Exclusive audio: Trump defends threats to “hang” Pence  —  Former President Trump — in a taped interview with Jonathan Karl of ABC News that was shared with Axios — defended, quite extensively, supporters who threatened to “hang” former Vice President Mike Pence.

Chris Christie Dishes on What Turned Him Off Working for Trump  —  The former guv almost became Trump's third chief of staff.  But a combo of aggressive Javanka behavior and Trump's loose lips led to Christie turning down the gig, he writes. … When Chris Christie withdrew from consideration …

Kyle Rittenhouse's white crocodile tears hold value in America  —  Paul Butler: Rittenhouse was prepared to disrupt image as trigger-happy vigilante  —  Kyle Rittenhouse, the man charged with homicide in the deaths of two anti-police brutality demonstrators, seems to have spent much more time at the gun range than in acting classes.

Christie's calculus: Trump is ‘in the rearview mirror’  —  He doesn't actually say the name Donald Trump when he lays out what's wrong with the Republican Party.  —  But it's obvious who Chris Christie is talking about in recent speeches, interviews and in a new book that's set for release next week.

An Air Force sergeant killed himself on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  The note he left is heartbreaking.  —  Kenneth Omar Santiago's perfect smile dazzles on social media as he poses in his Air Force uniforms — flight suits to mess dress.  —  He accepts military awards …

'We don't want any more Black pastors coming in here,' says defense attorney in Arbery death trial  —  (CNN)A defense attorney for one of the three White men charged in 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery's killing objected Thursday to nationally recognized civil rights leaders attending the trial to support the victim's family.

Biden's broken promise: Build Back Better will force 30% of middle class families to pay higher taxes - breaking president's vow to only tax the super-rich, analysis finds  — Tax Policy Center analysis finds some middle class taxpayers would pay more  — Increases would be modest, and the average household would not pay more

The strong winds of climate change have failed to move the opinions of many Americans  —  Most believe global warming is a problem, but the partisan divide is growing  —  Even as windstorms became more powerful, wildfires grew more deadly and rising seas made damaging floods more frequent …

COVID-19 hot spots offer sign of what could be ahead for US  —  The contagious delta variant is driving up COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Mountain West and fueling disruptive outbreaks in the North, a worrisome sign of what could be ahead this winter in the U.S.

The White House Says Its Plans Will Slow Inflation.  The Big Question Is: When?  —  The Biden administration has argued that its infrastructure and broader economic package will slow rapid price increases.  But that will take time.  —  Rocketing inflation has become a headache for U.S. consumers …

Chinese Voters Came Out in Force for the GOP in NYC, Shaking Up Politics  —  From Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Elmhurst and Flushing in Queens, frustrations over Democratic stances on schools and crime helped mobilize votes for Republican Curtis Sliwa for mayor and conservative Council candidates.

The danger of critical race theory  —  By now, most Americans have heard of critical race theory.  But many do not know just how radical or pernicious CRT is — because, as a new study from the American Enterprise Institute shows, the media does not explain its key tenets in its coverage.

If libertarians built the roads, maybe they wouldn't be racist  —  Libertarians face many trite and tired arguments against their ideology, but none is more famous than the ever-present “Who would build the roads?” attack.  —  But while libertarians are forced to spend a good bit of time talking …

Gov. Murphy's Republican Foe, Jack Ciattarelli, Will Concede  —  It took nine days.  But Mr. Ciattarelli is expected to acknowledge on Friday that he has lost the race for governor of New Jersey.  —  Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican vying to unseat Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey …

Ocasio-Cortez Isn't Wavering.  Are New Yorkers on Her Side?  —  By voting no on the infrastructure bill, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set off a fierce debate, including among city residents eager to see the subways improved.  —  As the No. 6 subway train creaked toward …

Project Veritas: Journalists or Political Spies?  —  Documents show how the conservative group worked with lawyers to gauge how far its deceptive reporting practices could go before running afoul of federal laws.  —  WASHINGTON — Hours after F.B.I. agents searched the homes …

Where the potholes lie on Kevin McCarthy's road to House speaker  —  The toughest trial Kevin McCarthy faces on his way to becoming House speaker isn't reclaiming the majority.  It's what comes afterward.  —  McCarthy and his allies are elated by the strong GOP showing in this month's elections …

What happened to Eric Clapton? … Robert Cray was stunned when he first heard “Stand and Deliver.”  Eric Clapton, his onetime musical hero, who became a mentor and friend, had released his first protest song in 56 years of recording.  Only it wasn't about George Floyd or global warming.