LACONIA, N.H. — Amy McInerney at first saw Joe Biden as Democrats' best hope to beat President Donald Trump — an experienced politician with the potential to peel off some of Trump's working-class supporters. Then she heard Pete Buttigieg speak. "I felt like Pete more represented my generation," said McInerney,...
Biden Aggressively Defends Health Law Known as Obamacare
Joe Biden is taking an aggressive approach to defending the Affordable Care Act, challenging not just President Donald Trump but also some of his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination who want to replace the current insurance system with a fully government-run model. The former vice president will spend much of the...
'Many People Agree With Me': Trump Digs in on Racist Tweets
WASHINGTON — Unbowed by searing criticism, President Donald Trump on Monday emphatically defended his tweet calling on four Democratic congresswomen of color to go back to their "broken and crime infested" countries. Condemnation of his comments "doesn't concern me because many people agree with me," he declared. Trump responded to...
China Imports From US Plunge 31% in June Amid Tariff War
BEIJING — China's trade with the United States plunged last month as a tariff war battered exporters on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. And there's no letup in sight: Tensions between the world's two biggest economies continue to simmer even though President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi...
Trump Immigration Policies Inflict Lasting Harm, Democrat Says
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies are inflicting lifetime damage on children separated from their families and worsening conditions at overcrowded and unsanitary detention facilities at the border, a Democratic House chairman said Friday as his panel held a hearing on the surge of migrants. Republicans accused the...
Labor Secretary Acosta Resigning Amid Criticism of Epstein Deal
WASHINGTON — Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said Friday he is resigning following renewed scrutiny of his handling of a 2008 secret plea deal with wealthy financier Jeffrey Esptein, who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. President Donald Trump, with Acosta at his side, made the announcement as he...
Pelosi Implores Democrats to Unify, Warning of Dangers Ahead
WASHINGTON — At a pivotal moment Wednesday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood before House Democrats with a lofty message and a stark warning. The battle-born leader implored her majority, after days of high-profile public infighting, to focus on common goals — including defeating President Donald Trump — and to silence the...
Nationwide ICE Roundup Poised to Begin This Weekend
WASHINGTON — A nationwide immigration enforcement operation targeting people who are in the United States illegally is expected to begin this weekend after it was postponed last month by President Donald Trump, according to two administration officials and immigrant activists. The operation, which is sparking outrage and concern among immigrant advocates, would...
Trump Defends Acosta but Will Look 'Closely' at Epstein Deal
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he'll be looking "very closely" at Labor Secretary Alex Acosta's handling of a sex trafficking case involving now-jailed billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein. But he also seemed to stand by his Cabinet official, praising Acosta's performance on the job and saying he felt "very badly"...
California OKs Benefits to Immigrants in Country Illegally
SACRAMENTO — California has become the first state to offer taxpayer-funded health benefits to young adults living in the country illegally. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Tuesday that makes low-income adults age 25 and younger eligible for the state's Medicaid program regardless of their immigration status. State...