Rudy Giuliani says Trump will stay loyal to him but jokes that he has ‘insurance’  —  Exclusive: The president's personal lawyer has emerged as a key figure in the impeachment inquiry, with speculation that Republicans will seek to paint him as a rogue actor

Trump hikes price tag for US forces in Korea almost 500% as Seoul questions alliance  —  Washington (CNN)Secretary of Defense Mark Esper landed in South Korea on Thursday to navigate renewed threats from an “enraged” North Korea and newly heightened strain in the alliance with Seoul that congressional aides …

Career White House budget official expected to break ranks, testify in impeachment inquiry  —  Mark Sandy would be the first Office of Management and Budget official to appear after a series of political appointees defied congressional subpoenas  —  A longtime career employee at the White House Office …

Besieged on all sides, Gordon Sondland clings to power  —  When confronted with the whiff of scandal, American diplomats are often advised to resign if they believe they can no longer be effective in the job.  —  But for Gordon Sondland, the embattled U.S. ambassador to the European Union, quitting is not in the cards.

Justice Dept. watchdog won't let witnesses give written feedback on report about FBI's Russia probe, sparking fears of inaccuracy  —  The Justice Department Inspector General's office has told witnesses who are set to review draft sections of its long-awaited report on the FBI investigation …

Ethics Committee extends review of Talib, probes Hastings for alleged relationship with staffer  —  The House Ethics Committee on Thursday announced it is extending its review of a campaign finance matter related to Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, while acknowledging for the first time a probe …

3 Indiana Judges Suspended After White Castle Brawl That Left 2 Of Them Wounded  —  Back in May, three Indiana judges got into a fight.  It was the crescendo of an incident brimming with colorful details: a gaggle of judges drinking the night before a judicial conference …

Outcry after Facebook sponsors gala featuring Brett Kavanaugh  —  Company is listed as a ‘gold circle’ sponsor for rightwing group Federalist Society dinner where justice will be keynote speaker  —  Facebook is facing criticism for sponsoring the annual gala dinner of the Federalist Society …

Zelensky planned to announce Trump's ‘quo’ on my show.  Here's what happened.  —  The phrase “quid pro quo” is usually translated as “something for something.”  In the case of President Trump's communications with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, it appears that the “quo” …

Trump's Washington hotel has fallen behind competitors, with rooms running nearly half empty, marketing materials show  —  President Trump's Washington hotel has fallen well behind competing properties despite continuing to charge among the highest rates in the city, according …

Exclusive: Giuliani Ally Pete Sessions Was Eyed for Top Slot in Ukraine  —  Pete Sessions received millions from Giuliani's indicted cronies.  He joined Rudy in speaking out against the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.  He was even considered as her replacement.

Trump asks Supreme Court to shield his tax returns from prosecutors, setting up historic separation-of-powers showdown  —  President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to stop a prosecutor's investigation of his personal finances, a bold assertion of presidential power that seeks …

Pelosi Points to Possible Bribery Charge Against Trump  —  The day after the first public impeachment hearing, Speaker Nancy Pelosi used the word “bribery,” mentioned in the Constitution's impeachment clause, to describe President Trump's conduct.  —  WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi sharpened …

Italian council is flooded immediately after rejecting measures on climate change  —  (CNN)Veneto regional council, which is located on Venice's Grand Canal, was flooded for the first time in its history on Tuesday night — just after it rejected measures to combat climate change.

Top Democrats privately concede major shift in public opinion on impeachment is unlikely  —  Questions about the impeachment inquiry?  We've got answers  —  (CNN)House Democrats are publicly holding out hope that historic impeachment hearings will persuade a vast majority of the American public …

Judge slams feds over murky stance on McCabe  —  A federal judge excoriated Justice Department officials Thursday for their handling of potential criminal charges against former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, saying the continued uncertainty over the prosecution was unfair to McCabe and the public.

Most Pennsylvania voters have dim view of Trump, new poll shows.  His Democratic foes have work to do, too  —  One year before Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls in a critical swing state, a new Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll shows nearly six in 10 don't believe President Donald Trump should be re-elected.

White House and Pentagon prepare for Trump to issue pardons in war-crimes cases, officials say  —  President Trump is expected to intervene in three military justice cases involving service members charged with war crimes any day, issuing pardons or otherwise clearing them of wrongdoing …

Emails Outline Anti-Immigration Group's Connection to Stephen Miller  —  A new batch of leaked emails illustrates the degree to which Mr. Miller used a think tank's work to shape coverage at Breitbart News and policy at the White House.  —  WASHINGTON — Stephen Miller …

Syria's Assad says Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself  —  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad waded into the conspiracy theories around Jeffery Epstein's suicide, saying the financier and convicted sex offender was murdered as part of a Western plot to eliminate high-profile people who knew too much.

Senate Confirms Wildly Problematic Trump Court Pick Steven Menashi  —  He's never tried a case.  He condemned women's rights and diversity.  He refused to answer senators' questions.  Republicans confirmed him anyway.  —  WASHINGTON ― The Senate voted Thursday to make Steven Menashi …

Trump admin preparing to take over private land in Texas for border wall  —  The Trump administration is preparing court filings to begin taking over private land in Texas to build a border wall as early as this week, say officials.  —  The Trump administration is preparing court filings …

Santa Clarita shooting: 2 teens killed; attack came on suspect's birthday, officials say  —  One person was killed and at least four others were injured in a shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita early Thursday, authorities said.  —  Two students were killed …

As Jury Deliberates, Roger Stone Sends A Message To Trump: ‘Pardon Me’  —  Using Alex Jones as the relay, Stone's message is straightforward: A pardon is the only thing that can save him now.  —  Today, jurors received the case against Roger Stone and are currently deliberating the charges before them.