Here's what's happening in the political world Saturday, April 28, 2018.
Trump blasts Tester over Jackson opposition
-- President Trump called on Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester to resign over his opposition to White House physician Ronny Jackson's nomination for secretary of veterans affairs.
The president blasted Tester on Twitter, saying the senator's allegations were not fair and "proving false."
Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false. The Secret Service is unable to confirm (in fact they deny) any of the phony Democrat charges which have absolutely devastated the wonderful Jackson family. Tester should resign. The.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2018
....great people of Montana will not stand for this kind of slander when talking of a great human being. Admiral Jackson is the kind of man that those in Montana would most respect and admire, and now, for no reason whatsoever, his reputation has been shattered. Not fair, Tester!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2018
"Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false. The Secret Service is unable to confirm (in fact they deny) any of the phony Democrat charges which have absolutely devastated the wonderful Jackson family," the president tweeted.
The White House also provided reporters with documents that officials say exonerate Jackson from the allegation he improperly dispensed pills and wrecked a government vehicle after leaving a Secret Service gathering.
Jackson withdrew his nomination Thursday.
NYT: Russian lawyer had closer ties to Russia than previously thought
-- Emails indicate that Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who met with Trump campaign associates in 2016, once worked with Russia's chief legal office, The New York Times reported.
The report specifically notes that Veselnitskaya admitted in an interview with NBC News she was a "source of information" for Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied that there are ties between Veselnitskaya and the Russian government.
Texas' new Voter ID laws given the OK following criticism
-- A federal appeals court judge has ruled Texas' new Voter ID laws can go into effect.
The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned a lower court ruling blocking the law, which claimed Texas acted with intent to discriminate against minorities.
The law has endured years of being challenged. Senate Bill 14, passed in 2011, requires voters to present government-issued photo IDs. While supporters say the law helps prevent voter fraud, critics argue it disenfranchises poor and minority voters who face difficulties obtaining IDs.
