CBS News poll finds after latest Trump indictment, many Americans see implications for democracy.  For some, it's personal  —  America's response to this week's indictment of Donald Trump is providing a window into more than just how Americans view his alleged actions per se …

Black mayor of tiny Alabama town says he was ousted by his White predecessor  —  Patrick Braxton accomplished something no Black man in his Alabama town had done in its 166-year history: he became mayor.  —  He told CNN he ran for office in 2020 to serve the fewer than 300 residents of Newbern …

Republican Attacks on ‘Woke’ Ideology Falling Flat With G.O.P. Voters  —  New polling shows national Republicans and Iowa Republican caucusgoers were more interested in “law and order” than battling “woke” schools, media and corporations.  —  When it comes to the Republican primaries, attacks on “wokeness” may be losing their punch.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Campaign Anguishes His Storied Family  —  The presidential bid by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tested the bonds of an iconic Democratic clan that does not want him to run and does not know what to do about it.  —  Peter Baker is the chief White House correspondent and has covered the past five presidents.

DeSantis Camp Hit by Gloom as Aides Worry Race Is Slipping Away  — Aides frustrated and disappointed by campaign's inner workings  — DeSantis continues resetting bid as Trump holds primary lead  —  Ron DeSantis promised a reset of his presidential campaign.  Many of his campaign staffers are still waiting.

Putin's Forever War … Vladimir Putin wants to lead Russians into a civilizational conflict with the West far larger than Ukraine.  Will they follow him?  —  Roger Cohen and Nanna Heitmann traveled from Moscow to Siberia to Russia's border with Ukraine to report and photograph this article.

Clarence Thomas's $267,230 R.V. and the Friend Who Financed It  —  The vehicle is a key part of the justice's just-folks persona.  It's also a luxury motor coach that was funded by someone else's money.  —  Justice Clarence Thomas met the recreational vehicle of his dreams in Phoenix, on a November Friday in 1999.

Office of the Attorney General Files Appeal to Texas Supreme Court, Blocking District Judge's Ruling and Leaving Abortion Law in Place  —  The Office of the Attorney General ("OAG") filed a Notice of Accelerated Interlocutory Appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court in Zurawski …

Russia and China Sent Large Naval Patrol Near Alaska  —  Four U.S. destroyers were dispatched to monitor Russian and Chinese ships  —  A combined Russian and Chinese naval force patrolled near the coast of Alaska earlier this week in what U.S. experts said appeared to be the largest such flotilla to approach American shores.

John Eastman Comes Clean: Hell Yes We Were Trying to Overthrow the Government  —  THE BACKCHANNEL  —  I want to return to this revelatory interview with coconspirator John Eastman, the last portion of which was published Thursday by Tom Klingenstein, the Chairman of the Trumpite Claremont Institute …

NASCAR suspends driver Noah Gragson for liking insensitive meme depicting face of George Floyd  —  NASCAR said Gragson violated the member conduct of its rule book, without providing details.  —  BROOKLYN, Mich. — Driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and Legacy Motor Club due …