Some Trump Lawyers Wanted Kushner Out  —  Aides, worried about complications arising from Russia probe, drafted statement explaining departure  —  Some of President Donald Trump's lawyers earlier this summer concluded that Jared Kushner should step down as senior White House adviser …

McConnell Says Democrats' Glee on Debt Limit Deal Was Premature  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Mitch McConnell thinks Democrats were a tad premature in exuberantly celebrating the surprise spending deal they struck last week with President Trump.  —  “Let's put it this way,” Mr. McConnell …

Exclusive: Hillary Clinton says Trump associates helped Russia meddle in the 2016 election  —  In a candid, angry new book, Hillary Clinton relives her stunning defeat to Donald Trump.  She admits personal mistakes, but also lays blame on Former FBI Director James Comey.  (Sept. 8) AP  —  CONNECT

Exclusive: Russia Used Facebook Events to Organize Anti-Immigrant Rallies on U.S. Soil … Russian operatives hiding behind false identities used Facebook's event management tool to remotely organize and promote political protests in the U.S., including an August 2016 anti-immigrant …

Laura Ingraham set to take over Fox News' 10 p.m. slot  —  Laura Ingraham, the radio host and Fox News commentator, is about to become a prime time host on the conservative cable network.  —  Ingraham is expected to take over the 10 p.m. hour on Fox News, according to people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

John Kelly fires back at Democrat who called him ‘disgrace to the uniform’  —  EXCLUSIVE: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly fired back at a prominent House Democrat who called him a “disgrace to the uniform,” in the Gold Star father and retired Marine Corps general's first public response to the personal attack on his service.

Houston's Floodwaters Are Tainted With Toxins, Testing Shows  —  HOUSTON — Floodwaters in two Houston neighborhoods have been contaminated with bacteria and toxins that can make people sick, testing organized by The New York Times has found.  Residents will need to take precautions …

After nine months, federal offices are still waiting to hang Trump's picture  —  In the lobby of every federal building, just inside security turnstiles and before the elevator banks, a framed photograph of the president has always hung on the wall.  —  Not so, anymore.

Trump Plans Aggressive Road Show to Sell Tax Overhaul  —  White House retools communications operation for tax battle  —  President may visit as many as 13 states in next seven weeks  —  Follow @bpolitics for all the latest news, and sign up for our daily Balance of Power newsletter.

After an earthquake and a hurricane — and Trump's failure to send condolences — Mexico rescinds offer of aid to U.S.  —  President Enrique Peña Nieto talks to survivors in the city of Juchitan after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake killed at least 95 people in Mexico.

A background check before voting?  Kobach-led commission will consider proposal  —  President Donald Trump's controversial voting commission will weigh a proposal Tuesday about requiring a background check before a person can register to vote — similar to buying a gun.

Feinstein's Anti-Catholic Questions Are an Outrage  —  Democrats are usually unforgiving of religious attacks, such as the one the senator leveled on a judicial nominee last week.  —  Senator Dianne Feinstein owes a public apology to judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett — and an explanation to all Americans who condemn religious bias.

How Russia quietly undercuts sanctions intended to stop North Korea's nuclear program  —  Russian smugglers are scurrying to the aid of North Korea with shipments of petroleum and other vital supplies that could help that country weather harsh new economic sanctions, U.S. officials …

Russian politician says on live TV that Russia stole U.S. presidency  —  Russian politician Vyacheslav Nikonov, a member of the Duma, said U.S. “intelligence missed it when Russian intelligence stole the president of the United States.”  He made the remarks on a Russian panel show, “Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov.”

Why does Steve Bannon wear all his shirts at once?  —  The former White House chief strategist appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday in his favourite look - two shirts on top of each other, plus a blazer for added warmth … teve Bannon may have left the White House, but his wardrobe - much like his politics - continues to trouble us.

Lawyer says extradition of oligarch tied to Trump campaign chief imminent  —  Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash could be extradited “within weeks,” his lawyer said Monday.  (GEORGES SCHNEIDER/AFP/Getty Images)  —  Billionaire Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash is at “great risk” …

Tillerson State Dept. Demanding Israel Hand Back Millions in U.S. Military Aid  —  State Dept., White House at odds over demand  —  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been pushing the Trump White House to demand that Israel give back to the United States millions of dollars in military aid …

Rand Paul: Why we must repeal the 16-year-old Authorization for the Use of Military Force  —  Article will continue after advertisement  —  As Congress takes up the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will insist it vote on my amendment to sunset the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force.

Senate approves resolution condemning white supremacist groups  —  The Senate easily passed a resolution on Monday condemning white supremacist organizations and urging President Trump to speak out against hate groups.  —  The resolution — introduced last week by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) …

Cruz spokeswoman: ‘Offensive post’ removed after senator's Twitter account likes pornographic post  —  A spokeswoman for Sen. Ted Cruz announced early Tuesday morning that a “like” on a pornographic post on the Texas lawmaker's Twitter account has been undone and reported to the social media site.

Kaine hits the trail again, battling 2016 ghosts on his way  —  An aide to Tim Kaine enters a diner in Charlottesville and informs the host that the Virginia senator is about to walk in.  The host smiles and cracks a joke: “You mean the guy who lost to Trump?”

Public university washes away conservative group's 9/11 chalk memorial  —  Like many, Cleveland State University's Turning Point USA chapter wanted to recognize the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.  So members of the pro-capitalist student group gathered Sunday evening …