Biggest news you missed this weekend
Trump wants congressional probe of Obama
FBI Director James Comey this weekend sought a public rebuke from the Justice Department of President Trump's claim that former president Barack Obama ordered the surveillance of Trump's phones prior to the election, a U.S. official close to the situation confirmed Sunday to USA TODAY.
Trump called Sunday for a congressional investigation, while critics accused him of trying to distract people from an investigation into his own relationship with Russia. "Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said in a statement a day after Trump accused Obama — without evidence — of having Trump Tower in New York wiretapped in connection with an investigation of Russia.
A spokesman for Obama said Trump's claim is false, and noted that presidents do not have the legal authority to authorize wiretaps in any case. Former director of national intelligence James Clapper said Sunday he would have known and that there were no wiretaps at Trump Tower or against Trump or his campaign during his tenure.
Russian politicians enamored of President Trump's talk of improved relations with Moscow last fall are already disillusioned that he's reversed course because of investigations into Russian meddling in the U.S. elections. Meanwhile, thousands of Trump supporters convened in dozens of other cities around the country Saturday in what organizers billed as "March 4 Trump" demonstrations on behalf of the new president.
Pence used personal email for state business — and was hacked
Vice President Pence routinely used a private email account to conduct public business as governor of Indiana, at times discussing sensitive matters and homeland security issues. Emails released to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, in response to a public records request show Pence communicated via his personal AOL account with top advisers on topics ranging from security gates at the governor’s residence to the state’s response to terror attacks across the globe. Pence joked Saturday night that the most embarrassing part of the recent news is that millions of Americans learned he was one of the few people in the country to still have an AOL account.
Sikh man shot in Seattle draws international condolences
The U.S. ambassador to India and the Indian foreign minister tweeted condolences Sunday to a Sikh man who police say was shot in the arm by a masked gunman in suburban Seattle who told him to "go back to your own country." Deep Rai, 39, told officers he was working on his car in his suburban Kent driveway when another man approached. An argument ensued and the suspect told him to go back to his homeland before shooting him in the arm, Rai said. A manhunt was underway for the shooter. The national Sikh Coalition asked authorities to investigate the case as a hate crime, and Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas said he has reached out to the FBI.
Keystone XL pipeline will not use U.S. steel despite Trump's vow
The Keystone XL oil pipeline will not use American-produced steel during its construction despite President Donald Trump's insistence after signing the controversial directives back in January and referencing the move in his address to Congress, the White House confirmed on Friday. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders pointed to language in the presidential directive as to why the proposed cross-border pipeline is not subject to Trump's U.S.-made steel promise. "The way that executive order is written," Sanders said. "It’s specific to new pipelines or those that are being repaired. Since this one is already currently under construction, the steel is already literally sitting there; it would be hard to go back."
John Ross breaks 40-yard dash record at combine
John Ross made history at the NFL scouting combine as the event's fastest man. The Washington wide receiver ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash Saturday, breaking Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson's previous record of 4.24 seconds. "I feel good. I feel like I could have ran faster, just because I cramped up toward the end," Ross said after his run. Other things of note at combine: Deshaun Watson set himself apart in a sizzling workout and the Cleveland Browns might be interested in Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett.
ICYMI: Judge releases USA Gymnastics sex abuse files
A Georgia judge, at The Indianapolis Star’s request, released more than 5,600 pages of court records Friday detailing how USA Gymnastics handled sexual abuse allegations against coaches over a 10-year period.
Source:- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/05/biggest-news-you-missed-weekend/98776298/
