TRUMP FIXATED ON HIS ABILITY TO PARDON

WASHINGTON» President Donald Trump is privately telling aides that he is strongly considering pardoning Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old woman serving a life sentence, after meeting with Kim Kardashian to discuss her case, as he becomes increasingly fixated on his ability to issue pardons.

The paperwork was being finalized Tuesday morning, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Trump’s aides and associates see Kardashian’s celebrity imprimatur as crucial and alluring to the president.

McConnell cancels most of Senate’s August recess.

WASHINGTON» Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he was canceling most of the Senate’s August recess, an election-year move that could help lawmakers confirm more of President Donald Trump’s nominees while keeping vulnerable Democratic senators off the campaign trail. McConnell, R-Ky., said he decided to shorten the recess to work on must-pass spending bills.

Aide who made McCain comment leaves White House.

WASHINGTON» A West Wing aide who was dismissive of gravely ill Sen. John McCain during a closed-door meeting last month has left the White House.

White House spokesman Raj Shah says, “Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President.”

Sadler told colleagues last month they should disregard McCain’s opinion on President Donald Trump’s CIA nominee because “he’s dying anyway,” a remark that led to a torrent of criticism.

The Trump administration declined to publicly apologize and Trump demanded a crackdown on whoever leaked the story to the media.

McConnell will not bring up bill challenging Trump’s tariffs.

WASHINGTON»

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday he will not bring up legislation challenging President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico.

But he suggested that the bill’s authors could try to attach the measure as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual defense policy bill expected on the Senate floor this month.

Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty.

YORK» The NEW battle lines in Harvey Weinstein’s criminal case grew sharper on Tuesday as the movie mogul pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York and his lawyer promised a fight.