Trump wishes Reince would take the hint  —  A much-discussed question at the top of the White House: just what magnitude of indignity would it take for Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to resign?  — President Trump knew that appointing Anthony Scaramucci as communications director would humiliate Reince, who fought hard against it.

Republicans are in full control of government — but losing control of their party  —  Six months after seizing complete control of the federal government, the Republican Party stands divided as ever — plunged into a messy war among its factions that has escalated in recent weeks to crisis levels.

The Latest: Kushner denies any improper contacts with Russia  —  The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):  —  The son-in-law of President Donald Trump says a June 2016 meeting with a Russian-American lawyer was such a “waste of time” …

Schumer Rips Hillary: Don't Blame Comey or Russia, ‘Blame Yourself’  —  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ripped his former colleague, Hillary Clinton, over her election loss to President Donald Trump and her subsequent efforts to explain why she lost.  “When you lose to somebody …

Joe and Mika (and Donald): A Beltway Love Story  —  Joe, Mika, and their star-crossed relationship with the president.  —  It was Joe Scarborough's 53rd birthday, April 9, 2016, and his youngest child, an 8-year-old boy named Jack, was trying to tell him something.  “Dad, look at the birthday cake,” he said.

The Man McMaster Couldn't Fire  —  Just 24 days into his tenure as Donald Trump's national-security adviser, Michael Flynn was forced to resign, having reportedly misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russian officials.  When Flynn departed, the men and women he'd appointed …

READ: Jared Kushner's statement on Russia to congressional committees  —  Bolding below included as submitted in statement  —  STATEMENT OF JARED C. KUSHNER TO CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES  —  I am voluntarily providing this statement, submitting documents, and sitting for interviews in order …

IT'S HAPPENING!  New poll has Kid Rock up by 4 over Debbie Stabenow  —  He's going to win:  —  New MI-Sen poll: Kid Rock 30%, Debbie Stabenow 26%, undecided 44%http://politicalwire.com/ ... — Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) July 23, 2017  —  The poll was conducted by Delphi Analytica from July 14-18 of 668 Michigan residents:

Trump's DOJ gears up for crackdown on marijuana  —  The Trump administration is readying for a crackdown on marijuana users under Attorney General Jeff Sessions  —  President Trump's Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, led by Sessions, is expected to release a report next week …

For Trump and Putin, Sanctions Are a Setback Both Sought to Avoid  —  WASHINGTON — Throughout 2016, both Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin complained that American-led sanctions against Russia were the biggest irritant in the plummeting relations between the two superpowers.

Senate Republicans plan to plow ahead with health-care vote this week  —  The Senate returns to Washington on Monday with its GOP leaders determined to vote this week on their years-long quest to demolish the Affordable Care Act, even though the goal remains mired in political and substantive uncertainties.