Al Franken: Happy birthday to Joe, my oldest grandson, who turned five yesterday...

Trudeau: Trump tariffs 'are an affront' to Canadian soldiers who 'fought and died' alongside America

Source: The Hill

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took aim at President Trump on Thursday over his implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs against Canada and other nations.

At a press conference Thursday, the Canadian leader issued some of his strongest remarks against the Trump administration's trade policies to date.

"Let me be clear: These tariffs are totally unacceptable," Trudeau said. "Canadians have served alongside Americans in two world wars and in Korea. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, we have fought and died together."

Noting that Canada purchases more U.S. steel than any other nation, Trudeau lambasted the Trump administration for initiating the tariffs under the guise of confronting a threat to national security.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/international/390106-trudeau-trump-tariffs-are-an-affront-to-canadian-soldiers-who-fought-and

These families thought they'd never see their lost dogs again -- until now ❤️

The EU says it will retaliate for US steel, aluminum tariffs

Source: The Hill

The European Union said they will retaliation against the United States in response the Trump administration’s decision to levy hefty steel and aluminum tariffs.

The EU and the United States failed to reach an agreement on an exemption from the duties despite having spent the better part of the past two months trying to hammer out a deal that would provide a waiver from the tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum announced by President Trump in March.

EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said that ”today is a bad day for world trade.”

“We did everything to avoid this outcome,” said Malmström, who had repeatedly met during the past couple of months with Trump administration officials in Washington to reach an exemption agreement.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/finance/390049-the-eu-says-it-will-retaliate-for-us-steel-aluminum-tariffs

Trump To Pardon Dinesh D'Souza

Source: TPM

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will pardon Dinesh D’Souza, a right-wing commentator, author and filmmaker was was convicted in 2014 of using a “straw donor” to make an illegal campaign contribution.

Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D’Souza today. He was treated very unfairly by our government!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2018

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1002177521599860736

Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-pardon-dinesh-dsouza

Trump claims he did not fire Comey over Russia

Source: The Hill

President Trump claimed Thursday he did not fire James Comey as FBI director over the Russia investigation.

"Not that it matters but I never fired James Comey because of Russia! The Corrupt Mainstream Media loves to keep pushing that narrative, but they know it is not true!" he tweeted.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1002160516733853696
Trump last year, however, cited investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election in explaining his decision to fire Comey.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390015-trump-claims-he-did-not-fire-comey-over-russia

Illinois Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment -- 36 Years After the Deadline

Source: Time

(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) — Illinois on Wednesday became the 37th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, putting the country only one state away from a landmark change to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal rights for women.

The historic passage was nearly half a century in the making, and came 38 years after supporters staged hunger strikes and floor sit-ins in a futile attempt to persuade the Illinois Legislature to OK the proposal by what was a congressionally set deadline.

The Illinois House approved the amendment 72-45 Wednesday. The Senate approved it 43-12 in April.

Rep. Lou Lang, the Skokie Democrat who sponsored the proposal, called the vote a historic moment for lawmakers to make a difference for women across the nation.

Read more: http://time.com/5296572/illinois-ratify-equal-rights-amendment-women/?utm_medium=social&xid=time_socialflow_twitter&utm_campaign=time&utm_source=twitter.com

Trump to Disney CEO: 'Where is my apology?'

Source: The Hill

President Trump targeted Bob Iger in the wake of the controversy surrounding Roseanne Barr, asking why the Disney CEO did not apologize for a corrected ABC News report late last year.

"Iger, where is my call of apology?" Trump asked in a tweet early Thursday.

"You and ABC have offended millions of people, and they demand a response. How is Brian Ross doing? He tanked the market with an ABC lie, yet no apology. Double Standard!" he added.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1002156016060989445

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390013-trump-to-disney-ceo-where-is-my-apology

Trump reportedly poised to ban German luxury carmakers in the US

Source: CNBC

President Donald Trump is preparing to impose a total ban on German luxury carmakers from the U.S. market, according to an exclusive report by German magazine WirtschaftsWoche.

Citing several unnamed U.S. and European diplomats, the weekly business magazine reported that Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron last month he would maintain his trade policy with the aim of stopping Mercedes-Benz models from driving down Fifth Avenue in New York.

The report comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Department of Commerce launched an investigation into automobile imports to determine whether they "threaten to impair the national security" of the U.S. That could lead to tariffs of up to 25 percent on the same "national security" grounds used to impose metal imports charges in March.

Europe's autos sector was trading lower shortly after the report was published Thursday, with German automakers leading the losses during mid-morning deals. Shares of Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen were all trading off around 1 percent on the news.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/trump-reportedly-poised-to-ban-german-luxury-carmakers-in-the-us.html

Ban on abortions after 15 weeks signed into law in Louisiana, but there's one hurdle left

Source: The Advocate/AP

A bid to ban abortions after 15 weeks has become law in Louisiana.

A spokesman for Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday that the Democrat has signed the bill, which would only take effect if a federal court upholds a similar law in Mississippi.

The measure imposes a prison sentence of up to two years for someone who performs the procedure after 15 weeks. A woman who has an abortion could not be criminally charged under the bill.

Democratic Sen. John Milkovich, who sponsored the legislation, said the state is taking a step in the right direction. He has repeatedly said he wants to see Louisiana ban abortions outright.

Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_fac56312-6435-11e8-b451-275614090005.html