Comey's testimony 'human' and 'dramatic': analysts

Former FBI director James Comey appeared “quite human” when he testified that President Donald Trump allegedly fired him to try to undermine the bureau's investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign team.

Steve Herman, White House bureau chief of Voice of America noted Trump’s unusual silence on Comey’s claims, with reactions coming only from his son, who spoke on Twitter, and his lawyer.

Comey on Thursday said he felt the need to go public with his account of his conversations with Trump in the hope that it might prompt the appointment of a special counsel, which later occurred.

Meanwhile, for Scott Wong, senior staff writer of The Hill, reactions to Comey’s statements so far have been very partisan but he notes that the testimony was one of the “most dramatic things” to happen in Capitol Hill. Annalisa Burgos reports. -- ANC Dateline Philippines, June 9, 2017

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Trump to keep Obama LGBT workplace protections

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump will continue to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace, the White House said Tuesday.

An executive order signed by then President Barack Obama in 2014, which protects employees "from anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination while working for federal contractors, will remain intact at the direction of President Donald J. Trump."

People in the gay and lesbian community in the United States have expressed fears of a backlash under Trump because of the presence of arch conservatives in his government who have a record of opposing same-sex marriage and other hard-fought rights.

The White House statement was issued on the day that Trump has said he will announce his candidate to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Trump has promised to nominate a conservative.

Trump "is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community," the statement read.

The president "continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election."

source: news.abs-cbn.com