Trump loses third bid this week to delay hush money trial  —  A New York appeals judge on Wednesday denied Donald Trump's third last-ditch attempt this week to delay his April 15 criminal trial on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, paving the way for the first-ever trial of a former U.S. president.

Trump says he wouldn't sign federal abortion ban  —  Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would not sign a federal abortion ban if one reached his desk were he to be elected in November.  —  It's Trump's firmest response to date on a national abortion ban.

Arizona Republicans Thwart Attempts to Repeal 1864 Abortion Ban  —  Democrats in both houses of the Legislature were blocked from advancing bills to roll back a reinstated 160-year-old ban on nearly all abortions in the state.  —  A decision by Arizona's highest court upholding an 1864 ban …

Crenshaw says Greene's expulsion threat for ‘attention,’ doesn't have much support  —  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said Wednesday that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is seeking “attention” with her expulsion threat against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).  —  “Right now, I'm not sure …

North Carolina 2024: Trump On Upside Of Too-Close-To-Call Race, Quinnipiac University North Carolina Poll Finds; Governor's Race: Stein Leads Robinson 52% - 44%  —  mail_outline  —  In a state considered pivotal to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden …

Alabama Man Charged with Detonating an Explosive Device Outside of Alabama Attorney General's Office  —  For Immediate Release  —  An Alabama man was indicted for his alleged role in detonating an explosive device in downtown Montgomery, Alabama.  —  On April 10, law enforcement arrested …

Trump Media director accused of ‘hacking’ files in attempted corporate ‘coup’: lawsuit … This photo illustration shows an image of former President Donald Trump next to a phone screen that is displaying the Truth Social app, in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022.

emptywheel Makes CIPA History  —  Yesterday, Judge Aileen Cannon issued a surly order, acceding to Jack Smith's request to protect witnesses.  In reversing herself, Cannon scolded Smith for not making a more fulsome case to seal information. … Ultimately, Cannon argued the 11th Circuit precedent …

Former Trump executive Allen Weisselberg sentenced to 5 months in jail for lying in civil fraud case  —  Allen Weisselberg, a retired executive in Donald Trump's real estate empire, was sentenced on Wednesday to five months in jail for lying under oath during his testimony in the civil fraud lawsuit brought …

Japan Gives Washington 250 Cherry Trees as Replacements  —  The trees will replace 140 that will be torn up as part of a restoration project.  The capital's first Japanese cherry trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.  —  Japan is giving the United States 250 cherry trees …

Police Report: Trump County Chair Threatened To Rape Boss's Wife, Then Kill Him  —  Jonathan Stone, a former New Hampshire police officer, has been a part of Trump's campaign since 2016, when he gave Trump an inscribed AR-15 assault rifle.  —  LOADING  —  One of Donald Trump's county campaign chairs …

Senate approves resolution targeting Biden highway climate rule, with Democratic support  —  The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to nullify a Transportation Department rule targeting highway greenhouse gas emissions.  —  The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to nullify …

Shooting at Ramadan event in West Philadelphia leaves 3 injured, 5 in custody, police say  —  PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Three people were shot at the end of a Ramadan event with around 1,000 people in attendance in West Philadelphia's Parkside section Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

Klain on Biden: He is focused too much on bridges  —  The former chief of staff praised the president's accomplishments.  But he also wondered whether he had the right focus.  —  Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain openly questioned President Joe Biden's political strategy Tuesday night …

US Sees Imminent Missile Strike on Israel by Iran, Proxies  — Iran, proxies may strike Israeli military, government sites  — Attack would mark major widening of conflict in Middle East  —  The US and its allies believe major missile or drone strikes by Iran or its proxies against military …

Elon Musk picks his speech battle  —  Happy Wednesday!  Hope your eyes are recovering.  Send news tips to: will.oremus@washpost.com.  —  Though Elon Musk often insists his goal with X is to promote free speech, his actions have rarely been those of the “free-speech absolutist” he once claimed to be.

Moskowitz fires back at Trump over remarks on Jewish Democrats  —  Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) fired back at former President Trump over his latest remarks about Jewish Democrats Wednesday.  —  Trump said any Jewish person who votes for Democrats or President Biden “should have their head examined” …

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Is Now Banished From 10 Percent of Her Own State  —  SEE YA  —  The Standing Rock Sioux are the third Native American tribe to declare the pro-Trump governor persona non grata over insulting remarks she has made in recent months.

Hong Kong: RSF representative detained and deported on attempt to monitor Jimmy Lai's national security trial  —  Organisation:  — RSF_en  —  A representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has been deported from Hong Kong on arrival to the territory to monitor the landmark trial …

Nebraska Republicans float special session to revive Trump-backed election rule change  —  The state currently awards some of its electoral college votes by congressional districts, a key backstop for President Joe Biden.  —  Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is floating a special legislative session …