What's happening in the political world:
Trump speaks on "horrific" chemical attack in Syria
-- President Trump called the chemical attack in Syria an "affront to humanity" and felt it crossed "many, many lines."
During a press conference at the White House Wednesday, Trump said, "That attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me. Big impact. My attitude towards Syria and Assad has changed very much."
President defends Fox News' Bill O'Reilly over sexual harassment claims
-- President Trump referred to Bill O'Reilly as a "good person" after being asked to weigh in on sexual harassment claims against the Fox News host.
Trump told The New York Times, "I don't think Bill did anything wrong."
O'Reilly faces scrutiny after new revelations that he, Fox News and parent company 21st Century Fox had paid a total of $13 million in settlements to five women who accused him of sexual harassment or verbal abuse.
More than 20 companies had pulled their advertising from "The O'Reilly Factor" as of Wednesday. Lisa Bloom, the lawyer for one of O'Reilly's accusers, has called for an independent investigation of Fox News. The National Organization for Women has called for him to be fired.
Bannon removed from National Security Council
-- Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's chief strategist, has been removed from his role with the National Security Council.
The decision, which one source with knowledge said was made by Trump himself, comes after the president in January authorized the reorganization of the National Security Council to include Bannon as a permanent member of the panel.
Bannon is the former campaign manager for Trump and the head of right-wing website Breitbart News.
Trump meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan
-- The president hosted Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Reina at the White House Wednesday, with Trump and Abdullah holding a joint news conference.
The meeting with the king of Jordan is the second of three key meetings with some influential world leaders.
Earlier this week, Trump met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. On Friday, the president is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago.
U.S. reacts to North Korea's latest missile test
-- North Korea fired yet another missile, this time just two days before President Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Tuesday's missile test resulted in a land-fired missile traveling about 37 miles before falling into the Sea of Japan.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued this statement regarding the launch:
? This is Rex Tillerson's statement on North Korea's missile launch pic.twitter.com/S2xAgZAGlX
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) April 4, 2017
Trump slams Obama following chemical attack in Syria
-- A chemical attack in Syria prompted President Trump to place blame on former President Barack Obama and his administration's "weakness and irresolution."
In a statement, Trump said: "Today's chemical attack in Syria against innocent people, including women and children, is reprehensible and cannot be ignored by the civilized world. These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration's weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a 'red line' against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack."
The attack that was carried out Tuesday in Khan Sheikhoun in the Idlib province is believed to have killed dozens of people. Activists on the ground described the attack as among the worst in the country's six-year civil war.
Democratic congressman believes Trump associates will go to jail over Russia probe
-- In an interview with CNN Tuesday, Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro said the investigation into members of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia will eventually land them in jail.
The Democratic congressman told Wolf Blitzer on "The Situation Room": "I wouldn't be surprised after all of this is said and done that some people end up in jail."
Castro did not offer any proof beyond his suspicion, CNN reported.
You can now take an anti-Trump course at Harvard University
-- A course on anti-Trump activism began Wednesday at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
The four-week course is open to people across the country and around the world.
Through four in-person and live-streamed sessions, followed by interactive homework assignments, organizers of the program say they hope to train activists "to strengthen the skills they need to take collective action and effectively resist the Trump agenda."
The Democrat likeliest to nab the 2020 presidential nomination is ...
-- It's not too soon to start thinking about the 2020 presidential election, and for the Democratic Party, a chance at reclaiming the White House can't come soon enough.
While it's been reported that many Democrats would be intrigued with the possibility that Michelle Obama would run, the former First Lady has said on numerous occasions that she would never consider running for president.
So who is on DecodeDC's list, which is based on speculation, hinted intentions and other factors?
