Scoop: Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman backs Trump … Schwarzman, a billionaire and lifelong moderate Republican, was one of Trump's most visible business supporters when he was in the White House.  — But ahead of this year's GOP primaries, Schwarzman called for “a new generation of leaders.”

Trump Pressures Republicans to Pass a Law to Keep Him Out of Jail Forever  —  The former president is convinced state prosecutors will target him again after a second term, and wants the GOP to solve that problem for him  —  Donald Trump likes to tell anyone who will listen …

Even Donald Trump has trouble getting New York's attention  —  The former president came to the Bronx on Thursday night for an unusual campaign rally.  The Bronx didn't take much notice.  —  NEW YORK — You could hear Donald Trump sporadically through the trees.

Republican Rep's Daughter and Son-in-Law Killed in Haiti Gang Attack  —  ‘MY HEART IS BROKEN’  —  “I've never felt this kind of pain,” Ben Baker wrote on Facebook on Friday.  —  Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker said Friday that his “heart is broken in a thousand pieces” …

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo surgery … - “The Secretary has determined he will be temporarily unable to perform his functions and duties during the procedure,” Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement, adding that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will assume his post.

Exclusive: Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.

At least 66 members of far-right group in rural Oregon standing for office  —  Revealed: anti-government People's Rights Network, founded by Ammon Bundy, appearing to follow ‘entryism’ strategy  —  At least 66 members of an anti-government group founded by far-right militia figure Ammon Bundy …

Israel ordered to immediately halt Rafah offensive by top U.N. court  —  Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, which the International Court of Justice has no power to enforce, but the landmark ruling will pile pressure on the increasingly isolated U.S. ally.

Jailed Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Says He Doesn't Want a Pardon: ‘I Have No Regrets’  —  From a federal prison, former aide plots new MAGA agenda  —  Peter Navarro, a former top White House adviser to Donald Trump, isn't interested in a pardon should “the boss” return to power.

‘Sedition Panda’ convicted of assaulting officer on Jan. 6 after judge calls defense argument ‘absurd’  —  Jesse James Rumson, dubbed “Sedition Panda” because of the costume head he wore on Jan. 6, will be sentenced in September.  —  WASHINGTON — A Jan. 6 rioter dubbed “Sedition Panda” …

They brick you because they can (permalink)  —  In “The Scorpion and the Frog,” a trusting frog gives a scorpion a ride across a brook, only to be stung to death by his passenger upon arrival.  The dying frog gasps “why?” and the scorpion replies, “I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge.

Elon Musk Ramps Up Anti-Biden Posts on X  —  The billionaire owner of X has increasingly been using his social media platform to criticize President Biden for his health and immigration policies, according to a New York Times analysis.  —  Last month, Elon Musk posted on X that President Biden “obviously barely knows what's going on.”

‘Just a scandal’: Jamie Raskin envisions radical overhaul of Supreme Court  —  Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) called for a radical overhaul of the scandal-plagued U.S. Supreme Court.  —  The court has been rocked by ethics scandals - particularly those involving justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito …

Are Russia and North Korea planning an ‘October surprise’ that aids Trump?  —  U.S. officials are bracing for Pyongyang to take military actions close to the U.S. presidential election, possibly at the urging of Vladimir Putin.  —  WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is increasingly concerned …

Red Flag Warning  —  Lordy, there's a second flag.  And it's worse than the first.  —  To kick things off, a quick refresher.  Last time on Justices Gone Rogue, Alito was confronted with reports of a U.S. flag flying upside down at his home, just 11 days after the January 6th attack.