CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi's assassination  —  The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month, contradicting the Saudi government's claims that he was not involved in the killing …

Abrams ends Georgia governor bid, says she'll file lawsuit  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Democrat Stacey Abrams ended 10 days of post-election drama in Georgia's closely watched and even more closely contested race for governor Friday, acknowledging Republican Brian Kemp as the victor while defiantly refusing …

Is Mike Pence Loyal?  Trump is Asking, Despite His Recent Endorsement  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump's post-midterm election news conference at the White House last week took a surprising turn when a reporter asked about locking down his 2020 ticket.  —  “Mike, will you be my running mate?”

Lou Dobbs Loses His Mind After CNN Defeats White House Over Acosta's Press Access  —  Once again, the pro-Trump host openly contradicts his own network bosses, bashing CNN's win against the White House as ‘outrageous.’  —  Minutes after a federal judge ordered the White House …

I Found the Best Burger Place in America.  And Then I Killed It.  —  n my office, I have a coffee mug from Stanich's in Portland, Oregon.  Under the restaurant name, it says “Great hamburgers since 1949.”  The mug was given to me by Steve Stanich on the day I told him that …

“I dont feel comfortable being a Republican anymore” |  Skullduggery on acast  —  In this episode of Skullduggery, co-hosts Michael Isikoff and Dan Klaidman sit down for an exclusive and highly sought after interview with George T. Conway III, husband to the Counselor of the President, Kellyanne Conway.

John Kelly makes final bid to save Kirstjen Nielsen's job  —  White House chief of staff John Kelly is fighting to save Kirstjen Nielsen, the Homeland Security chief at whom President Donald Trump has lashed out for the rise in border apprehensions over the past several months.

Trump to meet with Florida's Bondi as he searches for new attorney general  —  WASHINGTON  —  President Donald Trump will meet with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — who is on his short list be his next attorney general — while he vacations at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach …

Michael Avenatti Never Should've Been a Resistance Hero  —  I can't say I was surprised when Michael Avenatti was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence on Wednesday.  It's not that he seems like someone who'd assault a romantic partner.  For one thing, that's not something …

House Democrats to Step Up Probe of Trump-Russia Ties  —  Intelligence panel's Adam Schiff wants to learn more about a deceased GOP activist who sought Hillary Clinton's private emails  —  WASHINGTON—House Democrats, poised to reactivate a probe of President Trump's campaign ties to Russia …

U.S. Marshals Service spending millions on DeVos security in unusual arrangement  —  The cost to taxpayers could be as much as $19.8 million through next year, according to figures provided to NBC News.  —  WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos began receiving around-the-clock security …

Two Years In, Trump Struggles to Master Role of Military Commander  —  WASHINGTON — He canceled a trip to a cemetery in France where American soldiers from World War I are buried.  He did not go to the observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day.  He has not visited American troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Navy SEAL charged with murder, shooting at noncombatants  —  (CNN)Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher is being charged by the Navy with stabbing and murdering a wounded person, shooting at noncombatants, posing for a photo and performing his re-enlistment ceremony next to a dead body.

Mark Meadows, Ruben Kihuen sanctioned over sexual harassment-related allegations  —  The House Ethics Committee has formally sanctioned two members — GOP Rep. Mark Meadows (N.C.) and Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen (Nev.) — over sexual harassment-related allegations, the latest sign that fallout …

Top police official seeking Trump job reversed position on criminal justice bill  —  President Donald Trump is considering a top national police official to be his director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an appointment that critics say could be a potential reward …

Why 536 was ‘the worst year to be alive’  —  Ask medieval historian Michael McCormick what year was the worst to be alive, and he's got an answer: “536.”  Not 1349, when the Black Death wiped out half of Europe.  Not 1918, when the flu killed 50 million to 100 million people, mostly young adults.

Here's what a primary challenge to Trump would accomplish  —  “I think we have to go all out.  I think this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part!”  — Otter, from 1978's “Animal House”  —  I confess that, for months now …

Melania Trump racked up $174,000 in hotel bills for a day trip to Toronto  —  US first lady Melania Trump ran up a six-figure hotel bill for a one-day trip to Toronto last year, according to federal spending records.  —  Government spending data show at least six separate Toronto hotel charges ranging …

Trump legal team balks at Mueller's questions on post-2016 election activity  —  Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump and his legal team have taken issue with some of the questions from special counsel Robert Mueller that cover the transition period after the 2016 election …

Progressives back Pelosi for speaker — in return for more power  —  It wasn't a coincidence that moments after Nancy Pelosi promised progressive House leaders more power in the next Congress, a host of liberal groups announced they were supporting her for speaker.

I'm fine with women in power, just not this one specific woman currently in power  —  The first thing I need to make clear is that I love and support women.  I am eager to see more women rise to positions of power.  Hashtag pink wave!  Hashtag pink hat!  —  But I have to say …

For First Act in Power, Democrats Consider Making Their Own Agenda Impossible to Pass  —  This week, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi unveiled a list of new procedural rules that her caucus intends to implement when the next Congress is seated.  Most of these measures are unobjectionable “good government” reforms.

Setting the Record Straight on Regarding My Facebook Work  —  Setting the Record Straight Regarding My Facebook Work  —  Over the past 48 hours I've had some extremely serious accusations leveled against my integrity and my work.  So I want to be upfront about this and share my personal thoughts.

Top Cheney Aide in Mueller's Sights as Probe Expands  —  Mueller's investigators have examined an array of operatives with ties to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE—including John Hannah, Dick Cheney's former national security adviser.  —  Dick Cheney's former top national security aide …

Basta La Vista, Baby  —  D  —  ear Reader (And especially Martha McSally's dog),  —  As I often note, I increasingly tend to see the political scene as a scripted reality show in which the writers don't flesh out the dialogue so much as move characters into weird, wacky, confrontational, or embarrassing positions.

Iran to Be Declared in Breach of Chemical Weapons Bans  —  Sources: Trump admin will announce Iran in breach for first time  —  The Trump administration is set to announce that Iran is not in compliance with the Chemical Weapons Conventions, marking a significant departure …

Russians impersonating U.S. State Department aide in hacking campaign: researchers  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hackers linked to the Russian government are impersonating U.S. State Department employees in an operation aimed at infecting computers of U.S. government agencies, think tanks and businesses, two cybersecurity firms told Reuters.