By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had an important decision to make — and his loyalists in the Freedom Caucus, or side with more establishment House Republicans who want to take the party back.The answer became clear when instead of calling Trump, as he often did when Trump was president, he is now set to visit with Trump in Florida on Thursday. The meeting was initiated by McCarthy, a person familiar with the meeting said, and is part of an effort to get back into the good graces of the former president.McCarthy was in Florida on...…By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had an important decision to make — and his loyalists in the Freedom Caucus, or side with more establishment House Republicans who want to take the party back.The answer became clear when instead of calling Trump, as he often did when Trump was president, he is now set to visit with Trump in Florida on Thursday. The meeting was initiated by McCarthy, a person familiar with the meeting said, and is part of an effort to get back into the good graces of the former president.McCarthy was in Florida on...WW…

Washington (CNN)Vernon Jordan, a civil rights leader and close adviser to former President Bill Clinton, died Monday evening. He was 85.A cause of death was not immediately released.Jordan died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and family, Jordan's niece Ann Walker confirmed to CNN.According to Walker, Jordan had his favorite dinner and dessert -- chocolate chip ice cream -- before he went to bed."It was just the way he would have wanted it," Walker told CNN.Read MoreThe former president of the National Urban League rose to prominence as a civil rights activist with close...…Washington (CNN)Vernon Jordan, a civil rights leader and close adviser to former President Bill Clinton, died Monday evening. He was 85.A cause of death was not immediately released.Jordan died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and family, Jordan's niece Ann Walker confirmed to CNN.According to Walker, Jordan had his favorite dinner and dessert -- chocolate chip ice cream -- before he went to bed."It was just the way he would have wanted it," Walker told CNN.Read MoreThe former president of the National Urban League rose to prominence as a civil rights activist with close...WW…

By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — In an expletive-laced phone call with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy while , then-President Donald Trump said the rioters cared more about than McCarthy did.“Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” Trump said, according to lawmakers who were briefed on the call afterward by McCarthy.McCarthy insisted that the rioters were Trump’s supporters and begged Trump to call them off.Trump’s comment set off what Republican lawmakers familiar with the call described as a shouting match between the...…By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — In an expletive-laced phone call with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy while , then-President Donald Trump said the rioters cared more about than McCarthy did.“Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” Trump said, according to lawmakers who were briefed on the call afterward by McCarthy.McCarthy insisted that the rioters were Trump’s supporters and begged Trump to call them off.Trump’s comment set off what Republican lawmakers familiar with the call described as a shouting match between the...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — As the House prepares to to the Senate on Monday, CNN has learned that dozens of influential Republicans around Washington – including former top Trump administration officials – have been quietly lobbying GOP members of Congress to impeach and convict Donald Trump. The effort is not coordinated but reflects a wider battle inside the GOP between those loyal to Trump and those who want to sever ties and ensure he can never run for President again.The lobbying started in the House after and in the days leading up to . But it’s now more focused...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — As the House prepares to to the Senate on Monday, CNN has learned that dozens of influential Republicans around Washington – including former top Trump administration officials – have been quietly lobbying GOP members of Congress to impeach and convict Donald Trump. The effort is not coordinated but reflects a wider battle inside the GOP between those loyal to Trump and those who want to sever ties and ensure he can never run for President again.The lobbying started in the House after and in the days leading up to . But it’s now more focused...WW…

(CNN)is preparing to issue around Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, according to officials.Aides said Trump was...…(CNN)is preparing to issue around Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, according to officials.Aides said Trump was...WW…

(CNN)is preparing to issue around Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, according to officials.Aides said Trump was...…(CNN)is preparing to issue around Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, according to officials.Aides said Trump was...WW…

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to issue around 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after...…U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to issue around 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Former President George W. Bush will attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, and former President Jimmy Carter will not, their respective representatives said Tuesday.Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will attend the inauguration, according to Freddy Ford, Bush’s chief of staff. The Bushes also attended Barack Obama and Donald Trump’s first inaugurations.“President and Mrs. Bush look forward to returning to the Capitol for the swearing in of President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Ford said in a statement. “I believe this will...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Former President George W. Bush will attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, and former President Jimmy Carter will not, their respective representatives said Tuesday.Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will attend the inauguration, according to Freddy Ford, Bush’s chief of staff. The Bushes also attended Barack Obama and Donald Trump’s first inaugurations.“President and Mrs. Bush look forward to returning to the Capitol for the swearing in of President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Ford said in a statement. “I believe this will...WW…

Washington (CNN)Former President George W. Bush has sent out holiday cards with a pointed message about a hopeful new year as President Donald Trump continues to . The card, which was obtained by CNN, includes an image of Bush's painting of the Statue of Liberty that is titled "Beacon of Hope, 2020" and part of his new art collection celebrating immigrants. "May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year," the card's message reads. The painting and its title come from a former President who has in the past leveled veiled criticism against...…Washington (CNN)Former President George W. Bush has sent out holiday cards with a pointed message about a hopeful new year as President Donald Trump continues to . The card, which was obtained by CNN, includes an image of Bush's painting of the Statue of Liberty that is titled "Beacon of Hope, 2020" and part of his new art collection celebrating immigrants. "May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year," the card's message reads. The painting and its title come from a former President who has in the past leveled veiled criticism against...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — President Donald Trump raised the prospect of firing Attorney General William Barr in a meeting on Friday, but it’s unclear whether he’ll choose to dismiss Barr before the end of his term next month.A person familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump was furious in the meeting with advisers at the White House that Barr had worked to keep the ’s taxes from becoming public before the November election.Trump was also upset at reports Barr was before January 20, believing the leaks to be self-serving.Trump told officials he is, but whether he...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — President Donald Trump raised the prospect of firing Attorney General William Barr in a meeting on Friday, but it’s unclear whether he’ll choose to dismiss Barr before the end of his term next month.A person familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump was furious in the meeting with advisers at the White House that Barr had worked to keep the ’s taxes from becoming public before the November election.Trump was also upset at reports Barr was before January 20, believing the leaks to be self-serving.Trump told officials he is, but whether he...WW…