The Trump admin argument that masks “are for officer safety reasons” is actually an admission  —  Tom Homan highlights how secrecy aims to block accountability, the immoral lawlessness at the core of the Trump administration.  And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.  —  ∙ Paid

All the President's U-turns  —  With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray  —  Good Monday morning.  This is Jack Blanchard, busy reading and re-reading this new Harvard study that suggests drinking strong tea and coffee actually lowers your risk of dementia.

Iranian Foreign Minister heads to Geneva for renewed talks with US  —  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left for Geneva on Sunday, where talks between Iran and the United States are set to continue, his ministry said in a statement.  According to the Foreign Ministry, these “indirect” …

Like Trump, U.S. Embassies Are Raising Cash for Lavish July Fourth Parties  —  Some of Washington's diplomatic outposts in Asia are raising millions for events to mark the 250th independence anniversary.  One ambassador offered to sing and dance.  —  From his desk at the White House in December …

Pelosi's new campaign: Boost Newsom for 2028  —  Nancy Pelosi is retiring from Congress, but she has more campaigns in mind.  Among them: Boost Gavin Newsom as a potential contender for the White House in 2028. … She's been a key validator for Newsom as he's emerged on the national stage …

An Alternative to the Supreme Court's Originalism  —  The Federalist Society, the conservative legal organization founded in 1982, is justly famous for providing a right-wing agenda for the courts and for promoting its allies to be judges and justices.  The American Constitution Society …

One of this century's most important Republicans takes a beating in home state  —  Three GOP candidates, all former interns for Mitch McConnell, are keeping their distance as they seek to align with President Donald Trump.  —  One Republican candidate to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell introduced himself …

What to Know About the Homeland Security Shutdown  —  Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on Saturday amid a standoff over restrictions that Democrats have demanded for federal immigration agents.  But much of its work continues.  —  The Department of Homeland Security's funding …

Marco Rubio delivers tough love to Europe — and the overgrown teenage brats know ‘Dad’ is right  —  An American statesman was born on a German stage over the weekend.  —  Secretary of State Marco Rubio's impressive performance at the Munich Security Conference gives us an alluring glimpse of the president he could be one day.

Moore wrestles with Md. lawmakers as national profile grows  —  Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's national star is on the rise, but his relationships with fellow Democrats in his backyard are fraying. … - Several Maryland Democrats told Axios that Moore is talented, but he's struggled because of a lack …

Here's how the DHS shutdown is impacting air travel, TSA  —  As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains without funding, air travel nationwide has been impacted.  —  Employees of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), which is housed within DHS, are working without pay …

Norway Faces Up to Trump's Demands for the Nobel Peace Prize  —  In exclusive interviews, Norway's prime minister and the head of the Nobel Institute explain how they've handled the U.S. president's demands.  —  Jonas gahr støre, the mild-mannered prime minister of Norway and the scion …

Trump's Stinging Attack on Israel's President Touches a Nerve  —  President Trump called President Isaac Herzog of Israel “disgraceful” because he has not yet pardoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial.  —  President Trump's public excoriation of Israel's president …

RFK Jr.'s allies are trying to free anti-vaccine doctors to speak their minds … “This is a part of a judicial assault on science and public health that basically weaponizes the Covid-19 pandemic for political and ideological benefit,” said Lawrence Gostin, a public health lawyer at Georgetown University.