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 Had Everything: Tanks, Trump—and Scandal  —  QAnon, MAGA, Baby Trump balloons descended on the nation's capital before a display of military pageantry.  —  After two years of trying, President Donald Trump finally got the military pageantry he has so desperately wanted.

Trump administration scrambles to save citizenship question on census  —  Spurred on by President Trump, government lawyers scrambled Thursday to find a legal path to add a controversial citizenship question to the 2020 Census, despite their conclusions in recent days that no such avenue exists.

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 …

In Iowa, Kamala Harris Calls Joe Biden's Past Views on Busing ‘Wrong’  —  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.”

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Sen. Kennedy on AOC: 'Someone Needs To Tell Her The Voices In Her Head Aren't Real'  —  Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., listens during questioning at a House Oversight and Reform committee hearing on facial recognition technology in government, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Antiwar group brings massive diaper-wearing Trump balloon to Washington Monument  —  The antiwar organization Code Pink brought its 20-foot-tall, diaper-clad balloon of an infant Donald Trump to the Washington Monument on Thursday to protest the president's planned “Salute to America” Fourth of July celebration.

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.

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

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.

Portland's police chief calls for anti-mask law, different approach for violent protesters  —  Gallery: Chief Danielle Outlaw, July 3, 2019  —  Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said Wednesday the city, police and community need “a better way” to address protest groups bent on brawling …

Outcry after reports Brazil plans to investigate Glenn Greenwald  —  Federal police reportedly asked money laundering unit to investigate the ‘financial activities’ of the US journalist  —  Brazil's Bar Association, journalists and opposition lawmakers have reacted with outrage to reports …