House Republicans try to spin Trump's foreign dirt comment  —  Amid blistering bipartisan criticism of President Donald Trump's willingness to accept dirt on his 2020 rivals from foreign adversaries, House Republicans decided Thursday that they had found the real culprit: Democrats.

Federal watchdog agency recommends removal of Kellyanne Conway from federal office for violating the Hatch Act  —  The Office of Special Counsel on Thursday recommended the removal of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway from federal office for violating the Hatch Act …

EXCLUSIVE: Trump reveals historic redesign of Air Force One  —  Less than a year after announcing a $3.9 billion makeover for America's most famous aircraft, President Donald Trump shared never-before-seen images of Air Force One's prospective redesign on Wednesday during an exclusive interview with ABC News.

California Democratic 2020 presidential primary is a wide-open race, poll finds … With the Democratic presidential field now largely set, the race in the nation's largest state is wide open, with at least five candidates in serious contention and no clear favorite.

Social Security Is Staring at Its First Real Shortfall in Decades.  Big Cuts Could Follow.  —  A slow-moving crisis is approaching for Social Security, threatening to undermine a central pillar in the retirement of tens of millions of Americans.  —  Next year, for the first time since 1982 …

Oil tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, U.S. Navy says  —  ISTANBUL — Two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman came under suspected attack early Thursday amid soaring tensions between the United States and Iran in the region.  —  One ship was adrift and on fire in the strategic waterway …

Why the Trump campaign won't pay police bills  —  “Do we love law enforcement or what?”  President Donald Trump asked a cheering crowd during his “Make America Great Again” political rally Oct. 12 in Lebanon, Ohio.  —  “Thank you, law enforcement!” the president later told officers, who he called “heroes.”

House hearing on reparations for slavery set for next week  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The topic of reparations for slavery is headed to Capitol Hill for its first hearing in more than a decade with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and actor Danny Glover set to testify before a House panel.

Manchin eyes Senate exit  —  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is eyeing a possible exit from the Senate, and his decision could be a significant factor in which party controls the majority in 2021.  —  In moments of frustration, the centrist senator has gone so far as to tell colleagues he may leave …

Rent Regulations in New York: How They'll Affect Tenants and Landlords  —  The changes would be sweeping, covering everything from security deposits to apartment upgrades.  —  Democratic lawmakers in New York harnessed their new powers on Tuesday to broker sweeping changes to rent laws …

‘Grim reaper’ Mitch McConnell buries plans to protect America from election interference  —  Despite Mueller report, Senate majority leader blocks bipartisan proposals to secure democracy from foreign hackers: Our view  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell likes to boast that he's the …

Team Beto Is Tired of the Media's ‘Bullshit’ Narrative  —  After being bashed as light on policy, the Texas Democrat has unveiled a series of issue platforms his allies say he's not getting enough credit for nationally.  —  Beto O'Rourke's team and supporters think the narrative around their campaign is bunk.

Experts: Spy used AI-generated face to connect with targets  —  LONDON (AP) — Katie Jones sure seemed plugged into the Washington's political scene.  The 30-something redhead boasted a job at a top think tank and a who's-who network of pundits and experts, from the centrist Brookings Institution to the right-wing Heritage Foundation.

The Latest: Charges dropped in Flint water scandal  —  FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The Latest on criminal charges dropped in the Flint water scandal (all times local):  —  Prosecutors say they're dismissing all criminal charges against eight people in the Flint water scandal and starting the investigation over again.

Brace for a Voter-Turnout Tsunami  —  Signs are growing that voter turnout in 2020 could reach the highest levels in decades—if not the highest in the past century—with a surge of new voters potentially producing the most diverse electorate in American history.

Feds gone wild: DOJ's stunning inability to prosecute its own bad actors  —  One was caught red-handed engaged in nepotism.  Another, a lawyer no less, admitted to shoplifting at a Marine barracks store.  A third leaked sealed court information to the news media.

Meet Jessica Cisneros, the 26-year-old Laredo attorney running against Cuellar in Congress  —  A 26-year-old Laredoan, former valedictorian of Early College High School and current immigration and human rights attorney, Jessica Cisneros is announcing her campaign Thursday to run for Congress …