Author: AP, AP

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is accusing President Donald Trump’s White House of placing a “gag order” on former chief strategist Steve Bannon, barring him from answering many questions as part of the panel’s investigation into Russian election interference. (Jan. 16)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the U.S. seeks a diplomatic resolution in the nuclear standoff with North Korea, but he’s declining to comment on whether the White House is considering limited military action against Pyongyang. (Jan. 16)

Sen. Cory Booker is criticizing the Homeland Security secretary for saying she can’t recall President Trump using vulgarity to describe African countries. And Sen. Lindsey Graham blames Trump’s staff for the president’s about-face on immigration. (Jan. 16)

Highlights of Today in History: Benjamin Franklin born; Soviet and Polish forces liberate Warsaw; Eisenhower farewell address; Japan earthquake; Al Capone is born;Muhammad Ali born.

President Trump says he wants immigrants to come to the U.S. from “everywhere,” despite having said behind closed doors that he’d prefer more immigrants from places such as Norway and Asia rather than parts of Africa. (Jan. 16)

WH Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended President Trump’s use of vulgarity when referring to immigrants from Haiti and African countries last week, calling his policy ‘colorblind’ because it stands for a merit-based immigration system. (Jan. 16)

Here’s the latest for Tuesday, January 16th: White House physician says Trump’s health is excellent; President says he wants immigrants from “everywhere;” Tillerson meets with top diplomats to discuss North Korea; Icy conditions grip southern U.S.