Newsom picks Laphonza Butler as Feinstein replacement  —  California's governor chose a labor leader turned power player to serve in the Senate, and an adviser told POLITICO there were no preconditions about whether she could run in 2024.  —  California Gov. Gavin Newsom …

Trump lawyer argues with judge at start of $250 million fraud trial in New York  — The $250 million civil fraud trial that could see Donald Trump permanently banned from doing business in New York has begun.  — Trump is present in the courtroom in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Rep. Matt Gaetz's father, former State Senator Don Gaetz, seeking a return to office  —  Nearly two decades after he stepped up for the first time to run for the Florida Senate, Don Gaetz, who served as that body's president from 2012-14, has announced his intention to seek office once again.

GOP senators weigh go-big-or-go-home strategy on Ukraine  —  The GOP confrontation last week over continued aid was a rude awakening for Mitch McConnell and other senators who back Ukraine funding.  —  From Mitch McConnell on down, the Senate's pro-Ukraine coalition is trying to reassure …

Little Enthusiasm for 2024 Front-Runners  —  Voters much more likely to see Biden as too old than Trump  —  West Long Branch, NJ - There is not a lot of enthusiasm for either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump becoming the major party nominees in 2024.

Spartz says she'll consider resigning from Congress  —  Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) announced that she'll consider resigning from her position if Congress does not create a debt commission by the end of this year.  —  “I've done many very difficult things being one woman standing many times …

Supreme Court declines to consider longshot bid to disqualify Trump from running for president  —  The Supreme Court said Monday that it will not take up a longshot challenge to Donald Trump's eligibility to run for president because of his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Democrats can't really save Kevin McCarthy  —  To become House speaker, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) had to give away much of the store to a small group of House Republicans.  Less than nine months later, he could be looking for what's left to give Democrats if he wants to try to keep the job.

Supreme Court denies Eastman petition, with rare recusal from Thomas  —  The Supreme Court on Monday denied an effort by lawyer John Eastman to appeal a ruling that found he may have acted criminally with the legal advice he gave former President Trump.  It spurred a rare recusal …

Play it again, Sam  —  Inside Bankman-Fried's last year in the crypto game  —  Most of the people who went to work for Sam Bankman-Fried ended up in jobs for which they were not obviously qualified, and Natalie Tien was no exception.  She'd been raised in Taiwan by middle-class parents whose …

First on CNN: Fulton County DA subpoenas Trump ally Kerik to testify, and he wants immunity  —  The Fulton County district attorney's office has issued a subpoena to former New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik to testify in the first trial later this month in the case stemming …

An unexpected check on Supreme Court's sharp move right: Justice Kavanaugh  —  Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh during his combative 2018 confirmation hearing.  In stark contrast, the justice today displays a generally upbeat manner.  (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)  —  WASHINGTON —