Associated Press, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressJanuary 13, 2017

The lack of fireworks surrounding Senate consideration of President-elect Donald Trump‘s Cabinet picks may reflect a slew of statements his choices have made contradicting the billionaire businessman’s position on key issues. Trump acknowledged the differences early Friday, posting a message on his Twitter account saying: “All my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a […]

Associated PressJanuary 12, 2017

The Obama administration is ending the “wet foot, dry foot” policy that granted residency to Cubans who arrived in the United States without visas. That’s according to a senior administration official, who said the policy change was effective immediately. The official said the U.S. and Cuba have spent several months negotiating the change, including an […]

Associated PressJanuary 12, 2017

The outgoing president somberly ruminated about the fragility of democracy and earnestly implored Americans to reject corrosive political dialogue. Fourteen hours later, the incoming president staged a defiant and frenetic news conference at his gilded New York City tower, dismissing critics, insulting reporters and likening the country’s intelligence officers to Nazis. President Barack Obama‘s farewell […]

Associated PressJanuary 11, 2017

A defiant President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday adamantly denied reports that Russia had obtained compromising personal and financial information about him, calling it a “tremendous blot” on the record of the intelligence community if such material had been released. The incoming president, in his first news conference since late July, firmly chided news organizations for […]

Associated PressJanuary 11, 2017

A legal journey that could mean life or death for the suspect in the Florida airport mass shooting has begun with appointment of a public defender to represent the Iraq war veteran blamed for killing five people and wounding six more. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia Valle told Esteban Santiago, 26, at a hearing Monday that […]

Associated PressJanuary 10, 2017

Law enforcement officers in Orlando were engaged in a massive manhunt early Tuesday for a man accused of fatally shooting a police officer who approached him outside a Wal-Mart. The manhunt itself has led to the death of a sheriff’s deputy in a traffic accident and the injury of another officer. Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, […]

Associated PressJanuary 9, 2017

The Iraq war veteran held in the fatal shooting of five people inside Fort Lauderdale’s airport was appointed a federal public defender on Monday after telling a judge that he has no job and only $5 or $10 in the bank. Esteban Santiago, 26, spoke clearly during a brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia […]

Associated PressJanuary 9, 2017

Authorities in Orlando say that an Orange County deputy sheriff was killed in a traffic accident while searching for a suspect in the shooting death of an Orlando police officer Monday. Sheriff Jerry Demings told a press conference that the deputy sheriff was riding a motorcycle while pursuing Markeith Loyd, 41. Loyd is suspected in […]

Associated PressJanuary 9, 2017

An Orlando police officer who was gunned down while on duty has died. Orlando police announced the officer’s death on its official Twitter account Monday morning. The shooting happened near a Walmart store in Orlando earlier Monday morning. The tweet said, “One of our own was taken in the line of duty. There are no […]

Associated PressJanuary 9, 2017

The Iraq war veteran accused of fatally shooting five people and wounding six at a crowded Florida airport baggage claim is due for his first court appearance. Esteban Santiago is scheduled to be in Fort Lauderdale federal court Monday morning. The 26-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, faces airport violence and firearms charges that could mean the […]

Associated Press

Week 1: Cabinet picks contradict Donald Trump stands on some issues

Obama scrapping ‘wet foot, dry foot’ policy for Cubans

A farewell address, a news conference and White House change

Donald Trump denounces ‘disgrace’ of reports of Russian ties to him

Life or death legal journey for airport shooting suspect

Orlando mourns deaths of 2 law enforcement officers

Airport shooting suspect gets public defender in court

Sheriff: Deputy killed in motorcycle crash while searching for man who shot and killed Orlando police officer

Police: Officer killed in Orlando, suspect still at large

Airport shooting suspect due for court appearance