Stopping Robert Mueller to protect us all  —  The “deep state” is in a deep state of desperation.  With little time left before the Justice Department inspector general's report becomes public, and with special counsel Robert Mueller  —  having failed to bring down Donald Trump

Trump Grappling With Risks of Proceeding With North Korea Meeting  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump, increasingly concerned that his summit meeting in Singapore next month with North Korea's leader could turn into a political embarrassment, has begun pressing his aides and allies about whether …

RNC paid nearly half a million dollars to law firm representing Hope Hicks and others in Russia probes … The Republican National Committee paid nearly half a million dollars to a law firm that represents former White House communications director Hope Hicks and others in the Russia investigations, according to a new federal filing.

A Border Patrol agent detained two U.S. citizens at a gas station after hearing them speak Spanish … A Montana woman said she plans to take legal action after a Border Patrol agent detained and questioned her and a friend — both U.S. citizens — when he overheard them speaking Spanish at a gas station.

The China bargain emerges  —  You could almost hear the markets breathe a sigh of relief this morning when Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced an armistice in the trade war.  —  Between the lines: This was basically foreseeable.  A few weeks ago, Axios had a story headlined …

Paul Ryan's House is collapsing, and if the chaos keeps accelerating it could force him out of the speakership before his planned graceful exit at the end of the year:  —  The state of play: A group of about 20 moderate Republicans are threatening to help Democrats force a vote on a DACA bill.

The Mississippi Man Tried Six Times for the Same Crime  —  One morning nearly 22 years ago, four employees of a furniture store in a small Mississippi town were shot to death.  For months afterward, local law-enforcement seemed stumped by the crime.  Eventually, the top prosecutor …

Mario Batali Under Criminal Investigation For Sexual Misconduct: NYPD  —  Police confirm they're investigating the disgraced celebrity chef.  —  Mario Batali, the world-famous chef and restaurateur who has been accused by at least 11 women of sexual misconduct, is the subject …

Thanks, Meghan Markle, We Needed That  —  We went to church on Saturday, all of us, and caught the Meghan and Harry spirit.  —  This American girl tried to avoid it as best she could.  Yes, I'm biracial like Meghan Markle, black like Meghan Markle, but I told myself I would watch …

Hillary Clinton tells Yale seniors they need resiliency to meet democratic ‘crisis’  —  NEW HAVEN — The Yale University class of 2018 has prepared itself to meet the challenges facing American democracy, and it will need that resilience to take on those who would divide the country …

An Email Referring To ‘Collusion’ Sheds Light On Cambridge Prof's Interactions With Trump Aide  —  Last July, Cambridge professor Stefan Halper contacted Carter Page with something resembling support for the Trump campaign aide, who has faced allegations that he is a Russian agent and a conduit …

How the Trump family sold U.S. foreign policy to the highest bidder  —  Today marks the 16-month anniversary of Donald Trump becoming the 45th president of the United States, and nowhere has our unlikeliest commander-in-chief placed a greater stamp on America's place in the world than his dramatic …

Stormy Daniels's lawyer is a media star.  So why is he threatening journalists?  —  Ever since the story broke in March over President Trump's lawyer paying hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels, her hard-charging lawyer has been everywhere.  —  Michael Avenatti has fed stories to major publications …

CNN RELIABLE SOURCES  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  [11:00:09] BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST: Hey, I'm Brian Stelter.  And it's time for RELIABLE SOURCES.  This is our weekly look at the story behind the story, of how the media really works, how the news gets made.

China is the greatest, growing threat to America  —  China has outlined strategies for 2018, 2025 and 2050 all designed to displace the United States as the dominant global economic and national security superpower.  —  Why it matters: While America dawdles and bickers, China is thinking long-term — and acting now, everywhere.