Trump suing ex-MI6 officer who alleged he was ‘compromised’ by Russian security service  —  Christopher Steele's dossier also alleged Putin ‘supported and directed’ plan to ‘cultivate’ Trump as a presidential candidate  —  Donald Trump is suing a former MI6 officer and the intelligence consultancy …

Hard-liners plot to replace McCarthy with a deputy as shutdown looms  —  A contingent of far-right House Republicans are plotting an attempt to remove Kevin McCarthy as House speaker as early as next week, a move that would throw the chamber into further disarray in the middle …

Why a shutdown is looking inevitable  —  Presented by With assists from POLITICO's Congress team  —  TICK TOCK: The government will shut down in three days if Congress can't pass a funding patch.  —  FURLOUGH, SWEET CHARIOT  —  If you're a federal worker who doesn't know what the future holds …

‘Botched this bad’: Insiders say GOPers furious at James Comer for his handling of impeachment inquiry  —  WASHINGTON — Republicans are growing more and more frustrated with the House Oversight Committee's impeachment hearing, with some beginning to admit it has been a failure.

Viewership Fell Sharply for Second G.O.P. Debate  —  Fewer than 10 million people watched the Republican presidential candidates on Wednesday, according to preliminary data from Nielsen.  —  Fewer than 10 million people watched the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night …

Menendez plans Puerto Rico donor retreat amid Democratic fears over his reelection plans  —  He may be facing bribery charges and calls for his resignation from more than half of his Senate Democratic colleagues.  But donors can still hit the links and dine with Sen. Bob Menendez at a luxurious beachside hotel - for a price.

The biggest loser of last night's debate was ...  ... not any of the seven candidates on the stage.  It wasn't even one of the candidates who weren't on the stage — Donald Trump, Asa Hutchinson, and an assortment of also rans.  The biggest loser of the debate was Fox Business Channel, with the RNC that arranged it a close runner-up.

Kari Lake and Pro-DeSantis ‘Reporter’ Get Into Screaming Match at GOP Debate  —  Before the candidates hit the debate stage Wednesday, there was another debate between Kari Lake and pro-Ron DeSantis reporter Chris Nelson.  —  When an ardently pro-Ron DeSantis “journalist” …

Ojai, CA Becomes First U.S. City To Recognize Legal Rights Of Elephants  —  Ordinance gives elephants the right to liberty in Ojai  —  The Ojai City Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday to recognize the legal rights of elephants, becoming the first city in the United States to give legal rights to a non-human animal.

Peter Daou's Theory of Election Interference—by Democrats  —  The former Clinton aide, now running the third-party Presidential campaign of Cornel West, on his recent political awakening.  —  Peter Daou, a former aide to Hillary Clinton, recently announced that he had become the campaign manager …

Thousands of cantaloupes sold in 19 states recalled due to potential salmonella contamination  —  Thousands of whole cantaloupes sold in 19 states and Washington, D.C., have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination, the Food and Drug Administration announced.

Peruvian National Arrested In Peru For Sending Over 150 Hoax Bomb Threats To Schools And Other Institutions In The United States And Soliciting Child Pornography  —  For Immediate Release  —  U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York  —  Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos Allegedly …

Teary-eyed influencer ‘Meatball’ who livestreamed Philadelphia looting mayhem is charged with 6 felonies  —  The Philadelphia social media influencer arrested while she livestreamed Tuesday night's looting mayhem fought back tears as she was charged with six felonies.

Trump's Tax Representative Said in 2020 He ‘Agrees’ With $26.6 Million Appraisal of Mar-a-Lago (Exclusive)  —  A letter obtained by The Messenger shows a contrast between what Trump's tax representative told local officials and claims his South Florida club is worth more than $1 billion

BREAKING: DeSantis Will Support 15 Week Federal Protections For The Unborn  —  Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign confirmed to The Daily Signal on Wednesday evening that he will support 15-week protections for the unborn.  —  In audio of the debate following DeSantis' response …

Exclusive: DHS investigating whether floor plans and other security information were exposed in ransomware attack on contractor  —  Senior Department of Homeland Security officials are working to determine if a ransomware attack on government contractor Johnson Controls International …

Youngkin: Virginia districts 'really don't have a choice' in school transgender policy  —  Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday said local school districts “don't really have a choice” in adopting his administration's new model policies for the treatment of transgender students …