GOP begins to look for new 2024 candidates amid fears over Trump  —  A growing number of Republicans are openly cheering for a competitive primary field in 2024 and encouraging candidates to jump into the race, as some in the GOP get increasingly anxious about the idea of Donald Trump becoming …

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 …

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 …

America's Self-Obsession Is Killing Its Democracy  —  In 2009, a violent mob stormed the presidential palace in Madagascar, a deeply impoverished red-earthed island off the coast of East Africa.  They had been incited to violence by opportunistic politicians and media personalities, successfully triggering a coup.

Trump Recently Urged a Powerful Legislator to Overturn His 2020 Defeat in Wisconsin  —  Donald J. Trump called Robin Vos, the speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, on July 9 and pushed him to support a resolution to retract the state's 10 electoral votes for President Biden.  — Give this article- - - Read in app

This is what it looks like when women become second-class citizens  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  The horror stories from state abortion bans are piling up: Women facing dangerous delays in care for miscarriages.  Doctors violating their training and waiting until their patient is at death's door before performing an abortion.

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 …

Iowa Poll: Most think Joe Biden should not run again in 2024 as approval rating falls  —  Less than a quarter of Iowans say they think President Joe Biden should make another run for the White House in 2024, even as he insists he will seek a second term in office.

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 …

I Was Wrong About Trump Voters  —  The worst line I ever wrote as a pundit — yes, I know, it's a crowded field — was the first line I ever wrote about the man who would become the 45th president: “If by now you don't find Donald Trump appalling, you're appalling.”

I Was Wrong About Al Franken  —  During the height of the #MeToo movement in 2017, a woman named Leeann Tweeden accused Al Franken of sexually harassing her during his comedian days and produced a photo of him pretending to grope her breasts.  I called on Franken to resign from the Senate …

Where does Larry Hogan go from here?  —  Just as he's weighing a bid for the presidency, Maryland primary voters sided with Trump and nominated someone who repudiates the governor's brand of conservatism  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  Wednesday morning was grim in Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's orbit.

Lawsuit Claims Trump's Lawyer Called AG ‘That Black B*tch’  —  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 favorite New Jersey defense lawyer …

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 …

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark A. Milley Hold a Press Conference  —  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark A. Milley  —  STAFF: Good afternoon, everyone.

Biden seeking $37B for fighting crime, hiring more police  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is proposing to spend roughly $37 billion for fighting and preventing crime, including $13 billion to help communities hire and train 100,000 police officers over five years.

Trump's New Campaign Expense: Lawyers for Jan. 6 Witnesses  —  Trump is spending quite a bit to cover legal expenses for his former aides.  —  It's been widely reported that former President Donald Trump has covered legal expenses for witnesses testifying before the Jan. 6 committee …

The Morning Dispatch: The January 6 Committee Presses the Secret Service  —  Plus: A heatwave wreaks havoc across Europe and America.  —  Happy Thursday!  There are times in your life where you will be called to stand athwart history, yelling stop.  Velveeta's introduction of a liquid mac …

Your “We Are Headed Toward a Civil War” Friend Has a Point  —  Half of Americans agree somewhat that there will be civil war “in the next few years” and nearly one in five are similarly confident that they will soon arm themselves with a gun in a situation where political violence is justified …

‘They Must Provide The Abortion!’  AG Garland Hits Back at Texas Lawsuit Challenging Biden Emergency Abortion Rule  —  Attorney General Merrick Garland hit back at a Texas lawsuit over a Biden administration abortion rule, declaring that doctors faced with an emergency “must perform the abortion” regardless of state law.

The new proposal to prevent a future coup is surprisingly good  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  As we reported this week, a bipartisan group of senators has been negotiating over complicated reforms designed to thwart a rerun of Donald Trump's coup attempt.