State Dept. watchdog: Clinton violated email rules  —  A State Department watchdog concluded that Hillary Clinton failed to comply with the agency's policies on records while using a personal email server that was not — and, officials say, would never have been — approved by agency officials …

Elizabeth Warren just absolutely shredded Donald Trump.  There's a lot more like this to come.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  Early in the 2012 campaign, when top Democratic strategists were debating how to target Mitt Romney, they worked to hone their message about him down to a single, tight, pithy phrase.

Audio Shows Katie Couric Documentary Deceptively Edited Interview with Pro-Gun Activists  —  The makers of a new Katie Couric documentary on gun violence deceptively edited an interview between Couric and a group of gun rights activists in an apparent attempt to embarrass the activists, an audio recording of the full interview shows.

Big-name Democrats won't defend Wasserman Schultz  —  The knives are out for Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Capitol Hill.  But it's unclear whether it amounts to griping or a more serious warning sign that the embattled Democratic Party chairwoman's post is in jeopardy.

Eleven states sue Obama administration over bathroom directive  —  Eleven states and state officials filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging he Obama administration over federal guidance directing schools to provide transgender students with facilities that match their gender identities.

“AMERICAN SNIPER” CHRIS KYLE DISTORTED HIS MILITARY RECORD, DOCUMENTS SHOW … No American has been more associated with the Navy SEAL mystique than Chris Kyle, known as the deadliest sniper in military history.  His bestselling autobiography, American Sniper — a story of honor, glory …

A Marvel Editor Explains How Captain America Was a Hydra Agent All Along  —  In a shocking twist, Steve Rogers always has been and will continue to be a member of the evil group  —  Sure, he wears red white and blue on the outside, but on the inside?  It turns out Steve Rogers …

Gay Student Told to Change Pro-LGBT Shirt  —  COPPERAS COVE, Texas - An eighth grade student in Copperas Cove, Texas, was told to change her pro-LGBT shirt because school officials said it violated the dress code.  —  Ali Chaney, 13, wore the t-shirt, which had rainbow text that said “Some people are gay.

Where the Obamas are living in D.C. after the White House  —  President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will lease the 8,200-square-foot mansion owned by Joe Lockhart and Giovanna Gray after the first family leaves the White House in January, sources told POLITICO Playbook on Wednesday.

Foxconn replaces ‘60,000 factory workers with robots’  —  Apple and Samsung supplier Foxconn has reportedly replaced 60,000 factory workers with robots.  —  One factory has “reduced employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000 thanks to the introduction of robots”, a government official told the South China Morning Post.

Japanese leader lashes out at Obama over ‘despicable’ murder case  —  President Obama's visit to Japan got off to a rocky start on Wednesday when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vented his anger over the alleged murder of a Japanese woman by an American civilian.

IRS doubted legality of ObamaCare payments, former official says  —  The IRS raised concerns in early 2014 about the legality of certain ObamaCare payments that Republicans are now challenging in a lawsuit, according to a deposition from a former agency official.

Texas AG expected announce legal challenge to Obama's transgender directive to schools  —  AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon and is expected to announce a legal challenge to President Obama's directive to schools concerning bathrooms …

Tom Cotton calls Reid's leadership ‘cancerous’  —  Tom Cotton laid into Harry Reid on Wednesday, calling Reid's recent remarks on the Senate floor “vulgar” and “incoherent” — before adding that the Democrat's leadership has been “cancerous.”  —  As a junior ranking senator, Cotton spends lots of his time presiding over the Senate.