White House Wanted USS John McCain ‘Out of Sight’ During Trump Japan Visit  —  The White House wanted the Navy to move a warship named for the late Sen. John McCain, a war hero who became a frequent target of President Trump's ire, ahead of the president's visit to Japan last week.

Mueller Delivered a Message.  Washington Couldn't Agree on What It Was.  —  WASHINGTON — At long last, the sphinx of Washington spoke on Wednesday, and here is what President Trump heard: “Case closed.”  Here is what the president's adversaries heard: “Time to impeach.”

Deceased G.O.P. Strategist's Hard Drives Reveal New Details on the Census Citizenship Question  —  WASHINGTON — Thomas B. Hofeller achieved near-mythic status in the Republican Party as the Michelangelo of gerrymandering, the architect of partisan political maps that cemented the party's dominance across the country.

Trump Admits Russia Helped Elect Him—Then Does a U-Turn  —  In a series of ill-tempered morning tweets, the president seemed to accept that Russia was on his side in 2016—before scrambling to walk it all back.  —  Donald Trump finally admitted that Russia helped elected him president—before immediately retracting it.

Federal prosecutors demand Cindy Yang records from Mar-a-Lago, Trump campaign  —  Federal prosecutors in Washington D.C. this week sent subpoenas to Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's private club in Palm Beach, and Trump Victory, a political fundraising committee, demanding they turn …

US energy department rebrands fossil fuels as ‘molecules of freedom’  —  Press release from department said increasing export capacity is ‘critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world’  —  America is the land of freedom, as any politician will be happy to tell you.

Blasted Are The Meek  —  On First Things and Sohrab Ahmari.  —  “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land,” Jesus explained in his Sermon on the Mount; “[b]lessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  —  If only Sohrab Ahmari and First Things had been on the scene …

Trump fixates on IQ as a measure of self-worth  —  It was January 2004 and Donald Trump was on the “Today Show” to promote a new reality TV series called “The Apprentice.”  —  Almost immediately after the interview began, Trump started bragging about the unparalleled intellect of the contestants …

Exclusive: Disney CEO says it will be ‘difficult’ to film in Georgia if abortion law takes effect  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Bob Iger told Reuters on Wednesday it would be “very difficult” for the media company to keep filming in Georgia if a new abortion law takes effect …

Can Warren Overtake Sanders?  —  Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks to local residents during a meet and greet in Ottumwa, Iowa.  —  In a nomination battle that requires candidates to get at least 15 percent of the vote to win delegates in a primary, the presence of both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren …

Federal subpoena demands records on Andrew Gillum and his campaign for governor  —  A recent federal probe sought information related to the Florida Democrat and people in his orbit, signaling a shift in the Tallahassee FBI investigation  —  Andrew Gillum is a focal point …

Corbyn backs soft Brexit and says second referendum ‘some way off’  —  Labour leader also does not say whether remain would be on ballot paper in any public vote  —  Play Video  —  Jeremy Corbyn has said a second referendum is “some way off” and that Labour still wants to negotiate a better Brexit deal …

Roy Moore hits back at Trump in defiant interview  —  A defiant Roy Moore brushed aside Donald Trump's warning not to run for Senate again, telling POLITICO on Wednesday that Alabama voters are capable of deciding for themselves whether he's fit for office.  —  “The president doesn't control …

Israel will hold unprecedented second election after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fails to form a governing coalition  —  JERUSALEM — In an unprecedented move, Israel will head to elections for a second time in less than six months after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government before a midnight deadline.

Louisiana governor, a Democrat, poised to sign ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban into law  —  Louisiana's state legislature on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a so-called “heartbeat” pro-life bill, becoming the latest in a slew of states to enact strict new restrictions on abortion that many conservatives …