Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases  —  Senior department officials who were defense lawyers for the president and those in his orbit are now in jobs that typically must approve any such payout, underscoring potential ethical conflicts.

White House expands East Wing demolition as critics decry Trump overreach  —  Much of the structure was torn down Tuesday to make way for President Donald Trump's planned ballroom, despite complaints about the project's lack of transparency.  —  A demolition job that began Monday …

Pardoned Capitol rioter charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries at NYC event this week  —  A pardoned Capitol rioter was arrested last weekend for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.  —  Court documents obtained by CBS News said Christopher Moynihan …

White House says no Putin-Trump summit anytime soon  —  The decision came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Trump's call for a ceasefire contradicted the understandings he reached with Putin.  —  The Trump administration said on Tuesday that there are “no plans” …

North Carolina lawmakers vote to add GOP House seat, in win for Trump  —  The redrawing of North Carolina's congressional map comes as President Donald Trump presses Republicans to add more GOP seats to protect their majority in 2026.  —  Republican state senators in North Carolina approved redrawing …

Embattled Trump Nominee Paul Ingrassia's Mom Tried to Meet With Lawmakers Who Criticized Her Son  —  As Paul Ingrassia's nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel languishes, it's hard to find anyone willing to defend him in Congress.  —  But the Trump nominee who allegedly sent messages saying …

Trump's Venezuela operation expands in the dark  —  The U.S. military has killed at least 32 people in seven strikes off the coast of Venezuela without telling Congress or the American people who was killed, or on what evidence. … - “Officially, our position is we're there to stop narco-terrorists.

Former US officials urge Congress to examine ‘weaponization’ working group  — Steady State urges probe into Interagency Weaponization Working Group  — Congress urged to hold hearings with DNI Gabbard and AG Bondi on group's scope  —  A group of hundreds of former U.S. national security officials …

US Marshal shot during immigration enforcement operation in LA, reports say  —  (Gray News) - A U.S. Marshal was shot while assisting an immigration enforcement operation, according to several reports.  —  KCAL reported a deputy U.S. Marshal and a suspect were injured during a shooting at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, in South Los Angeles.

Some Trump critics fear they could be the president's next target for prosecution  —  The president has called for indictments of some of his political enemies.  —  WASHINGTON — Fear is spreading among some who've run afoul of President Donald Trump.  —  A foreboding that grew …

Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots  —  Internal documents show the company that changed how people shop has a far-reaching plan to automate 75 percent of its operations.  —  Over the past two decades, no company has done more to shape the American workplace than Amazon.

“I am not a secret Nazi”: Maine Senate candidate responds to tattoo accusations  —  Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner fended off allegations he harbors racist views after a video revealed what appears to be a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest.

‘Why Are You Gay?’  Elon Musk Rages at Top Trump Official Over Loss of Government Contract  —  Former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) showrunner Elon Musk raged at Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday, accusing him of “trying to kill NASA” in an angry series of tweets that included a derogatory nickname.

US Rep. McIver to request dismissal of assault charges involving ICE  —  NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) - U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver is expected back in court on Tuesday after she was accused of assaulting ICE agents outside a New Jersey detention center.  —  A judge will hear oral arguments starting …

Vulnerable House Republicans press Johnson on Obamacare subsidies  —  Thirteen vulnerable Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson to “immediately turn our focus” to extending Obamacare subsidies after the government reopens.  The group, led by GOP Reps. Jen Kiggans of Virginia and Jeff Van Drew …

Trump refugee plan seeks 7,000 Afrikaners — and virtually no one else  —  The administration's rush to process thousands of White South Africans coincides with plans for overall admissions set as low as 7,500.  —  The Trump administration's plan to overhaul the U.S. refugee resettlement process …

Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles  —  The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for the next two years.

Stuart Stevens Discusses His Trip To Ukraine, The Senate Appears To Be In Play, Dems Up 7 In New Gallup Party ID Report  —  Hopium paid subscribers gather Wednesday night at 7pm ET  —  Morning everyone.  We start the day with a recording of a live discussion I had yesterday with Stuart Stevens of Lincoln Square.

NY State Young Republicans stiffed Syracuse hotel for lavish party before racist chat ended their run  —  When the New York State Young Republicans Club disbanded Friday amid an uproar over its racist and antisemitic rhetoric in a group chat, the club left behind unpaid bills from extravagant social gatherings.

Fetterman supports GOP ‘nuking’ filibuster to end shutdown  —  Democratic Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) told reporters Tuesday that he would support Republicans using the so-called nuclear option to override the Senate filibuster to pass a bill to reopen the government.

MAGA's cancellation spree  —  MAGA is on a cancellation spree, targeting marquee entertainment and tech companies with boycotts over comments or content the right deems inappropriate or offensive. … Its ability to impose societal penalties on companies it views as pushing that drift will show how much heft the right's campaign has.

‘He lost us’: Generals, senior officers say trust in Hegseth has evaporated  —  Secretary's critics worry Pentagon at risk of enduring damage amid firings, resignations and early retirements of high-ranking staff … Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has lost the trust and respect …

Johnson says he won't block a floor vote to release the Epstein files  —  Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview Tuesday morning he would allow a floor vote on a bipartisan bill compelling the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files — once the House comes back into session following the end of the government shutdown.

Military-Style Sweep Hits NYC as Masked Federal Agents Arrest Canal Street Vendors  —  Spontaneous protests were met with an armored military vehicle and assault rifles in a crackdown that escalated the Trump administration's focus on NYC.  —  Support local news today!

Metropolitan Police Drop Non-Crime Hate Incident Investigations  —  We will have to see whether this indicates a return, at least by a little bit, to sanity in the United Kingdom, or whether this is just a tactical retreat in the face of international criticism.

Comey Moves To Dismiss  —  You have choices about where you get your news and analysis.  I'm grateful you've chosen to read Civil Discourse.  If you value clear, independent insight into the law and our democracy, I hope you'll consider a paid subscription.  Your support makes the newsletter possible.