I believe the president is entitled to significant deference when it comes to his choices for the cabinet.  I also believe given the uncertainty surrounding the future direction of our foreign policy that a higher degree of scrutiny is justified in evaluating whoever is nominated to serve as secretary of state.

Sources say Trump's CIA visit made relations with intel community worse  —  U.S. government sources tell CBS News that there is a sense of unease in the intelligence community after President Trump's visit to CIA headquarters on Saturday.  —  An official said the visit …

Rocky First Weekend for Trump Troubles Even His Top Aides  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump's first weekend in office unfolded much the way things often did during his campaign: with angry Twitter messages, a familiar obsession with slights and a series of meandering and at times untrue statements …

Trump to sign executive order to renegotiate NAFTA and intent to leave TPP  —  U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday intends to sign an executive order that will put in motion the renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  —  President Trump is also expected to sign …

Why BuzzFeed News Published the Dossier  —  Since BuzzFeed News published a 35-page dossier of unverified allegations about ties between President Donald J. Trump and Russia, I've heard a chorus of criticism from journalists who say we abdicated our role as gatekeeper, and a chorus of thanks …

U.S. Eyes Michael Flynn's Links to Russia  —  U.S. counterintelligence agents have investigated communications that President Donald Trump's national security adviser had with Russian officials.  Michael Flynn is the first person inside the White House whose links are known to have faced scrutiny …

WBUR Poll: Republican Gov. Baker More Popular Than Democrat Sen. Warren 04:56  —  Play  —  Over four years in office, Elizabeth Warren has staked her claim as the Senate's liberal lion.  And many Massachusetts voters like it — 51 percent view her favorably.

Hillary Clinton plots her next move  —  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a series of private meetings and phone calls at their home in Chappaqua, in New York City and in Washington, Bill and Hillary Clinton are slowly starting to puzzle through their political future, according to over a dozen people …

Madonna says White House comments ‘taken out of context’  —  A row has erupted over Madonna's comments about US President Donald Trump during a speech at the weekend.  —  While taking part in a protest march in Washington DC on Saturday, the singer said she had thought “an awful lot about blowing up the White House”.

Trump's Health Plan Would Convert Medicaid to Block Grants, Aide Says  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump's plan to replace the Affordable Care Act will propose giving each state a fixed amount of federal money in the form of a block grant to provide health care to low-income people on Medicaid …

Foreign Payments to Trump Firms Violate Constitution, Suit Will Claim  —  WASHINGTON — A team of prominent constitutional scholars, Supreme Court litigators and former White House ethics lawyers intends to file a lawsuit Monday morning alleging that President Trump is violating the Constitution …

Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich  —  Some of the wealthiest people in America—in Silicon Valley, New York, and beyond—are getting ready for the crackup of civilization.  —  Steve Huffman, the thirty-three-year-old co-founder and C.E.O. of Reddit, which is valued at six hundred million dollars …

Meet the ‘New Ted Cruz’  —  It was a sleepy Wednesday morning last June when Ted Cruz tipped his hand.  —  John McCain had sponsored an amendment to expand the FBI's online surveillance capabilities, and it was a no-brainer for the many devout constitutionalists on Cruz's Senate staff.

Trump's biggest donors consider abandoning new political arm  —  Tensions between President Donald Trump's senior political aides and a pair of his most important donors are threatening to upend plans for an outside political group expected to play a key role in advancing his agenda.

Dear team Trump,'alternative facts' are lies  —  Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM's radio's daily program “The Dean Obeidallah Show” and a columnist for The Daily Beast.  Follow him @TheDeansreport.  The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.