Trump's latest about-face: He now says 2020 election was ‘long over’  —  It's a new piece of rhetoric that Trump hopes will help him win immunity from his criminal charges.  —  In the months after the 2020 election, Donald Trump leaned on his campaign to launch ad blitzes and legal challenges …

US, British militaries launch massive retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and British militaries were bombing more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship …

Elise Stefanik's Ugly “Hostages” Barb Points to Serious GOP Mayhem Ahead  —  GOP Representative Elise Stefanik no doubt thought it was shrewd to describe the rioters who attacked the Capitol as “January 6 hostages.”  This sort of talk hits a sweet trifecta for a GOP leader with seemingly limitless ambition.

Education Dept. fast-tracks forgiveness for borrowers with smaller student loans  —  In a surprise move, the Biden administration says it will fast-track a big change, previously scheduled for July, that will soon erase the debts of thousands of federal student loan borrowers …

Why Platformer is leaving Substack  —  After much consideration, we have decided to move Platformer off of Substack.  Over the next few days, the publication will migrate to a new website powered by the nonprofit, open-source publishing platform Ghost.  If you already subscribe to Platformer …

Live updates Closing statements conclude in Trump's N.Y. civil fraud trial  —  Closing statements concluded Thursday in New York state's $370 million civil fraud trial against Donald Trump, his company and others.  Show more  —  Key updates  —  Trump rails against trial, judge from courtroom seat

Don't Turn Away From the Charges of Genocide Against Israel  —  With the question of whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza now before the International Court of Justice, the Biden administration has struck a tone of glib dismissal.  —  “Meritless” seems to be the agreed-upon term among U.S. officials.

Congress approves resolution against Biden EV charger plans  —  The measure targets a limited waiver from Buy America rules.  Democrats and the White House say it would backfire.  —  The House approved legislation Thursday to undo a Biden administration rule meant to facilitate the proliferation of electric vehicle charging stations.

Johnson confronts biggest test yet: Whether to walk away from his own funding deal  —  Conservatives are pushing him to renege.  Most of the rest of his party wants him to stand firm.  Whichever path he chooses carries real risks.  —  Speaker Mike Johnson's grip on his fractious conference slipped …

FAA to increase oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing following Alaska Airlines emergency landing  —  The FAA will audit Boeing's 737-9 MAX production line and its suppliers to evaluate Boeing's compliance with its approved quality procedures.  —  The Federal Aviation Administration …

Schiff would abolish filibuster, end the Electoral College in his pro-democracy plan  —  The proposal dovetails with Rep. Adam Schiff's campaign focus on the threats of Trumpism.  —  California Senate candidate and Congressmember Adam Schiff is calling for a major overhaul of American institutions …

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan steps down from No Labels' board in a possible sign of a 2024 bid  —  Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland and a moderate Republican who has been critical of Donald Trump, stepped down last month from the leadership of the third-party movement No Labels …

$6 Trillion in Taxes Are at Stake in This Year's Elections  —  Biden, Republicans offer vastly different plans for handling tax cuts that lapse after 2025  —  WASHINGTON—There isn't a dime's worth of a difference between the political parties.  The chasm is more like $6 trillion.