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HC Wake-Up Call: Trump Demands DOJ Investigation, Chinese Sanctions & Possible End To Mueller Obstruction Probe

Allison Crist

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

President Trump Demanded A Justice Department Investigation Into The Surveillance Tactics Of The Russia Investigation — And It Looks Like He’ll Get One

According to CNN, multiple sources reported on Friday that the FBI sent a “confidential source” to speak with aides to Trump’s presidential campaign about possible Russia ties. The news prompted Trump to demand — in a tweet — that the Department of Justice officially examine whether or not the FBI spied on his campaign. The president specifically said he wanted to know if the Obama administration was behind any of the requests. 

Hours later, the Washington Post reported that the Justice Department had responded to Trump’s demand by asking its inspector general to expand its current review of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applications to monitor a former Trump campaign adviser “to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election.”

Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein issued a statement that said, “If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action.”

Rudy Giuliani Said Mueller’s Obstruction Investigation Will Wrap Up By September

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into whether Trump obstructed the Russian collusion investigation will supposedly be completed by September 1, Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said on Sunday. According to The New York Times, Giuliani said Mueller’s office shared the investigation’s timeline about two weeks ago in an effort to get Trump to sit for an interview. “…waiting any longer would risk improperly influencing voters in November’s midterm elections,” added Giuliani. 

But it’s important to note that the obstruction inquiry is only part of Mueller’s entire investigation: “a counterintelligence investigation into Russia’s campaign to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump associates coordinated with it,” as the Times puts it. So even if the obstruction case wraps in September as Giuliani said, Mueller’s broader inquiry will continue. How long? That depends. According to the Times, “Counterintelligence investigations are used to gather information quietly about the activities of foreign powers and their agents — sometimes for years — and can result in criminal charges.”

The U.S. Will Not Impose New Tariffs On China — For Now

According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the United States’ plans to impose new tariffs on China are “on hold” as the two countries continue to negotiate. On Fox News Sunday, he said “meaningful progress” has been made so far.

Prior to the announcement, the Trump administration “had threatened $50 billion to $150 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods as a way to deter the theft of U.S. intellectual property and forced transfers of technology,” POLITICO reported. “Beijing countered by threatening tariffs on $50 billion worth of U.S. farm, chemical and other exports.”

In moving forward, Mnuchin said the Trump administration has “specific targets” for China regarding an increase in purchases of American products, but he wouldn’t disclose what they are. “They go industry by industry,” he said. 

What to look out for…

The best moments of last night’s Billboard Music Awards. Catch up here. 

Follow Allison on Twitter @AllisonMCrist.