The Presidential Daily Brief

Report: Trump Told Russians Comey Firing Eased ‘Great Pressure’

Loose quips sink ships. In the same Oval Office meeting in which he reportedly revealed sensitive Israeli intelligence, Donald Trump told the Russian ambassador and foreign minister that firing “nut job” FBI Director James Comey had relieved “great pressure” the president faced because of his campaign’s suspected Kremlin connections, the New York Times reports. Trump is also said to have told his guests he wasn’t under investigation. The revelation adds to a host of other incidents that have led to a a cover-up investigation, a Justice Department official reportedly told senators yesterday.

Anthony Weiner Pleads Guilty in Child Sexting Case

Former congressman Anthony Weiner pleaded guilty to exchanging sexually explicit texts with a 15-year-old girl. Weiner allegedly cried, apologizing to the girl, saying, “I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse.” The disgraced politician will now have to register as a sex offender. Weiner came under investigation last year when the 15-year-old told tabloid news the 52-year-old Democrat had exchanged sexual material with her over the course of months, and accused him of asking her to undress on camera. Weiner could now face jail time for transmitting sexual material to a minor.

Iranians Go to Polls in Presidential Election

“The country’s fate is determined by the people.” So said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as 56 million eligible voters lined up at polling stations. It’s considered a de facto two-man race between current President Hassan Rouhani, a reformer who inked the nuclear deal with the U.S. and has committed to further opening Iran to the world, and Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative populist who’s believed to be supported by Khamenei and by the elite Revolutionary Guard. Polls close this evening and a final result is expected within 24 hours.

One Dead, 22 Injured as Car Rams Pedestrians in NYC

Was it intentional? Richard Rojas had a history of drunk driving and aggressive behavior — and after he was arrested for plowing his Honda Accord through three blocks of busy Times Square sidewalks yesterday he reportedly said he was trying to provoke police to kill him. Officials say there was no alcohol in his system, but traces of PCP were detected. An 18-year-old woman was killed, and Rojas has been charged with her murder, 20 counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular manslaughter. 

Trump Refutes Accusations, Decries ‘Witch Hunt’

Deny, deny, deny. At a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, President Donald Trump said he never asked James Comey to stop investigating national security adviser Michael Flynn, and insisted that there was no collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia. Earlier, Trump tweeted that he was the victim of the ”single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!” Meanwhile, GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz, head of the Oversight Committee, invited Comey to testify before Congress — and announced his own resignation as of the end of June.

US Floats Blanket Ban on Laptops in Airplane Cabins

It might never get off the ground. Talks with EU commissioners over America’s threat to ban in-cabin laptops on European flights ended with the idea being nixed. But Homeland Security is now considering an even more drastic option: Banning in-cabin laptops on all international flights. Officials say they’re concerned about terrorism, though a hold filled with lithium batteries carries its own risks. Some worry it’ll devastate U.S. tourism and the airline industry, as carrier Emirates saw profits drop 82 percent after being hit with an identical ban.

Assange’s Victory, China’s Air Antics and the PDB Quiz

Know This: Former Rep. Anthony Weiner will reportedly plead guilty today to transferring obscene material to a minor. Swedish prosecutors are dropping the investigation into rape charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who’s been living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid extradition. Two Chinese jets intercepted a U.S. aircraft patrolling international airspace over the East China Sea yesterday — which an Air Force spokesperson says will be addressed through diplomatic channels. And Roger Ailes, founder of Fox News, died yesterday of complications of a subdural hematoma at the age of 77.

Try This: Feeling presidential after a week of briefings? Prove it with the PDB quiz.

Talk to Us:  We want your feedback on the Presidential Daily Brief — what you think we’re doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at pdbrief@ozy.com.