Sanctions Flap Erupts Into Open Conflict Between Haley and White House  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump was watching television on Sunday when he saw Nikki R. Haley, his ambassador to the United Nations, announce that he would impose fresh sanctions on Russia.

Hannity's rising role in Trump's world: ‘He basically has a desk in the place’  —  The phone calls between President Trump and Sean Hannity come early in the morning or late at night, after the Fox News host goes off the air.  They discuss ideas for Hannity's show, Trump's frustration …

‘One last time’: Barbara Bush had already faced a death more painful than her own … Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday, said she didn't fear death.  That may be because the 92-year-old former first lady faced it before, in the hardest way imaginable.  —  In 1953, soon after George H.W. Bush …

Tammie Jo Shults, Southwest Pilot: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know  —  Tammie Jo Shults is the pilot who bravely flew Southwest Flight 1380 to safety after part of its left engine ripped off, damaging a window and nearly sucking a woman out of the plane.  The flight was en route to Dallas Love airport …

Mattis Wanted Congressional Approval Before Striking Syria.  He Was Overruled.  —  WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged President Trump to get congressional approval before the United States launched airstrikes against Syria last week, but was overruled by Mr. Trump …

The Supreme Court just handed the Trump administration a loss on immigration — and Gorsuch was the tiebreaking vote  — The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that part of a federal law that makes it easier to deport immigrants convicted of crimes is too vague.

Stormy Daniels' Penthouse Reveal: Plans to Donate $130K to Planned Parenthood in Trump and Cohen's Names … In addition to her 60 Minutes sit-down with Anderson Cooper and appearance on The View this morning, Stormy Daniels will grace the cover of Penthouse magazine.

GOP alarmed by tax law's falling poll numbers, privately blame Trump  —  President Trump is undermining voter support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with erratic messaging after it was gaining popularity, alarming Republicans counting on the law to save the party's vulnerable House majority.

CIA Director Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Easter weekend … CIA Director Mike Pompeo made a top-secret visit to North Korea over Easter weekend as an envoy for President Trump to meet with that country's leader, Kim Jong Un, according to two people with direct knowledge of the trip.

Mike Pence's “Art of the Deal”  —  What was most surprising about President Trump's irritation with Vice President Mike Pence's pick for national security adviser is how rarely the two men betray any friction.  —  Why it matters: No one inside the White House has navigated Trump and the watch …

Handful of House Republicans mobilize to protect Mueller  —  A small band of House Republicans has suddenly backed a bill to prevent President Donald Trump from unilaterally firing special counsel Robert Mueller — giving some bipartisan life to a measure that has largely been shunned by GOP leaders.

The Hill says goodbye to 50 Most Beautiful  —  After nearly 15 years, The Hill is bidding a beautiful bye-bye to its annual 50 Most Beautiful list.  —  While it's had a remarkably gorgeous run, The Hill team feels the time has come for 50 Most Beautiful to be added to that big, beautiful list in the sky.

Trump's trade rep spends $1M on new furniture, blames Obama  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump's trade representative is spending nearly $1 million on new furniture — and blaming the Obama administration.  —  US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spent more than $917,000 to furnish …

Comey: ‘The Republican Party has left me and many others’  —  Former FBI Director James Comey was a registered Republican for most of his life, but now he believes “the Republican Party has left me and many others.”  —  “I just think they've lost their way and I can't be associated with it …

Why There Is No ‘Liberal Tea Party’  —  Mr. Grossmann hosts the podcast Political Research Digest.  Mr. Hopkins blogs about politics at Honest Graft.  —  In October 2015, John Boehner was driven from office by right-wing members of his own caucus.  His successor, Paul Ryan …

Ingraham's ratings spike a wake-up for advertisers  —  Fox News Channel has figured out that if it caves to social media pressure and advertiser boycotts, it will soon have no shows left in its lineup.  FNC's co-president, Jack Abernethy, recently provided a public statement in support …

Tennessee lawmakers punish Memphis for removing statues  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Republican-dominated House in Tennessee voted Tuesday to punish the city of Memphis for removing Confederate monuments by taking $250,000 away from the city that would have been used for a bicentennial celebration next year.

Trump, Cohen and Attorney-Client Privilege  —  The protection has limits, but is it worth testing them over a possible campaign-finance offense?  —  Who'd have dreamed that with all the horrors committed by Bashar Assad, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, the small change of American political discourse …

Here's Why Congressman Blake Farenthold Resigned So Abruptly  —  He was about to get some bad news.  —  WASHINGTON It's been a mystery why former Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) abruptly resigned earlier this month.  —  But HuffPost has new details on what happened.

Joy Reid Is Quietly, Steadily, Stealthily Changing the Game for Women on TV  —  The federal government has been shut down for 35 hours, 5 minutes, and 58 seconds.  But Joy Reid is hard at work.  As the shutdown time ticks away on an onscreen countdown clock, she checks her phone and lets loose a long, sibilant “Yessss!”

Four U.S. senators seek details on unusual cellular surveillance in D.C. area  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four U.S. senators on Wednesday urged the U.S. Homeland Security Department (DHS) to disclose additional information about unusual cellular surveillance activity that has been detected around the nation's capital.

Putin Still Wants Deal With Trump, Even After Sanctions, Syria Attack  —  Russian president orders officials to curb anti-U.S. rhetoric  —  Lawmakers pull draft law that would have penalized U.S. firms  —  After U.S. sanctions crippled an entire Russian industry and air strikes …

Controversy over Jacksonville store's display of military flags caught on camera  —  Video shows city inspector getting in face of veteran at Jaguar Power Sports  —  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Jacksonville city inspector walked into a Cedar Hills Estate business to issue a warning citation …

Freedom Caucus seeks to make McCarthy pay to become speaker  —  The Freedom Caucus is prepared to exact a price from Kevin McCarthy if he wants to be the next speaker of the House — three years after foiling his first bid for the job.  —  A POLITICO survey of about 20 of the conservative …

European Parliament backs report critical of Selmayr appointment  —  Re-running process would give other candidates a chance, assembly says.  —  STRASBOURG — The European Parliament voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of a report criticizing Martin Selmayr's appointment …