Here's what's making headlines in the political world on Monday, May 21, 2018:
DOJ to investigate possible Trump campaign surveillance
-- One day after President Trump demanded a Justice Department investigation into alleged spying on his presidential campaign, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the department would comply with the president’s request.
Rosenstein said in a statement, “If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."
The inquiry came after Trump tweeted Sunday: “I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!”
The tweet was part of a series of statements the president launched on Twitter referencing the ongoing special counsel Russia probe and campaign opponent Hillary Clinton.
DOJ officials reportedly assigned an internal watchdog group to look into the president’s request.
The DOJ announced back in March that its inspector general would look into potential abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It's now folding Trump's demand into that investigation.
With trade war “on hold,” Trump touts progress with China
-- President Trump suggested progress was being made on the China trade front, saying barriers and tariffs on the country will “come down.”
In several tweets Monday, the president provided his update on negotiations with China.
“China has agreed to buy massive amounts of ADDITIONAL Farm/Agricultural Products - would be one of the best things to happen to our farmers in many years!”
China has agreed to buy massive amounts of ADDITIONAL Farm/Agricultural Products - would be one of the best things to happen to our farmers in many years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2018
“On China, Barriers and Tariffs to come down for first time.”
On China, Barriers and Tariffs to come down for first time.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2018
“Under our potential deal with China, they will purchase from our Great American Farmers practically as much as our Farmers can produce.”
Under our potential deal with China, they will purchase from our Great American Farmers practically as much as our Farmers can produce.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2018
However, prior to his update on the negotiations, Trump took the opportunity to blast the Obama administration for doing "NOTHING" when it came to China.
“I ask Senator Chuck Schumer, why didn’t President Obama & the Democrats do something about Trade with China, including Theft of Intellectual Property etc.? They did NOTHING! With that being said, Chuck & I have long agreed on this issue! Fair Trade, plus, with China will happen!”
I ask Senator Chuck Schumer, why didn’t President Obama & the Democrats do something about Trade with China, including Theft of Intellectual Property etc.? They did NOTHING! With that being said, Chuck & I have long agreed on this issue! Fair Trade, plus, with China will happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2018
Trump’s comments on U.S.-China trade came a day after Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said that a trade war was put “on hold.”
Giuliani says Mueller's probe could end Sept. 1
-- Rudy Giuliani said Sunday that special counsel Robert Mueller is aiming to finish the probe into potential wrongdoing by President Trump by Sept. 1.
Giuliani, Trump's attorney, confirmed to CNN that Mueller's office shared its timeline with him about a month ago.
The former New York mayor said, however, that Mueller gave him the information within the context of a discussion about whether Trump would do an interview with the special counsel. Giuliani said the impression he got was that Mueller was saying if the President did do an interview, then the investigation into Trump's actions, including any potential obstruction of justice or possible collusion with Russia's interference in the 2016 election, could be wrapped up by that date.
Giuliani said he did not see Trump doing an interview with Mueller unless he had access to details about a confidential FBI source that spoke with some aides to Trump's presidential campaign about its possible ties to Russia.
CNN and Newsy contributed to this report
