The Latest on President Donald Trump's call to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election victory (all times local):3:05 p.m.President Donald Trump is defending his decision to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election, saying his predecessor, Barack Obama, did the same in 2012. It comes as Trump and White House officials are said to be fuming over a leak of Trump's briefing materials for the Tuesday call, in which aides warned Trump against congratulating Putin. The White House wouldn't confirm that Trump was warned "DO NOT CONGRATULATE" Putin, as a senior administration official told the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. ———10 a.m.A senior administration official says President Donald Trump was warned in briefing materials to refrain from congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election victory, but he did so anyway. Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing President Donald Trump for calling Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his re-election.

Source: ABC News March 21, 2018 14:05 UTC