The FBI seized materials from the office and hotel room of the president’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, on April 9. The New York Times reports that among the materials obtained in the raid were business records and payment information. President Trump took to Twitter in response, condemning the FBI, referring to the search as a “witch hunt.” The prosecutors produced the warrant after a referral from Robert Mueller, the special counselor overseeing the Russian probe. While the relation of the search to the special counselor’s investigation is unknown, it has been speculated that Cohen is the latest stone overturned in the ongoing investigation.
The U.S. and Russia go head to head over Syrian conflict after the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons on a civilian center. According to Reuters, the United States, along with other countries, has proposed military sanctions against the Syrian government in retaliation for the estimated 40 deaths caused by the suspected poisonous gas attack on April 7. At the United Nations, Russia has vetoed a resolution that would allow for military probes into the alleged attacks centered on a rebel-held city. Additionally, a Russian resolution with similar intent was blocked. In the meantime, international chemical weapons experts have been dispatched to investigate the allegations.
As the Oklahoma education strikes begin their second week, lawmakers returned to the state capitol on April 9. USA Today reports that protesters will not cease until lawmakers repeal the capital gains tax exemption in addition to the governor blocking the repeal of another proposed tax. Reportedly, the cancellation of the capital gains tax deduction would provide about $120 million in annual revenue.
