Dismissal of suit over president’s businesses sought

Dismissal of suit over president’s businesses sought

NEW YORK

Justice Department lawyers sought the dismissal Friday of a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump is violating the Constitution by letting his businesses accept money from foreign governments.

In papers filed in Manhattan federal court, the government said none of the plaintiffs had suffered an injury that would give them standing to sue. It also said the relief sought by the plaintiffs is unconstitutional.

The plaintiffs include the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United Inc., and two individuals.

Gianforte to plead guilty to assault on reporter

HELENA, Mont.

U.S. Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte of Montana will plead guilty to assaulting a reporter the day before being elected the state’s only congressman last month, a prosecutor said Friday.

The Republican technology entrepreneur will enter his plea in court on Monday, when he is scheduled to be arraigned and sentenced on the misdemeanor charge, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told The Associated Press.

Gianforte requested the court hearing after reaching a civil settlement this week.

Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte knocked Jacobs to the ground when the reporter asked him a question May 24.

Mosque leader quits over comment on genital mutilation

FALLS CHURCH, Va.

A leader at one of Virginia’s largest mosques has resigned after the imam there made comments in support of female genital mutilation.

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, who was director of outreach at the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, posted his resignation Friday on his website.

Abdul-Malik says he’s leaving after “many reprehensible statements” by Dar Al-Hijrah’s senior imam, Shaker Elsayed, including his recent comments on genital mutilation.

In a recorded lecture, Elsayed described the practice as a way to avoid “hypersexuality” and “the honorable thing to do if needed.”

Dar Al-Hijrah’s board denounced Elsayed’s comments Monday. Two days later, it placed him on administrative leave.

Trump, Tillerson send contradictory messages on Qatar

WASHINGTON

In an extraordinary broadside against a key U.S. partner, President Donald Trump lambasted Qatar on Friday for funding terrorism “at a very high level” and insisted that it stop. “No more funding,” the president said.

Trump’s condemnation contradicted the message delivered by his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who had urged Qatar’s neighbors to ease their blockade while calling for “calm and thoughtful dialogue.” Only an hour later, Tillerson sat in the front row in the Rose Garden as Trump enthusiastically embraced the move by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others to punish Qatar.

“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said, echoing an allegation the Saudi-led group has used to justify cutting diplomatic ties to the tiny gas-rich kingdom. “We have to stop the funding of terrorism.”

Associated Press