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.

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.

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 …

Appeals court temporarily bars release of Trump White House records to House Jan. 6 committee  —  A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked the imminent release of records of former president Donald Trump's White House calls and activities related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack after a lower court found …

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.

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 …

'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.

Murkowski announces reelection bid opposed by Trump  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial and has repeatedly bumped heads with the former president, announced Friday that she will run for reelection.

Build Back Better 2.0 Still Raises Taxes For High Income Households And Reduces Them For Others  —  In a new analysis, the Tax Policy Center estimates that the major tax changes in the latest version of President Biden's Build Back Better plan would cut taxes on average for nearly all income groups in 2022.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Kevin McCarthy's made the right GOP moves.  He still has to fight for the gavel.  —  Will he glide to the speakership or have a white-knuckle ride?  The size of next year's Republican gains could make the difference.  —  While the GOP is widely favored to take back the House …

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 …

The Main Driver of Inflation Is a Murderous Maniac in Riyadh … Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is enacting revenge on Democrats in general and President Joe Biden specifically for the party's increasingly standoffish attitude toward the kingdom — by driving up energy prices and fueling global inflation.

Scoop: Biden appointing infrastructure chief  —  President Biden plans to install a point-person in charge of infrastructure to ensure his administration properly implements its trillion-dollar legislation, two sources familiar with the plans tell Axios.  —  Why it matters …

McConnell won't go to White House signing ceremony for infrastructure bill  —  Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Thursday that he won't attend a White House signing ceremony for a bipartisan infrastructure deal that he voted for and has touted while in Kentucky this week.

Europe Weighs Border Walls as Migrants Mass in Belarus at Poland's Frontier  —  The European Union is adopting a tougher stance toward migration in response to what officials see as a hybrid attack from a close Russian ally  —  BERLIN—A standoff over the fate of thousands of migrants camped …

‘Nightlife mayor’ Eric Adams takes Manhattan for restaurant opening  —  Mayor-elect Eric Adams was out on the town Thursday night, enjoying a three-hour dinner at a splashy new Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan.  —  “We're supporting nightlife!”  Adams gushed during an 11:00 p.m. phone call to a Post reporter.

‘Anti-woke’ University of Austin is right that college is ‘broken,’ but its founders are wrong about everything else  —  It's not every day that a brand new university is unveiled in the United States, and — thanks to its backing by an all-star team of politically conservative thought leaders …

Durham indictments - don't be fooled, here's where this case is likely headed  —  Abuse of political power is not necessarily a violation of the criminal law  —  Andy McCarthy on the implications of John Durham's latest indictments  —  There is a great deal of extravagant commentary …

Sen. Joe Manchin, speaking at Toyota event in W.Va., calls union-built EV tax credit ‘wrong’  —  The news arrives as the state's senior senator holds a deciding vote on the Build Back Better Act, which includes a tax credit for union-made battery-electric vehicles that Toyota opposes.

Fugitive Jan. 6 Rioter Makes Insanely Desperate Plea on Belarus State TV  —  In the full special released Thursday, Neumann—who allegedly called Jan. 6 cops “little bitches”—said he'd face “torture” in America and promised to be a “good citizen” of Belarus.