Seth McLaughlin

Seth McLaughlin, a reporter on the Politics Desk, can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SethMcLaughlin1

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Articles by Seth McLaughlin

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., speaks during a television interview on Capitol Hill, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ** FILE **

Ed Markey: Donald Trump’s obsession with Russia probe reflected in James Comey’s memos

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said Friday that the Comey memos show how President Trump has been "obsessionally focused" on the probe into possible collusion between Russia and his 2016 campaign. Published April 20, 2018

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., right, poses for a photo after speaking with members of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore in Baltimore, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ** FILE **

Ben Cardin: Mitch McConnell says he wants to protect Robert Mueller

A Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Friday that it is important that special counsel Robert Mueller can complete his investigation into potential ties between Russia and President Trump's 2016 campaign without any interference from the White House. Published April 20, 2018

President Donald Trump, center, speaks to members of the media while walking with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, right, and Navy Adm. Kurt Walter Tidd, left, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, during Trump's visit to Joint Interagency Task Force South anti-smuggling center in Key West, Fla., (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Donald Trump shreds ‘Shadey James Comey’ over ‘third rate book’

President Trump said Friday that former FBI Director James B. Comey should have never been allowed to write and cash in on a "third rate book," saying the situation is un-American. Published April 20, 2018

President Donald Trump walks down the stairs of Air Force One during his arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday, April 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Donald Trump pumped about addressing ‘GREAT’ Naval Academy graduating class

President Trump let the world know Friday that he is thrilled about the chance to speak at the Navy Academy commencement next month. Published April 20, 2018

Richard Cordray has amassed a long record as state treasurer and attorney general, but gained prominence a few years ago. (Associated Press)

Richard Cordray off to rocky start in Ohio gubernatorial campaign

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray thought he could lay claim to being the champion of the left, having run President Obama's Wall Street cop agency and led a prominent battle to constrain President Trump. Published April 19, 2018

In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, left, and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., both members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, GOP strategy session at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

FreedomWorks launches Draft Jim Jordan for Speaker campaign

A conservative group announced it has launched a campaign to draft Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio to run to replace outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan. Published April 19, 2018

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C. smiles as he speaks with the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 23, 2017, following a Freedom Caucus meeting. GOP House leaders delayed their planned vote on a long-promised bill to repeal and replace "Obamacare," in a stinging setback for House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump in their first major legislative test. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Mark Meadows predicts speaker’s race will be shaped by midterm election

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina said he doesn't expect the race to replace House Speaker Paul Ryan to take shape until after the November election. Published April 19, 2018

Rep. Mark Meadows is a North Carolina Republican and leader of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. (Associated Press/File)

GOP Rep. Mark Meadows: Trump running ‘strong’ for second term

The chairman of the House Freedom Caucus brushed aside the idea that President Trump won't run for a second term. Published April 19, 2018

In this March 8, 2017, file photo, Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips (left) and FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) ** FILE **

Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, hopes Donald Trump rethinks trade stance

The head of a Koch-backed conservative group said Thursday he is hopeful that President Trump's inflammatory rhetoric on trade won't ultimately be reflected in his actions. Published April 19, 2018

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., questions Attorney General Jeff Sessions during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ** FILE **

David Cicilline warns Trump meeting with Kim Jong-un ‘may not be historic in a good way’

A Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Thursday the stakes will be "very high" if President Trump follows through with his plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Published April 19, 2018

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., listens to testimony from Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo during his confirmation hearing Thursday, April 12, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ** FILE **

Bob Corker ‘not sure’ Donald Trump will seek re-election

Retiring Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee said Thursday he has real doubts about President Trump's political future, saying it is "very questionable" whether Mr. Trump will seek a second term. Published April 19, 2018

In this July 24, 2017, file photo, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks in a park in Berryville, Va., where congressional Democrats unveiled their new agenda. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Elizabeth Warren and Elijah Cummings seek $100 billion to fight opioid epidemic

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland teamed up Thursday on a proposal that calls on Congress to invested $100 billion to combat the nation's opioid epidemic over the next decade. Published April 19, 2018

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., arrives for a vote at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ** FILE **

Jon Tester targeted, attacked in Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity ads

Americans for Prosperity is bankrolling television and digital attack ads against Sen. Jon Tester, dinging the Democrat over his support for Obamacare and accusing him of being too partisan on health care. Published April 19, 2018

Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, during a hearing on the federal response to the 2017 hurricane season. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ** FILE **

Ron Johnson refuses to say whether he will support Donald Trump in 2020

Sen. Ron Johnson said Thursday it is too soon to say whether he will support President Trump for re-election, brushing aside the inquiry as a "gotcha question." Published April 19, 2018

In this April 3, 2018, file photo, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to supporters as he campaigns for re-election at the National Border Patrol Council Local 3307 offices in Edinburg, Texas. (Joel Martinez/The Monitor via AP, File)

Ted Cruz locked in tight re-election race against Beto O’Rourke: Poll

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas finds himself locked in a tight re-election race against Democrat Beto O'Rourke, according to a new survey. Published April 19, 2018

In a Monday, April 16, 2018, file photo, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, center, leaves federal court, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Donald Trump’s allies warn that Michael Cohen could cave if charged: Report

President Trump's allies are advising him to recognize that his personal lawyer Michael Cohen could flip against him if charged with wrongdoing. Published April 19, 2018

In this file photo, former Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at the Peabody Hotel Monday, April 2, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) ** FILE **

Eric Holder, former Obama attorney general, set to headline June event in New Hampshire

Eric Holder, an attorney general in the Obama administration, is headlining a Democratic event on June 1 in the New Hampshire, home of the nation's first presidential primary. Published April 18, 2018

In this Sept. 29, 2014, file photo, U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, speaks in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

Jim Renacci emphasizes Trump alliance in first Senate campaign ad

Rep. Jim Renacci on Friday released the first television ad of his Senate campaign, highlighting praise he has received from President Trump and claiming the "Trump agenda works for Ohio." Published April 13, 2018

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announces he will not run for re-election amid Republican concerns over keeping their majority in the House of Representatives, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 11, 2018.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Paul Ryan’s retirement a ‘morale blow’ for GOP ahead of midterm elections, analysts say

Republicans' fears of losing the House hit overdrive Wednesday after Speaker Paul D. Ryan announced his retirement, leaving the party scrambling to replace one of its best agenda-setters and fundraisers. Published April 11, 2018

President Donald Trump (left) talks with House Speaker Paul Ryan (center), Wisconsin Republican, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York during a reception for House and Senate leaders in the the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 23, 2017. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Chuck Schumer urges Paul Ryan to ‘break free from the hard right’ in final months on the job

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said Wednesday he hopes House Speaker Paul Ryan will "break free" from the hard-right Republicans in his party now that he is not seeking re-election. Published April 11, 2018