'It's a farce': Dems livid as Hope Hicks dodges questions  —  The president's former longtime confidante met with lawmakers behind closed doors to discuss the president's alleged efforts to thwart Mueller's Russia probe.  —  House Democrats erupted Wednesday at what they said was the White …

In Citing Relationship With Segregationists, Joe Biden Makes Himself a Target  —  For an increasingly diverse and liberal Democratic Party, it seemed strikingly off-key when Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Tuesday night warmly recalled his working relationship in the 1970s with two virulent segregationists …

Does anyone deserve to have a billion dollars?  —  THE CONTEXT  —  Most Democrats see economic inequality as a problem, but they don't always agree about how extreme wealth should be treated.  This question sharpened that debate: candidates like Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar …

Pelosi blows off AOC ‘concentration camp’ remarks  —  WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brushed off comments made by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez equating border facilities for migrants to “concentration camps” by saying she wasn't “up-to-date” on what the New York freshman said.

Deutsche Bank Faces Criminal Investigation for Potential Money-Laundering Lapses  —  Federal authorities are investigating whether Deutsche Bank complied with laws meant to stop money laundering and other crimes, the latest government examination of potential misconduct at one of the world's largest …

Biden Tops Electability Ratings  —  Most Dems interested in first debates, but not excited  —  West Long Branch, NJ - Former Vice President Joe Biden maintains his front-runner status among Democratic voters nationwide, but Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is now virtually tied with Vermont …

State Department official didn't disclose ties to the boyfriend of Russian agent Maria Butina  —  The State Department official in charge of U.S. arms control negotiations with Moscow and her husband had a years-long friendship with GOP operative Paul Erickson, the former boyfriend …

Accusing the New York Times of ‘Treason,’ Trump Crosses a Line  —  The Founders considered it the gravest of crimes.  Tossing the charge around is irresponsible and wrong.  —  First it was the “the failing New York Times.”  Then “fake news.”  Then “enemy of the people.”

Former Trump business partner Felix Sater set to testify Friday before House Intelligence Committee  —  Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer, is set to testify Friday before the House Intelligence Committee about his experience working on a proposed Trump tower project in Moscow during …

Feds arrest Syrian refugee accused of plotting terrorist attack on Pittsburgh church  —  The Department of Justice announced the arrest of a Syrian refugee on Wednesday in connection with an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack on a Christian church in Pittsburgh.

Iran Has Ties to Al Qaeda, Trump Officials Tell Skeptical Congress  —  WASHINGTON — Administration officials are briefing Congress on what they say are ties between Iran and Al Qaeda, prompting skeptical reactions and concern on Capitol Hill that the White House could invoke the war authorization passed …

Facebook moderators break their NDAs to expose desperate working conditions  —  At Facebook's worst-performing content moderation site in North America, one contractor has died, and others say they fear for their lives  —  Content warning: This story contains descriptions of violent acts …

Trump Tells His Team to Tone Down the Tough Talk on Iran  —  For months, the Trump administration has been talking in increasingly alarming terms about the Iranian threat.  Now, the president wants his people to cool down the hot rhetoric.  —  President Trump has privately pushed …

Senate Confirms Judge Who Attacked Roe v. Wade, Called Being Transgender ‘A Delusion’  —  Susan Collins was the only Republican who voted against making Matthew Kacsmaryk a lifetime federal judge.  —  WASHINGTON ― The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Matthew Kacsmaryk …

Meet the New York couple donating millions to the anti-vax movement  —  A wealthy Manhattan couple has emerged as significant financiers of the anti-vaccine movement, contributing more than $3 million in recent years to groups that stoke fears about immunizations online and at live events …

Meghan McCain Snaps and Calls Joy Behar a ‘Bitch’ on the Air  —  Things are tense on Splinter's fave gab-fest, The View.  After reports of behind-the-scenes bickering, the drama played out in front of the camera on Wednesday morning, as Meghan McCain finally snapped and called Joy Behar, her frequent nemesis and co-host, a “bitch.”

Steel industry begins to idle plants, shows signs of weakness — despite Trump's support  —  U.S. Steel announced it will temporarily halt production at two domestic plants despite the boost from the Trump administration's tariffs, as a steel industry singled out for federal support shows signs of weakening.

Four to Face Murder Charges in Downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17  —  MOSCOW — International prosecutors on Wednesday said that four men, including three with close ties to the Russian military and intelligence, would face murder charges in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine five years ago, killing 298 people.

The normalization of Bryan Goldberg  —  Bryan Goldberg wants to save your internet.  Since the creation of his Bustle Digital Group, Goldberg made a name for himself as a digital slumlord—snatching up gutted media properties, bidding low and running them on cheap labor.

Ex-Hassan aide sentenced to 4 years for doxing senators  —  A former aide to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday for hacking Senate computers and releasing personal information online about five Republican senators out of anger spurred by their roles …

Trump had to pay up front for his Orlando rally after stiffing 10 other cities  —  Orlando, where Trump kicked off his 2020 election bid, made sure they were paid in advance before Trump came to town.  —  Trump launched his 2020 bid Tuesday night, but it cost him.

Fed keeps rates steady as Powell brushes off Trump threats  —  The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady but opened the door to a possible cut this year amid fears of a slowing economy, in a move unlikely to calm President Donald Trump days after he suggested he might try to demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.

FBI, warned early and often that Manafort file might be fake, used it anyway  —  When the final chapter of the Russia collusion caper is written, it is likely two seminal documents the FBI used to justify investigating Donald Trump's 2016 campaign will turn out to be bunk.

Trump administration threatens furloughs, layoffs if Congress doesn't let it kill personnel agency  —  The Trump administration is threatening to furlough — and possibly lay off — 150 employees at the federal personnel agency if Congress blocks its plan to eliminate the department.