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WH transfers FBI senior staff background checks to Pentagon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The White House has directed the FBI to stop conducting background checks into dozens of U.S. President Donald Trump’s top staffers, and to transfer the process to the Pentagon, ABC News reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

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The report said the directive came last month after White House officials deemed the process – which involves interviews and a review of financial records, past employment, and other potential security risks – too intrusive.

“The FBI is relentlessly focused on our mission to rebuild trust, restore law and order and let good agents be good agents — and we have full confidence DOD (Department of Defense) can address any needs in the clearance process,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Reuters.

Arizona Democratic congressman Raúl Grijalva dies of cancer at 77

(Reuters) — Democratic U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva, who represented Arizona for more than 20 years, died on Thursday at the age of 77 due to complications from cancer treatments, his office said in a statement.

“More than two decades ago, Rep. Grijalva embarked on a journey to be a voice for Southern Arizonans in Washington, D.C.,” the statement said. “Driven by his community values and spirit, he worked tirelessly and accomplished so much — for Arizona and for the country.”

Grijalva’s death will temporarily increase the Republicans’ slim House majority to 218-213, with four vacancies.

A special election for Grijalva’s replacement will have to be held to fill the vacancy.

An American Airlines jet engine catches fire after landing in Denver

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — An American Airlines jet’s engine caught fire after it diverted to land in Denver on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of passengers using the plane’s slides, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

American Airlines Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs on a Boeing 737-800 landed in Denver around 5:15 p.m. local time (2315 GMT), diverting from its planned destination of Dallas after the crew reported engine vibrations, the FAA said.

Several dramatic videos of passengers standing on the wing of the plane before evacuating as smoke poured out the engine were posted on social media.

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” the airline said in a statement.

“The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, (Denver) team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” the airline added.

The FAA said it would investigate the incident.

Boeing declined to comment, referring queries to American Airlines and investigators.

The engine fire is the latest in a series of high-profile aviation incidents that have raised questions about U.S. aviation safety, including the January 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.