Under Justice Department regs, special counsel carries the authority of a U.S. attorney. — JEFF HORWITZ, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Q. What will Robert Mueller do as special counsel? A. Mueller is supposed to carry on the investigation that former FBI Director James Comey told Congress about before he was fired by President Donald Trump. …

New details leaked by associates of the former embattled FBI Director indicate Trump asked Comey to drop the Russia-Flynn investigation. — WASHINGTON (AP) — Firing FBI Director James Comey is already coming back to haunt President Donald Trump. In dismissing Comey last week, Trump created the very real possibility that a respected law enforcement official known for an outspoken nature and willingness to buck political convention could resurface in public.

A look at some of the most credibility-damaging episodes. — JULIE BYKOWICZ, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has been two-stepping with the truth. Starting with press secretary Sean Spicer insisting inaccurately that President Donald Trump drew record-setting inauguration crowds, top presidential advisers have provided information that is provably false or contradicted by others in the White House…

One country says they might stop sharing intelligence with the US. — JULIE PACE, AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — For months, U.S. allies have anxiously wondered if President Donald Trump could be trusted with some of the world’s most sensitive national security secrets. Now, just a few days before Trump’s debut on the international stage, he’s giving allies new reasons…

The White House is calling the story, published by the Washington Post, false. — WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about Islamic State militants to Russian officials during a meeting last week, The Washington Post reported Monday. The White House rebutted the story, saying no intelligence sources or methods were discussed. The newspaper cited current and former U.S. officials who…

The group is designed to push back against Trump. — STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Stepping deeper into the Democratic resistance, Hillary Clinton launched a new political organization on Monday designed to push back against President Donald Trump’s agenda. The former Democratic nominee used social media to announce the creation of “Onward Together,” an adaptation from her…

Over the past week, Trump stretched a variety of facts on trade, taxes and economic theory. — CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press JIM DRINKARD, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is decidedly premature in claiming everyone’s convinced his presidential campaign and Russia did not collude before the election. …

Trump is weighing options in Syria, where missiles struck last month. — MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press VIVIAN SALAMA, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States accused Syria on Monday of executing thousands of imprisoned political opponents and burning their bodies in a crematorium to hide the evidence, testing the Trump administration’s willingness to respond to atrocities, other than chemical weapons attacks…

Lawyers say tax returns do not reflect any income from Russia in the last 10 years. — By KEN THOMAS and DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for President Donald Trump said Friday that a review of his last 10 years of tax returns did not reflect “any income of any type from Russian sources,” but the letter included exceptions related to previously cited income…