Here's what's making headlines in the political world Monday, May 7, 2018:
Trump to make announcement on Iran nuclear deal
-- President Trump tweeted Monday morning that he will make an announcement on the Iran nuclear deal that he has panned in the past.
Trump tweeted that his decision on the Iran deal will be made at 11 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday.
The agreement was reached in 2015, and it included the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, Germany and Iran as a way to monitor Iran's nuclear program and keep it from developing atomic weapons.
But Trump, and others, don't like the deal because of what it doesn't do. It doesn't address Iran's ballistic missile program or Iran's support for armed groups in places like Yemen or Syria. And the agreement includes "sunset clauses," which allows some parts of it to eventually expire.
Those who support sticking with the deal say after months of exhaustive negotiations, this was as good as it was going to get.
If Trump doesn't stay in the deal, there is a window where negotiations might still be able to salvage it.
A deadline of May 12 to make a decision on the deal had previously been set.
President: “Russia Witch Hunt rapidly losing credibility”
-- President Trump took to Twitter Monday morning to rail against the special counsel’s ongoing Russia investigation, continuing to say there is “no collusion” and attacking the Democrats that are part of the special counsel’s team.
The president said: “The Russia Witch Hunt is rapidly losing credibility. House Intelligence Committee found No Collusion, Coordination or anything else with Russia. So now the Probe says OK, what else is there? How about Obstruction for a made up, phony crime.There is no O, it’s called Fighting Back”
The Russia Witch Hunt is rapidly losing credibility. House Intelligence Committee found No Collusion, Coordination or anything else with Russia. So now the Probe says OK, what else is there? How about Obstruction for a made up, phony crime.There is no O, it’s called Fighting Back
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018
“The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injustice...and just wait ‘till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!”
The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injustice...and just wait ‘till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018
“Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended? Republicans better get tough and smart before it is too late!”
Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended? Republicans better get tough and smart before it is too late!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018
First Lady to announce formal platform during Rose Garden ceremony
-- Melania Trump will announce her eagerly awaited formal platform Monday during a Rose Garden event, nearly 16 months into her tenure as first lady.
WATCH THE EVENT:
While Trump has since September of last year said she plans to focus her efforts on the well-being of children, she had yet to define what exactly that means, instead delving into a broad range of topics under a wide umbrella of issues.
That changes with a planned Rose Garden announcement, her first speech from that historic location on the West Wing side of the White House, feet from the Oval Office.
However, Trump will not land on just one issue affecting children, instead expanding the platform to include other keynote causes. Her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham tells CNN Trump's approach will be a multi-pronged.
"As has been evidenced by the many events Mrs. Trump has participated in during her time as first lady, her focus will be the overall well-being of children. Something unique though: She has not narrowed her platform down to just one topic as has been done in the past," Grisham said. "Mrs. Trump wishes to help the next generation by creating change through awareness on a variety of issues that affect children."
What Rudy Giuliani has said on Trump, Daniels
-- Rudy Giuliani joined President Donald Trump's legal team last month, and in a whirlwind few days, he has made a series of eye-opening statements about a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
After an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday night, Giuliani's comments have prompted legal questions from Trump critics and remarks from the President himself, who said Friday that his new attorney was "still getting his facts straight."
Click here to read what Giuliani has said in the past week
Nunes, in spat with DOJ, threatens Sessions with contempt over Russia materials
-- House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes warned Sunday that he plans to urge lawmakers "this week" to hold Attorney General Jeff Sessions in contempt of Congress for failing to hand over classified materials related to the Russia investigation.
But the Justice Department informed Nunes three days ago -- on the deadline for responding to a subpoena from Nunes' committee -- that providing the information on a "specific individual" could pose grave implications for national security, according to a letter obtained by CNN.
"Disclosure of responsive information to such requests can risk severe consequences, including potential loss of human lives, damage to relationships with valued international partners, compromise of ongoing criminal investigations, and interference with intelligence activities," wrote Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd, who heads the Justice Department's Office of Legislative Affairs.
It was not immediately clear why Nunes has targeted Sessions. A source familiar with the matter said that the request falls squarely within Sessions' recusal from all materials related to the Russia investigation. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has been fielding the document requests in his place.
CNN contributed to this report
