White House instructs former counsel Don McGahn not to comply with congressional subpoena  —  The White House has instructed former White House counsel Donald McGahn not to comply with a subpoena from House Democrats for documents related to the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation …

The nightmare scenario for Democrats on Trump's corruption  —  The administration's categorical refusal to release President Trump's tax returns heightens the difficult question Democrats face, and raises the prospect of a nightmare scenario — both in political and substantive terms.

James Comey is in trouble and he knows it  —  James Comey's planet is getting noticeably warmer.  Attorney General William Barr's emissions are the suspected cause.  —  Barr has made plain that he intends to examine carefully how and why Comey, as FBI director, decided that the bureau …

Sandra Bland, It Turns Out, Filmed Traffic Stop Confrontation Herself  —  AUSTIN, Tex. — As Trooper Brian Encinia angrily threatened her with a stun gun from just outside her car window, Sandra Bland recorded the encounter on her cellphone, shown in a newly-released, 39-second video …

Exclusive: Trump fixer Cohen says he helped Falwell handle racy photos  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Months before evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr.'s game-changing presidential endorsement of Donald Trump in 2016, Falwell asked Trump fixer Michael Cohen for a personal favor, Cohen said in a recorded conversation reviewed by Reuters.

Putin Accomplice Mitch McConnell Says Case Closed  —  During the 2016 election, CIA director John Brennan informed congressional leaders that Russian intelligence was interfering in the election in an effort to help Donald Trump win.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the conclusion, and depicted it as a frame-up.

Trump Furious With Ally David Bossie Over His Reported Self-Dealing  —  The president even instructed top officials on his campaign to retaliate against his former deputy campaign manager.  But as of Tuesday, nothing had come.  —  On Monday morning, Donald Trump was incensed over a report …

Trump Pardons Ex-Army Soldier Convicted of Killing Iraqi Man  —  President Trump on Monday granted a full pardon to a former Army lieutenant who previously served five years in prison for fatally shooting an Iraqi man in American custody.  —  During a deployment in Iraq in 2008 …

Pete Buttigieg: God doesn't belong to a political party, but 'I can't imagine' God would be a Republican  —  Washington (CNN)South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has made clear throughout his upstart 2020 presidential bid that he believes Democrats should embrace religion and decry those who try …

U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is recalled after becoming a political target  —  The Trump administration has recalled the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine abruptly and ahead of her scheduled departure, after she became a target of political attacks by conservative media outlets and Donald Trump Jr. Democrats …

“This Is Do-or-Die”: Joe Biden's “Electability” Argument Is How Democrats Lose Elections  —  When Democrats play it safe and “fall in line,” the results are devastating—as Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry made plain.  If Biden wins the nomination next year, it will be because Democrats went with their heads, not their bleeding hearts.

Trump's steel tariffs cost U.S. consumers $900,000 for every job created, experts say  —  Pressure is growing on Trump to remove steel and aluminum tariffs.  —  President Trump has shown little interest in removing the steel and aluminum tariffs he imposed more than a year ago despite growing …

U.S. removes climate change references at Arctic Council, says melting sea ice will open trade  —  The Arctic Council ministerial in Rovaniemi, Finland ended on Tuesday without a ministerial declaration, due to U.S. objections over referencing climate change and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Anti-Jacob Wohl Protest Tied to Jacob Wohl's Email Address  —  Conservative activist Jack Burkman tweeted Tuesday morning that he's expecting “hundreds of leftist protestors” to gather outside an upcoming press conference he'll be holding with fellow far-right troll Jacob Wohl.

State Department Continues Fight to Strip Gay Couple's Two-Year-Old Son of Birthright Citizenship  —  The State Department has demanded that one of the couple's twin sons have a DNA test to prove he's the biological son of a U.S. citizen.  —  Scott Bixby  —  Ever since twins Aiden …

Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar freed from prison: witnesses  —  YANGON (Reuters) - Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from a prison on the outskirts of Yangon on Tuesday after spending more than 500 days behind bars, witnesses said.

Jill Biden Says 'It's Time To Move On' From Anita Hill Controversy  —  Jill Biden is accomplished in her own right — she holds two master's degrees and a doctoral degree.  But then, her husband is the former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2020.

U.S. asylum screeners to take more confrontational approach as Trump aims to turn more migrants away at the border  —  The Trump administration has sent new guidelines to U.S. asylum officers directing them to take a more skeptical and confrontational approach during interviews with migrants seeking refuge.

Twitter suspends AOC ‘Press Release’ parody account  —  Twitter suspended the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody) account, which poked fun at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.  —  Conservative and right-wing Twitter users pointed out the account, which had tens of thousands …

A ‘Caravan’ of Americans Is Crossing the Canadian Border to Get Affordable Medical Care  —  A “caravan” of Americans living with Type 1 diabetes made its way across the U.S. border into Canada over the weekend in search of affordable medical care in a country where they can get the “exact same” …

Pompeo abruptly cancels trip to Germany  —  Washington (CNN)Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly canceled a scheduled trip to Germany, where he was planning to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel “due to pressing issues,” the State Department said early Tuesday.  —  No specific reason was given for the cancellation.

The Fox effect: Trump's base bolsters his standing  —  First Read is your briefing from “Meet the Press” and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.  —  WASHINGTON — “Hung jury” is how Democratic pollster Peter Hart described …

Vulnerable Groups Could Be Targeted And Silenced Online Ahead Of 2020 Election, Researchers Warn  —  Members of vulnerable groups such as the Latino, Muslim, and Jewish communities are being disproportionately targeted online with disinformation, harassment, and computational propaganda …

Economists flee Agriculture Dept. after feeling punished under Trump  —  Economists in the Agriculture Department's research branch say the Trump administration is retaliating against them for publishing reports that shed negative light on White House policies, spurring an exodus that included six …

CIA warns Arab activist of potential threat from Saudi Arabia  —  Pro-democracy campaigner Iyad el-Baghdadi has been vocal critic of Saudi crown prince  —  The CIA has warned Norway that a prominent Arab activist who is living in the country under asylum protection is facing a potential threat …

Why This NY Times Maple Syrup Story Tastes Odd  —  Above, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium sample maple syrup in Ottawa last year — a bad year, but not because of warming.  —  Climate change is at it again, ruining everything good.  This time around it's maple syrup that is at risk …