What if Democrats' Big Shutdown Loss Turns Out to Be a Win?  —  Despite considerable hand-wringing in the party about caving to Republicans in the government closure, some Democrats see potential upsides in the outcome.  —  At first blush, the deal that paved the way to end the government shutdown …

Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct  —  In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein's victims.  —  House Democrats on Wednesday released emails …

Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy Heir, to Seek Nadler's N.Y. Congressional Seat  —  Mr. Schlossberg, the son of Caroline Kennedy, said the Democratic Party needed someone who could stand up to President Trump and his allies.  —  Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy …

Fannie Mae Watchdogs Probed How Pulte Obtained Mortgage Records of Key Democrats  —  FHFA's acting inspector general handed probe report to U.S. attorney office that had indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James  —  Fannie Mae watchdogs who were removed from their jobs had been probing …

Mike Johnson finally schedules Grijalva swearing in  —  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has finally set a date to swear in Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), weeks after she was elected to her seat, his office announced Tuesday. … - Grijalva has pledged to be the final signature …

Kash Patel's ‘Effin Wild’ Ride as FBI Director  —  In just one week in October, he ticked off his bosses with premature comments about a terror investigation and squeezed in a trip to the ‘Boondoggle Ranch’ on the bureau jet  —  On Halloween morning, FBI Director Kash Patel had a big announcement to make …

White House weighs stepped up domestic travel and speeches to improve Trump's standing on the economy  —  President Donald Trump's advisers have had conversations about him traveling the country to give economy-focused speeches as they privately weigh a number of strategies to improve …

Democratic wins in redistricting war offset GOP gains  —  Democrats have racked up a number of key victories in the redistricting battle in recent days, giving the party hope it can cancel out GOP gains in next year's midterms.  —  The party's latest win came late Monday …

Trump defends H-1B visas: “You don't have certain talents” in the U.S.  —  President Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired Sunday evening H-1B skilled worker visas are necessary because “you don't have certain talents” in the U.S. … - Trump signed an executive order …

The letter the BBC could send back to Trump  —  Welcome to the Empty City blog, the name of which is explained here.  This blog offers independent and informed commentary and law and policy and is funded by subscribers.  —  Posts like these take time and opportunity cost - and this blog …

Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end  —  The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an order blocking full SNAP payments, amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume.

Starmer allies issue warning to PM's rivals as fears grow over leadership challenge  —  No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of attempt to oust him after budget or May local elections  —  Downing Street has launched an extraordinary operation to protect Keir Starmer amid fears among …

Trump airport nominee wants to eliminate Dulles ‘people movers’  —  The unique shuttles, which have been in operation since 1962, have been blamed for delays and accidents.  A White House official Tuesday called them “notorious.”  —  Just now  —  A Trump nominee to the advisory board …

Damning Video Shows DHS Agents Pepper-Spray a Baby … President Donald Trump's federal law enforcement crackdown has hit a disgusting new low, after federal agents reportedly pepper-sprayed a 1-year-old in Chicago and then lied about it.  —  Rafael Veraza, 25, claimed at a press conference Sunday …

Pakistan's Army Chief Is Granted Sweeping Authority Over All Military Branches  —  A constitutional reform in the nuclear-armed country extends the chief's power over all the military and brings Pakistan's highest court under tighter political control.  —  Pakistan's powerful army chief …

You should quit social media for good  —  This essay will be most useful to knowledge workers and young people, but I imagine it will be of interest to anyone generally curious about the impact of social media on politics and our lives today.  The piece tells my personal story …

ICE Caged This Man For His Instagram Posts And Likes  —  A FEW WEEKS AGO, FOREVER WARS highlighted the ordeal of Yaa'kub Ira Vijandre, a DACA recipient whom ICE took into custody at gunpoint a month ago for nothing more than expressing support for U.S. foreign policy targets—and he alleges, for refusing to become an informant.

How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters  —  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.  Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week.

DHS takes credit for crime being down in Chicago.  Data shows that was happening before they arrived.  —  Immigration officials on Tuesday said a drop in crime numbers was thanks to their work.  Police data show the decrease was taking place before federal agents arrived in the city.

Duffy: Travel disruptions will get “much worse” if shutdown doesn't end soon  —  Air travelers faced more flight delays and cancellations on Tuesday and Transportation Secretary Sean Duff warned if the record government shutdown doesn't end soon “we're not going to get to Thanksgiving.”

US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’  —  Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington.  He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon

A Kansas county agrees to pay $3 million and apologize over a raid on a small-town newspaper  —  Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.  Share  —  A rural Kansas county has agreed to pay a little more than $3 million and apologize …