Chris Megerian, The Associated Press

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Chris Megerian, The Associated Press.

Epstein files and affordability concerns threaten to knock Trump's 2nd presidency off course

Epstein files and affordability concerns threaten to knock Trump's 2nd presidency off course

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump 's veneer of political invulnerability has begun to crack as he struggles to find his footing on Americans' concerns about affordability and fails to extinguish a push by renegade Republicans to release more files from the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Trump scores golden gifts as United States and Seoul advance trade talks

Trump scores golden gifts as United States and Seoul advance trade talks

GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) -- President Donald Trump wanted South Korea to invest $350 billion in the American economy. He's also walking away with a gold medal and a crown.

Trump scores golden gifts but no investment dollars during South Korea visit

Trump scores golden gifts but no investment dollars during South Korea visit

GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) -- President Donald Trump wanted South Korea to invest $350 billion in the American economy. So far, he's settling for a gold medal and a crown.

South Korea trade deal appears elusive as Trump seeks $350B investment

South Korea trade deal appears elusive as Trump seeks $350B investment

GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) -- After a charm offensive in Japan that culminated in $490 billion in investment commitments, President Donald Trump is set to meet with South Korea's leader on Wednesday as a trade deal with that country appears more elusive.

Trump claims India will stop buying Russian oil, escalating pressure on Moscow over Ukraine war

Trump claims India will stop buying Russian oil, escalating pressure on Moscow over Ukraine war

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that his country would stop buying Russian oil.

Trump sees peace  -  and personal vindication  -  within reach in Gaza

Trump sees peace - and personal vindication - within reach in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ever since Donald Trump returned to office, his attempts to make a name for himself as a historic peacemaker have been frustrated by the ceaseless Russian invasion of Ukraine and the persistent fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The government shuts down, and Trump goes online  -  very online

The government shuts down, and Trump goes online - very online

WASHINGTON (AP) -- On Thursday morning, as thousands of federal employees stayed home and faced potential layoffs because of the government shutdown, President Donald Trump got right to work on social media.

Kamala Harris says she 'had a certain responsibility' to argue against Biden running again

Kamala Harris says she 'had a certain responsibility' to argue against Biden running again

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Kamala Harris said Monday evening that she regrets not expressing her concerns about President Joe Biden running for a second term when a majority of Americans felt he was too old for the job.

Oracle will manage TikTok's algorithm for US users under Trump administration deal

Oracle will manage TikTok's algorithm for US users under Trump administration deal

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tech giant Oracle will receive a copy of TikTok's algorithm to operate for U.S. users, according to a senior official in President Donald Trump's administration on Monday.

Harris stops biting her tongue in '107 Days,' her book about last year's campaign against Trump

Harris stops biting her tongue in '107 Days,' her book about last year's campaign against Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When it was all over, Kamala Harris couldn't believe it. "I could barely breathe," she writes in her new book about learning she had lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump.

Joe Biden undergoes surgery to remove skin cancer on forehead

Joe Biden undergoes surgery to remove skin cancer on forehead

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joe Biden recently underwent surgery to remove skin cancer lesions, a spokesperson said Thursday, the latest health challenge for the former president.

Trump addresses health rumors after days without public events

Trump addresses health rumors after days without public events

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sometimes it feels like barely an hour can go by without hearing from President Donald Trump. So when he didn't appear for one day, then two, then three, speculation started to swirl online about his health.

Trump 'caught off guard' by recent Israeli strikes, White House says

Trump 'caught off guard' by recent Israeli strikes, White House says

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump was "caught off guard" by the recent Israeli strikes in Syria and on a Catholic church in Gaza, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday.

Trump to visit new Florida immigration detention facility

Trump to visit new Florida immigration detention facility

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump will visit a new immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday, showcasing his border crackdown in the face of humanitarian and environmental concerns.

Trump defends US strikes on Iran as intel assessment stirs debate

Trump defends US strikes on Iran as intel assessment stirs debate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that U.S. strikes delivered a crushing blow to Iran's nuclear program despite a preliminary American intelligence assessment suggesting that the assault inflicted only a marginal setback.

Trump is trying to script the perfect ending to war in Iran. Will the rest of the world go along?

Trump is trying to script the perfect ending to war in Iran. Will the rest of the world go along?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump wanted the brief and explosive American intervention in the Middle East to end with the satisfying tidiness of a prime-time season finale.

Trump heads to Fort Bragg while facing criticism for deploying military at Los Angeles protests

Trump heads to Fort Bragg while facing criticism for deploying military at Los Angeles protests

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump plans to speak at Fort Bragg on Tuesday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army as he deploys the military in an attempt to quiet immigration protests in Los Angeles.

Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds its breath

Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds its breath

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Maybe it was always going to end this way, with two billionaires angrily posting about each other on social media, fingers flying across pocket-sized screens as their incandescent feud burned hotter by the minute.

Trump gives Elon Musk an Oval Office sendoff, crediting him with 'colossal change'

Trump gives Elon Musk an Oval Office sendoff, crediting him with 'colossal change'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, providing a cordial conclusion to a tumultuous tenure for the billionaire entrepreneur.

Trump gives Elon Musk an Oval Office sendoff

Trump gives Elon Musk an Oval Office sendoff

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, providing a cordial conclusion to a tumultuous tenure for the billionaire entrepreneur.

Elon Musk came to Washington wielding a chain saw. He leaves behind upheaval and unmet expectations

Elon Musk came to Washington wielding a chain saw. He leaves behind upheaval and unmet expectations

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk arrived in the nation's capital with the chain saw-wielding swagger of a tech titan who had never met a problem he couldn't solve with lots of money, long hours or a well-calibrated algorithm.

Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading effort to slash federal government

Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading effort to slash federal government

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.

Trump pardons former NY Rep. Michael Grimm after tax fraud conviction

Trump pardons former NY Rep. Michael Grimm after tax fraud conviction

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction.

Lights, video, confrontation  -  Trump's meeting with South African leader takes dramatic turn

Lights, video, confrontation - Trump's meeting with South African leader takes dramatic turn

WASHINGTON (AP) -- "Turn the lights down," President Donald Trump said. It was showtime in the Oval Office.

Elon Musk says he will cut back on political spending after heavily backing Trump in 2024

Elon Musk says he will cut back on political spending after heavily backing Trump in 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk, the richest person in the world and a key financial supporter of President Donald Trump, said Tuesday that he'll be spending less on political campaigns.

Golden swords and Arabian horses: Saudi Arabia's crown prince gives Trump a lavish royal welcome
JD Vance was one of the last leaders to meet with Pope Francis

JD Vance was one of the last leaders to meet with Pope Francis

WASHINGTON (AP) -- One of Pope Francis' final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend.

Trump to invoke Schedule F to make it easier to fire some federal workers

Trump to invoke Schedule F to make it easier to fire some federal workers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is preparing to make one of the controversial personnel changes laid out in the conservative Project 2025 blueprint for his second term.

Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as Trump's government downsizing continues

Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as Trump's government downsizing continues

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is drastically shrinking the workforce and mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, eviscerating an agency created after the Great Recession with the goal of protecting Americans from fraud, abuse and deceptive practices.

Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as as Trump's government downsizing continues

Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as as Trump's government downsizing continues

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is drastically shrinking the size and the mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the latest step in an extraordinary reshaping of the federal government.

Layoffs hit Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as Trump's government downsizing continues

Layoffs hit Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as Trump's government downsizing continues

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is shrinking the size and the mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the latest step in an extraordinary reshaping of the federal government.

Trump says Musk will probably leave in 'a few months'

Trump says Musk will probably leave in 'a few months'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Thursday that Elon Musk would likely leave his administration in "a few months," the clearest sign that his most powerful and disruptive adviser will be wrapping up his work inside the government.

Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at Trump's DOGE

Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at Trump's DOGE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- DOGE's days appear to be numbered.

A weekend ritual for Trump's Florida die-hards to get a brief glimpse of their political hero

A weekend ritual for Trump's Florida die-hards to get a brief glimpse of their political hero

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The sun was shining outside President Donald Trump's West Palm Beach golf course on Saturday morning when Alan Mentser got a call letting him know that police were shutting down a road nearby. It was almost time to "show the boss a little love."

Trump commutes the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson in financial conspiracy case

Trump commutes the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson in financial conspiracy case

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson, a White House official said Friday, just hours before Watson was due to report to prison for a nearly 10-year sentence in a financial conspiracy case.

Trump commutes the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson on Friday, just before he was due to report to prison for a nearly 10-year sentence in a financial conspiracy case.

Trump selects a new Tesla on White House driveway to show support for Elon Musk

Trump selects a new Tesla on White House driveway to show support for Elon Musk

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump shopped for a new Tesla on the White House driveway on Tuesday, selecting a shiny red sedan to show his support for Elon Musk 's electric vehicle company as it faces blowback because of his work to advance the president's political agenda and downsize the federal government.

Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming widespread fraud

Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming widespread fraud

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk pushed debunked theories about Social Security on Monday while describing federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, suggesting they will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending.

A single day of Trump and Musk's cost-cutting campaign remakes huge sections of government

A single day of Trump and Musk's cost-cutting campaign remakes huge sections of government

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A series of decisions revealed Friday provided a glimpse of the turmoil engulfing federal agencies since President Donald Trump and Elon Musk launched their campaign of disruption, upending how government functions in ways big and small.

Federal workers face second Musk deadline to explain their work last week

Federal workers face second Musk deadline to explain their work last week

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal employees face a midnight deadline to comply with Elon Musk 's second demand for reports on their recent accomplishments, a request that has become a flashpoint within the government workforce.

What to watch when Trump gives his big speech to Congress

What to watch when Trump gives his big speech to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump loves a good spectacle, and it's hard to top a speech to a joint session of Congress. The House chamber is packed with lawmakers, and the president's arrival is announced in a booming voice by the sergeant-at-arms, triggering cacophonous applause.

Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk's direction

Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk's direction

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The turmoil that enveloped the federal workforce over the last few days is unlikely to cease anytime soon as the U.S. government's human resources agency considers how to fulfill Elon Musk 's demands.

Trump wants to know if there's gold in Fort Knox. (There is)

Trump wants to know if there's gold in Fort Knox. (There is)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- While flying back to Washington aboard Air Force One on Wednesday night, a reporter asked President Donald Trump whether Elon Musk would pursue budget cuts at the Pentagon.

Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens

Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he likes the idea of giving some of the savings from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency back to U.S. citizens as a kind of dividend.

Trump moves swiftly on his agenda in a departure from his first-term stumbles

Trump moves swiftly on his agenda in a departure from his first-term stumbles

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Months into his first term as president, Donald Trump was furious with the snowballing Russia investigation and ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to make sure that special counsel Robert Mueller got fired.

Trump imposes his vision on America in departure from first-term stumbles

Trump imposes his vision on America in departure from first-term stumbles

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Months into his first term as president, Donald Trump was furious with the snowballing Russia investigation and ordered White House Counsel Don McGahn to make sure that special counsel Robert Mueller got fired.

Elon Musk dodges DOGE scrutiny while expanding his power in Washington

Elon Musk dodges DOGE scrutiny while expanding his power in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk made a clear promise after Donald Trump decided to put him in charge of making the government more efficient.

Elon Musk tightens grip on federal government as Democrats raise alarms

Elon Musk tightens grip on federal government as Democrats raise alarms

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Elon Musk is rapidly consolidating control over large swaths of the federal government with President Donald Trump 's blessing, sidelining career officials, gaining access to sensitive databases and dismantling a leading source of humanitarian assistance.

FEMA faces shakeup under Trump while it wrestles with disasters on both coasts

FEMA faces shakeup under Trump while it wrestles with disasters on both coasts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is preparing to reshape the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been on the frontlines of responding to recent wildfires in California and last year's hurricane in North Carolina.

Trump pardons founder of Silk Road website

Trump pardons founder of Silk Road website

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he had pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, an underground website for selling drugs.

Kamala Harris made history as vice president. The rest didn't go as planned

Kamala Harris made history as vice president. The rest didn't go as planned

WASHINGTON (AP) -- With Donald Trump's return to the White House only days away, Kamala Harris ' staff packed into her ceremonial office to watch her sign the desk, a tradition performed by her predecessors for decades. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, stood behind her to take a photo as she wielded her Sharpie marker.

Biden to give farewell address from Oval Office as he prepares to cede power to Trump

Biden to give farewell address from Oval Office as he prepares to cede power to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden will deliver a farewell address to the nation Wednesday night, seizing what may be his final opportunity to reshape Americans' grim views on his term before he departs the White House.

Biden prepares farewell address from Oval Office as he prepares to cede power to Trump

Biden prepares farewell address from Oval Office as he prepares to cede power to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden will deliver a farewell address to the nation Wednesday night, seizing what may be his final opportunity to reshape Americans' grim views on his term before he departs the White House.

Harris will travel to Asia, Mideast and Europe during her final week in office

Harris will travel to Asia, Mideast and Europe during her final week in office

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Kamala Harris plans to close out her term with an around-the-world trip making stops in Singapore, Bahrain and Germany, her office said.

Harris calls it a 'good day' for democracy as she oversees peaceful certification of Trump's victory

Harris calls it a 'good day' for democracy as she oversees peaceful certification of Trump's victory

WASHINGTON (AP) -- There was no drama on Monday as Kamala Harris oversaw the ceremonial certification of her defeat to Donald Trump. The vice president kept her remarks perfunctory, and she stood with her hands clasped in front of her while the results from each state were read out loud.

Harris oversaw certification of her defeat to Trump four years after he sparked Capitol attack

Harris oversaw certification of her defeat to Trump four years after he sparked Capitol attack

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday presided over the certification of her defeat to Donald Trump four years after he tried to stop the very process that will now return him to the White House.

Harris will oversee certification of her defeat to Trump four years after he sparked Capitol attack

Harris will oversee certification of her defeat to Trump four years after he sparked Capitol attack

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday is set to preside over the certification of her defeat to Donald Trump four years after he tried to stop the very process that will now return him to the White House.

How American presidents have planned their own funerals

How American presidents have planned their own funerals

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jimmy Carter's memorial journey will end at his house in the tiny town of Plains, Georgia, where he grew up on a peanut farm. That is where his wife, Rosalynn, was laid to rest last year in a burial plot that they chose years ago.

Trump's words of opposition stop a bipartisan budget deal in its tracks with Musk's help

Trump's words of opposition stop a bipartisan budget deal in its tracks with Musk's help

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump delivered a likely death blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations, rejecting the measure as full of giveaways to Democrats after billionaire ally Elon Musk whipped up outrage toward the bill and cheered on Republican lawmakers who announced their opposition.

Trump brings chaos back to Washington by attempting to kill bipartisan budget deal with Musk's help

Trump brings chaos back to Washington by attempting to kill bipartisan budget deal with Musk's help

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump delivered a likely death blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations on Wednesday, rejecting the measure as full of giveaways to Democrats as billionaire ally Elon Musk whipped up outrage toward the bill and cheered on Republican lawmakers who announced their opposition.