Tuesday Morning Scoop: So Many Questions

Welcome to the Morning Scoop for May 1, 2018. Robert Mueller has some questions for President Trump, who is not happy (surprise) with the media. We have news on Columbia, tariffs and N’Sync, too. 

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Mueller Gives Trump’s Lawyers a List of Questions

Would you answer this man’s questions? (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The New York Times obtained a list of the questions that Special Counsel Robert Mueller wants President Trump to answer, nearly two dozen in total, including many related to Russian involvement in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice.

A good portion of the questions obtained by the Times deal with obstruction, including his reaction to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recusal from the Russia investigation. There are also questions on the president’s motivations for firing FBI Director James Comey and meetings with Russian officials.

President Trump was typically blunt in his Twitter response: “So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were ‘leaked’ to the media. No questions on Collusion. Oh, I see…you have a made up, phony crime, Collusion, that never existed, and an investigation begun with illegally leaked classified information. Nice!”

Columbia Grad Students’ #CUonStrike Reaches Final Day

In December 2016, graduate students at Columbia University voted to unionize under the Graduate Workers of Columbia-United Automobile Workers (GWC-UAW) union, which represents about 3,500 of the university’s teaching and research assistants.

Columbia has yet to negotiate with the union, so graduate students organized to strike between April 24 and April 30. Cynthia Nixon, who is running for New York governor, picketed alongside graduate students as they wrapped up the strike yesterday.

Read Carla Loebenstein’s full report for all the details. 

Trump Delays Steel Tariffs for U.S. Allies

President Trump has again delayed imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

The Washington Post reports, “Trump has put off a decision on steel and aluminum tariffs aimed at Mexico and Canada because he is trying to gain more access for U.S. businesses to their markets as part of a North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation.”

Trump’s strategy with the European Union is less clear as he has praised France, but criticized others, like Germany, which he says needs to allow U.S. companies more access to customers.

Today in a Tweet 

May Day began as a celebration of spring — and still is in many countries — but in the late 19th century it was chosen as International Workers Day by communists and socialists. The day has evolved into one with more democratic and egalitarian aims…

Last But Not Least: *NSYNC to Be Honored On the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Iconic boy-band *NSYNC got together to celebrate receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday, and fans arrived in masses, camping out in hopes of sighting a member from their favorite band.

CMN’s Julia Schemmer has more details on what JT, JC, Chris, Joey, and Lance were up to yesterday.

This sunny, springtime Morning Scoop was compiled from contributions from Natalia Kolenko, Julia Schemmer, Carla Loebenstein, and the CMN Staff. Finals Week, Day Two: More coffee. Bring more coffee.