October 2: After stating that Blasey Ford's testimony had been "credible" and "compelling," Trump lashes out during campaign rally, mocking her words and scoffing at gaps in her recollection of the event.

October 6: At third campaign rally in a week, Trump calls Democrats the "party of crime" and asserts that they are "too dangeorus to govern."

October 8: Trump claims accusation against Brett Kavanaugh by Dr. Blasey Ford is a "hoax set up by the Democrats."

October 18: Caravan of migrants is enroute from Honduras toward U.S., via Mexico. Trump warns that unless Mexico halts the marchers, U.S. aid will be cut off to the region and military will be sent to the U.S./Mexico border.

October 24: Pipe bombs sent to 10 notable critics of the president, including Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and actor Robert DeNiro.

October 25: Trump said to be considering sealing the U.S.-Mexico border, to keep all migrants out. (The New York Times

October 26: In stark contrast to anti-immigration stance of Trump administration, Mexico issues temporary work permits to "caravan" migrants. (BBC America)

October 25: Florida man is charged with sending 14 pipe bombs to Democratic officials and others who have regularly been attacked and insulted by the president.

October 27: Eleven worshipers at Pittsburgh synagogue are shot and killed by man with long history of harsh anti-Semitic statements.

October 29: In wake of murder rampage in Pittsburgh, Trump continues to blame the media and insist that it's the "true enemy of the people."

October 29: Trump calls march of "caravaners" through Mexico an "invasion." Critics point out that the thousands of participants are refugees fleeing extreme danger in Central America, or simply seeking a better life in the north.

October 30: Trump claims he can halt "birthright citizenship," possibly by executive order. House Speaker Paul Ryan is among those denying that possibility, noting the the right to citizens of U.S.-born person is guaranteed by 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

October 31: After ordering 5,200 troops sent to U.S.-Mexico border, Trump says he may send as many as 15,000, claiming they are needed to help curtail the "invasion" of migrants, in the name of national security. CNN reports that veterans have called the action ia "political stunt."

November 1: Trump uses his Twitter account to unleash online ad branded as racist by critics. News outlets recall the comparably racist "Willie Horton" TV commercial, issued during the 1988 presidential campaign by George H.W. Bush backers.

November 2: "Anybody throwing stones, rocks, stones... we will consider that a firearm." So said Mr. Trump, referring to the prospect of troops encountering northbound "caravan" migrants at the Mexican border. Hours later, Defense Department denies Trump's proposal to send troops to the border. (CNN)

November 6: In early returns from midterm election, Democrats appear to have taken back the House of Representatives, while Republicans hold the Senate. Races in several states, including Florida and Arizona, are considered "too close to call."

November 7: As votes continue to be counted, Trump and certain Republican congresspersons unearth claims of voter fraud, insisting, for instance, that in Florida, many Democrats voted more than once.

November 22: Trump claims that "a minimum of 500 serious criminals" are among the migrants who reached the U.S. Mexico border, variously calling them "bad people" and "rough people." As of November 22, an estimated 4,300 "caravaners" were in the city of Tijuana, just south of San Diego, mostly for an opportunity to request asylum.

November 22: Trump's Thanksgiving call to active-duty troops turns into a political event as much as a thank-you, as he focuses on trade and other non-military matters.

November 22: John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, takes the startling step of rebuking Trump for claiming that federal judges who had ruled against him were "Obama judges," thus incapable of making independent decisions.

November 23: Federal government releases comprehensive report on climate change, predicting dire consequences. Critics charge that releasing it on the on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is meant to minimize its impact, because it contradicts the president's belief that climate change is a "hoax."

November 23 As "caravan" migrants from Central America amass at Mexican border, U.S. president advises that troops will be permitted to use "lethal force" against them "if necessary," adding that he has "given the O.K." Critics insist that American troops cannot legally use force on U.S. soil.

November 24: Trump administration announces a deal with Mexico, whereby migrants must remain in Mexico to wait for their asylum requests to be initiated.

November 25: Mexican government says no deal regarding maintenance of migrants has been made with Trump administration. New president of Mexico, Andres Manual Lopaz Obrador, takes office Decemer 1.

November 25: Migrants trying to cross U.S. border clash with Mexican forces in riot gear at Tijuana. Tear gas is fired, and San Ysidro crossing point is ordered closed completely.

December 6: Trump claims, in a tweet, that "without the phony Russian witch hunt," his "approval rating would be at 75%."

December 7: After former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson describes failings of Trump asministration in interview, the president tweets an attack, saying Tillerson "didn't have the mental capacity needed" for the job, and is "dumb as a rock" as well as "lazy as hell."

December 8: Trump claims that court documents released in cases against Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen clear him of any collusion with Russia. Analysts disagree. Prosecutors in South District of New York, according to CNN, have determined that Cohen made "hush money" payments to two women, at Trump's request. Trump denies any connection.

December 11: President meets with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), seeking agreement on renewing funding of major government agencies. Trump insists that such a bill must include $5 billion in funding forhis prized border wall, intended to separate the U.S. from Mexico. During the meeting, Trump says he will "take the mantle," accepting responsibility for a partial government shutdown scheduled to take place on December 21, if an agreement is not reached.

December 20: Shortly after the president tweets his intent to abruptly remove American troops from Syria, Defense Secretary James Mattis announces his resignation, effective in February. Days later, Trump announces that Mattis will depart at the end of 2018.

December 21: Trump blames Democrats for failure of Congress to fund government agencies, whose authorizations are expiring. As a result, the U.S. government goes into partial shutdown at midnight.

December 22: Government shutdown means 400,000 federal employees are expected to work without pay, while 380,000 are laid off for the duration. Shutdown is expected to last through Christmas, at least.

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