EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Johnny Isakson Stands Up for McCain; Unloads on Trump  —  Georgia's senior senator gives the president a “whipping.”  —  Later today Sen. Johnny Isakson will call out President Trump for his continued disparagement of John McCain.  The chairman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee …

Former Trump confidante Hope Hicks to cooperate with House Democratic probe into Trump  —  (CNN)Hope Hicks, the former White House communications director and long-time confidante of President Donald Trump, plans to turn over documents to the House Judiciary Committee as part of its investigation into potential obstruction of justice.

Bevin exposed his 9 kids to chickenpox, says vaccine not for everyone  —  In a move experts say is medically unsound — and can be dangerous — Gov. Matt Bevin said in a radio interview Tuesday that he deliberately exposed all nine of his children to chickenpox so they would catch the disease and become immune.

Kellyanne Conway defends Trump after he attacked her husband  —  Kellyanne Conway on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump's attacks on her husband George Conway saying he's “a counterpuncher” and asserting that the president is free to respond when he's accused of having a mental illness.

Two mystery parties try to restrict release of documents in Jeffrey Epstein civil suit  —  Two mysterious parties, labeling themselves Jane Doe and John Doe, have filed separate legal briefs in an attempt to limit the public release of personal information that could connect …

The Time Has Come for Democrats to Impeach Brett Kavanaugh  —  And no, 'he's just not worth it' is not an acceptable excuse.  —  Donald Trump is up for reelection in about 18 months.  Even if he wins, he is term-limited out of office after 2024.  Even if he declares a national emergency …

Will Bernie Sanders Split the Democratic Party in 2020?  —  Bernie Sanders has tried to assure Democrats he does not intend to run a factional splinter campaign in 2020.  To that end, he has promised to endorse the nominee, and pledged he will not run a negative campaign, and to date has followed through on the latter promise.

IG investigating Shanahan over Boeing comments  —  The Pentagon's inspector general has begun an investigation into Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's reported Boeing bias, the IG's office said Wednesday.  —  “The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has decided …

Donna Brazile Explains Why She's Working for Fox News  —  Donna Brazile, who has twice served as the interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, is one of the most prominent political strategists of recent times.  Brazile, Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000, was the first African-American woman …

Beto, Biden and Bernie: The B-Boys and the media's dangerous, self-fulfilling prophecy  —  As amorous embraces go, few could be more ardent than the one Beto O'Rourke got this month from Vanity Fair magazine.  —  The perfectly timed cover treatment was the full monty: Rugged-glam photo …

Trump Has Now Shifted $1.3 Million Of Campaign-Donor Money Into His Business  —  Donald Trump has charged his own reelection campaign $1.3 million for rent, food, lodging and other expenses since taking office, according to a Forbes analysis of the latest campaign filings.

The Esquire Interview: Mayor Peter Buttigieg  —  The South Bend, Indiana mayor and Democratic presidential candidate talks socialism, the Green New Deal, “I'm With Her,” what Democrats can learn from James Joyce(!), and more.  —  Like seemingly every other Democrat in or out of office …

Trump Jr., Bolton take unusual step of weighing in on Britain's domestic affairs  —  A few days after President Trump said the United States would “stay right in our lane” by not weighing in on Brexit, both his son and his national security adviser were decidedly driving on the other side of the road.

Cindy Yang, former owner of spa embroiled in Robert Kraft arrest and influence peddling allegations, says Trump ‘will make America great again’  —  Li “Cindy” Yang the embattled Floridian former spa owner defended President Donald Trump in an interview with ABC News saying: “He's saying ‘make America great again’.”

Federal judge casts doubt on Trump's drilling plans across the U.S. because they ignore climate change  —  The ruling temporarily halts drilling on 300,000 acres of leases in Wyoming.  —  A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that the Interior Department violated federal law by failing …

NYU Journalism School Hires Ex-New Yorker Fact Checker Who Falsely Said ICE Agent Had Nazi Tattoo  —  New York University has hired Talia Lavin as an adjunct journalism professor less than a year after the former New Yorker fact checker resigned after falsely accusing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent of having a Nazi tattoo.

‘Florida Is Tired of Being a Cheap Date’: Andrew Gillum Wants to Help Democrats Win in 2020  —  In an interview, the former mayor and rising Democratic star confirms he's not running for president, and outlines his plans to mobilize Florida voters for the election.  —  Andrew Gillum has more free time than he would like.

FBI joining criminal investigation into certification of Boeing 737 MAX  —  The FBI has joined the criminal investigation into the certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, lending its considerable resources to an inquiry already being conducted by U.S. Department of Transportation agents, according to people familiar with the matter.

No soccer experience, but she still got a spot on elite UCLA team in college admissions scandal  —  Lauren Isackson's athletic credentials were dwarfed by those of her teammates.  She joined the vaunted UCLA women's soccer program in 2017 alongside members of the U.S. and Canadian national teams …

CNN Poll: Support for impeachment falls among Democrats  —  WASHINGTON (CNN)Support for impeaching President Donald Trump has fallen 7 points since December, a CNN Poll conducted by SSRS finds, following Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling impeachment “so divisive to the country.”

Federal Reserve, rejecting Trump's growth forecast, confirms rate-hike pause  —  The Federal Reserve sent a clear signal Wednesday that it's unlikely to raise interest rates at all this year, a striking change from December when central bank officials judged that two more hikes might be necessary in 2019.