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 …

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 …

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?”

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 …

How the Trump Administration Stepped Up Pursuit of WikiLeaks's Assange  —  WASHINGTON — Soon after he took over as C.I.A. director, Mike Pompeo privately told lawmakers about a new target for American spies: Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks.  —  Intent on finding out more about Mr …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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.

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.

39 suspected gang members charged in major drug, gun trafficking investigation in Pasco  —  One suspect charged for having pipe bombs  —  PASCO Co., Fla. — We're learning about the nearly 40 gang members cuffed and jailed in a big investigation unfolding in the Tampa Bay area.

Decorated Navy SEAL Is Accused of War Crimes in Iraq  —  NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO — Edward Gallagher was something special, even by the punishing standards of the Navy SEALs.  Both a lifesaving medic and a crack sniper, he was repeatedly decorated for valor and for coolheaded leadership during 19 years of combat deployments.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

The NRA Doesn't Seem So Invincible Anymore  —  Friendly terrain is shrinking, and the culture is changing.  —  If you do a Google search of “NRA” and “political juggernaut,” you can keep yourself reading for days.  Like other cliches, the National Rifle Association's enormous power …

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.

‘Nelson has no path’: Democrats admit Scott beats Florida icon  —  Sen. Bill Nelson has run out of time, run out of favorable court rulings and is about to officially run out of votes.  —  After losing to Gov. Rick Scott on Election Day, losing after an automatic recount and appearing …

Rep. Mia Love pulls ahead of Democrat Ben McAdams as judge dismisses her lawsuit  —  Rep. Mia Love (R) pulled ahead of Democrat Ben McAdams in the vote count Friday in Utah's 4th Congressional District, a positive twist for the GOP lawmaker's campaign hours after a judge separately dismissed …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …