Republicans' nuttery exposed  —  You knew it was not going to be pretty.  On one side, two professional diplomats, both whip-smart with excellent memories and deep knowledge of Ukraine, neither of whom seems to suffer fools.  On the other side, a great many foolish Republicans …

Exclusive: Former FBI lawyer under investigation after allegedly altering document in 2016 Russia probe  —  Washington (CNN)A former FBI lawyer is under criminal investigation after allegedly altering a document related to 2016 surveillance of a Trump campaign adviser, several people briefed on the matter told CNN.

Parnas Attended Giuliani's Madrid Meeting With Zelensky Aide  —  Parnas was at the table for a meeting where Giuliani pressured a senior Ukrainian official to investigate a company linked to the Bidens, the official told The Daily Beast.  —  When Rudy Giuliani met with a senior Ukrainian official …

White House backs full Senate trial if House impeaches Trump  —  Top White House officials and Senate Republicans on Thursday agreed that a full trial should be conducted if the House impeaches President Donald Trump, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Sacha Baron Cohen Uses ADL Speech to Tear Apart Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook  —  Accepting an award from the Anti-Defamation League, the comedian called Facebook “the greatest propaganda machine in history.”  —  Sacha Baron Cohen accepted the International Leadership Award …

Questions over next steps as Judiciary moves into impeachment spotlight  —  The public phase of the House Intelligence Committee's investigation of President Donald Trump's Ukraine scandal appears to have wrapped.  But even most House Democrats aren't clear what happens next.

Trump's meddling in a SEAL disciplinary case risks a collision with the Navy  —  Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was traveling in California on March 30 when he received a 4 a.m. phone call from President Trump.  The president demanded that the Navy release from the brig a SEAL named Edward Gallagher …

Shepard Smith Uses a Post-Fox Spotlight to Defend Freedom of the Press  —  The former anchor made his first public appearance since his abrupt departure from Fox News, where he faced taunts from colleagues and President Trump.  —  In his first public remarks since abruptly resigning …

Republicans have a new enemy: Truth itself  —  At its core, President Trump's defense in these impeachment proceedings is not a dispute over the facts of the case, the credibility of the witnesses or the motives of Democrats.  —  It is a bid to discredit the truth itself.

AG Barr: Epstein's death was a ‘perfect storm of screw-ups’  —  1 of 6  —  ABOARD A US GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT (AP) — Attorney General William Barr says Jeffrey Epstein's death was the result of a “perfect storm of screw-ups.”  —  Barr's comments in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press come days …

San Francisco's Quest to Make Landfills Obsolete  —  ‘Zero Waste’ might be the impossible dream, but San Francisco isn't giving up.  —  Mark Peterson/Redux Pictures for Politico Magazine  —  SAN FRANCISCO—In a giant building south of downtown, a river of paper, cans, cardboard, and plastic rushes along 150 yards of conveyor belts.

Georgia Gov. Kemp Resists Pressure from Trump on Senate Appointment  —  President is pressing for Rep. Doug Collins to be named interim senator, but the governor is leaning toward a woman or minority for the post  —  ATLANTA—Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is resisting pressure …

White House readies California homelessness plan after ousting top official  —  Aides could present options to President Trump as soon as next week on an issue that has divided federal and state officials.  —  White House officials will soon present President Trump with a plan to crack …

Impeachment surprises boost Dems, but Republican resistance holds  —  Throughout their rapidly unfolding impeachment inquiry, Democrats feared they would lose control of the moment.  —  So they carefully choreographed two weeks of public hearings to avoid a derailment.

The Revolt Against Populism  —  These days, the protesters are fighting for freedom.  —  Have you noticed that the world is on fire?  —  Crowds are chanting “Death to Khamenei” in Iran while the regime kills them en masse and shuts down the internet.  Throngs are marching …

Warren challenges Biden in bid for black women  —  ATLANTA — Sen. Elizabeth Warren made a full-throated pitch to black women in a much-hyped speech here on Thursday night as she tries to tear into former Vice President Joe Biden's durability with black voters.