Feds monitored Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's phones  —  EDITOR'S NOTE: Earlier today, NBC News reported that there was a wiretap on the phones of Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime personal attorney, citing two separate sources with knowledge of the legal proceedings involving Cohen.

A Pruitt Aide's Attack on Zinke Angers the White House  —  As Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt faces a seemingly endless stream of scandal, his team is scrambling to divert the spotlight to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.  And the White House isn't happy about it.

House chaplain rescinds resignation after furor over his ouster by Ryan … The Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, the House chaplain who announced his resignation under pressure last month, informed Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) Thursday that he wanted to rescind his offer and remain in his position at least through the end of this year.

Special counsel Robert Mueller focusing sharply on links between Trump confidant Roger Stone and former campaign official Rick Gates, sources say  — Special counsel Robert Mueller is focusing intensely on alleged interactions between former top Trump campaign official Rick Gates and political operative Roger Stone.

Keeping your account secure  —  When you set a password for your Twitter account, we use technology that masks it so no one at the company can see it.  We recently identified a bug that stored passwords unmasked in an internal log.  We have fixed the bug, and our investigation shows no indication of breach or misuse by anyone.

Leak: The Atlantic Had A Meeting About Kevin Williamson.  It Was A Liberal Self-Reckoning.  —  In a staff meeting, Jeffrey Goldberg and Ta-Nehisi Coates discussed the hiring and firing of a conservative writer.  But it wound up being about a lot more than that.

Pruitt reimbursed himself $65,000 from Oklahoma attorney general campaign  —  Pruitt target of at least 11 federal probes  —  (CNN)A CNN analysis has found that embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt paid himself nearly $65,000 in reimbursements from his two campaigns …

Alan Dershowitz Hired as Harvey Weinstein Consultant  —  The Harvard Law professor is helping the embattled movie mogul get “exclupatory” emails from The Weinstein Co.  —  Alan Dershowitz may not want to jump aboard Donald Trump's legal team, but apparently, he has no qualms with advising Harvey Weinstein's legal team.

Ban assault weapons, buy them back, go after resisters: Ex-prosecutor in Congress  —  Ban assault weapons and buy them back.  It might cost $15 billion, but we can afford it.  Consider it an investment in our most important right, the right to live.  —  Gary Jackson never stood a chance.

Trump eyes Lewandowski for Kelly's job amid White House infighting  —  ‘MediaBuzz’ host Howard Kurtz weighs in on the possibility of Corey Lewandowski returning to the Trump team, perhaps as the next chief of staff.  —  There are growing whispers that if John Kelly is eased out or bails …

Blankenship goes after McConnell's ‘China family’ in new ad  —  West Virginia GOP Senate hopeful Don Blankenship is amping up his racial attacks on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with a new ad declaring, “Swamp captain Mitch McConnell has created millions of jobs for China people.”

Hysteria over Jade Helm exercise in Texas was fueled by Russians, former CIA director says  —  Gov. Greg Abbott's decision in 2015 to ask the Texas State Guard to monitor a federal military exercise prompted significant criticism.  A former CIA director said Wednesday that the move emboldened Russians to next target elections.

Rep. Tony Cárdenas denies lawsuit's allegations of child sex abuse in 2007  —  Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) identified himself as the subject of a lawsuit in Los Angeles County claiming a local politician sexually abused a 16-year-old girl in 2007, and he vehemently denied the allegations through his attorney.

Exclusive Audio: In New Memoir, Sen. John McCain Rests His Case  —  EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: John McCain Reads From ‘The Restless Wave’  —  Anyone who has followed the saga of Sen. John McCain or ever reacted with emotion to his words or actions will recognize the man speaking in this valedictory volume.

Trump Place Does Not Have to be a Forever Name, Judge Says  —  Over the opposition of lawyers for a company owned by President Donald J. Trump, State Supreme Court Judge Eileen Bransten ruled Thursday that a condominium on the Upper West Side could remove the bronze letters spelling out his name from its 46-story building.

A Criminal Gang Used a Drone Swarm To Obstruct an FBI Hostage Raid  —  And that's just one of the ways bad guys are putting drones to use, law enforcement officials say.  —  DENVER, Colorado — Last winter, on the outskirts of a large U.S. city, an FBI Hostage Rescue Team set …

Charlie Rose's misconduct was widespread at CBS and three managers were warned, investigation finds … Incidents of sexual misconduct by Charlie Rose were far more numerous than previously known, according to a new investigation by The Washington Post, which also found three occasions …

A New Book On Hillary Clinton Has Reporters Angry At The New York Times  —  Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images  —  At a book party Tuesday evening, reporters and editors at the New York Times toasted the publication of Chasing Hillary, a rollicking new memoir by Amy Chozick …

Neil Cavuto Calls Out Trump on His Pattern of False Statements: 'Mr. President, That's Your Swamp'  —  During a monologue on his Fox News show Thursday, Neil Cavuto called out President Donald Trump for railing against “fake news” while constantly giving them ammunition with his inconsistent and often contradictory statements.

Dems +8 On House Ballot  —  McConnell, Schumer, Ryan, Pelosi viewed negatively  —  West Long Branch, NJ - Democrats hold an 8 point lead over Republicans in the generic House ballot as public opinion on the new tax reform law continues to be divided.  The Monmouth University Poll also finds …