Trump's Attack on Black Votes Was There the Whole Time, We Just Didn't Call It a Crime  —  As I noted in an update to this post, NYT and the Guardian have clarified that the third charge mentioned in Trump's target letter was 18 USC 241, Conspiracy against Rights, not — as Rolling Stone originally reported — 18 USC 242.

Inside Kevin McCarthy's secret promise to expunge Trump's record  —  Donald Trump is angry that the speaker hasn't endorsed his campaign.  To placate him, McCarthy privately vowed to hold a vote to clear Trump's impeachments.  Now, that promise is coming due.

Florida Schools Will Teach How Slavery Brought ‘Personal Benefit’ to Black People  —  The Florida Board of Education has approved shocking new standards for African American history, despite overwhelming backlash from the public.  —  Middle school students in Florida will soon be taught …

Trump praises ‘fantastic guy’ Jason Aldean after CMT pulls the country star's ‘Try That in a Small Town’ video  — Trump threw his support behind country star Jason Aldean, joining a growing list of Republicans.  — The former president's support came after CMT pulled Aldean's “Try That In A Small Town” video.

The Long-Shot Candidate Who Has the White House Worried  —  Pull up a sticky green lawn chair, everyone.  It's time for another round of Mounting Democratic Jitters, cherished summer pastime from Wilmington to the West Wing.  Today's installment: Cornel West, unlikely MAGA accessory.

Influential activist Leonard Leo helped fund media campaign lionizing Clarence Thomas  —  The 25th anniversary of Clarence Thomas's confirmation to the Supreme Court was approaching — a moment that would draw attention to his accomplishments on the bench but also to the misconduct claims that had nearly derailed his rise.

Five months in, Nikki Haley is still waiting for her moment  —  The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and her allies feel like they'll soon prove the doubters wrong.  Her rivals aren't worried.  —  NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — When Nikki Haley entered the presidential race Feb. 15, she was polling at 4.5%.

Poll Finds 16% Would Consider Backing Joe Manchin on a Third-Party Ticket  — Poll shows three in ten voters open to alternative ticket  — But support for fusion ticket drops when names attached  —  A new poll finds just 16% of registered voters would consider supporting …

Right-wing activists seek to ban “Arthur's Birthday” from Florida school libraries  —  On July 12, 2023, the book Arthur's Birthday was formally challenged in the Clay County School District, which is located outside of Jacksonville, Florida.  The challenge is an effort to remove the volume from the district's school libraries.

House GOP blocks funds to LGBT groups, using budget for cultural fights  —  Republicans denied funding to three Democratic efforts to assist local groups focused on LGBT housing and other issues, part of a sprawling conservative effort to use the 2024 budget to advance their social agenda

How Donald Trump Ended Up With Priceless Israeli Antiquities  —  After an appeal from Israel, the former president agrees to return ceramic oil lamps and coins  —  Former President Donald Trump agreed to return ancient artifacts after Israel's antiquities authority launched a public campaign to get them back.

Whistleblower X reveals identity as IRS special agent Joseph Ziegler  —  IRS whistleblowers testified at the House Oversight committee  —  The identity of the anonymous IRS whistleblower alleging political misconduct throughout the Hunter Biden investigation was revealed on Wednesday …

Political consultant backing Tim Scott spewed the N-word during card game  —  The operative previously worked for Scott's Senate office.  —  A political consultant closely tied to the effort to elect Tim Scott president repeatedly used the N-word when he was playing a card game with friends, a video obtained by POLITICO shows.

MTG said she was ‘uncomfortable’ showing photos of Hunter Biden having sex but Americans ‘deserve’ to see them  — Marjorie Taylor Greene held up large nude photos of Hunter Biden during a House Committee meeting.  — Democrats questioned the move and said they were “completely irrelevant” to the hearing.

Veteran Sam Brown wins Blackburn endorsement, raises major cash in Nevada Senate run  —  Sam Brown is making a second run for a Nevada Senate seat as a Republican  —  EXCLUSIVE: Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown is racking up endorsements just a few weeks after announcing his run against incumbent Democrat Sen. Jacky Rosen.

Convicted con man who was pardoned by Trump is again charged with fraud  —  “I have a bad reputation,” Eliyahu Weinstein was recorded telling others charged in the $35 million Ponzi-like scheme, officials say.  —  A New Jersey con man with a “bad reputation” who was pardoned two years ago …