On Politics: WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Is Arrested
Good Friday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.
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• After seven years of hiding in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested on Thursday after Ecuador revoked his asylum status. Mr. Assange faces one count of conspiracy to hack a Pentagon computer as part of the 2010 release of secret American documents by Chelsea Manning.
• Mr. Assange’s indictment makes no mention of the central role that WikiLeaks played in the Russian campaign to undermine the 2016 presidential election. It remains unclear whether his arrest will be a key to unlocking any of the lingering mysteries surrounding the Russians and the Trump campaign.
• At the tiny Ecuadorean Embassy, he ran WikiLeaks, held news conferences, rode his skateboard in the halls and hosted visitors like Pamela Anderson. Here’s the story of Mr. Assange’s seven years in isolation.
• The creation of WikiLeaks empowered a generation of whistle-blowers, enraging the powerful in many countries. But Mr. Assange himself became a highly problematic champion for the principles of freedom of the press and the public’s right to information.
• Gregory B. Craig, a former aide to President Barack Obama, was charged with lying to the Justice Department and concealing information about work he did for the Russia-aligned government of Ukraine in 2012.
• The former F.B.I. director James B. Comey said that he knew of no electronic surveillance aimed at the Trump campaign during the 2016 election, contradicting Attorney General William P. Barr’s speculations that the bureau spied on the campaign.
• As the United States and China edge closer to a trade deal, the ability to secure a firm commitment from China to hold up its end of the pact will help determine whether Mr. Trump’s agreement is seen as a true win or simply a capitulation.
• Congress is leaving for a two-week spring recess without fulfilling the most pressing item on its agenda: aid to victims of floods, fires, and hurricanes. The biggest point of contention? Helping Puerto Rico.
• During the House Democrats’ annual retreat, the leadership criticized the president on immigration and his choices for the Federal Reserve, but also hoped to cut deals with him and Senate Republicans that will allow them to deliver on their campaign promises.
• At least four Republican senators expressed concern about Mr. Trump’s choice of Herman Cain, the former pizza magnate and G.O.P. presidential candidate, for the board of the Fed, making Mr. Cain’s nomination all but dead.
• Mr. Trump said Thursday that he would be open to a third summit meeting with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. He hopes to resuscitate negotiations that foundered on an inability to seal a blockbuster deal six weeks ago in Vietnam.
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Today’s On Politics briefing was compiled by Isabella Grullón Paz in New York.
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