Political Wire

  • Front Page
  • Members
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
  • Trending
  • Resources
    • Politics Extra
    • Political Job Hunt
    • Political Dictionary
    • Electoral Vote Map
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
Become a member to get many great benefits -- exclusive analysis, trending news, a private podcast, no ads and more!


Trump Advisers More Worried About Cohen Investigation

April 13, 2018 at 5:56 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump’s advisers “have concluded that a wide-ranging corruption investigation in New York poses a greater and more imminent threat to the president than even the special counsel’s investigation,” the New York Times reports.

“As his lawyers went to court on Friday to try to block prosecutors from reading files that were seized from his longtime personal lawyer and fixer this week, Mr. Trump found himself increasingly isolated in mounting a response. He continued to struggle to hire a new criminal lawyer, and some of his own aides were reluctant to advise him about a response for fear of being dragged into a criminal investigation themselves.”

Ex-Russian Spy Worked on Trump Moscow Deal

April 13, 2018 at 5:52 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A former Russian spy helped Donald Trump’s business team seek financing for a Trump-branded tower in the heart of Moscow during the 2016 presidential campaign,” BuzzFeed News reports.

“This connection between Trump and Russian intelligence — made public here for the first time — is known to special counsel Robert Mueller’s team and raises fresh questions about the president’s connections to the Kremlin. The former agent, who had served in Russia’s military intelligence arm known as the GRU and later worked as an arms dealer, negotiated for financing from a Russian state-owned bank that was under US sanctions at the time.”

“BuzzFeed News is not naming the the Russian agent because two US intelligence officials said that doing so would endanger his life.”

FBI Seized Recordings In Cohen Raid

April 13, 2018 at 5:16 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Federal agents who raided Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s home, office and hotel room this week seized audio recordings, sources familiar with the raid tell ABC News.

“Sources say Cohen was known to record conversations with reporters so he could show them to Trump in order to deal with reporters on certain stories. Cohen was known to record other types of discussions and communications too, which sources say, could include communications with Trump.”

From our partner:

Unknown number calling? It’s not random

The BBC caught scam call center workers on hidden cameras as they laughed at the people they were tricking.

The BBC caught scam call center workers on hidden cameras as they laughed at the people they were tricking. One worker bragged about making $250k from victims. The disturbing truth? Scammers don’t pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers.

Once your data is out there, it’s not just calls. It’s phishing, impersonation, and identity theft. That’s why I recommend Incogni: They delete your info from the web, monitor and follow up automatically, and continue to erase data as new risks appear. Try Incogni here and get 55% off your subscription with code POLITICALWIRE.

Note to readers: I use Incogni myself and highly recommend it.



Trump Called Cohen to ‘Check In’

April 13, 2018 at 4:28 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump phoned his longtime confidant, Michael Cohen, to “check in” on Friday as lawyers for the two men went to court to block the Justice Department from reading documents seized in a raid on Cohen’s home and office, the New York Times reports.

“It is not clear what else they discussed in a call that came days after a series of FBI raids. Depending on what was said, the call could be problematic for both men, as defense lawyers often advise their clients not to talk to each other during investigations. Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen still were trying to determine what exactly was seized.”

“The raids were even broader than have been previously reported. Prosecutors said the raids were part of a monthslong investigation into Mr. Cohen. In addition to searching Mr. Cohen’s office and hotel room, prosecutors also obtained warrants to seize material from his cellphones, tablet, laptop and a safe deposit box.”

Former Deputy FBI Director Faulted In Scathing Report

April 13, 2018 at 3:51 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Justice Department inspector general delivered to Congress on Friday a highly critical report that accused Andrew G. McCabe, the former F.B.I. deputy director, of repeatedly misleading investigators,” the New York Times reports.

“The inspector general said that when investigators asked whether he had instructed aides to provide information in October 2016 to a reporter with The Wall Street Journal, Mr. McCabe said he did not authorize the disclosure and did not know who did.”

“But Mr. McCabe did approve the F.B.I.’s contact with the reporter, according to the review.”

Cohen Is Under Criminal Investigation

April 13, 2018 at 3:20 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal attorney, is “under criminal investigation,” CNN reports.

“In response to Cohen’s motion to restrain the evidence collected in Monday’s raids of his home and office, the US attorney in New York asserted the raids were authorized by a federal judge to seek evidence of conduct ‘for which Cohen is under criminal investigation.'”

The filing redacts what Cohen is under investigation for.

Ryan Backs McCarthy to Replace Him

April 13, 2018 at 3:18 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) told NBC News that he has endorsed House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to replace him as Speaker.

Said Ryan: “We all think that Kevin is the right person.”

Axios: “House Republicans are in an exceptionally tough spot for the midterms, and Ryan’s decision to not run for reelection only added to concerns that Democrats have a shot at becoming majority. But having a clear replacement in place, like McCarthy who is known and trusted within the GOP, Republicans have a someone they can rally behind as Nov. 6 edges closer.”

Comey Says It’s Possible ‘Pee Tape’ Exists

April 13, 2018 at 2:25 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Former FBI Director James Comey admits in an ABC News interview that he doesn’t know if the “pee tape” — one of the more salacious items in the Steele dossier — actually exists.

Said Comey: “I honestly never thought this words would come out of my mouth, but I don’t know whether the current president of the United States was with prostitutes peeing on each other in Moscow in 2013. It’s possible, but I don’t know.”

Trump’s Favorable Rating Hits New Low

April 13, 2018 at 2:22 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Gallup: “President Trump’s favorable rating, already low by historical standards, has dropped to 38% — while his unfavorable rating is at 59%.”

Dems Prep a Plan if Rosenstein Is Fired

April 13, 2018 at 2:13 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“With rumors swirling that President Trump could soon fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, key Democrats this week began putting together an emergency action plan,” National Journal reports.

“Step one: Don’t call for impeachment.”

Said Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA): “The first 24 to 48 hours, if and when that happens, we should stay calm; we should do our best to reach out across the aisle and talk to our colleagues and say, ‘Seriously, we cannot allow this to happen.’ Just don’t go immediately to DEFCON-1,” said a member of Congress who attended the meeting but asked for anonymity to discuss it candidly. “We should not say anything—let the dust settle for a minute. What I took from it is it’s better to build a coalition across the aisle than just to come out guns a-blazing saying, ‘We’ve got to impeach him now.'”

Trapped In the White House

April 13, 2018 at 1:59 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Trump administration officials looking to escape to the private sector are getting a rude awakening: No one wants to hire them,” BuzzFeed News reports.

“Companies and firms who used to recruit from presidential administrations and brag when they were successful in poaching an aide are making the calculation that the risks of bringing on a Trump administration official outweigh the rewards, according to interviews with 10 current and former administration officials, top recruiters, and lobbyists who did not want to be named to talk candidly.”

What If James Comey Understood Probability?

April 13, 2018 at 1:33 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The following post for members is by G. Elliott Morris of The Crosstab.

Doomed to re-litigate the 2016 presidential election for years to come, election forecasters are now coming face to face with an individual that has long been a subject of our explanations for the last presidential election: Former FBI Director James Comey.

Join now to continue reading.

Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising. Learn more.

If you’re already a member, sign in to your account.

Extra Bonus Quote of the Day

April 13, 2018 at 1:30 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Also really glad that I hit number 1 just under the wire before Jim Comey’s book comes out next week and he crushes my dream. AGAIN.”

— Former Clinton communication director Jennifer Palmieri, on Twitter, touting that her book, Dear Madame President, will top the New York Times bestseller list this weekend.

Trump Pardons Scooter Libby

April 13, 2018 at 1:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump pardoned “Scooter” Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, who was convicted of obstruction of justice and perjury, the Washington Post reports.

“Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison and was fined $250,000. His sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush. Although Libby was spared jail time, he was not pardoned.”

Cohen Negotiated Settlement for GOP Fundraiser

April 13, 2018 at 1:11 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen “negotiated a deal in late 2017 to pay $1.6 million to a former Playboy model who said she was impregnated by” top Republican fundraiser Elliot Broidy, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The deal, which hasn’t previously been reported, prohibits the Los Angeles woman from disclosing her alleged relationship with Mr. Broidy in exchange for $1.6 million to be paid to her over two years in quarterly installments, these people said. The first payment was due Dec. 1.”

Interesting: “The Broidy agreement uses the same pseudonyms for Mr. Broidy and the woman with whom he was allegedly involved—David Dennison and Peggy Peterson—as the earlier agreement used for Mr. Trump and Ms. Clifford, respectively… Both agreements had separate side letters that listed the real names of the parties.”

Comey Publisher Printing 850K Copies

April 13, 2018 at 12:50 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The publisher of James Comey’s book A Higher Loyalty is printing 850,000 copies to meet the expected demand from buyers, CNN reports.

To put that number in perspective: The initial print run of Michael Wolff’s book Fire and Fury was just 150,000 copies.

Rosenstein Tells Confidants He’s Prepared to Be Fired

April 13, 2018 at 12:47 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein “has struck a stoic and righteous tone in private conversations he has had this week about the fate of his job as President Trump has launched public criticism against him and considered firing him,” NBC News reports.

“One source who spoke to Rosenstein said he seemed fully aware he may soon lose his job and was at peace with the possibility, confident he had done his job with integrity.”

Also interesting: “Rosenstein has said in recent private conversations that history will prove he did the right thing by firing Comey in May 2017, claiming that the American people do not have all the facts about what led to his decision to write the memo that led to Comey’s dismissal.”

For insight into what would happen next, listen to the latest episode of Political Wire Conversations with Asha Rangappa.

Farenthold Quit Without Paying Back Settlement

April 13, 2018 at 11:42 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The House Ethics Committee called for former Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) to honor his pledge to repay an $84,000 taxpayer settlement to end a sexual harassment case, the Houston Chronicle reports.

“The bipartisan committee, in a unanimous statement, said that while it no longer has jurisdiction over the Corpus Christi Republican, it encouraged him ‘in the strongest possible terms’ to make good on his promise to pay back the settlement stemming from a 2015 sexual harassment case brought by Lauren Greene, a former staffer in his Washington office.”

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 5882
  • 5883
  • 5884
  • 5885
  • 5886
  • …
  • 8240
  • Next Page »

Get Smarter About Politics

Members get exclusive analysis, a trending news page, the Trial Balloon podcast, bonus newsletters and no advertising. Learn more.

Subscribe

Your Account

Sign in

Latest for Members

  • The Populist Who Won’t Step Aside
  • Minor Parties Gain Ground as States Ease Restrictions
  • Weekly News Quiz
  • A Presidency Unbound
  • 2026 Senate Overview

Word of the Day

Fusion Voting: Fusion voting allows a candidate’s name to appear on multiple parties’ ballot lines, and to combine his or her votes from those lines.

Read the full definition

About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

Praise for Political Wire

“There are a lot of blogs and news sites claiming to understand politics, but only a few actually do. Political Wire is one of them.”

— Chuck Todd, host of “Meet the Press”

“Concise. Relevant. To the point. Political Wire is the first site I check when I’m looking for the latest political nugget. That pretty much says it all.”

— Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report

“Political Wire is one of only four or five sites that I check every day and sometimes several times a day, for the latest political news and developments.”

— Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report

“The big news, delicious tidbits, pearls of wisdom — nicely packaged, constantly updated… What political junkie could ask for more?”

— Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia

“Political Wire is a great, great site.”

— Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

“Taegan Goddard has a knack for digging out political gems that too often get passed over by the mainstream press, and for delivering the latest electoral developments in a sharp, no frills style that makes his Political Wire an addictive blog habit you don’t want to kick.”

— Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post

“Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.”

— Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit

“I rely on Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire for straight, fair political news, he gets right to the point. It’s an eagerly anticipated part of my news reading.”

— Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.

Copyright © 2025 · Goddard Media LLC | Privacy Policy | Corrections Policy

Political Wire ® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC