The Hill

President Trump, back from Asia, knocks ‘loser’ CNN

President Donald Trump bashed CNN upon his return from a 12-day Asia trip, calling it "fake" in an early morning tweet on Nov 15. The president said he was forced to watch the "loser" network it during his stay in the Philippines. "While in the Philippines I was forced to watch @CNN, which I have not done in months, and again realized how bad, and FAKE, it is." Trump wrote. "Loser!"  President Trump by contrast tweeted that "Fox and Friends" would be showing more footage of his "successful" trip overseas.

Reps Conyers Jr., Cicilline push for hearing on Trump's involvement in AT&T-Time Warner merger

Two top House Judiciary Committee Democratic Reps are pushing the panel to hold a hearing examining the White House’s role in the “troubling pattern of potential political interference by President Trump” in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) review of AT&T’s merger with Time Warner. DOJ sources recently said that antitrust officials had rejected an offer from AT&T to divest from CNN in order to win approval for the $85 billion deal. AT&T officials flatly denied that the offer was ever on the table — or would be. Ranking Member John Conyers Jr.

AG Sessions Questions Reporting on AT&T–Time Warner Merger

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, testifying at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, pushed back on recent reports suggesting the politicization of the government's review of the AT&T and Time Warner merger. Last week, it was widely reported that the Department of Justice asked AT&T in a Monday meeting to divest Turner as a condition of winning approval, possibly owing to President Donald Trump's distaste for CNN. "First, I would say that I don't accept, and cannot accept, the accuracy of that news report," Sessions told Rep Hank Johnson (D-GA).

Facebook wants 'flexibility' in political advertising regulations

Facebook says that it supports the government’s push to further regulate election ads on digital platforms, but qualifies that it wants flexible rules.The company explained in comments it sent to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that new regulations should give “advertisers flexibility to meet their disclaimer obligations in innovative ways that take full advantage of the technological advance.” The firm explained that by “technological advances,” it means instead of firm rules requiring specific text to show up on political ads on its platform, Facebook would instead like to see a pro

Lawmakers want FCC Chairman investigated over Sinclair-Tribune merger

Top House Democrats are calling for the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to be investigated over whether he has been improperly clearing regulatory hurdles for the Sinclair Broadcast Group’s pending acquisition of Tribune Media. Reps Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Frank Pallone Jr (D-NJ), the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Commerce Committee respectively, sent a letter to the FCC inspector general, asking that he probe whether Chairman Ajit Pai has been clearing the way for the $3.9 billion deal.

President Trump said he ‘didn’t make that decision’ to potentially force AT&T and Time Warner to sell CNN

President Donald Trump appeared to stress that he had not intervened in AT&T’s bid to buy Time Warner — nor did he seek to require that the companies sell CNN in order to obtain the US government’s approval of the deal.

Democratic Senators demand answers over reports DOJ wanted CNN sold

A group of Democratic Sens is demanding answers from the Trump administration over news reports that the Department of Justice asked AT&T to sell CNN as a condition for allowing a merger between AT&T and Time Warner. Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and a group of fellow Democrats sent a letter Nov 10 to President Donald Trump and Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim over the possibility of "undue interference" by Trump in the agency's antitrust enforcement.

Democratic Representatives push FEC for tougher action on foreign election meddling

Democratic Reps are pushing the Federal Elections Commission to take more aggressive action in curbing foreign influence in US elections.  Eighteen members of Congress led by Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep John Sarbanes (D-MD) urged the FEC in a letter on Nov 9 to treat political advertisements on social media platforms in the same way that it treats TV or radio ads. Rep Sarbanes and company argued that with such measures in place, foreign manipulation of social media platforms during the 2016 U.S.

DOJ, AT&T trade accusations over CNN sale

The Department of Justice and AT&T traded accusations Nov 8 over whether the company would have to sell off CNN, the cable network frequently feuding with President Trump, as a condition of its merger with Time Warner.  AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson flatly denied that his company had ever entertained the idea of selling CNN to win approval of the deal. “Until now, we’ve never commented on our discussions with the DOJ. But given DOJ’s statement this afternoon, it’s important to set the record straight,” said Stephenson.

It's time to put an old cop back on the internet beat

[Commentary] While news reports overflow with examples of the Trump Administration pulling back on oversight of business, they’re missing the story in one key area: the administration’s aggressive move to restore Federal Trade Commission power to police the internet. While the Federal Communications Commission is charged with protecting the public interest, it ultimately lacks the staff, resources, and statutory authority needed for a true on-the-ground, national consumer protection effort.

FBI can’t unlock Texas shooter’s phone

The FBI has confiscated the phone of the gunman who opened fire at a Texas church Nov 5 but is unable to access it for the ongoing investigation.  FBI Special Agent Christopher Combs, who is leading the investigation, told reporters that the bureau had flown the device to Quantico (VA) Nov 6 and that agents have been reviewing the phone but have not been able to get into it.  “It actually highlights an issue that you’ve all heard about before with advance of the phones and the technology and the encryption, law enforcement, whether it’s at the state, local or the federal level, is increasin