AP defends decision to call Iowa caucuses for Trump in 30 minutes

The Associated Press is defending its decision to declare former President Trump the winner of the Iowa caucuses on Monday about 30 minutes after voting began.

Why it matters: The 8:31pm ET call came as just nine of 1,657 precincts were reporting results — or 0.54%.

Voters were turning out despite the record cold weather for the caucuses, which one precinct captain called "frozen nostril cold."

Driving the news: The news organization said the projection was based on an analysis of early returns and voter survey data from eight counties.

Those counties showed Trump with an "insurmountable lead," AP...