Activists and Ex-Spy Said to Have Plotted to Discredit Trump ‘Enemies’ in Government  —  The campaign included planned operations against President Trump's national security adviser at the time, H.R. McMaster, and F.B.I. employees, according to documents and interviews.

Vaccinated Americans now may go without masks in most places, the C.D.C. said.  —  In a sharp turnabout from previous recommendations, federal health officials on Thursday advised that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance …

Israel begins firing artillery and tank shells into Gaza  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has begun firing artillery and tank shells into Gaza, and scores of families are fleeing their homes, Palestinian witnesses in the Gaza Strip said Thursday.  —  The use of artillery fire marks …

Leaked Video: Dark Money Group Brags About Writing GOP Voter Suppression Bills Across the Country  —  In a private meeting last month with big-money donors, the head of a top conservative group boasted that her outfit had crafted the new voter suppression law in Georgia and was doing the same …

If New York indicts Florida resident Donald Trump, could DeSantis save him from extradition?  —  There's a new wrinkle, involving Gov. Ron DeSantis, in the saga of former President Donald Trump.  —  A major obsession among Trump lovers and Trump haters is trying to figure …

Colonial Pipeline Paid Hackers Nearly $5 Million in Ransom  — Payment came shortly after attack got underway last week  — FBI discourages organizations from paying ransom to hackers  —  Colonial Pipeline Co. paid nearly $5 million to Eastern European hackers on Friday …

Republicans Rewrite History of the Capitol Riot, Hampering an Inquiry  —  Republicans in Congress are insisting that any investigation into the Jan. 6 attack include an examination of left-wing violence.  —  WASHINGTON — Four months after supporters of President Donald J. Trump stormed …

Former Staffer Sues US Congressman Alleging ‘Reckless’ Approach to COVID-19  —  A former staffer is suing U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), accusing the congressman of taking a “reckless” approach to COVID-19, exposing his staff and himself to the virus.  —  The suit alleges …

Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Officer Arrested for Assault on Federal Law Enforcement Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach  —  Defendant, Stationed in Virginia, Defied, Pushed and Resisted Capitol Police to Help Other Rioters Break into the U.S. Capitol  —  Note: A full copy of the charging documents can be viewed here.

Manchin Compromise Idea For Voting Rights Gets A Shot Across the Bow From Cornyn  —  It didn't take long for a supposedly bipartisan compromise on voting rights legislation that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is floating to get dumped on by a key Republican.  —  At a Thursday Senate Judiciary Committee meeting …

Prosecutors Seek Cooperation of Trump Confidante, Subpoena Manhattan Private School  —  Officials examine tuition payments for the grandchildren of Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg  —  New York prosecutors have subpoenaed a Manhattan private school as they seek the cooperation …

'I Probably Won't Ever Speak to Her Again'  —  Rep. Elise Stefanik's path to House Republican leadership.  —  8 hr ago  —  When the Harvard Institute of Politics decided after January 6 to boot Rep. Elise Stefanik from its Senior Advisory Committee, it likely hurt the 36-year-old Republican more than she publicly let on.

EDITORIAL BOARD: The Intercept's Dirty Smear Job On Our Reporters Deserves A Response  —  Journalist Glenn Greenwald left The Intercept in late October of 2020 - and if Thursday's smear job on Daily Caller reporters is any indication, the publication has gone from journalism to activist garbage in just six short months.

Gaetz associate signals he will plead guilty in federal case, a worrisome development for the congressman  —  A Florida politician who is central to the investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz for possible sex trafficking of a minor signaled Thursday that he will plead guilty in his own federal case …

Giuliani's son tells Russian state TV people don't want to live in America after FBI raided his dad  —  The son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani went on Russian TV to push conspiracy theories about the federal investigation of his father.  —  Andrew Giuliani accused the American government …

New Mask Guidance Is a Huge Gamble, Experts Say  —  Telling vaxxed people to ditch masks inside makes sense.  But it fails to account for anti-vaxxers who won't be asked—much less able—to prove they got shots.  —  BEAST INSIDE  —  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) …

Rebekah Jones, the COVID Whistleblower Who Wasn't  —  The former dashboard manager alleges a vast data conspiracy in Florida; not a word of it is true.  —  This is a story about Rebekah Jones, a former dashboard manager at the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), who has single-handedly managed …

Most states have reopened.  Here's where new COVID outbreaks happened.  —  Health experts say the data can help with future pandemic planning.  —  States across US ease COVID-19 restrictions … Bars, gyms and restaurants.  Those were just a few settings health experts warned …

Company: Ex-Trump lawyer raiding nonprofit for personal use  —  Former Trump attorney and self-proclaimed “Kraken releaser” Sidney Powell has told prospective donors that her group, Defending the Republic, is a legal defense fund to protect the integrity of U.S. elections.

Be Worried  —  New polling suggests it's growing likely Republicans will retake the House in 2022.  —  Scott Rasmussen—the real Scott Rasmussen, whom you can follow here, not the people who run his old firm, Rasmussen Reports—has a new poll.  On the generic ballot, 41 percent …

New York Yankees Somehow Have 8 COVID Cases in Vaccinated Staff  —  So far in their lukewarm start to the season, the New York Yankees have 19 wins, 16 losses, and eight confirmed coronavirus cases among vaccinated members of their coaching and support staff.

The GOP has lost its way.  Fellow Americans, join our new alliance. … The Republican Party made a grievous error this week in ousting Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) from the House leadership for telling the truth about Donald Trump's “big lie,” which has wreaked havoc in our democratic republic by casting doubt over the 2020 election.