Secret Service watchdog knew in February that texts had been purged  —  Listen  —  Gift Article  —  A watchdog agency learned in February that the Secret Service had purged nearly all cellphone texts from around the time of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, but chose not to alert Congress …

Senators announce bipartisan bills to stop candidates from stealing elections  —  WASHINGTON — After months of negotiating, a group of senators announced two proposals Wednesday designed to close gaps in federal law and prevent future candidates from stealing elections.

Even a day after Jan. 6, Trump balked at condemning the violence  —  The House committee investigating the Capitol attack expects to show portions of outtakes Thursday from remarks Trump delivered Jan. 7, when aides pressed him to repudiate the riot.  —  Gift Article

Federal investigation of Hunter Biden reaches critical juncture, sources say  —  The federal investigation into Hunter Biden's business activities is nearing a critical juncture as investigators weigh possible charges and prosecutors confront Justice Department guidelines …

At Ivana Trump's Funeral, a Gold-Hued Coffin and the Secret Service  —  “People adored Ivana.”  — Give this article- - - Read in app  —  In death, as in life, her famous former husband loomed over Ivana Trump's story.  —  On Wednesday afternoon, when a funeral was held for Ms. Trump …

In Harvard study of Jan. 6 rioters, top motivation is clear: Trump  —  Researchers at Harvard University who conducted the largest study yet of what motivated Jan. 6 rioters say the data is clear: The most common responses focused on former President Donald Trump and his lies about the election.

Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Considered Dead on Arrival, Gains New Life  —  The larger-than-expected G.O.P. vote in the House in support of legislation to codify marriage equality caught both parties off guard, suggesting there could be a narrow path to enactment.  — Give this article- - - Read in app

CIA Director: Putin ‘too healthy’  —  Vladimir Putin is “entirely too healthy,” CIA Director William Burns said Wednesday, throwing cold water on constant rumors that the Russian president is suffering from illness as he pursues his war on Ukraine.  —  Burns, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum …

Biden Approval Hits New Low Amid Public Discontent With Both Parties, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Nearly Half Of Americans Worry About Being Mass Shooting Victim  — mail_outline  —  One and a half years since President Joe Biden took office, Americans give President Biden …

Lawsuit Claims Trump's Lawyer Called AG ‘That Black B*tch’  —  Donald Trump's favorite New Jersey criminal defense lawyer is in hot water after allegedly repeatedly singing the N-word while listening to rap.  And there's more. … Donald Trump's favorite New Jersey defense lawyer …

Pelosi to Blinken: Label Russia as terrorist state, or else Congress will  —  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had a message for Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism — otherwise, Congress will.  —  The warning, made on a call between …

Nebraska governor makes big donation to take out Greitens  —  Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is among the biggest donors to a super PAC devoted to torpedoing Missouri Republican Eric Greitens' Senate campaign.  —  The second-term governor, who hails from one of the wealthiest megadonor families …

Former Trump White House aide who met with January 6 panel attacks witnesses, lawmakers in profane and sexist rant  —  (CNN)A former Trump White House aide who met with the January 6 committee earlier this week went on a profane and sexist rant on a livestream after his testimony …

Trump Recently Urged a Powerful Legislator to Overturn His 2020 Defeat in Wisconsin  —  Donald J. Trump called Robin Vos, the speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, on July 9 and pushed him to support a resolution to retract the state's 10 electoral votes for President Biden.  — Give this article- - - Read in app

Steve Bannon's offer to testify in the House January 6 inquiry might have backfired at his criminal trial  — Steve Bannon's lawyers told jurors about his recent offer to testify in the House January 6 inquiry.  — Prosecutors called the offer “sudden” and underscored that it cost the House panel precious time.

Arizona Republican censured by party over testimony on resisting Trump  —  Rusty Bowers, the Arizona house speaker who testified to the January 6 committee about how he resisted Donald Trump's attempt to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden in the sun belt state, has been formally censured by his own Republican party.

Joe Biden says he has cancer in possible gaffe  —  President Biden said Wednesday that he has cancer — making either a gaffe or a stunningly casual health announcement during a speech about global warming in Massachusetts.  —  Biden was describing the health effects of emissions …

Dem Group's Lawsuit Accuses Campaign Watchdog of Giving Trump ‘Edge’  —  ACT NOW  —  According to a Democratic super PAC, Donald Trump is essentially running for president—holding rallies, giving interviews—even though he hasn't officially declared as much.

Biden announces modest steps to fight climate's ‘clear and present danger’  —  Setbacks in Congress and at the Supreme Court are putting President Joe Biden's climate change goals out of reach as brutal heatwaves descend on much of the U.S. and Europe.  —  SOMERSET, Mass. …