US politics live: Millions at stake on Trump’s next big move

While the White House has unveiled new deals with the UK, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the EU, Australia is still waiting for its name to be called.

Welcome to another week in our live coverage of US politics.

Donald Trump’s handpicked CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, has suggested top officials in the Obama administration and even 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton could be prosecuted over the so-called “Russia hoax”.

This stems from Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Trump administration officials are now claiming the whole thing was made up in an attempt to smear him.

“For a four-year period of time, the truth about the origins of the Russia collusion hoax was hidden from the American people,” said Mr Ratcliffe today.

“What I think I hear you saying is there is still an opportunity for indictments, potential prosecutions, accountability from those people who may have lied under oath. Like John Brennan, James Comey, and perhaps Hillary Clinton,” Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo put to him.

“Well, that’s why I’ve made the referrals that I have,” said Mr Ratcliffe.

Meanwhile a top political ally of Mr Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, has expressed discomfort with the idea of pardoning Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.

“This week, President Trump didn’t rule out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell,” noted NBC host Kristen Welker, on whose show, Meet the Press, Mr Johnson appeared today.

“Of course, that’s one of the big questions looming over all of this. So let me put this to you: would you support a pardon or a commutation for Ghislaine Maxwell?”

Mr Johnson tried, at first, to sit on the metaphorical fence.

“Well, I mean, obviously that’s a decision of the President,” he told Ms Welker.

“Are you open to a pardon or commutation?” Ms Welker pressed.

“Mr Speaker, the victims referred to Maxwell as Epstein’s right-hand woman. Here’s what one victim who testified under a pseudonym told the court: ‘The many acts that were perpetrated on me by Epstein, including rape, strangulation and sexual assault, were never consensual and would not have occurred had it not been for the cunning and premeditated role Ghislaine Maxwell played.’

“Is that someone deserving of a pardon or commutation in any circumstance?”

Mr Johnson then offered a firmer stance.

“If you’re asking my opinion, I think 20 years was a pittance,” he said.

“I think she should have a life sentence at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes, and as you noted earlier, probably a thousand victims.

“It’s hard to put into words how evil this was, and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing.

“So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that, as any reasonable person would.”

Read on for the latest updates.

Originally published as US politics live: Millions at stake on Trump’s next big move