The rise of the fourth branch of government  —  Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University.  —  There were times this past week when it seemed like the 19th-century Know-Nothing Party had returned to Washington.

The press must have the ability to ask questions  —  A FREE press in a democracy demands a delicate balance.  The First Amendment means the media must have the right to inquire without hindrance.  The government has a legitimate interest in keeping some national security information secret.

MI5 ‘approached Woolwich suspect’  —  MI5 asked Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo if he wanted to work for them, a childhood friend has said.  —  Abu Nusaybah told BBC Two's Newsnight his friend had revealed to him six months ago that the security service had been “knocking on his door”.

‘Alice in Wonderland’ coercion  —  Barack Obama, vowing to elevate Washington to the level of his fastidiousness, came from Chicago, where the political machine inoculates itself from scandals by the proliferation of them: Many scandals mean merely cursory scrutiny of most.

‘Why are you standing so close to me?’:  Snooki and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie clash as they come together to reopen storm ravaged Shore  — Gov. Christie and Snooki had an angry exchange of words Friday morning at the reopening of Seaside Height's boardwalk

Inside IRS Unit Under Fire  —  Office at Center of Controversy Rankled Other Groups With Its Aggressive Tactics  —  The Internal Revenue Service unit under fire for its reviews of conservative organizations has a long history of targeting groups with extra scrutiny, including foreclosure …

Globe investigation: The Ford family's history with drug dealing  —  This investigative report reveals that:  — Another brother, Randy, was also involved in the drug trade and was once charged in relation to a drug-related kidnapping.  —  In the 1980s, anyone wanting to buy hashish had to know where to go.

Hagel: Sexual assault ‘a profound betrayal’  —  Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel told graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point on Saturday that sexual assaults would be a “a profound betrayal” of their oaths to the Army.  —  Hagel challenged the 2013 West Point graduates to …

GOP: Energy high on IRS  —  GOP lawmakers home for the Memorial Day recess predict they won't have to do anything to further fan the flames over the IRS's targeting of conservative groups.  —  Two weeks after the IRS's first apology on the matter, Republicans say they've only scratched …

The Macks Are Getting Divorced  —  Former Reps. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., and Connie Mack, R-Fla., are getting divorced.  —  Bono Mack and Mack served together in Congress as a married couple.  (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)  —  The couple said in a joint release Friday …

Inhofe: Okla. thanks the nation for its support  —  Oklahoma will bounce back from this week's tornado just as strongly as it has from previous disasters, the state's senior senator said Saturday in this week's Republican address.  —  Sen. Jim Inhofe, on the ground in Moore, Okla. …

Scores of TGI Fridays among New Jersey bars accused of substituting cheap alcohol for premium brands in statewide crackdown  —  At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch.  In another, premium liquor bottles were refilled with water - and apparently not even clean water at that.