The Memo: Trump's legal defenses draw derision — even from some conservatives  —  Former President Trump and his allies have been throwing up defenses over the Mar-a-Lago documents since an indictment leveling 37 criminal charges against him was unsealed June 9.

“Unfriending” America: The Christian right is coming for the enemies of God — like you and me  —  Rising far-right Christian movement linked to GOP calls for “kingdom revolution” led by an “army of believers”  —  “You've got a friend in Pennsylvania!” was the theme of the state's ad campaign to promote tourism in the 1980s.

Biden kicks off reelection bid with union rally in Philadelphia  —  President Joe Biden kicked off his reelection campaign Saturday at a union rally in his frequent haunt of Pennsylvania, the state that remains an intersection of his personal and political identities that he hopes can propel him to a second term.

Biden Administration Engages in Long-Shot Attempt for Saudi-Israel Deal  —  The president and his aides are pressing an aggressive diplomatic effort as Riyadh makes significant demands in exchange for normalization, including a nuclear deal and a robust U.S. security pact.

First ever Partygate video revealed as Tories drink, dance and laugh at Covid rules  —  The Conservatives face the threat of a new police probe as an exclusive video shows officials joking about their rule-bending Christmas bash at the party's headquarters in London during lockdown

Pence vows to ‘clean house’ at Justice Department if elected, citing trust issues  —  Former Vice President and 2024 candidate Mike Pence said he would “clean house” in federal law enforcement if he was elected president.  —  “The American people have lost confidence in the Department of Justice.

Texas Ends Water Breaks for Construction Workers Amid Heat Wave  —  THIRSTY  —  A triple-digit Texas heat wave is drawing new attention to a law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott this week, ending water break requirements for construction workers.  The legislation, signed Tuesday …

Senate Republicans love Tim Scott.  They just can't say so politically.  —  So far, just two Senate colleagues have endorsed Scott's presidential bid.  Some say many are afraid of backlash from Donald Trump.  —  Congressional bureau chief  —  His fellow Republican colleagues can't say enough …

Native Americans Are Major Victims of Minneapolis Police Racism: DOJ  —  After George Floyd's murder in 2020, Native Americans stood beside Black protesters in Minneapolis and called for changes to policing.  Now, the Justice Department is highlighting how the city's cops have been racist against them, too.

Nikki Haley's husband begins Africa deployment as she campaigns for 2024 GOP nomination  —  Michael Haley, the candidate's husband of 26 years, has been a constant at his wife's campaign events since she became a White House candidate.  —  CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nikki Haley's husband deployed Saturday …

Blinken in China: What to Know  —  There's much to talk about, but it's not clear if it will be constructive.  Meetings in Beijing will offer clues as to whether the two nations can smooth over tensions.  —  Edward Wong reported from Beijing, and David Pierson from Singapore.

Now she's out of a job.  Her struggle is just beginning.  —  Deep Reads features The Washington Post's best immersive reporting and narrative writing.  —  BUFFALO — Lexi Rizzo was cleaning dishes in the back of her Starbucks store on March 31 when she noticed that her manager was printing a document, her hands shaking.

Spotify Has Stopped Even Sort of Trying to Stem Joe Rogan's Vaccine Misinformation  —  As a recent conversation between the podcast host and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes clear.  —  A broad swath of the anti-vaccine universe celebrated Thursday, when Joe Rogan, the biggest podcaster in the country …