Taunting Trump: Harris campaign's sneer tactics … Now he's the taunted.  — It's another dimension of Vice President Harris' “happy warrior” approach to a campaign that's sure to get uglier this fall. … - But Monday's widespread coverage of the backstage fight over the “muted mics” …

Judge blocks Biden administration from granting legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens  —  A federal judge in Texas on Monday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from granting legal status to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens, granting a request from 16 Republican-led states who challenged the new policy.

Biden impeachment backlash builds within House GOP  —  House Republicans are furious about being forced into a last-minute Biden impeachment vote — which they say could hurt their campaigns, top GOP sources tell Axios. … But just one member can force a vote.

Playbook: Inside Harris' big interview decision  —  With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  ONE CEASE-FIRE DOWN — “Oasis reunites for tour and ends a 15-year hiatus during Gallagher brothers' feud,” by AP's Danica Kirka and Maria Sherman in London

Trump Says We ‘Gotta’ Restrict the First Amendment  —  The former president vowed to torch free-speech protections days after RFK Jr. touted him as anti-censorship … Less than a week later, Trump is already promising to crush First Amendment protections if elected in November.

Trump and Harris confront a trillion-dollar question over expiring tax cuts  —  With a huge swath of Trump's 2017 tax cuts set to expire at the end of next year, the presidential candidates are putting down markers on the issue.  —  The next president, be it Kamala Harris or Donald Trump …

Texas Removes Over 1 Million Voters from Rolls Since Passage of Anti-Voting Law  —  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced Monday the state has removed over one million people from its voter rolls since Republican legislators passed a sweeping voter suppression law three years ago.

Zuckerberg says Biden admin “pressured” Meta to censor Covid-19 content … - This included censoring “humor and satire,” he added, noting that officials “expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree.”  — “I believe the government pressure was wrong …

Statement from President Biden on Russia's Aerial Assault on Ukraine's Energy Grid  —  Earlier today, Russia launched waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.  Ukrainian officials report that this outrageous attack resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian civilians …

Special counsel urges appeals court to reinstate classified documents case against Trump  —  Special counsel Jack Smith urged a federal appeals court Monday to reinstate the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, saying a judge's decision that dismissed the prosecution …

RFK may be unable to withdraw his name from ballots in some swing states  —  After spending several months and millions of dollars overcoming onerous requirements to try to get on the ballot in all 50 states, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now facing new barriers to get off the ballot in some states.

Army private who fled to North Korea will plead guilty to desertion, lawyer says  —  The U.S. Army charged Travis King with crimes ranging from desertion for running into North Korea in July to assault against fellow soldiers.  —  U.S. Army Private Travis King, who last year ran into North Korea …

The bewildering politics of Telegram  —  Here are two big reasons the controversial app just became a global flashpoint.  —  When Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested late Saturday at an airport outside Paris, accused of complicity in illegal online behavior and refusing to disclose information …

The Conservatives Who Sold Their Souls for Trump  —  The rage and shame of the anti-anti-Trumpers is getting worse.  —  Today, Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review (the flagship conservative magazine founded by William F. Buckley Jr.), published an article claiming that Donald Trump could win the 2024 election “on character.”

House GOP faces competing Trump assassination attempt probes  —  Some conservatives complained Monday that the bipartisan task force investigating the shooting of the former president is moving too slowly.  —  Speaker Mike Johnson quickly moved last month to launch a bipartisan investigation …

First look: Latinos warned Project 2025 would hit them hard … - Yet “there's not enough information” about how it “has really, really troubling ideas on issues that really matter to the Latino community,” says Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of America's Voice, an immigrant rights organization.

The Biden-Harris administration is fighting to lower rents  —  Share this article with the next person who tells you Kamala doesn't have policies.  —  🚨 This special, five-edition week of PN is made possible by paid subscribers 🚨 If you aren't one already, please sign up to support our independent journalism.