Meadows texts reveal direct White House communications with pro-Trump operative behind plans to seize voting machines  —  As allies of then-President Donald Trump made a final push to overturn the election in late-December 2020, one of the key operatives behind the effort briefed …

The mysterious nine-second call from the White House to a January 6 rioter: CNN reveals the rioter's identity for the first time  —  At 4:34 pm on January 6, 2021, a cell phone registered to a Capitol rioter who had stormed the building, received a phone call from a White House landline, according to records obtained by CNN.

White House: New rule will show ‘true cost’ of plane tickets  —  President Joe Biden will announce a new initiative Monday that will eventually allow consumers to see a more complete price on airline tickets — including baggage and change fees — before they buy, as the White House continues …

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden  —  President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to former U.S. security contractor Edward Snowden, according to a decree signed by the Russian leader on Monday.  Snowden is one of 75 foreign nationals listed by the decree as being granted Russian citizenship.

Mastriano's Sputtering Campaign: No TV Ads, Tiny Crowds, Little Money  —  As he runs for governor of Pennsylvania, Doug Mastriano is being heavily outspent by his Democratic rival and trails badly in polling.  National Republicans show little desire to help him.

CBO: White House plan to relieve student loan debt costs $400 billion  —  Supporters of student debt cancelation have argued some estimates overstate the policy's price-tag  —  The White House's plan to cancel student loan debt for tens of millions of American borrowers will cost roughly $400 billion …

Pennsylvania school district bans Girls Who Code book series  —  The books are four of more than 1,500 titles banned by schools across the US as part of a conservative push to censor books  —  A school district in Pennsylvania has banned the Girls Who Code book series for young readers …

Giorgia Meloni claims victory to become Italy's most far-right prime minister since Mussolini  —  Brothers of Italy leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in a general election that seems set to install her as Italy's first female prime minister, leading the most far-right government since the fascist era of Benito Mussolini.

More Trans Teens Are Choosing ‘Top Surgery’  —  Small studies suggest that breast removal surgery improves transgender teenagers' well-being, but data is sparse.  Some state leaders oppose such procedures for minors.  —  Michael, 17, arrived in the sleek white waiting room …

McConnell works to box out Manchin  —  It's Mitch McConnell versus Joe Manchin yet again.  —  McConnell is urging Senate Republicans to vote no on advancing Manchin's permitting reform legislation as part of a government funding package, according to three people familiar with the effort.

Top State Judges Make a Rare Plea in a Momentous Supreme Court Election Case  —  In a surprising filing, state chief justices opposed an argument pressed by Republicans — that state legislatures may set federal election rules unconstrained by state constitutions.

As more states create election integrity units, Arizona is a cautionary tale  —  Over three years, a high-profile investigation team found little fraud, sapped government resources and deepened suspicions  —  PHOENIX — Republicans across the country have embraced an aggressive tactic …

California Rep. Katie Porter trashed Irvine police after they arrested man she lives with  —  California Democrat called local police department ‘a disgrace’

Cayler Ellingson's alleged killer not under house arrest, no curfew after posting ‘very low’ bond: court docs  —  Former assistant US attorney says the ‘very low’ bond is ‘woefully inadequate’  —  Cayler Ellingson's former North Dakota high school holds moment of silence at Homecoming football game

Does It Matter That Investigators Are Closing in on Trump?  —  Gail Collins: Bret, which do you think is more of a threat to Trump's political future, the classified document drama at Mar-a-Lago or the legal challenge to his businesses in New York?  —  Bret Stephens: Gail …

Pollsters fear they're blowing it again in 2022  —  Pollsters know they have a problem.  But they aren't sure they've fixed it in time for the November election.  —  Since Donald Trump's unexpected 2016 victory, pre-election polls have consistently understated support for Republican candidates, compared to the votes ultimately cast.

Trump's ‘Special Master’ Delay Is Already Backfiring  —  For years, Donald Trump has managed to tie up lawsuits and investigations by delaying cases and hiding behind the Oval Office desk.  His latest ploy is failing miserably.  —  Former President Donald Trump has learned time and again …

Gunman Attacks Draft Office as Kremlin Admits Errors in Call-Ups … A recruitment officer was wounded in the latest attack on a Russian draft office.  —  A gunman apparently distraught over Russia's chaotic military mobilization opened fire at a draft office in Siberia on Monday …

How a QAnon splinter group became a feature of Trump rallies  —  An offshoot of the extremist movement called Negative48 is thronging Trump political events, causing tensions with the former president's team.  —  WILMINGTON, N.C. — Julie McDaniel can't say for sure who started it.

Pennsylvania pro-life activist arrested by FBI, charged with assaulting clinic escort  —  Prosecutors say Mark Houck twice assaulted a man outside a Planned Parenthood clinic on the same day last year  —  FBI arrests Catholic leader  —  A Catholic pro-life activist was arrested Friday …

How Policy Got Done in 2022  —  To understand the Democrats' big climate and health care bill, you must go back decades. … Ten years before Joe Biden signed the centerpiece of the Democratic legislative agenda, the Inflation Reduction Act, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) was thousands of miles from home …