Developing now, Friday, June 8, 2018
- President Trump heads to potentially tense talks at the G7 summit in Quebec City on Friday after accusing allies Canada and France of putting heavy economic burdens on the U.S.
- A former security director for the Senate Intelligence Committee was indicted Thursday, charged with lying to the FBI about possible leaks of classified information
- A much-anticipated report on the FBI’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe will be released June 14, the Justice Department inspector general announces
- FOX News Exclusive: The woman whose life sentence was commuted after Kim Kardashian West championed her cause thanks President Trump and vows she will not let him down
- The Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series.
THE LEAD STORY – TRUMP FACING CHILLING RECEPTION AT G7: On the eve of Friday’s G7 summit in Quebec City, President Trump publicly took aim at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron for imposing “massive” economic burdens on the United States … “Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers,” Trump tweeted Thursday. “The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.” With his new tariffs increasing U.S. isolation, Trump heads to Canada on Friday for a meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations. The White House is expecting a chilly reception from Canada and West European countries, already frustrated over Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear agreement.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel previewed the dynamics on Wednesday, telling the German parliament that “it is apparent that we have a serious problem with multilateral agreements here, and so there will be contentious discussions.”
- What you should know about the G7 summit
- White House spokesman: We ‘laughed’ at reports Trump will skip G7 to focus on N. Korea
- Peggy Grande: Trump prepares for North Korea summit as a great performer — like Reagan
- Trump-Kim summit: Who will foot the bill for North Korea?
SEX, LIES AND CLASSIFIED INFO: A former security director for the Senate Intelligence Committee — who was in charge of maintaining all classified information from the Executive Office to the panel — was indicted for allegedly giving false statements to FBI agents looking into possible leaks to reporters, the Justice Department announced Thursday night … James A. Wolfe, 58, served as the panel’s security director for 29 years, according to the feds. Prosecutors said Wolfe lied to the FBI in December 2017 about contacts he had with three reporters. Prosecutors say he also lied about giving two reporters non-public information about committee matters. Earlier Thursday, the New York Times revealed that federal investigators had seized years’ worth of email and phone records relating to one of its reporters, Ali Watkins. She previously had a three-year romantic relationship with Wolfe, the Times reported, adding that the records covered a period of time before she joined the paper.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The long-awaited watchdog report on the FBI and DOJ’s Hillary Clinton investigation during the 2016 presidential campaign will be released next Thursday, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz said … In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Horowitz said “we anticipate releasing the report on June 14, 2018.” That day is also President Trump’s birthday. The inspector general also told committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, in the letter that he has accepted the invitation to testify about the report on June 18, meaning his scheduled appearance before the committee is being delayed again. Washington has been on edge since last month, when Horowitz told lawmakers the draft report was done. Congressional committees have scheduled, and then postponed, hearings with Horowitz while waiting for the report to be released.
- Judge Napolitano: Trump has ‘legitimate fears’ the inspector general’s report is being ‘watered down’
‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP’: Alice Marie Johnson, the woman whose life sentence President Trump commuted this week, promised the commander in chief: “I will make you proud” … Johnson, 63, had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after she was convicted of a first-time nonviolent drug offense and charges related to money laundering. Reality TV icon Kim Kardashian West took up her case, even meeting with Trump at the White House to plead for clemency. In an exclusive interview Thursday night with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum on “The Story,” Johnson expressed her gratitude for Trump’s decision the day before to commute her sentence. “Thank you so much, President Trump, for taking the time to look at my case and to really look at me,” she said. “I promise you, President Trump, I will make you proud that you gave me that second chance.” Johnson spent 22 years in prison, a third of her life, and said that it was her faith and her optimism that allowed her to carry on.
- Martha MacCallum: America loves a second chance
- Trump should consider pardoning ex-CIA boss Petraeus, senator says
FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN HOCKEY: For the first time in franchise history, the NHL’s Washington Capitals have won the Stanley Cup ... The Caps took the Stanley Cup Final four games to one, with a 4-3 victory Thursday night in Las Vegas over the Vegas Golden Knights, a first-year expansion team that made a stunning run to the championship round. “We did it,” said Caps captain Alex Ovechkin, whose 15 playoff goals set a franchise record and helped him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as this year’s playoff MVP. “That’s all that matters. Look at the smiles on my teammates. This is something you’ll never forget. This moment, I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable.”
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