Trump Knew the Risk of Iran Blocking the Strait of Hormuz.  He Still Went to War.  —  The president told his White House team that Tehran would likely capitulate before closing the strait, the world's most vital shipping lane  —  WASHINGTON—Before the U.S. went to war, Gen. Dan Caine …

Senate Republicans worry they're losing ground in the midterms … Some GOP senators are now openly predicting a tough battle to hold onto control as their party struggles to keep the focus on affordability policies that lawmakers want to make the centerpiece of their midterm campaign.

How Jeff Bezos Upended The Washington Post … Jeff Bezos called Matt Murray, the executive editor of The Washington Post, in late November to send an urgent message: Please do not quit.  —  Mr. Murray had known for months that Mr. Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and owner of The Post …

War has already displaced nearly a million Lebanese, and aid groups warn of a humanitarian crisis  —  Fatima Nazha slept on the street for two days after she and her family fled their home in Beirut's southern suburbs following an Israeli mass evacuation order.

Justice Dept. Legal Threat Complicates Trump's Pick for Fed Chair  —  An investigation of the Federal Reserve was thwarted on Friday, but a department appeal could reimpose an obstacle in Kevin Warsh's path.  —  For a moment on Friday, Kevin M. Warsh was on a glide path to becoming the next chair of the Federal Reserve.

DOGE Deposition Videos Taken Down After Judge Order and Widespread Mockery  —  A judge on Friday ordered the immediate removal of a series of depositions of members of DOGE, but not before clips of the depositions, including one in which a member was largely unable to define DEI …

Jared Kushner Solicits Funds for His Firm While Working as Mideast Envoy  —  President Trump's son-in-law is trying to raise $5 billion or more from foreign governments and others for his private equity firm.  —  Jared Kushner, one of the U.S. government's chief negotiators in the Middle East …

Everyone Has Trump's Phone Number Now  —  Washington's hottest commodity is a 10-digit number that can swing financial markets, drive the news, and shift policy—but only if the timing is right.  —  The White House has received reports in recent weeks that President Trump's personal phone number …

Entire families wiped out and towns emptied as Israel's war on Lebanon intensifies  —  Communities displaced and destroyed while death toll rises faster than during any previous war in Lebanon  —  For Batoul Hamdan and her two children, seven-month-old Fatima and Jihad, three, Monday's iftar …

2028 Dem veteran?  Uncle Sam wants you. … Gallego isn't alone.  Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a Navy captain who flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1990, has also racked up a run of high-profile media appearances, as has former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg …

Judge Rules Lawmaker Must Be Allowed to Join Kennedy Center Board Meeting  —  A judge ordered that Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat, be given access to planning documents and have the chance to oppose changes to the center at a board meeting next week.

This DHS Official Oversees the Security of Federal Elections.  He Wants to Ban Voting Machines.  —  In his top post at the Department of Homeland Security, David Harvilicz sets policy on protecting the nation's elections infrastructure, including voting machines.

GOP, fearing tough fight for Texas Senate seat, paints Democrat as radical  —  In one resurfaced video, James Talarico declares that “God is nonbinary.”  Talarico says the attacks are a distraction from real issues.  —  Fearing a tougher-than-expected race for one of Texas's two Senate seats …

Trump and Rubio's Vision of War: The Art of Destroy and Deal  —  Unleashing his inner hawk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans President Trump's military interventions.  So far, they favor regime compliance, not change.  —  Soon after President Trump joined Israel in launching a new war against Iran …

Lobbyist Arrested in Extortion Attempt of Client Who Received a Trump Pardon  —  Josh Nass, a lawyer and lobbyist, had recently represented Joseph Schwartz, a former nursing home executive pardoned by the president late last year.  —  Josh Nass, a lawyer and lobbyist with connections …

Trump Administration Approves Ultra-Deepwater Oil Drilling Plan  —  The $5 billion project in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to produce up to 10 billion barrels of oil by the end of this decade.  Critics say it could endanger people and marine life.  —  The Trump administration on Friday approved …

Trump faces a ‘personal Vietnam’ in Iran  —  He is stuck in a quagmire.  His goals are elusive.  His bombing does not force a surrender.  He has no exit strategy.  Good morning, Vietnam  —  Donald Trump is lost in his fog of war.  He compounds confusion with improvised fabrications …

House GOP leadership silent as more members post anti-Muslim statements  —  Several Republican lawmakers are ramping up anti-Muslim comments and facing little to no response from their leadership.  —  “Muslims don't belong in American society,” Rep. Andy Ogles posted on Monday.  “Pluralism is a lie.”

Ana Marie Cox on the societal scourge of prediction markets  —  “This is the illusion of participating in society.”  —  ∙ Paid  —  This special Saturday edition is supported by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  📈 Subscribe to PN 📉