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.

POLITICO Playbook: Trump sours on DeSantis  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  TODAY'S MUST-READ — “The toughest trial KEVIN MCCARTHY faces on his way to becoming House speaker isn't reclaiming the majority.  It's what comes afterward.”  That's the blunt takeaway from Olivia Beavers' big piece …

Judge in Kyle Rittenhouse trial makes inappropriate Asian food joke  —  (CNN)The judge presiding over the homicide trial of Kyle Rittenhouse confused observers after making a strange and off-color joke inside the courtroom on Thursday.  —  “I hope the Asian food isn't coming …

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

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.

'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.

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 …

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 …

American journalist Danny Fenster sentenced to 11 years in Myanmar prison  —  A Myanmar court on Friday convicted American journalist Danny Fenster of three charges, including immigration violations, and sentenced him to prison for 11 years — the harshest possible sentences for those crimes under the law.

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.

Sen. Murkowski announces reelection bid in a race featuring a Trump-backed GOP challenger  —  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced Friday that she will seek reelection to a seat for which former president Donald Trump has already backed a Republican challenger following Murkowski's vote …

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 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 …

'But he's Jewish': Opponent questions Mandel's faith in Ohio Senate primary debate  —  A Republican Senate candidate in Ohio is doubling down on a controversial campaign ad, insisting voters need to be aware of an important fact: that the frontrunner in the primary is Jewish.

Judge Orders FBI to Stop Search of Project Veritas Founder O'Keefe's Phone Following Raid  —  The FBI has been ordered by a federal judge to stop plundering information from James O'Keefe's phone following a raid on his home and other properties connected with Project Veritas last weekend.

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.

Biden poised to nominate Califf as FDA chief  —  President Joe Biden is expected to nominate former Commissioner Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration Friday, in a move that would bring the Obama-era official back for a second tour atop the agency, two sources familiar with the announcement told POLITICO.

The Resistance Liar … Adam Schiff was one of the star attractions at Donald Trump's first impeachment trial.  In his role as one of the House impeachment managers, Schiff pressed his case on the Senate floor by summoning an earnest indignation.  He would at times get hoarse and weary.

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 …