship and kept in contact with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after being targeted by Saudi officials in an effort to woo the Trump administration.

Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, also reportedly kept in regular contact with the crown prince, with whom he was on a first-name basis.

The two men even regularly spoke on the phone — even after US intelligence agencies concluded he was responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a Saturday <a id="5e5645a8-ef52-38bc-a9a5-0a03a8fe6f79" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/08/world/middleeast/saudi-mbs-jared-kushner.html"> New York Times report </a> .

Khashoggi, a US-based columnist for The Washington Post, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. Turkish officials <a id="182402a3-a560-3254-af20-d08ce7a0001e" href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/turkish-officials-leaks-challenge-trump-saudi-arabia-khashoggi-story-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> leaked gruesome details </a> to US and Turkish pro-government media in the following weeks about Khashoggi's violent death.

Read more : <a id="faa8a2d4-8d15-3e55-a340-e8cdde493a6a" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-jamal-khashoggi-turkey-accuses-saudi-arabia-of-murdering-reporter-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Here's everything we know about the troubling disappearance and death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi </a>

The Times, citing former officials, text messages, and emails, reported that Kushner and the crown prince have been in close contact for nearly two years, despite efforts from the White House chief of staff, John Kelly, to rein in one-on-one communications with foreign leaders.

Despite the White House's communications protocol, the crown prince and his aides reportedly continued to pursue contact with Kushner beginning around Trump's inauguration to curry favor for the prince's policies and authority in the region.

Three former senior US officials told The Times that Kushner's lack of political experience could leave him vulnerable to being manipulated by the Saudis.

Kushner's close contact with Saudi officials has been previously reported. <a id="5ab95119-433d-3cc5-a7d2-a33ed2433462" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/saudi-crown-prince-described-slain-journalist-as-a-dangerous-islamist-in-call-with-white-house/2018/11/01/b4513e05-2d8e-4533-9cc8-2cabf8bb2d0a_story.html?utm_term=.2307db0de06f"> The Washington Post reported </a> last month that the crown prince had told Kushner in a phone call that Khashoggi was a " <a id="933e8543-600e-385b-aad7-276c0a597048" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/khashoggi-killing-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-reportedly-told-kushner-journalist-was-dangerous-islamist-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> dangerous Islamist </a> " just days after the journalist went missing.

Their relationship may have been the catalyst for Kushner's previously efforts to <a id="1590cdd6-ccb4-33e6-ab50-a369020b9759" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kushner-tells-trump-to-back-saudi-until-khashoggi-outrage-ends-report-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> persuade Trump </a> to stand by Crown Prince Mohammed through the uproar over Khashoggi's killing.

Trump's reluctance to back the conclusion by US intelligence that Saudi Arabia orchestrated Khashoggi's killing has prompted <a id="c9652e16-500f-3a4e-a7c6-17bbfb41bb7a" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-respond-to-trump-defense-of-saudi-arabia-khashoggi-killing-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> outcry from lawmakers </a> . The Senate even voted to advance a measure that would compel the US to withdraw its support for the Saudi-led efforts in Yemen's civil war.

"We have to be able to work with our allies," Kushner <a id="40af82d3-4ffe-3e96-af3f-e725d758cf56" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kushner-on-khashoggi-we-have-to-be-able-to-work-with-our-allies-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> said in an October interview </a> with CNN, before crediting Saudi Arabia as "a very strong ally in terms of pushing back against Iran's aggression."

<h1> Read the full Times report here » </h1>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-is-leaving-the-white-house-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump says Chief of Staff John Kelly is leaving the White House at the end of the year</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-nick-ayers-the-possible-next-white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Meet Nick Ayers, the leading candidate to take over for John Kelly as White House chief of staff</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-totally-cleared-mueller-filings-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump says he's 'totally' cleared after bombshell court filings related to Michael Cohen and his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: The creative accounting that reportedly allowed Jared Kushner to dodge paying income taxes for years is totally legal

DON'T MISS: Trump says Chief of Staff John Kelly is leaving the White House at the end of the year

Jared Kushner's close relationship with Saudi officials is reportedly the result of a 2-year influence mission

President Donald Trump said Saturday that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is on his way out of the administration.

Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn that Kelly will be leaving "at the end of the year" and he will announce his replacement in the next day or two.

Kelly's departure had been widely rumored to be the next after Trump abruptly requested <a id="c31a118d-a8b0-385d-ae3d-eeaf9838d06d" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-sessions-resigns-attorney-general-trump-request-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Attorney General Jeff Sessions </a> ' resignation a day after the midterms.

In a <a id="2dd82b82-ae56-3bdb-ad9a-81944c5ce2c8" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-he-is-considering-cabinet-changes-in-a-fox-news-interview-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Fox News interview </a> last month, Trump railed against the rumors as "disgusting fake news" that reported the potential staff shakeup "like it's fiction," before saying he was considering up to five Cabinet changes.

"I have three or four or five positions that I'm thinking about," Trump said. "Of that, maybe it's going to end up being two. But I need flexibility."

Trump then praised Kelly and admitted that clashes with Kelly, <a id="c47030f0-36ea-3428-ad71-35935b9b7f23" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/13/john-kelly-may-leave-after-clashing-with-the-first-lady-nbc-news.html"> most recently </a> after the staff chief's office had neglected personnel requests from first lady Melania Trump's office, had worn on their relationship.

"We get along well," Trump said. "There are certain things I love that he does, and there are certain things I don't like that he does that aren't his strength."

Trump then admitted Kelly would most likely not be with the administration for the 2020 election.

"I haven't even thought about John in terms of this," he added. "But John at some point is going to want to move on."

NOW WATCH: <a id="db520c74-e29c-3064-aa8c-1a75075d6fc5" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-holy-hell-attorney-general-jeff-sessions-mueller-donald-trump-2017-7?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Lindsey Graham once warned there would be 'holy hell to pay' if Trump fired Jeff Sessions </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariffs-trade-war-us-retail-restaurants-fed-report-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">We just got a new sign that the pain from Trump's trade war is getting worse, and it's spreading to even more businesses like restaurants</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-nick-ayers-the-possible-next-white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Meet Nick Ayers, the leading candidate to take over for John Kelly as White House chief of staff</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wh-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-will-resign-soon-reports-claim-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">White House chief of staff John Kelly reportedly plans to resign after his feud with Trump got so bad they stopped speaking</a> </li></ul>

Trump says Chief of Staff John Kelly is leaving the White House at the end of the year

President Donald Trump <a id="d7eaaf2a-98d5-3045-a98f-cb934efa8170" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-nominates-mark-milley-for-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> announced </a> his nomination of General Mark Milley for the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the country's top military post, on Saturday.

The decision regarding the nation's top military position was in contrast to the candidate <a id="36d142e3-4ea7-36c7-a595-80d747c2e6cf" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/james-mattis-defense-secretary-career-biography-2018-1?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Defense Secretary Jim Mattis </a> reportedly preferred for the role and could compromise Trump's relationship with the defense head.

<a id="be9426ac-a9dc-39b2-a3c9-1644ab078cb8" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-expected-to-tap-army-chief-as-next-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs/2018/12/07/dba7e8ea-fa3c-11e8-8c9a-860ce2a8148f_story.html?utm_term=.cfd02c8bf5cb"> The Washington Post reported </a> that Trump was deciding between Milley and the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. David Goldfein, whom Mattis preferred.

Though it was reportedly unclear why Mattis preferred Goldfein, Trump's decision could be taken as a sign of the two's weakened relationship, going against the member of his cabinet who oversees the military. "It's a pretty big decision to go against Mattis," a former top defense official told the Post.

Despite his reported preference, current and former officials told the Post Mattis and Milley have a good relationship, going back to the war in Afghanistan, for which Mattis sought Milley out to brainstorm.

Milley was widely reported to be nominee ahead of the Saturday announcement. Trump teased the decision Friday amid personnel changes in the <a id="1dd0e0ec-9a64-3aad-a7ed-a6e277bab031" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071076077903040513"> State Department </a> and <a id="16e465a6-c42a-3cd1-aac2-5bf2e9dc40b5" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071076519584268288"> Attorney General </a> .

Trump has described Mattis as out of place in the administration, saying in a CBS " <a id="97ae2b8f-1ad5-35de-a7ea-b135302fdd1a" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-donald-trump-vows-severe-punishment-if-saudi-arabia-is-behind-saudi-missing-journalist/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7d&amp;linkId=58170071"> 60 Minutes </a> " interview that Mattis is " <a id="a071c0ec-f41e-3a47-a7b1-2dce3ba2ad56" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mattis-sort-of-a-democrat-may-leave-administration-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> sort of a Democrat </a> " and that "he may leave" after months of speculation on the former Marine Corps General's standing.

Read more : <a id="af3f4207-3a62-31bd-a083-6e7b18833572" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mattis-sort-of-a-democrat-may-leave-administration-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Trump says Mattis is 'sort of a Democrat' and that the defense secretary 'may leave' the administration </a>

The president's comments came after he and Mattis have reportedly <a id="6df14b49-8277-3a7e-a83a-753ebb6fb8d2" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mattis-was-at-odds-with-trump-on-the-us-mexico-border-mission-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> been at odds in recent months </a> , as Trump last month overrode Mattis to order American troops to the southern border in preparation for the arrival of caravans of Central American migrants.

Mattis made a number of public statements on the troops at the border, but stayed away from using the same harsh terms as Trump, who called the caravans an "invasion."

Upon the White House's initial request for troops, Mattis personally rejected on the basis they were "inappropriate and legally treacherous," <a id="7cc3229b-7ba7-33b8-a270-2d77b18b6838" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/10/us/deployed-inside-the-united-states-the-military-waits-for-the-migrant-caravan.html"> according to the New York Times </a> ,

Previous clashes between the two include Mattis' faltering position on Trump's <a id="151e1112-60f0-3be3-af23-199090580f6b" href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/401501-mattis-defends-reversing-his-stance-on-trumps-space-force"> Space Force </a> and Trump seeming to blindside Mattis on a decision to announce on Twitter he was reversing an Obama-era decision to allow <a id="eff6026c-f1bf-302b-ab04-4d226e77cf80" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/president-trump-tweets-us-military-will-not-accept-or-allow-transgender-people-policy-lgbt-2017-7?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> transgender troops </a> to serve openly in the US military.

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-william-barr-former-attorney-general-could-get-old-job-back-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Meet William Barr: What you need to know about the possible once and future attorney general</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-nick-ayers-the-possible-next-white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Meet Nick Ayers, the leading candidate to take over for John Kelly as White House chief of staff</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariffs-trade-war-us-retail-restaurants-fed-report-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">We just got a new sign that the pain from Trump's trade war is getting worse, and it's spreading to even more businesses like restaurants</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Trump after bombshell Mueller filings: "NO COLLUSION!"

DON'T MISS: 17 of the most legendary quotes from James Mattis, four-star Marine general turned Defense Secretary

Trump's pick for the country's top military post could splinter his relationship with Mattis

President Donald Trump tweeted an all-caps rebuke, Saturday, of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election and possible Trump campaign collusion.

"AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION," Trump wrote of the investigation that is estimated to cost <a id="9dc2be2a-2fdd-3585-aca6-e5bbea1c0f74" href="https://www.justice.gov/file/1067341/download?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery"> nearly $17 million </a> and Friday delivered several bombshell filings against some his formerly close associates.

Federal prosecutors recommended in a Friday filing " <a id="4618c789-df04-37c5-afe3-7fe7c2df2243" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/special-counsel-mueller-recommends-three-half-year-sentence-for-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> substantial </a> " prison time for Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to financial crimes, campaign violations, and lying to Congress. Prosecutors recommended a 3 1/2-year sentence and a $100,000 fine.

Cohen previously <a id="413ba0aa-d8e7-3c27-a7eb-33379a12c92c" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-cohen-plea-deal-prosecutors-trump-2018-8?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> pleaded guilty </a> in a New York court to eight federal crimes, including tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations that he said were under Trump's direction. Cohen could have faced up to 65 years in prison if he had gone to trial and had been convicted.

The filings conclude that Cohen "acted <a id="b4e84a2f-c437-3ce9-a0ad-46393fb88064" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-cohen-committed-crimes-with-and-for-trump-prosecutors-say-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> in coordination with and at the direction of </a> Individual-1," an apparent reference to Trump that implicates him in campaign finance violation for payments to two women who said they had affairs with Trump that <a id="d5d5cc52-f7f9-3e28-ab57-f239f7e40abf" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-cohen-committed-crimes-with-and-for-trump-prosecutors-say-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> prosecutors said </a> showed intention to influence the election.

Read more : <a id="7936ecf6-157b-3544-a652-5de4646b11fa" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-michael-cohen-told-mueller-about-moscow-trump-tower-talks-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Everything Michael Cohen told Mueller about the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia, according to the memo that could land Cohen a 'substantial' prison sentence </a>

In a separate Friday filing, Mueller wrote that Cohen told prosecutors about <a id="be3e22f2-1d7e-3818-ae1f-53bc03f87947" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-michael-cohen-told-mueller-about-moscow-trump-tower-talks-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> previously unknown contact </a> with a Russian national who claimed to be a "trusted person" in the Russian Federation who offered the campaign "political synergy" and "synergy on a government level." Cohen claimed that person repeatedly suggested a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mueller said in a separate filing Friday that Paul Manafort, the former chairman of Trump's campaign, told prosecutors " <a id="7ac3c446-7850-3cf4-ab92-069cf0818645" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-totally-cleared-mueller-filings-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> discernible lies </a> " about his contacts with the White House, breaching his cooperation agreement.

On Friday afternoon, Trump tweeted thanks to the investigation, saying the findings about two of his former close associates " <a id="a826864b-ab7d-335b-ab6f-c3a550a106e0" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-totally-cleared-mueller-filings-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> totally clears the President </a> ." Trump offered no further explanation.

Trump has long sought to undercut Mueller's investigation, calling it a " <a id="3d1807e1-72da-332c-a7ff-359c716661a7" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-democrats-republicans-view-mueller-trump-russia-probe-2017-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> witch hunt </a> " and lashing out on Twitter around significant developments in the probe. In 18 months, the investigation <a id="39c4d36a-3e6c-3aa1-a7ed-94a6e7557f40" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-has-been-charged-in-russia-investigation-mueller-trump-2017-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> has charged 32 people and 3 companies </a> .

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-cohen-committed-crimes-with-and-for-trump-prosecutors-say-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Federal prosecutors say Cohen committed crimes 'in coordination with and at the direction of' Trump</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robert-mueller-releases-sentencing-memo-on-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Mueller says Cohen should receive a sentence that shows lying to the feds has 'real consequences' but also said he went to 'significant lengths' to aid Russia probe</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-totally-cleared-mueller-filings-michael-cohen-2018-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump says he's 'totally' cleared after bombshell court filings related to Michael Cohen and his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Michael Cohen's lawyers compare him to rapper DMX, prosecutors call it 'meritless'

DON'T MISS: Cohen's sentencing memo brings the spotlight back to Ivanka Trump's contacts with a Russian athlete who pitched a Trump-Putin meeting during the election Sonam Sheth and Sarah Gray 12h

Trump after bombshell Mueller filings: "NO COLLUSION!"

After months of <a id="09fb30e9-32a7-39dc-a909-f210dbcd3455" href="https://twitter.com/search?l=&amp;q=endorsement%20from%3ArealDonaldTrump&amp;src=typd&amp;lang=en"> tweeted endorsements </a> and <a id="fb37018f-6d0a-3971-a933-61bb73112967" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-rallies-increase-ahead-of-midterms-2018-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> dozens of raucous rallies </a> across the nation, 52 Trump-backed candidates won and 37 lost.

Here are the winners from across the country who had Trump's stamp of approval.

Trump <a id="9b4bc8de-8fc9-3782-ad24-993884f9922f" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1010126805850902528"> tweeted </a> in June to endorse the five-term congresswoman as "a consistent and reliable vote for our Make America Great Again Agenda."

Trump <a id="9cdff8f1-c5bf-3b36-a816-2756089f75cb" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1053285341610668034"> tweeted </a> in October that Biggs "is doing a great job for Arizona and our Country!"

Trump <a id="658c4b11-ca8c-3e68-ac61-b529dd2769fb" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1058856438091710464"> tweeted </a> last week to back the incumbent governor.

<h1> Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson </h1>

Trump <a id="96c75fc0-2d8d-3dcd-aa05-dadb96a7225a" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/998704493335334912"> announced </a> his support for the incumbent governor in May ahead of the primary.

Trump <a id="ff92cfe1-1297-3611-a359-6885a4fc7f86" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1037081791599915008"> urged voters </a> in September to back Cook because he was "Strong on Crime, the Border, and supported Tax Cuts."

<a id="6c9d5c86-369f-3534-a7da-397c1ef7ae17" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1003995933540044800"> Trump </a> has <a id="42e27fed-534c-361d-a6ce-c5621782ca75" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/11/trump-devin-nunes-medal-honor-russia-investigation/1598402002/"> said </a> Nunes, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, "should get the Medal of Honor" for his role as a vocal critic of the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

"If [the probe] turns out as everyone thinks it will, Devin Nunes should get the Medal of Honor," Trump said in an October Fox &amp; Friends interview. "What he’s gone through, and his bravery, he should get a very important medal."

Perhaps upon realizing his mistake that the Medal of Honor is for military heroes, Trump continued: "Maybe we’ll call it the Medal of Freedom because we actually give them, the high awards for civilians."

<h1> California Rep. Kevin McCarthy </h1>

Trump <a id="c733410f-a2a2-3fbe-a1f5-a66a47bf1f52" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1003987298072002565"> tweeted </a> in June to urge voters that a vote for incumbent McCarthy was a vote to "Keep our country out of the hands of High Tax, High Crime Nancy Pelosi."

Trump <a id="64d30535-7f47-3881-a940-5db7b3724872" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1052644447853453312"> tweeted </a> in October that the House incumbent had "done an outstanding job ateverything having to do with #MAGA."

Trump <a id="54401b1c-89a0-3850-a684-5ce6e8b375c0" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1017650505043140609"> announced </a> his support for Gaetz in July, after the freshman congressman established himself as one of the <a id="9358a5e9-38e2-3a78-aca2-0463b83a5c1d" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/matt-gaetz-trump-joe-scarborough-2018-2?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> most media-friendly </a> Republican lawmakers and a vocal Trump defender.

Trump headlined a fundraiser in Washington <a id="4eb29245-0781-3ac9-af4c-591da4b57ddc" href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/22/trump-open-seat-house-midterms-926720"> last month </a> as a last-minute push for Spano, who was previously outraised for the open seat in Florida's 15th district.

Trump <a id="5b10df00-8dad-3e50-a9e2-0bf575188548" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1059896399595225089"> tweeted </a> on Election Day to endorse Waltz, a former Green Beret veteran who served in Afghanistan.

Trump <a id="a6595865-719e-30f8-a25a-042712de4198" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1027600571530969088"> tweeted </a> in August that if residents in Florida's 3rd district would "Vote all the way for Ted in the upcoming Primary - he will never let you down!"

<h1> Florida Governor-elect Ron DeSantis </h1>

Trump <a id="b3f9e557-be90-30d3-ab59-ddf20c52290e" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article221098480.html"> lauded </a> DeSantis at a rally last week, saying that he is"a smart guy; he’s a great guy. He’ll keep your jobs going way up, he’ll keep your taxes going way down."

Trump <a id="dc3f2ab0-588e-3edf-a730-07d6112dab5b" href="https://factba.se/transcript/donald-trump-speech-maga-rally-murphysboro-il-october-27-2018"> said </a> House incumbent Bost "fights every day for the hardworking people of Illinois, and I know it probably better than anyone."

"He calls me: 'Please, you've got to help my people,'" Trump said. "Other people, honestly, other people don’t care."

Trump cast Senate challenger Braun as an outsider candidate who was tough, if inexperienced.

"Mike Braun is not a career politician," Trump <a id="02351298-d2db-3f40-abc2-5f6a912fb360" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indiana/2018/11/03/donald-trump-mike-pence-rally-braun-indiana-recap-bobby-knight/1872606002/"> said </a> at an Indiana rally last week. "He's a very successful businessman and a patriot … he's a fighter, he's a winner. He's a very successful guy. He didn't need this. I didn't need it either, by the way. But we're having fun. You know why? We're winning."

The president's daughter and White House adviser <a id="e5c1a11b-ddbf-30d8-aeff-6bc7897cfb11" href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/02/kim-reynolds-fred-hubbell-ivanka-trump-iowa-governor-campaign-donald-election-vote-west-des-moines/1857402002/"> Ivanka Trump even went to campaign </a> for Reynolds in the week before the election.

Trump <a id="a5b00f1d-414f-33a1-a1c9-7f33709b1a94" href="https://factba.se/transcript/donald-trump-speech-maga-rally-topeka-ks-october-6-2018"> said </a> during a rally for the open seat contender that he was "a great veteran," "a patriot, and a proud West Point graduate, that means he's very smart."

Trump <a id="52e4a57d-1c17-3c82-a2d3-63d391868d8a" href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/13/president-donald-trump-speaks-richmond-kentucky/1577851002/"> urged </a> voters in October to back the House incumbent "if you want to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker of the House."

Trump <a id="b9b44202-25e6-3390-a2fd-67b8c14b54c2" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1011053439575576576"> tweeted </a> in June to announce on behalf of "The Great State of Louisiana, we want Clay!"

Trump said in August that Stauber would be " <a id="1fedf9d6-d4ad-3d9d-a023-1fea4b3d69a4" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1029105967068323840"> great </a> " for Minnesota's 8th district.

Trump <a id="6e92d726-7736-3ede-a1fa-3baf1bd27fe0" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1047984297607618565"> endorsed </a> Stauber with four other Minnesota candidates, only one other of which won.

<h1> Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith </h1>

REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman/File Photo

The Republican who votes in line with Trump <a id="4252364b-ce0e-3bc2-a649-6f7244817bd1" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/cindy-hyde-smith/"> 100% of the time </a> received a <a id="baad52cf-4a70-3cf1-a1b2-af8c5983c189" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1067624656943935493"> congratulatory tweet </a> from the president after she won a competitive runoff after a campaign that was plagued with <a id="0ec0330c-84a1-3a5f-a4f2-d51fc92d782b" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mississippi-runoff-election-results-cindy-hyde-smith-and-mike-espy-2018-11?r=UK&amp;IR=T?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> racial scandal </a> .

Trump said <a id="7de9487f-d23a-3f6e-ad03-5ac3697c5eee" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1003997350791188482"> in June </a> Senate incumbent Wicker "has done everything necessary to Make America Great Again!"

"In a sense, I am on the ticket," President Donald Trump told the crowd at a Cleveland rally one day before this year's hotly contested <a id="0f997c31-be1a-3383-a70d-36cb4f013e49" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-election-updates-coverage-midterm-senate-house-governor-races-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> midterm elections </a> .

Trump always brags about his record of endorsing candidates — here's how many won

Former President George H.W. Bush will be honored with a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, the White House announced Saturday.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend the service. It was also announced that Trump designated Wednesday, December 5 a national day of mourning in honor of the 41st president.

The White House also issued a presidential proclamation that the American flag will fly half-staff on all public buildings and grounds, military posts, and US embassies around the world for the next 30 days.

<h1> Details are still being released </h1>

Congressional leaders announced early Saturday that Bush would lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Monday, December 3 to Wednesday, December 5, when the public can pay their respects.

Bush's will be the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford's in 2006, and the first major political funeral since more than 2,000 prominent business, media, military, and political figures gathered at the Washington National Cathedral for a ceremony to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mccain-funeral-pictures-photos-2018-9?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="7c0a800f-8b1b-383c-abdc-8d657d593b9f"> honor the late Sen. John McCain </a> .

Bush's state funeral will be the fourth in three decades. Though guided by tradition, there are a variety of options for commemoration ceremonies, <a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/a-presidental-funeral" id="b75951c8-f034-30d2-aaa4-35d9787b7fba"> presidential funerals </a> allow for personal touches that are decided by the presidents themselves soon after their inauguration.

The Bush family <a href="https://www.georgehwbush.com/funeral-information" id="d3f76593-dd98-3690-a9e4-73a17a6f5e9f"> announced online </a> they would be partnering with the Department of Defense’s Task Force National Capital Region for the funeral arrangements.

Further details are yet to be announced but the Bush family said they will release information "as soon as is practical," which could be up to 24 hours.

State funerals are usually seven to 10 days long and include three stages. The <a href="https://www.jtf.usstatefuneral.mdw.army.mil/" id="a3715820-b57a-345a-a413-73ba677d8e85"> Joint Task Force describes the process </a> : "Stage I includes ceremonies within the state in which the president, former president, or president-elect was in residence. Stage II includes ceremonies within Washington, DC, and Stage III includes ceremonies in the state in which the authorized individual has chosen to be interred."

Bush is expected to be buried at his namesake George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas alongside his late wife.

News of Bush's passing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-hw-bush-death-reactions-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="69067532-a63e-3705-a0f7-024f3e004c21"> prompted an outpouring </a> of praise and fond memories from former heads of state and world leaders.

The White House said Trump was notified of Bush's death while attending the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and canceled a news conference slated for Saturday afternoon, tweeting it was "out of respect for the Bush family and former president George H.W. Bush."

"President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life," Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1068826073775964160" id="cc97c6af-2d96-3643-a8e4-14edb08708ed"> wrote earlier Saturday </a> on Twitter. "Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!"

NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economist-weighted-voting-could-help-save-us-democracy-2018-5?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest" id="f10e5b23-0626-388d-a555-cbd8d03497a0"> This top economist has a radical plan to change the way Americans vote </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-hw-bush-death-reactions-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Former US presidents, Queen Elizabeth, the Dalai Lama, and more react to the death of former president George H.W. Bush</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/george-hw-bush-letter-to-bill-clinton-1992-election-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">'Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you': Read the heartfelt letter George H.W. Bush left for Bill Clinton after the 1992 election</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/barbara-george-bush-marriage-secrets-photos-2018-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Inside the 'storybook' marriage of Barbara and George H.W. Bush — who were married longer than any first couple, and still said 'I love you' every night</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Former US presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and more react to the death of former president George H.W. Bush

DON'T MISS: George HW Bush was America's last foreign policy president

The Trumps are set to attend George H.W. Bush's funeral. Here are the details released so far.

President Donald Trump attended a formal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday.

The formal meeting has been a closely watched event leading up to the summit, as it <a id="2639e6e0-e99e-3a5f-aabc-bca89e4d040c" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-china-trade-war-xi-jinping-meeting-at-g20-course-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> could influence US-China trade relations </a> . The results of the meeting may ultimately resolve differences and lower tariffs that affect more than half of all trade between the US and China.

According to the dinner menu released by the White House, the sirloin might be a close-enough substitute for well-done steaks and meatloaf — foods that <a id="c6c83d38-97a2-38ba-a20f-cd6c875ec4cc" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/trump-can-afford-to-eat-the-finest-food-instead-he-eats-the-most-generic/2016/03/24/63aedb18-eaf0-11e5-bc08-3e03a5b41910_story.html?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.e670f6d8e2f0"> Trump is reportedly fond of </a> .

In their remarks before dinner, Trump and Xi spoke at a table covered in white plates, white tablecloth, and yellow and red flowers.

<h1> Heres what was on the menu for the formal dinner: </h1>

First course: An Argentinian Chardonnay accompanied a seasonal vegetable salad with basil mayonnaise dressing and a parmesan emulsion.

Main course: Grilled sirloin with red onions, goat ricotta, and dates that was paired with a 2014 Malbec.

Dessert: Caramel rolled pancakes, crispy chocolate, and fresh cream.

NOW WATCH: <a id="2a213334-ff2f-3acd-a5bf-cd85acedc4b5" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-nfl-league-usfl-sued-tweet-three-dollars-2017-9?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Trump once won a lawsuit against the NFL — but the result was an embarrassment </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-china-trade-war-xi-jinping-meeting-at-g20-course-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump is about to embark on a trip that could end the trade battle with China — or plunge the US into an economic Cold War</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariffs-trade-war-deficit-record-high-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump's favorite trade war report card is looking uglier than ever</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-china-trade-war-increase-tariffs-iphone-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump is ready to go all out in the trade war with China, and even the iPhone may not be spared</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: Trump is about to embark on a trip that could end the trade battle with China — or plunge the US into an economic Cold War

DON'T MISS: Here's a glimpse at Trump's decades-long history of business ties to Russia

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are about to have a formal dinner to try and end the trade war — here's what's on the menu

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent at least 11 messages to the adviser who oversaw the effort to kill Jamal Khashoggi in the hours around the journalist's killing, according to a classified CIA report obtained by <a id="a60c43ae-9ed5-3349-a767-b285deaa3cc7" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/cia-intercepts-underpin-assessment-saudi-crown-prince-targeted-khashoggi-1543640460?mod=e2tw"> The Wall Street Journal </a> .

The crown prince told his advisers "we could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements" if Khashoggi, who was previously based in Virginia, did not return to Saudi Arabia.

The Journal reported that CIA analysis of the communication "seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi."

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a vocal critic of Saudi leadership, was killed on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain marriage documents for his upcoming wedding.

The CIA assessment state the agency has "medium-to-high confidence" that the prince "personally targeted" Khashoggi and "probably ordered his death."

Despite the findings, the report also said: "To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order."

Prince Mohammed apparently sent the electronic messages to aide Saud al-Qahtani, who oversaw the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi, though the report says the content of the messages isn’t known. Al-Qahtani was sanctioned by the White House last month for his involvement.

The report said it was unclear in the excerpts if the comments came directly from the crown prince or were from someone describing the communications.

The CIA concluded last month that Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, a connection President Donald Trump has sought to cast doubt on. Trump issued a statement that included defense of the kingdom as a " <a id="e2780b03-866f-39ab-ae7e-e67c60b98530" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-standing-with-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-experts-react-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> great ally </a> " and refusal to assign blame to the prince, saying "maybe he did and <a id="b977f6bc-7d7c-37fa-ab93-676525b464a2" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-standing-with-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-experts-react-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> maybe he didn't </a> " order the killing.

Read more: 'Saudi Arabia First, not America First': Even top GOP allies of Trump are railing against his defense of Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi's brutal murder

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis have also demurred at responding to the connections, with Mattis insisting recently that the US had " <a id="290bde7c-50d6-3c57-a872-e800e40927c9" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-us-defense-chief-no-smoking-gun-linking-saudi-crown-prince-to-khashoggi-killing-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> no smoking gun </a> " tied to Prince Mohammed.

The Trump administration's reluctance to acknowledge reports from the justice community stands in contrast to calls for a US response from lawmakers including <a id="c4559856-7716-310d-a287-242f17292418" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-mcconnell-us-must-respond-to-abhorrent-khashoggi-killing-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell </a> , who demanded action for Khashoggi's death, which he called "completely abhorrent to everything the United States holds dear and stands for."

The Senate rebuked Trump last week when it advanced a bill that would end US support for Saudi efforts in Yemen's civil war, a bill the Trump administration had opposed.

NOW WATCH: <a id="9571241c-46e8-386e-a1c2-4aa90137345b" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-faulkner-fox-news-anchor-black-female-cable-news-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Fox News' Harris Faulkner is the only black woman in cable news with a daily show: 'It's a tremendous amount of responsibility' </a>

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-mohammed-bin-salman-g20-summit-leaders-khashoggi-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> It's business as usual for the Saudi crown prince at the G20 summit despite the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi </a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-sanders-slams-us-yemen-war-saudi-arabia-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Bernie Sanders slams US support for 'despotic' Saudi Arabia in Yemen and bashes Trump over Khashoggi: 'No more! Enough death. Enough killing.'</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-accused-of-cover-up-after-barring-haspel-from-briefing-senate-khashoggi-killing-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Trump accused of 'cover-up' after reportedly barring CIA director Gina Haspel from briefing Senate on Khashoggi killing</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: 'I am worried': Audio captures bits of conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at G20

DON'T MISS: It's business as usual for the Saudi crown prince at the G20 summit despite the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi

Saudi crown prince reportedly sent at least 11 messages to adviser who oversaw Khashoggi killing around time of his death

President Donald Trump ordered all executive departments and federal agencies closed on December 5.

In an executive order, Trump said the decision was meant "as a mark of respect for George Herbert Walker Bush, the forty-first President of the United States."

The order allows for certain offices to remain open to preserve national security and defense.

<a id="ee11232f-065e-3e5c-a6b7-566f339d97ef" href="http://businessinsider.com/george-hw-bush-dead-obituary-2018-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Former president George H.W. Bush died </a> on Friday, November 30, at age 94. The White House said Trump and first lady Melania were notified of his passing overnight, and Saturday morning Trump declared December 5 a national day of mourning in honor of the 41st president.

In a statement announcing Bush's passing, Trump said he hoped people across the world would spend December 5 remembering Bush.