White House

White House lawyers research impeachment

This is in an effort to prepare for what officials still believe is a distant possibility that President Donald Trump could have to fend off attempts to remove him from office, two people briefed on the discussions tell CNN.

White House officials believe the President has the backing of Republican allies in Congress and that impeachment is not in the cards, according to the people briefed on the legal discussions. Even Democrats have tried to calm impeachment talk out of concern it is premature.

White House's first female usher leaves

"We left on very good terms and wish her the best and certainly hope for great things for her in the future," deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during Friday's press briefing.

"However, it's not uncommon that you might have a transition when a new administration comes in and it's simply nothing more than that," Huckabee Sanders said, adding that the deputy usher will be serving as the acting usher in the meantime.

House Republicans pass bill to replace and repeal Obamacare

The bill now heads to the Senate where it faces daunting challenges because of the same ideological splits between conservative and moderate Republicans that nearly killed it in the House.

Trump said he is confident the bill will pass the Senate, calling Obamacare "essentially dead."

"This is a great plan. I actually think it will get even better. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it," Trump said at a celebratory White House appearance with House Republicans.

Michelle Obama: 'I won't run for office' for my children

The Q&A at an architecture convention in Orlando came days after her husband made his first public comments as ex-president at a Chicago university.

Mrs Obama, who left office with a 68% approval rating (10% more than her husband) said "politics is tough."

"It's all well and good until you start running, and then the knives come out."

Trump barks, but struggles to find his bite

Whether it's unfair Chinese trade practices, the North American Free Trade Agreement he's dubbed a "disaster" or Iran's destabilizing actions, Trump has kept up much of his bold campaign rhetoric.

White House downplays Australia tensions ahead of VP visit

The adviser also said the two countries will reaffirm their partnership on security, trade and immigration issues during the visit.

But concerns about the US-Australia relationship go beyond a sour first impression, as Pence will have to address thorny questions about the administration's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, its strategy in the South China Sea and the regional security challenge posed by North Korea.

White House, Pentagon miscommunicated on aircraft carrier's location

A senior administration official blamed a miscommunication between the Pentagon and the White House over reports that the aircraft carrier has not made its way to the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, as an expected show of force to North Korea.

The official blamed the mixup on a lack of follow-up with commanders overseeing the movements of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier.

White House to keep visitor logs secret

The White House cited "grave national security risks and privacy concerns" as the reason for its decision.

Former President Barack Obama voluntarily disclosed more than 6 million records during his presidency.

Critics say the logs allow for monitoring of individuals or groups who may be trying to influence policy.

White House Communications Director Michael Dubke said the administration is following a 2013 federal court ruling that found most of the logs are considered presidential records and are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Sean Spicer apologizes again for Hitler comment

Spicer's choice of words while comparing Hitler and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was widely condemned.

On Wednesday, speaking at a forum at the Newseum, Spicer called the incident "my mistake" and "my bad."

He said his original comments were "inexcusable and reprehensible."

Spicer brought up Hitler at Tuesday afternoon's press briefing, and then made repeated, failed attempts to clarify.

White House gaffe on Hitler and chemical weapons draws ire

"I mistakenly used an inappropriate and insensitive reference about the Holocaust and there is no comparison," he said. "For that I apologise. It was a mistake to do that."

Critics pointed out gas was used to kill Jews and others in the Holocaust.

Mr Spicer had been criticising Russia's support for the Syrian government.

The White House says Russia has been trying to deflect blame for a chemical weapons attack that killed 89 people.