In an explosive revelation Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s son posted copies of a solicitation he accepted to meet with a Russian attorney promising dirt on Hillary Clinton offered as part of a Russian government effort to assist his father’s campaign. Donald Trump Jr. has been at the center of a firestorm since the his meeting with the Russian lawyer was first disclosed Saturday. In the emails, Trump accepted an offer for “very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.” “If it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer,” the younger Trump replied. The younger Trump also forwarded the email chain, complete with the Russian sourcing, to campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, who now serves as a White House senior advisor to the president. Trump disputes that any information of substance was shared in the meeting, but the well-documented intent, and his knowledge of the source of the information, has placed him and his father in new political—and potentially legal—peril.
The White House contradicts the president on his Putin talks. GOP senators plan for a healthcare vote—without the votes. And GOP frustrations with the White House grow over a sanctions bill.
Here are your must reads:
Must Reads
Donald Trump Jr. Posts Emails Leading to Meeting for Hillary Clinton Info
“If it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer” he says of information from Russian source [TIME]
Donald Trump’s Team Keeps Changing Their Russia Stories
A credibility issue for the administration [TIME]
Trump Jr. Was Told in Email of Russian Effort to Aid Campaign
Foreknowledge of Russian involvement would indicate openness to potential collision [New York Times]
GOP impatience grows over stalled Russia sanctions bill
A key House chairman could introduce his own sanctions plan in the face of White House opposition [Politico]
LGBT Group to Fund Campaign Against Trump’s Agenda
TIME’s Philip Elliott on the Human Rights Campaign
Senate GOP leaders hope for health care vote next week
But little reason for confidence [Associated Press]
Sound Off
“I think that we should be proud to have Ivanka sitting in that seat.” —White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders on Ivanka Trump taking her father’s seat at the G20.
“I do know that it was mentioned. Specifically, when you ask about sanctions I know there is a little bit of a question there, and there were sanctions specific to election meddling that I believe were discussed, but not beyond that.” —Sanders disputing the president’s tweeted account of Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Bits and Bites
This Town Melts Down [New York Times]
Russian Lawyer Who Met With Trump Jr.: I Didn’t Have Clinton Info They Wanted [NBC]
What’s next if the Senate health bill fails [Axios]
James Comey’s Friend Disputes President Trump’s Classified Memo Accusation [Associated Press]
In Rare Move, U.S. Ambassador to Israel to Join Trump Envoy in Meeting With Palestinians [Haaretz]
Top US diplomat lands in Qatar, hoping to help end Gulf rift [Associated Press]
Trump Aides Recruited Businessmen to Devise Options for Afghanistan [New York Times]
Full transcript: Defense Secretary James Mattis’ interview with The Islander [The MIHS Islander]
A Brief History of U.S. Presidential Struggles with North Korea [TIME]
Donald Trump Jr. Hires Attorney Alan Futerfas to Represent Him in Russia Investigation [Reuters]
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