BREAKING: First Trump RICO defendant takes plea agreement  —  X  —  Bail bondsman Scott Hall on Friday became the first defendant in the Fulton County election interference case to take a plea agreement with prosecutors.  —  During an impromptu hearing before Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee …

'It's crazy': Shutdown caps Congress' week from hell  —  Back in the 1990s, as then-Speaker Gingrich put it, Republicans could at least “afford to have five or six people be idiots.”  —  Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman has never seen a scenario like this week: “Not in real life — in movies.

IRS contractor charged with stealing Donald Trump's tax returns, which were leaked to press  —  Federal prosecutors announced charges Friday against a contractor with the Internal Revenue Service who allegedly stole the tax returns of a high-ranking government official.

GOP senators say they won't stop Democrats from replacing Feinstein on Judiciary Committee  —  Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death creates a vacancy on the powerful panel that oversees President Biden's judicial nominees.  Without her, Democrats don't have a majority on it.

Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party  — Germany has responded to an attack from Elon Musk, saying it's “saving lives” by helping migrants.  — The billionaire had promoted the claim that Germany is facilitating “illegal” immigration to Europe.

Dress code debate reflects the US Senate's diminished reputation  —  The debate over the U.S. Senate dress code, spurred by Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), is a fight that seems insignificant to most yet reflects how the once vaunted and respected institution of the U.S. Senate has diminished in the eyes of the American people.

With Shutdown Looming, Biden Calls Out Speaker McCarthy for a “Terrible Bargain” With MAGA Republicans  —  In a wide-ranging video interview being published Sunday, the president also addressed broad threats to democracy, ethical concerns about the Supreme Court and more.

Biden to convene his Cabinet early next week to discuss continuity of government  —  President Joe Biden is expected to convene his Cabinet early next week to discuss continuity of government after a potential shutdown begins Sunday, four administration officials familiar with the plans told CNN.

Matt Gaetz is reaching out to Dems about a McCarthy ouster  —  Among the lawmakers he spoke to as he threatens the speaker's gavel: Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).