Exclusive audio: Trump defends threats to “hang” Pence  —  Former President Trump — in a taped interview with Jonathan Karl of ABC News that was shared with Axios — defended, quite extensively, supporters who threatened to “hang” former Vice President Mike Pence.

Kyle Rittenhouse's white crocodile tears hold value in America  —  Paul Butler: Rittenhouse was prepared to disrupt image as trigger-happy vigilante  —  Kyle Rittenhouse, the man charged with homicide in the deaths of two anti-police brutality demonstrators, seems to have spent much more time at the gun range than in acting classes.

Appeals court temporarily bars release of Trump White House records to House Jan. 6 committee  —  A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked the imminent release of records of former president Donald Trump's White House calls and activities related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack after a lower court found …

An Air Force sergeant killed himself on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  The note he left is heartbreaking.  —  Kenneth Omar Santiago's perfect smile dazzles on social media as he poses in his Air Force uniforms — flight suits to mess dress.  —  He accepts military awards …

Chris Christie Dishes on What Turned Him Off Working for Trump  —  The former guv almost became Trump's third chief of staff.  But a combo of aggressive Javanka behavior and Trump's loose lips led to Christie turning down the gig, he writes. … When Chris Christie withdrew from consideration …

Biden's broken promise: Build Back Better will force 30% of middle class families to pay higher taxes - breaking president's vow to only tax the super-rich, analysis finds  — Tax Policy Center analysis finds some middle class taxpayers would pay more  — Increases would be modest, and the average household would not pay more

'We don't want any more Black pastors coming in here,' says defense attorney in Arbery death trial  —  (CNN)A defense attorney for one of the three White men charged in 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery's killing objected Thursday to nationally recognized civil rights leaders attending the trial to support the victim's family.

The strong winds of climate change have failed to move the opinions of many Americans  —  Most believe global warming is a problem, but the partisan divide is growing  —  Even as windstorms became more powerful, wildfires grew more deadly and rising seas made damaging floods more frequent …

Sen. Murkowski announces reelection bid in a race featuring a Trump-backed GOP challenger  —  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced Friday that she will seek reelection to a seat for which former president Donald Trump has already backed a Republican challenger following Murkowski's vote …

COVID-19 hot spots offer sign of what could be ahead for US  —  The contagious delta variant is driving up COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Mountain West and fueling disruptive outbreaks in the North, a worrisome sign of what could be ahead this winter in the U.S.

Gov. Murphy's Republican Foe, Jack Ciattarelli, Will Concede  —  It took nine days.  But Mr. Ciattarelli is expected to acknowledge on Friday that he has lost the race for governor of New Jersey.  —  Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican vying to unseat Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey …

Chinese Voters Came Out in Force for the GOP in NYC, Shaking Up Politics  —  From Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Elmhurst and Flushing in Queens, frustrations over Democratic stances on schools and crime helped mobilize votes for Republican Curtis Sliwa for mayor and conservative Council candidates.

What happened to Eric Clapton? … Robert Cray was stunned when he first heard “Stand and Deliver.”  Eric Clapton, his onetime musical hero, who became a mentor and friend, had released his first protest song in 56 years of recording.  Only it wasn't about George Floyd or global warming.

Project Veritas: Journalists or Political Spies?  —  Documents show how the conservative group worked with lawyers to gauge how far its deceptive reporting practices could go before running afoul of federal laws.  —  WASHINGTON — Hours after F.B.I. agents searched the homes …

The Main Driver of Inflation Is a Murderous Maniac in Riyadh … Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is enacting revenge on Democrats in general and President Joe Biden specifically for the party's increasingly standoffish attitude toward the kingdom — by driving up energy prices and fueling global inflation.

Kevin McCarthy's made the right GOP moves.  He still has to fight for the gavel.  —  The toughest trial Kevin McCarthy faces on his way to becoming House speaker isn't reclaiming the majority.  It's what comes afterward.  —  McCarthy and his allies are elated by the strong GOP showing …

Scoop: Biden appointing infrastructure chief  —  President Biden plans to install a point-person in charge of infrastructure to ensure his administration properly implements its trillion-dollar legislation, two sources familiar with the plans tell Axios.  —  Why it matters …

The White House Says Its Plans Will Slow Inflation.  The Big Question Is: When?  —  The Biden administration has argued that its infrastructure and broader economic package will slow rapid price increases.  But that will take time.  —  Rocketing inflation has become a headache for U.S. consumers …

Cuomo in Exile He is out of power but not out of grudges.  —  Andrew Cuomo has gone fishing.  The exiled governor plies the waters off Montauk with those still loyal to him: his brother, Chris; brothers-in-law Brian O'Donoghue and Kenneth Cole; and Captain, the malamute mix that was rumored …

McConnell won't go to White House signing ceremony for infrastructure bill  —  Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Thursday that he won't attend a White House signing ceremony for a bipartisan infrastructure deal that he voted for and has touted while in Kentucky this week.

Europe Weighs Border Walls as Migrants Mass in Belarus at Poland's Frontier  —  The European Union is adopting a tougher stance toward migration in response to what officials see as a hybrid attack from a close Russian ally  —  BERLIN—A standoff over the fate of thousands of migrants camped …