--- title: The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again description: For the second time in a week President Trump and his White House are in full crisis mode. canonical: https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/ author: Zeke Miller article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-05-16T19:50:45.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T04:57:32.024Z article:section: Politics og:title: The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again og:description: After a bombshell Washington Post story. og:url: https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb24c27fcf0ec0da8/6986837dcd6848a30809364f/morning-must-reads1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Morning Must Reads og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again twitter:description: After a bombshell Washington Post story. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb24c27fcf0ec0da8/6986837dcd6848a30809364f/morning-must-reads1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. Senior correspondent Philip Elliott brings sharp context to the issues driving the capital, connecting the decisions made in Washington to the institutions, industries and people they affect. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=e9bef67d-1a15-4741-8a9a-af0cbcffc18c&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | TIME, August 2026 | | Written by | Philip Elliott, Senior Correspondent | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership The policy influence ecosystem. A policy-focused audience spanning government, public affairs, advocacy, law, research, political media, and the institutions that make, interpret and respond to public policy. ### TIME D.C. Brief: key statements * D.C. Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read. * D.C. Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=e9bef67d-1a15-4741-8a9a-af0cbcffc18c&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/subscribe?i=e9bef67d-1a15-4741-8a9a-af0cbcffc18c&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What is TIME's politics newsletter? D.C. Brief is TIME's Washington newsletter, written by senior correspondent Philip Elliott. It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, three times a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. by [Zeke Miller](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke Miller May 16, 2017 7:50 PM UTC  The early morning sun rises behind the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The early morning sun rises behind the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson—Getty Images by [Zeke Miller](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke Miller May 16, 2017 7:50 PM UTC For the second time in a week President Trump and his White House are in full crisis mode. The bombshell revelation that Trump revealed classified information to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office last week has the West Wing struggling to do damage control. The underlying information came from a foreign ally—officials strongly suggested Israel—and were not authorized for disclosure to the Russian government, officials told the _Post_ and other news outlets_._ The disclosure prompted Homeland Security Advisor Tom Bossert to reach out to the CIA and the NSA to inform them that the sensitive information was shared. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster is pushing back on the report that Trump’s sharing of the information was inappropriate, but confirmed some of the key details—including Bossert’s warning call. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in both parties are up in arms once again, with even GOP allies of the Administration criticizing the president’s handling of classified information. That the disclosure was to Russia has amped up pressure on the ongoing probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign—which the Trump administration has continued to be frustrated by. But it has also highlighted the president’s cavalier attitude toward foreign policy on the eve of his first foreign trip, which will take him to four countries over eight days beginning this weekend. The “downward spiral.” Sally Yates speaks out. And testimony on Capitol Hill. _Here are your must reads:_ [Trump Revealed Highly Classified Information to Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-revealed-highly-classified-information-to-russian-foreign-minister-and-ambassador/2017/05/15/530c172a-3960-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.02a951a89a7f)Breaching agreement with ally \[Washington Post\] [Analysis: Trump Intel Sharing Likely to Leave Allies Anxious ](https://www.apnews.com/156c1dd236d042fabf6abe146b32832f/Analysis:-Trump-intel-sharing-likely-to-leave-allies-anxious)Disclosure came despite warnings \[Associated Press\] [Trump’s Trampling of Political Norms Spurs Strongman Comparisons ](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/16/trump-strongman-erdogan-238418)As Trump meets Turkey’s Erdogan, critics say he gives ammunition to repressive leaders worldwide \[Politico\] [How Presidents Normally Handle National Secrets ](https://www.yahoo.com/news/presidents-normally-handle-national-secrets-153347961.html?soc%5Fsrc=social-sh&soc%5Ftrk=tw)They have broad leeway \[Yahoo\] **Sound Off** “Obviously they’re in a downward spiral right now and they’ve got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening.” — Republican Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “What I will tell you, is in the context of that — that — that discussion, what the president discussed with the foreign minister was wholly appropriate to that conversation and is consistent with the routine sharing of information between the president and — and any leaders with whom he’s engaged.” — National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster to reporters Tuesday **Bits and Bites** [President Trump Defends Sharing ‘Facts’ With Russian Officials](http://time.com/4780312/president-trump-russian-leak-tweet/) \[TIME\] [National Security Advisor: Trump’s Conversation With Russians Was ‘Wholly Appropriate’](http://time.com/4780973/donald-trump-russia-leaks-hr-mcmaster/) \[TIME\] [John McCain: Report on President Trump Disclosing Classified Intelligence to Russians Is ‘Deeply Disturbing’](http://time.com/4780065/john-mccain-donald-trump-classified-intelligence/) \[TIME\] [Sally Yates speaks](http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-preview-of-our-interview-with-sally-yates) \[The New Yorker\] [Sean Spicer Still Won’t Say If President Trump Is Recording Conversations](http://time.com/4779630/sean-spicer-donald-trump-tapes-recordings/) \[TIME\] [Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Will Brief Senators on James Comey’s Firing](http://time.com/4779469/rod-rosenstein-trump-russia-senate/) \[TIME\] [Pompeo to brief House Intelligence Committee Tuesday](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/16/pompeo-to-brief-house-intelligence-committee-tuesday-238448) \[Politico\] [The White House Is Cutting More Funds for Overseas Health Organizations Linked to Abortion](http://time.com/4780113/trump-abortion-gag-rule-mexico-city/) \[TIME\] [Stephen Colbert: President Trump’s Leaker Is Himself](http://time.com/4780365/stephen-colbert-trump-russia/) \[TIME\] [Sally Yates Warns Russians Had ‘Real Leverage’ on Michael Flynn](http://time.com/4780307/sally-yates-donald-trump-russia-mike-flynn-cnn-interview/) \[TIME\] [Rep. Trey Gowdy Withdraws His Name From FBI Director Shortlist](http://time.com/4779985/trey-gowdy-fbi-director-replacement-james-comey-donald-trump/) \[TIME\] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/"},"headline":"The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again","datePublished":"2017-05-16T19:50:45.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-23T04:57:32.024Z","description":"For the second time in a week President Trump and his White House are in full crisis mode.","url":"https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/","keywords":["Morning Must Reads","White House","Donald Trump"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb24c27fcf0ec0da8/6986837dcd6848a30809364f/morning-must-reads1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Zeke Miller","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb24c27fcf0ec0da8/6986837dcd6848a30809364f/morning-must-reads1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Morning Must Reads","caption":"Capitol","creditText":"Mark Wilson—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/morning-must-reads/","name":"Morning Must Reads"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4781344/donald-trump-crisis-mode/","name":"The White House Is in Full Crisis Mode This Week, Again"}}]}] ```