New cracks emerge in Dem unity  —  House Democrats are showing more cracks in their united front just two months into the new Congress.  —  Leaders are scrambling to contain high-profile rifts between liberals and centrists on everything from the Green New Deal and “Medicare for all,” …

Paul Manafort says at his sentencing he feels ‘humiliated and ashamed’  —  Paul Manafort, President Trump's onetime campaign chairman, asked a judge for mercy at his sentencing Thursday for a host of financial crimes — conduct that could now earn the once high-flying political consultant years in prison.

Wilbur Ross broke law, violated Constitution in census decision, judge rules  —  Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross acted in “bad faith,” broke several laws and violated the constitutional underpinning of representative democracy when he added a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Embassy Staffers Say Jared Kushner Shut Them Out of Saudi Meetings  —  When a member of the administration travels overseas, the embassy often helps coordinate the trip.  Not when Jared Kushner meets his buddy MBS.  —  Officials and staffers in the U.S. embassy in Riyadh said they were not read …

Joe Biden's 2020 Plan Is Almost Complete.  Democrats Are Impatient.  —  WASHINGTON — The pieces for a Joseph R. Biden Jr. presidential campaign are falling into place: His nucleus of advisers has begun offering campaign positions to seasoned Democratic strategists.

U.S. Cancels Journalist's Award Over Her Criticism of Trump  —  Jessikka Aro was to receive a “Women of Courage” prize.  Then officials read her Twitter feed.  —  Jessikka Aro, a Finnish investigative journalist, has faced down death threats and harassment over her work exposing Russia's …

Cohen Fires New Shot at Trump With Suit for Millions in Fees  — Ex-Trump lawyer claims he's owed at least $3.8 million  — Cohen says he appeared before Congress, Mueller for the firm  —  Michael Cohen sued the Trump Organization, claiming the president's family company stiffed …

Pentagon may tap military pay, pensions for border wall  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is planning to tap $1 billion in leftover funds from military pay and pension accounts to help President Donald Trump pay for his long-sought border wall, a top Senate Democrat said Thursday.

It's time — high time — to take Fox News's destructive role in America seriously  —  Chris Wallace is an exceptional interviewer, and Shepard Smith and Bret Baier are reality-based news anchors.  —  Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about the overall problem of Fox News …

Martin Shkreli Steers His Company From Prison—With Contraband Cellphone  —  The disgraced pharmaceutical executive dubbed “Pharma Bro” remains the shadow power at the drug company that became a national lightning rod for jacking up the prices of rare drugs.

Fearing mass GOP defections, Trump leans in to emergency fight  —  Sen. Ron Johnson made no secret of his displeasure with Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to build his border wall, worrying in late January that the president would take the “Emergency Act beyond where it's ever been.”

Top House Republican attacks Nadler probe as unconstitutional  —  House Judiciary announces sweeping scope in Trump probe  —  (CNN)The top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday charged that the sweeping investigation opened this week by the panel's chairman …

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will not run for president in 2020  —  U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will not run for president in 2020.  —  Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, announced today that he has “decided the best place for me to continue fighting for Ohio and for the dignity of workers across the country …

A nanny state?  Vermont town elects goat as honorary mayor  —  FAIR HAVEN, Vt. (AP) — A 3-year-old Nubian goat named Lincoln is poised to become the first honorary pet mayor of the small Vermont town of Fair Haven.  —  The nanny goat was chosen this week by townspeople for the one-year post at the community's Town Meeting Day.