Secret Service watchdog knew in February that texts had been purged  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  A watchdog agency learned in February that the Secret Service had purged nearly all cellphone texts from around the time of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, but chose not to alert Congress …

Senators announce bipartisan bills to stop candidates from stealing elections  —  WASHINGTON — After months of negotiating, a group of senators announced two proposals Wednesday designed to close gaps in federal law and prevent future candidates from stealing elections.

Federal investigation of Hunter Biden reaches critical juncture, sources say  —  The federal investigation into Hunter Biden's business activities is nearing a critical juncture as investigators weigh possible charges and prosecutors confront Justice Department guidelines …

Even a day after Jan. 6, Trump balked at condemning the violence  —  The House committee investigating the Capitol attack expects to show portions of outtakes Thursday from remarks Trump delivered Jan. 7, when aides pressed him to repudiate the riot.  —  Gift Article

In Harvard study of Jan. 6 rioters, top motivation is clear: Trump  —  Researchers at Harvard University who conducted the largest study yet of what motivated Jan. 6 rioters say the data is clear: The most common responses focused on former President Donald Trump and his lies about the election.

GOP freezes up on same-sex marriage  —  Mitt Romney doesn't think it's necessary.  Richard Burr hasn't read it.  And Todd Young is “fixated” on microchips.  —  Those are some of the answers Republicans gave Wednesday on whether they'd back legislation writing same-sex marriage into law.

Biden Approval Hits New Low Amid Public Discontent With Both Parties, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Nearly Half Of Americans Worry About Being Mass Shooting Victim  — mail_outline  —  One and a half years since President Joe Biden took office, Americans give President Biden …

CIA Director: Putin ‘too healthy’  —  Vladimir Putin is “entirely too healthy,” CIA Director William Burns said Wednesday, throwing cold water on constant rumors that the Russian president is suffering from illness as he pursues his war on Ukraine.  —  Burns, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum …

At Ivana Trump's Funeral, a Gold-Hued Coffin and the Secret Service  —  “People adored Ivana.”  — Give this article- - - Read in app  —  In death, as in life, her famous former husband loomed over Ivana Trump's story.  —  On Wednesday afternoon, when a funeral was held for Ms. Trump …

Larry Hogan snubs Republican victor in Maryland, escalating Trump proxy war  —  Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland signaled on Wednesday that he opposed the gubernatorial candidate backed by Donald Trump, the latest escalation of a proxy war between the term-limited Republican governor and the former president.

Former Trump White House aide who met with January 6 panel attacks witnesses, lawmakers in profane and sexist rant  —  (CNN)A former Trump White House aide who met with the January 6 committee earlier this week went on a profane and sexist rant on a livestream after his testimony …

Donald Trump's Defense Lawyer Alina Habba Sued by Employee For Yelling N-word  —  Donald Trump's favorite New Jersey criminal defense lawyer is in hot water after allegedly repeatedly singing the n-word while listening to rap.  And there's more. … Donald Trump's new favorite …

Pelosi to Blinken: Label Russia as terrorist state, or else Congress will  —  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had a message for Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism — otherwise, Congress will.  —  The warning, made on a call between …

Nebraska governor makes big donation to take out Greitens  —  Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is among the biggest donors to a super PAC devoted to torpedoing Missouri Republican Eric Greitens' Senate campaign.  —  The second-term governor, who hails from one of the wealthiest megadonor families …

John Fetterman, in first interview since stroke, talks recovery and return to U.S. Senate campaign trail  —  This story will be updated.  —  In his first media interview since suffering a stroke days before the May primary election, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman …

Steve Bannon's offer to testify in the House January 6 inquiry might have backfired at his criminal trial  — Steve Bannon's lawyers told jurors about his recent offer to testify in the House January 6 inquiry.  — Prosecutors called the offer “sudden” and underscored that it cost the House panel precious time.

Joe Biden says he has cancer in possible gaffe  —  President Biden said Wednesday that he has cancer — making either a gaffe or a stunningly casual health announcement during a speech about global warming in Massachusetts.  —  Biden was describing the health effects of emissions …

Biden announces modest steps to fight climate's ‘clear and present danger’  —  Setbacks in Congress and at the Supreme Court are putting President Joe Biden's climate change goals out of reach as brutal heatwaves descend on much of the U.S. and Europe.  —  SOMERSET, Mass. …

Arizona Republican censured by party over testimony on resisting Trump  —  Rusty Bowers, the Arizona house speaker who testified to the January 6 committee about how he resisted Donald Trump's attempt to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden in the sun belt state, has been formally censured by his own Republican party.

New evidence disputes Trump's citizenship question rationale for census  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  Previously unreleased internal communications indicate the Trump administration tried to add a citizenship question to the census with the goal of affecting congressional apportionment …

Pence signals a 2024 bid as he meets with lawmakers and delivers South Carolina speech  —  See how close rioters got to Pence as they breached the Capitol 03:07  —  (CNN)Former Vice President Mike Pence is no longer keeping his cards close, telegraphing in several high-profile moves this week …