News Reporter: Politics A.M.: Trump and Kim abruptly cut short summit + fact checking the Cohen hearing

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The most important politics stories today

Trump and Kim abruptly cut short summit after failing to reach nuclear deal

Although the North Korean leader had said he was ready in principle to denuclearize, talks collapsed over economic sanctions. "Basically, they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety, and we couldn't do that," said President Trump. For Trump, the surprising turn of events amounted to a diplomatic failure.

By Philip Rucker, Simon Denyer and David Nakamura · Read more

'He tells me he didn't know': Trump defends Kim over death of Otto Warmbier

The president condemned the "brutality of the North Korean regime" after the college student's death in 2017. Today, he took a softer stance.

By Josh Dawsey · Read more

Fact Checker · Analysis

Fact-checking the Michael Cohen hearing

Here's a roundup of claims and statements made during hearing featuring testimony by the former attorney for President Trump

By Glenn Kessler and Salvador Rizzo · Read more

Michael Cohen drops ominous hint that Trump faces legal peril in House testimony

He alleged that the president manipulated financial records, paid to cover up extramarital affairs and reacted with glee when he learned in advance of a WikiLeaks dump of emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

By Matt Zapotosky, Rosalind S. Helderman, Karoun Demirjian and Rachael Bade · Read more

As a Trump insider describes a 'con man' president, both sides see a liar — who proves their point

The president's supporters concluded from Michael Cohen's self-avowed record of lying to protect President Trump that he cannot be believed. Democrats looked at the same set of facts and treated him as a redeemed truth teller.

By Marc Fisher · Read more

Republican focus on discrediting Cohen leaves little time to defend Trump

"We're asking the questions that we think need to be asked," said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in defending the GOP strategy at the high-stakes hearing.

By Rachael Bade · Read more

Perspective

The Michael Cohen hearing wasn't a hearing at all. It was cheap theatrics.

A desultorily expanded version of "Twelve Angry Men" played out for hours on Capitol Hill.

By Peter Marks · Read more

Analysis

Power Up: Democrats lay groundwork to demand Trump's tax returns

That might be the most interesting takeaway from the Cohen hearing.

By Jacqueline Alemany · Read more

Surprise GOP tactical win in House exposes divisions in Democratic leadership

Republicans have embraced the use of a procedural tool to put swing-district Democrats in politically tight spots. Now Democrats are considering changing the rules.

By Mike DeBonis · Read more

Virginia first lady under fire for handing cotton to African American students on mansion tour

As a girl's mother, a state employee, calls the first lady's action insensitive, the governor's office says Pam Northam had good intentions.

By Gregory S. Schneider and Laura Vozzella · Read more

Trump inaugural committee hit with subpoena from D.C. attorney general

Karl Racine launches third investigation of inaugural events.

By Peter Jamison · Read more

Booker and four 2020 presidential rivals endorse marijuana legalization

Every Democrat currently seeking the presidency supports changing drug law.

By David Weigel · Read more

N.C. political operative indicted, and prosecutor signals that more charges are likely

Leslie McCrae Dowless, who worked for GOP nominee Mark Harris, was charged in connection with ballot irregularities in North Carolina's 9th District. The prosecutor will also examine who knew of and helped fund Dowless's operation — a sign of potential peril for Harris.

By Amy Gardner and John Wagner · Read more