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 …

House GOP passes Pentagon funding bill after failed tries  —  House Republicans late Thursday night approved legislation to fund the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2024, a success for GOP leaders after they decided to strip Ukraine funding from the legislation following two failed procedural votes.

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 …

Republican Group Running Anti-Trump Ads Finds Little Is Working  —  With over 40 ads and $6 million spent, a group tied to the Club for Growth is no closer to an answer, a memo to donors says.  Some ads even gave Donald Trump a boost.  —  A well-funded group of anti-Trump conservatives …

‘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.

Second Republican primary debate had the lowest TV viewership since 2015  —  Wednesday's debate had the lowest TV viewership of any Republican presidential debate since 2015.  —  When it comes to debates, the question of ratings is usually little more than a curiosity.

Trump and his sons will plead the Fifth in civil fraud trial: Watergate prosecutor  —  Former President Donald Trump and his adult sons will be facing trial for civil fraud in a matter of days — and the clear facts of the case have already been decided, with Judge Arthur Engoron finding …

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” …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …