George W. Bush's unmistakable takedown of Trumpism — and Trump  —  For the past nine years, George W. Bush has largely stayed out of presidential politics; he declined to criticize his successor, Barack Obama, and he chose not to endorse but largely ignored President Trump.

McCain: Administration not being up front about Niger attack  —  McCain reacts to Trump comment on Kelly's son  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  (CNN)Sen. John McCain argued Wednesday that the Trump administration is not being forthcoming about the attack in Niger that left four US soldiers dead and two wounded.

Trump is thrashing around in a straitjacket of GOP lies  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  It is common enough for lawmakers to set policy goals and devise talking points that are designed to build a case for them.  But in the battle over President Trump's ongoing sabotage of Obamacare …

Kelly Speaks About Son's Death and Criticizes Congresswoman Wilson  —  WASHINGTON — John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, delivered an emotional, personal defense of President Trump's call this week to the widow of a slain soldier, describing the trauma of learning about his own son's death …

Senators Demand Online Ad Disclosures as Tech Lobby Mobilizes  —  WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain and two Democratic senators will move on Thursday to force Facebook, Google and other internet companies to disclose who is purchasing online political advertising, after revelations …

Trump gives his team a ‘10’ for its Puerto Rico hurricane response  —  President Donald Trump on Thursday gave the federal government the highest marks for its response to the hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico.  —  “I'd say it was a 10,” the president, who sat beside Puerto Rico …

Florida Democrat Wilson no friend of veterans, vote record shows  —  The Florida Democrat who criticized President Donald Trump this week for being “insensitive” toward the widow of a U.S. soldier slain in Africa might be facing similar criticism herself.  —  It turns out that U.S …

Signaling Frustration, Senior House Republican Plans to Quit Early  —  In a sign of mounting frustration among Republicans in Washington, Representative Pat Tiberi of Ohio, a senior lawmaker with close ties to his party's leaders, is expected to resign and take up an executive post …

Trump just publicly accused the FBI of having conspired against him  —  The tweet is not only false, but creepily authoritarian.  —  As president, Donald Trump is in charge of the FBI.  Which makes it incredibly striking that, in a Thursday morning tweet, Trump accused the bureau …

LEAKED MEMO REVEALS WHITE HOUSE WISH LIST  —  Since federal courts first enjoined President Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban, lawyers for his administration have been at pains to insist that anti-Muslim animus is not a driving force of policymaking in his government.

Gotta catch 'em all: Secret Service nabs Pikachu-dressed man at WH  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)A man dressed as the Pokémon character Pikachu attempted to infiltrate the White House Tuesday morning before he was caught by Secret Service officers manning the perimeter, authorities said.

A Cub Scout questioned a Colorado state senator at a meeting.  Now he's been kicked out of his den.  —  Sen. Vicki Marble spoke to Broomfield scouts last week  —  A Cub Scout in Broomfield has been kicked out of his den, allegedly for asking pointed questions of a Colorado state senator at meeting organized by the Boy Scouts.

Why rumors of a Gorsuch-Kagan clash at the Supreme Court are such a bombshell.  —  Following his nomination to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch was packaged by his wealthy benefactors as the judicial equivalent of a carrot cake: mild and wholesome with the occasional hint of spice.

Steve Bannon's Motley Crew of Challengers  —  One is fresh out of prison.  Another held a town hall to discuss ‘chemtrail’ theories.  —  Steve Bannon, the failed presidential adviser and alt-right sympathizer, has declared war on incumbent Republicans, particularly Sen. Mitch McConnell.

In the military, trusted officers have become alleged assailants in sex crimes  —  The Army is grappling with a resurgence of cases in which troops responsible for preventing sexual assault have been accused of rape and related crimes, undercutting the Pentagon's claims that it is making progress against sexual violence in the ranks.

Trump Isn't Hitler.  But the Lying ...  It is a commonly accepted rule among those who are in the business of argument, especially online, that he or she who invokes Adolf Hitler, either in oratory or essays, automatically forfeits the argument.  —  The reference is deemed far too extreme …

Brennan: Trump Aides May Need to Talk Him Out of War  —  Former CIA Director John Brennan, noting that President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with North Korea to a dangerous level, said Thursday that Cabinet members and other senior officials may need to step in as “governors” over the president to prevent war.

Declining NFL Television Ratings Presented at Meetings Grabbed Attention of Owners  — In the background of the meeting with players about the anthem protests was the issue of a potentially shrinking audience and what could be done to solve it - Other sections include: Adrian Peterson's fit in Arizona …

Shakeup at Democratic National Committee, Longtime Officials Ousted  —  WASHINGTON — A shakeup is underway at the Democratic National Committee as several key longtime officials have lost their posts, exposing a still-raw rift in the party and igniting anger among those in its progressive wing …