Epstein Paid $350,000 to Possible Witnesses Against Him, Prosecutors Say  —  Federal prosecutors made the allegations in an effort to have bail denied for Mr. Epstein, the financier facing sex-trafficking charges.  —  Jeffrey Epstein, the financier facing sex-trafficking charges in New York …

Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost Was a Member of Secret Facebook Group  —  When news broke that thousands of current and former Border Patrol agents were members of a secret Facebook group filled with racist, vulgar, and sexist content, Carla Provost, chief of the agency, was quick to respond.

CBC lawmakers rip Justice Democrats for targeting black lawmakers for primaries  —  Congressional Black Caucus members are furious at Justice Democrats, accusing the outside progressive group aligned with firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) of trying to oust lawmakers of color, specifically African-American lawmakers.

Incoming acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella under scrutiny for work with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff  —  KEY POINTS  — Incoming acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella will take the helm of the department following the resignation of Alex Acosta, who faced scrutiny over his role …

Prosecutors unlikely to charge Trump Org executives, sources say  —  (CNN)A federal investigation into whether Trump Organization executives violated campaign-finance laws appears to be wrapping up without charges being filed, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump tells confidants he's eager to remove Dan Coats  —  President Trump has told confidants he's eager to remove Dan Coats as director of national intelligence, according to five sources who have discussed the matter directly with the president.  —  The state of play: Trump hasn't told …

Now that Ross Perot is gone, I can tell this story  —  This week, the nation remembers Ross Perot for his success in business, his two independent White House bids and his no-nonsense, straight Texas talk.  His love of country, larger-than-life personality and generosity are all part of his legacy that will live on.

Gov. Bill Lee signs Nathan Bedford Forrest Day proclamation, is not considering law change  —  Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed Saturday as Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in Tennessee, a day of observation to honor the former Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader whose bust is on display in the state Capitol.

House Passes $733 Billion Defense Bill Checking Trump's War Powers  —  WASHINGTON — The House gave final approval Friday to a sweeping defense bill that would put a liberal stamp on military policy, shackling President Trump's ability to wage war in Iran and Yemen, restricting the use …

Mueller testimony delayed by one week  —  Former special counsel Robert Mueller's highly-anticipated Capitol Hill testimony will be delayed one week under a tentative arrangement he reached with House Democrats, according to multiple sources briefed on the discussions.

A Father, a Daughter, and the Attempt to Change the Census  —  How Stephanie Hofeller's estrangement from her family may have altered American political history.  —  At around half past nine on the last day of September, Stephanie Hofeller was parked at a Speedway in Kentucky, where she lives …

ICE Is Dangerously Inaccurate  —  Even American citizens are not immune from immigration raids.  —  Ms. Cunha is a freelance journalist and an adjunct professor at the University of Florida.  —  Tracy Nuetzi, a Trump voter and resident of Florida, was an American citizen for 60 years, until the country decided she wasn't.

My Mayor Pete Problem  —  One of the worst things I ever did happened in 1992.  I was leaving the bar called The Bar (RIP) on Second Avenue and 4th Street to go to a party called Tattooed Love Child at another bar, Fez, located in the basement of Time Cafe (RIP x 2).

Arizona Gov. Ducey has change of heart for Nike following Betsy Ross flag controversy  —  Ducey previously tweeted in regard to Nike that “we don't need to suck up to companies that consciously denigrate our nation's history.”  Now he's saying, “welcome.”  —  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is ready …

Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan under federal investigation for alleged leaks  —  Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan is at the center of a federal investigation into the leak of confidential government information in late June that forced Immigration and Customs Enforcement …

Why Sanders Wanted His Meeting With a Rabbi Kept Secret  —  WASHINGTON — When Senator Bernie Sanders brought his presidential campaign to Pittsburgh earlier this year, he quietly added a poignant stop to his schedule: a visit to the Tree of Life synagogue, where 11 congregants were killed in an anti-Semitic shooting last fall.

Duncan Hunter sends more Islamophobic campaign mailers in California  —  Indicted Rep. Duncan Hunter is sending Islamophobic mail pieces to voters in his Southern California district, attacking his Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, for his deceased grandfather alleged ties to a 1972 terrorist attack.

Revealed: This Is Palantir's Top-Secret User Manual for Cops  —  Motherboard obtained a Palantir user manual through a public records request, and it gives unprecedented insight into how the company logs and tracks individuals.  —  Palantir is one of the most significant and secretive companies in big data analysis.

Trump's cave on Census stuns allies  —  Top figures in the conservative legal community are stunned and depressed by President Trump's cave in his fight for a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.  —  The state of play: Sources say Leonard Leo and other Federalist Society stalwarts …

Brexit  — Wants to leave with a deal, but says he would back a no-deal Brexit with “a heavy heart” if necessary.  - Will create a new negotiating team to produce an “alternative exit deal” to Theresa May's plan, and engage with EU leaders over August.  - Will present a provisional …

Rift between Michael Flynn and government deepens on eve of business partner's trial  —  The U.S. government has extensive evidence that the Turkish government attempted to influence President Trump's 2016 campaign through adviser Michael Flynn, according to a statement read in Alexandria federal court Friday.