White House instructs former counsel Don McGahn not to comply with congressional subpoena  —  The White House has instructed former White House counsel Donald McGahn not to comply with a subpoena from House Democrats for documents related to the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation …

The nightmare scenario for Democrats on Trump's corruption  —  The administration's categorical refusal to release President Trump's tax returns heightens the difficult question Democrats face, and raises the prospect of a nightmare scenario — both in political and substantive terms.

James Comey is in trouble and he knows it  —  James Comey's planet is getting noticeably warmer.  Attorney General William Barr's emissions are the suspected cause.  —  Barr has made plain that he intends to examine carefully how and why Comey, as FBI director, decided that the bureau …

Sandra Bland, It Turns Out, Filmed Traffic Stop Confrontation Herself  —  AUSTIN, Tex. — As Trooper Brian Encinia angrily threatened her with a stun gun from just outside her car window, Sandra Bland recorded the encounter on her cellphone, shown in a newly-released, 39-second video …

Putin Accomplice Mitch McConnell Says Case Closed  —  During the 2016 election, CIA director John Brennan informed congressional leaders that Russian intelligence was interfering in the election in an effort to help Donald Trump win.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the conclusion, and depicted it as a frame-up.

Twitter suspends AOC ‘Press Release’ parody account  —  Twitter suspended the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody) account, which poked fun at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.  —  Conservative and right-wing Twitter users pointed out the account, which had tens of thousands …

Trump Pardons Ex-Army Soldier Convicted of Killing Iraqi Man  —  President Trump on Monday granted a full pardon to a former Army lieutenant who previously served five years in prison for fatally shooting an Iraqi man in American custody.  —  During a deployment in Iraq in 2008 …

“This Is Do-or-Die”: Joe Biden's “Electability” Argument Is How Democrats Lose Elections  —  When Democrats play it safe and “fall in line,” the results are devastating—as Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry made plain.  If Biden wins the nomination next year, it will be because Democrats went with their heads, not their bleeding hearts.

Pete Buttigieg: God doesn't belong to a political party, but 'I can't imagine' God would be a Republican  —  Washington (CNN)South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has made clear throughout his upstart 2020 presidential bid that he believes Democrats should embrace religion and decry those who try …

Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar freed from prison: witnesses  —  YANGON (Reuters) - Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, witnesses said.

U.S. asylum screeners to take more confrontational approach as Trump aims to turn more migrants away at the border  —  The Trump administration has sent new guidelines to U.S. asylum officers directing them to take a more skeptical and confrontational approach during interviews with migrants seeking refuge.

Trump Furious With Ally David Bossie Over His Reported Self-Dealing  —  The president even instructed top officials on his campaign to retaliate against his former deputy campaign manager.  But as of Tuesday, nothing had come.  —  On Monday morning, Donald Trump was incensed over a report …

Jill Biden Says 'It's Time To Move On' From Anita Hill Controversy  —  Jill Biden is accomplished in her own right — she holds two master's degrees and a doctoral degree.  But then, her husband is the former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2020.

The Fox effect: Trump's base bolsters his standing  —  First Read is your briefing from “Meet the Press” and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.  —  WASHINGTON — “Hung jury” is how Democratic pollster Peter Hart described …

State Department Continues Fight to Strip Gay Couple's Two-Year-Old Son of Birthright Citizenship  —  The State Department has demanded that one of the couple's twin sons have a DNA test to prove he's the biological son of a U.S. citizen.  —  Scott Bixby  —  Ever since twins Aiden …

Why This NY Times Maple Syrup Story Tastes Odd  —  Above, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium sample maple syrup in Ottawa last year — a bad year, but not because of warming.  —  Climate change is at it again, ruining everything good.  This time around it's maple syrup that is at risk …

Economists flee Agriculture Dept. after feeling punished under Trump  —  Economists in the Agriculture Department's research branch say the Trump administration is retaliating against them for publishing reports that shed negative light on White House policies, spurring an exodus that included six …

Riley Howell's Parents Say He Was Shot 3 Times While Tackling the U.N.C. Charlotte Gunman  —  WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — He kept charging.  A bullet to the torso did not stop Riley Howell.  A second bullet to the body did not prevent him from reaching his goal and hurling himself at the gunman …

In marriage market, Pakistani Christian girls lured to China  —  GUJRANWALA, Pakistan (AP) — Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride.  Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country …