Trump Punishes Longtime Aide After Angry Phoenix Speech, Sources Say  —  George Gigicos removed as president's rally organizer  —  Sparse crowd put Trump in foul mood before delivering remarks  —  Donald Trump was in a bad mood before he emerged for a confrontational speech in Arizona last week.

Mueller Team Asking If Trump Tried to Hide Purpose of Trump Tower Meeting  —  WASHINGTON — Federal investigators working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller are keenly focused on President Donald Trump's role in crafting a response to a published article about a meeting between Russians …

Trump Associate Boasted That Moscow Deal ‘Will Get Donald Elected’  —  WASHINGTON — A business associate of President Trump promised in 2015 to engineer a real estate deal with the aid of the president of Russia, Vladimir V. Putin, that he said would help Mr. Trump win the presidency.

Lurid Trump allegations made by Louise Mensch and co-writer came from hoaxer … Explosive allegations about Donald Trump made by online writers with large followings among Trump critics were based on bogus information from a hoaxer who falsely claimed to work in law enforcement.

Amid Harvey havoc, northeastern politicos sourly recall Texas “no” votes on Sandy aid  —  Several members of Congress from New York and New Jersey remain resentful over Texas Republicans that voted against a Hurricane Sandy aid package in 2013.  —  WASHINGTON - Many New Yorkers …

Joel Osteen shuts megachurch amid flooding crisis … Televangelist Joel Osteen cancelled services at his Houston megachurch Sunday and has yet to reopen its doors — despite the fact that thousands of flooded-out residents are desperately seeking shelter.  —  The perpetually smiling pastor …

Joe Arpaio may challenge Jeff Flake for Arizona Senate seat: Exclusive  —  After receiving President Trump's first pardon, Joe Arpaio's plans have gone from possible prison to book-writing, speeches and potentially another run for office in Arizona, with Sen. Jeff Flake's seat one opportunity he is eyeing.

Trump unusually silent after aides challenge him  —  President Donald Trump is not happy with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, for publicly criticizing his response to violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Republican floats measure to kill Mueller probe after 6 months  —  Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is pushing an amendment to severely curtail special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.  —  DeSantis has put forward a provision that would halt funding …

Trump says ‘all options on table’ after North Korea launches missile over Japan  —  Sirens blare over Japan after North Korea missile  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Tokyo (CNN)US President Donald Trump has warned that “all options are on the table” after North Korea launched a missile over Japan early Tuesday.

Rep. Duncan Hunter gives President Trump a profane compliment  —  Rep. Duncan Hunter in his Rayburn office in January.  (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call)  —  Rep. Duncan Hunter, one of Donald Trump's first allies in Congress, described the president in profane terms to a group of Republicans on Friday …

How to Get Out of the Iran Nuclear Deal  —  Although candidate Donald Trump repeatedly criticized Barack Obama's Iran nuclear agreement, his administration has twice decided to remain in the deal.  It so certified to Congress, most recently in July, as required by law.

Too Much Of A Good Thing?  Candidate Glut Means Primary-palooza For House Dems  —  Katie Porter and Dave Min are the type of candidates House Democrats dreamed of recruiting in past cycles.  Both are Harvard-educated law professors with impressive biographies, connections to powerful lawmakers and strong fundraising capabilities.

Bannon wages war against Trump-backed candidate in Alabama  —  Just-departed White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is breaking from President Donald Trump in the closely watched Alabama Senate special election.  —  During a closed-door meeting with powerful conservatives in Washington last week …

After melees, Berkeley mayor asks Cal to cancel right-wing Free Speech Week  —  In the aftermath of a right-wing rally Sunday that ended with anarchists chasing attendees from a downtown park, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin urged UC Berkeley on Monday to cancel conservatives' plans …

Next stop for Trump dossier probe: the FBI  —  In late July, the Justice Department refused a request from the Senate Judiciary Committee — a bipartisan, joint request from Chairman Charles Grassley and Ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein — to make two top FBI officials available for an interview …

Police: 2 dead, 4 injured in shooting at Clovis library  —  CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) - Two people are dead and four others are injured after a gunman opened fire just after 4 p.m. at the Clovis-Carver Public Library Tuesday.  —  Police say the young man they have in custody surrendered without a fight.

How the Swamp Sold Its Soul to Donald Trump  —  “Your heart tells you that he's bad for the country,” one Republican strategist said.  “Your head looks at polling data.”  —  “From a personal standpoint, I think this president f**king sucks.  He's not even a Republican,” …