Putin's ‘surreal’ version of Ukrainian history alarms experts  —  Putin deploys Russian troops into eastern Ukraine  —  Even seasoned Kremlinologists were alarmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's belligerent tone as he offered a monologue on why Ukraine has no right to exist.

Full Interview: President Trump with C&B from Mar-a-Lago  —  CLAY: We are live from the majestic Mar-a-Lago estate with 45 himself, President Donald Trump, and I'll bring you right in, sir, 'cause I know our audience loves to hear from you.  Buck and I have been walking around this estate.

Biden interviews at least two Supreme Court contenders as announcement nears … President Biden is in the final stages of making his first nomination to the Supreme Court — having completed interviews with at least two leading contenders — and West Wing officials have begun advising outside allies …

Only one former secretary of state is praising Putin and criticizing Biden in Ukraine crisis  —  During a moment of peril in Europe, Pompeo is taking to cable news and social media to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin and chastise the Biden administration.

Russia-Ukraine live updates: Biden announces sanctions on Russia after moves against Ukraine  —  The Kremlin said Russia has recognized rebel-held regions within borders that the separatists originally proclaimed in 2014, sparking fears of a wider invasion.  Germany announced it is halting authorization …

The Culture War Has Democrats Facing Electoral Demise in Rural America.  Can They Stop the Bleeding?  —  New survey of rural voters shows what's driving the party's increasingly barren showings, and potential avenues for recovery  — 65% of rural voters view the Democratic Party unfavorably — including 48% who do so strongly.

US House candidate sorry for intoxication during sleepover  —  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A U.S. House candidate in Oklahoma has apologized after reports that she became intoxicated at a Valentine's Day weekend sleepover for middle-school-aged girls, berated several of the children and vomited in a hamper.

Reality Is a Tank  —  Vladimir Putin has been clear-eyed about the world.  We're the ones who lost touch with reality.  —  1. Putin Is Winning  —  There's a lot of “OMG Putin is a madman how could he do this!” today.  Here is the single most daft expression I've seen from a serious person:

Rick Scott pushes own GOP agenda as McConnell holds off  —  Senate Republican leaders have no plans to release an alternative agenda as they try to win back the majority this fall.  So Rick Scott is pursuing his own plan.  —  The Florida Republican senator is devising a conservative blueprint …

United States v. Donald Trump  —  A “Model Prosecution Memo” on the Conspiracy to Pressure Vice President Pence  —  The following memorandum is a model “prosecution memo” analyzing potential charges against former President Donald Trump for his efforts to pressure Mike Pence to abuse …

Ottawa convoy protest organizer Tamara Lich denied bail  —  Judge was not convinced she would go home and follow conditions  —  Tamara Lich, a major organizer of the so-called Freedom Convoy, was denied bail Tuesday morning in Ottawa.  —  Lich, the Alberta woman behind a now-halted GoFundMe campaign …

It's time to admit it: Mitt Romney was right about Russia  —  A decade ago, Mitt Romney went on CNN and made a statement that was widely perceived as a major mistake.  —  “Russia, this is, without question, our number one geopolitical foe,” Romney, who would be the Republican presidential nominee …

The Long Crusade of Clarence and Ginni Thomas  —  The Supreme Court justice and his wife battled for years for a more conservative America.  New reporting shows how far she was willing to go after Donald Trump's 2020 election loss.  —  The call to action was titled “Election Results and Legal Battles: What Now?”

The Ottawa truck convoy has revealed the ugly side of freedom … Beverley McLachlin is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and served as Chief Justice from 2000 to 2017.  —  During the truck convoy protests, we have watched banners demanding “freedom” waving over big rigs parked in front of Parliament.