Intimidation, Pressure and Humiliation: Inside Trump's Two-Year War on the Investigations Encircling Him  —  President Trump's efforts have exposed him to accusations of obstruction of justice as Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, finishes his work.

AP source: FBI had backup plan to save Russia probe evidence  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI developed a backup plan to protect evidence in its Russia investigation soon after the firing of FBI Director James Comey in the event that other senior officials were dismissed as well, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.

Bernie Sanders Hires Top Progressive Advocate, Faiz Shakir, as Campaign Manager  —  For his second run at the White House, the Senator is leaning on one of the most-seasoned progressives in the party.  —  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has tapped Faiz Shakir to serve as his campaign manager …

CNN Staffers ‘Demoralized’ by Hiring of GOP Operative Sarah Isgur to Edit 2020 Coverage  —  The former Jeff Sessions flack has zero journalistic experience and yet she is tasked with guiding CNN's 2020 reporting.  CNN staffers and media critics alike are not pleased.

Why Mueller tucked a big Roger Stone reveal in a Russia filing on a technical matter  —  Mueller says Stone communicated with WikiLeaks and the GRU.  He could be holding back charges for strategic reasons.  That's what I did as a prosecutor.  —  CONNECT11  —  TWEET11  —  COMMENT11  —  EMAIL11

Trump administration launches global effort to end criminalization of homosexuality  —  The administration is responding in part to a reported hanging of a young gay man in Iran, Trump's top geopolitical foe.  —  BERLIN — The Trump administration is launching a global campaign to end …

Police: Tip that Smollett, 2 brothers together in elevator  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police are investigating a tip that on the night “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett reported being attacked by two masked men he was in an elevator of his apartment building with two brothers later arrested …

Flynn-backed plan to transfer nuclear tech to Saudis may have broken laws, say whistleblowers  —  Investigators fear President Trump is still considering the plan, which was pushed by Flynn and Trump friend Tom Barrack.  —  WASHINGTON — Whistleblowers from within President Donald Trump's …

Justice Clarence Thomas Calls for Reconsideration of Landmark Libel Ruling  —  WASHINGTON — Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday called for the Supreme Court to reconsider New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark 1964 ruling interpreting the First Amendment to make it hard for public officials to prevail in libel suits.

I'm not proud of role I've played in toxic public debate.  I plan to change.  —  Whether it is the Covington controversy or the abortion debate, it's critical to remember that people are not the sum of their worst moments in life.  —  CONNECT11  —  TWEET11  —  COMMENT11  —  EMAIL11  —  MORE11

Egypt Turns Back Veteran New York Times Reporter  —  CAIRO — Egyptian officials detained a New York Times correspondent after he arrived in Cairo on Monday, holding him incommunicado for hours before forcing him onto a flight back to London without explanation.

Larry Hogan says Trump looks “pretty weak” for 2020 general election  —  Maryland's Republican Gov. Larry Hogan says that while President Trump is likely to fend off a GOP primary challenger, he may be vulnerable in the general election against the eventual Democratic nominee.

Hill Democrats say Education Dept. tried to interfere in probe, remove investigator  —  Democrats say they've seen evidence of “troubling efforts” to influence investigation of Education Secretary DeVos.  —  WASHINGTON — House and Senate Democrats say they have obtained evidence …

Reihan Salam poised to bring Manhattan Institute to new highs  —  Our favorite think tank, the Manhattan Institute, just got a new president: the brilliant, heterodox writer Reihan Salam.  —  Born and bred in Brooklyn and a graduate of the city's public schools, he's an excellent choice …

Emails reveal coordination between Chao, McConnell offices  —  A trove of more than 800 pages of emails sheds new light on the working relationship between Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of the most potent power couples in Washington …

Federal Government to Cancel Funds for California High-Speed Rail  —  Trump administration halts $928 million in aid; Gov. Newsom calls move ‘retribution’ over wall suit  —  WASHINGTON—The Trump administration said Tuesday it would cancel almost $1 billion in funding for the California …

Trump grows frustrated with Coats, leading some to fear he might be fired  —  President Trump has grown increasingly disenchanted with Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, who has served as the nation's top intelligence official for nearly two years, leading some administration officials …

Understanding Shifts in Democratic Party Ideology  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — With progressives in the Democratic Party flexing newfound strength in Washington and launching credible campaigns for the 2020 presidential nomination, the party is confronting new questions about who it is and what it stands for.

Kirsten Gillibrand Interrupted By Woman Who Just Needs Ranch Dressing  —  While campaigning in an Iowa restaurant, presidential hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand received an unusual but urgent request from a constituent, one that will surely shape the 2020 election and the fate of the nation in general.