President Donald Trump got some very bad news Friday, when his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts, including one related to witness tampering.
On the other side of the split screen, a week that started with the country on edge as Hurricane Florence approached the East Coast now ends with slow and steady devastation in the Carolinas. The storm’s “violent grind” is set to continue through the weekend, depositing 40 inches of rain in some areas — and dominating the airwaves and attention of the nation.
Prior to Florence’s landfall, Trump was occupied Thursday with last year’s Hurricane Maria — specifically, denying the Puerto Rican government’s accepted death toll of 2,975 people. He offered zero evidence for his claim. Trump has consistently denied any fault for his administration in Maria’s aftermath — and now, with the United States battered by another deadly storm, the Trump administration will be tested yet again.
Next week, the battle over Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will come to a head, as a last-minute allegation of assault threatens to derail his confirmation process. The judiciary panel is scheduled to consider Kavanaugh’s nomination next Thursday.
Summer’s over, folks. Here’s a look back at the week, in 18 standout headlines.
Monday
Trump urges precautions ahead of ‘very bad’ Hurricane Florence
Sessions criticizes immigrants’ attorneys before immigration judges
Trump open to meeting North Korea’s Kim again despite lack of denuclearization progress
Tuesday
EPA to roll back Obama-era laws on methane leak inspections and repairs
Trump pays sober tribute to 9/11 after Russia tweets, fist pumps
Gary Cohn and Rob Porter push back on Woodward book
Trump: Puerto Rico hurricane response ‘an incredible, unsung success’
Trump’s previously announced visit to Ireland in question
Trump Jr. on Mueller probe: ‘I know what I did, and I’m not worried’
Wednesday
Trump signs measure punishing election interference
FEMA says funding transferred to ICE for detention centers won’t harm hurricane response
Thursday
Trump falsely claims nearly 3,000 Americans in Puerto Rico ‘did not die’
Politico: FEMA administrator under investigation for travel
Committee vote delayed for SCOTUS nominee Kavanaugh to next week
US announces new North Korea sanctions
Friday
Ocasio-Cortez to Trump: ‘My own grandfather died’ after Hurricane Maria
Paul Manafort pleads guilty, agrees to cooperate with Mueller
Woman accuses Kavanaugh of assault in letter to senator
