Associated Press file photo

Intimidation, pressure and humiliation: Inside Trump’s two-year war on the investigations encircling him

As federal prosecutors in Manhattan gathered evidence late last year about President Trump’s role in silencing women with hush payments during the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump called Matthew G. Whitaker, his newly installed attorney general, with a question. He asked whether Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York and a Trump ally, could be put in charge of the widening investigation, according to several American officials with direct knowledge of the call.

Mr. Whitaker, who had privately told associates that part of his role at the Justice Department was to “jump on a grenade” for the president, knew he could not put Mr. Berman in charge because Mr. Berman had already recused himself from the investigation. The president soon soured on Mr. Whitaker, as he often does with his aides, and complained about his inability to pull levers at the Justice Department that could make the president’s many legal problems go away.

Trying to install a perceived loyalist atop a widening inquiry is a familiar tactic for Mr. Trump, who has been struggling to beat back the investigations that have consumed his presidency. His efforts have exposed him to accusations of obstruction of justice as Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, finishes his work investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. (New York Times)

Don't Edit

Associated Press

FEATURED STORIES

Trump disputes report about call with Whitaker over probe into hush money payments (NBC News)

McCabe says 'it's possible' Trump is a Russian asset (The Hill)

House opens inquiry into proposed U.S. nuclear venture in Saudi Arabia (New York Times)

Who is Jeff Rosen, the new pick for deputy attorney general? (ABC News)

Trump administration launches global effort to end criminalization of homosexuality (NBC News)

American ISIS bride who left for Syria now wants to come home (CBS News)

The stakes are high for Pope Francis, Catholics worldwide in unprecedented sex abuse summit (USA Today)

Don't Edit

Associated Press

NATIONAL NEWS

Bernie Sanders launches second presidential campaign with big fundraising haul (CNN)

Trump administration moves to pull funding for California bullet train (NBC News)

'He's on edge': Roger Stone silencing expected after barbed comments (Politico)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg returns to Supreme Court for oral arguments (CNN)

I owe how much? Americans are shocked by the impact of Trump's tax law (Associated Press)

Space Force launch zooms closer to reality under President Trump's directive (USA Today)

Covington Catholic student's legal team files $250 million suit against Washington Post (USA Today)

Houston police will end no-knock warrants after deadly drug raid, chief says (NBC News)

Alabama press group censures Goodloe Sutton over KKK editorial, suspends Democrat-Reporter (al.com)

Don't Edit

Associated Press

WORLD NEWS

Top North Korean official says his country faces major food shortages, blaming weather and sanctions (NBC News)

Venezuela closes key maritime, air borders with neighbors amid growing aid crisis (CNN)

Brexit backstop: Theresa May to put new proposals to EU (The Guardian)

Thousands protest against anti-Semitism in France (BBC)

NYT reporter detained for seven hours, expelled from Egypt (The Hill)

Chinese 'Queen of Ivory' jailed for 15 years in Tanzania (CNN)

Pakistani PM warns India against attack, urges talks on Kashmir blast (Reuters)

A teenage girl wants to go home after joining ISIS; her lawyer says she's being stripped of her citizenship (Associated Press)

Several rescued after avalanche rumbles across Swiss ski resort slope (Associated Press)