Our politics is in a partisan death spiral.  That's why I'm leaving the GOP.  —  Justin Amash, an independent, represents Michigan's 3rd Congressional District in the House.  —  When my dad was 16, America welcomed him as a Palestinian refugee.  It wasn't easy moving to a new country, but it was the greatest blessing of his life.

This July 4th Has Everything: Tanks, Trump—and Scandal  —  Qanon, MAGA, Baby Trump balloons have all descended on the nation's capital.  —  After two years of trying, President Donald Trump is finally getting the military pageantry he has so desperately wanted.

Robespierre's America  —  We need to reclaim the spirit of 1776, not the certitudes of 1789.  —  I was walking through an airport terminal trying to catch a connecting flight last Saturday when I spotted a writer I had never met but whose work I admire.  He greeted me with a look of fatherly concern …

Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal says if his soldiers were ‘forced to come on a holiday’ to ‘stand in the sun’ for Trump's military parade, he would've stood with them  —  David Choi, provided by  — Retired US Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal gave a diplomatic answer to a question …

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Bring Their Debate Stage Fight to Iowa  —  INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — Joseph R. Biden Jr. expressed frustration Thursday at Senator Kamala Harris's pointed criticism about his 1970s-era opposition to busing, arguing that Democrats should “be talking about the future.”

Scoop: Trump considers executive order on citizenship question  —  President Trump is considering an executive order to try to move forward with a citizenship question on the 2020 census, top sources tell Jonathan Swan and me.  — “We didn't come this far just to throw in the towel,” …

Brexit: Labour crashes to fourth in poll for first time as frontbencher admits voters fleeing party  —  Just 18 per cent of public backs Jeremy Corbyn's party and only 25 per cent of Remain voters - down from 48 per cent at start of year  —  Labour has crashed to fourth place in a poll for the first time …

Anchorage Has Never Reached 90 Degrees.  That Could Change This Week.  —  In more than 100 years of Anchorage history, weather stations have never recorded a single 90-degree reading.  If current forecasts hold, it could happen multiple times in the coming days.

Pentagon officials 'are concerned Trump's July 4 parade could be too political' - despite the president's claim that military chiefs are ‘thrilled’ to be taking part in the event  — An insider says the military's top brass have been hesitant about accepting Trump's invitation to the event at the National Mall on Thursday

White House staff forced to hand out VIP tickets to Trump's Fourth of July rally to anyone who will take them  —  The big-Republican donors that were offered tickets from the White House couldn't make it — so the White House is begging for anyone at this point.

Why nearly 350,000 workers in mostly red states aren't seeing wage increases, even though their local lawmakers passed them  —  For most of her 13 years working the grill and cash register at McDonald's, Bettie Douglas earned just over $7 an hour.  Then in 2017, the St. Louis resident's hourly pay rose …

CREW Requests Documents into Fourth of July Fireworks Donation  —  Following reports that Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan both donated $750,000 dollars worth of fireworks to President Trump's Fourth of July celebration and successfully lobbied the president to not implement tariffs …

The Justice Department's New Brief in Texas v. United States  —  Last week, the Fifth Circuit asked the parties to Texas v. United States—the broadside challenge to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act—to submit letter briefs on whether anyone had standing to appeal.

After Confederate statues, America's culture war targets Betsy Ross and a founding father  —  As the nation has celebrated its birthday with displays of its contemporary power and prestige this week, two of its cherished historic symbols came under fire — its first flag and its third president.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump often is wrong about military matters  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In his Fourth of July remarks, President Donald Trump will be celebrating the armed forces and showcasing what he's done for them.  But in recent days, he has falsified his record on military matters on several fronts.

Southerners, Facing Big Odds, Believe in a Path Out of Poverty  —  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A widening income gap and sagging social mobility have left dents in the American dream.  But the belief that anyone with enough gumption and grit can clamber to the top remains central to the nation's self-image.

Surprised by those Fourth of July tanks?  Here's what political science can tell us about nationalism, patriotism and public opinion.  —  Nationalism doesn't always involve militarism.  And patriotism is different from both.  —  President Trump will celebrate the Fourth of July …