House Republicans Reject Senate Homeland Security Deal, Prolonging Shutdown  —  Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats, who control none of government, for derailing efforts to fund DHS.  —  WASHINGTON — House Republicans won't vote on a Senate-approved deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security …

‘He just chose not to listen’  —  Welcome to POLITICO's West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government, your guide to Donald Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the federal government — the key decisions, the critical characters and the power dynamics that are upending Washington and beyond.

Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI director's personal email; DOJ official confirms break-in  —  Iran-linked hackers have publicly claimed the breach of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal inbox, publishing photographs of the director and his purported resume to the internet.

Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List  —  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's highly unusual decision to remove officers from a one-star promotion list has spurred allegations of racial and gender bias.  —  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is blocking the promotion …

Paying Our Great Transportation Security Administration Officers and Employees  —  MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY  —  THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET  —  As the Democrat-caused shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) …

‘Visibly upset and struggling’: Acting ICE head hospitalized twice over stress, officials say … During these episodes, the current and former officials said they saw Lyons break out into a full sweat, with his face turning deep red.  They also attributed the source of the pressure to ramp …

‘Just drinking the Kool-Aid’: Inside the White House divide on Iran  —  Senior aides describe a widening internal divide over a conflict the president has grown bored with — and a communications strategy some call embarrassing.  —  Nearly one month after the U.S. began strikes on Iran …

House panel finds Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of 25 ethics charges  —  The vote came after a nearly seven-hour televised House trial.  Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to criminal charges.  —  WASHINGTON — After a rare and dramatic public hearing …

Secret Service agent assigned to Jill Biden accidentally shoots himself at Philadelphia International Airport  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to former first lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday morning, according to police.

Trump imagines negotiation with Sharpie maker for $5 signature pens  —  Trump told a lengthy story about negotiating over the price of Sharpie pens.  The company says it has no record of any such conversation.  —  President Donald Trump spent five minutes of Thursday's Cabinet meeting boasting …

Election expert testifies FBI's evidence in Fulton County ballot case 'doesn't make sense'  —  Fulton County is suing for the return of its 2020 ballots, arguing that the FBI relied on inaccurate information and misinformed witnesses to seize them.  —  ATLANTA — A leading elections expert told …

Expose ALL Of Trump's War Profiteering  —  We can say this much about Donald Trump, his advisers, and their many servants in other branches of government: They are prolific coverup artists, but poor craftsmen.  —  This became evident in Trump's first term—indeed even in his first campaign …

Idaho Senate Republicans send extreme anti-transgender bathroom bill with felony penalties to governor  —  When Gov. Brad Little signs it, the measure will criminalize restroom use including in private businesses.  —  The Idaho Senate on Friday afternoon passed a GOP-backed bill …

CPAC Considers Vance, Rubio and Life After Trump  —  The president's potential successors “are mortal men,” one attendee said.  —  As usual, CPAC is replete with bedazzled Trump attire, ivermectin advertisements and live podcasts.  It is, after all, a place where the Republican Party's most fervent …

Borrowing costs are surging amid Iran war  —  The Iran war is sending longer-term borrowing costs surging amid prospects for higher inflation, fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts and more federal borrowing.  —  Why it matters: Higher rates create new pressure for an already-faltering housing sector …

Druski sparks outrage after dressing as Erika Kirk in latest viral skit: ‘This is too far’  —  Controversial comedian Druski has triggered fresh outrage over his latest mega-viral skit in which he dressed up as Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika — with many calling him “disgusting” and “completely disrespectful” to a grieving widow.

The End of Immigration  —  Americans despise ICE, but it's “succeeding” nonetheless  —  Donald Trump's impulsive decision to deploy large numbers of ICE agents to hang out at America's airport Cinnabons — there's no indication that they are actually helping demoralized …

The Biggest News Story Nobody Is Talking About  —  As all eyes are glued to the happenings in the Middle East, this story flew under the radar for most of us.  —  But in a lot of ways, the implications for our national security could be greater than what happens in the next few weeks in the Persian Gulf.