The Next Coup Attempt  —  And How to Stop It  —  We are seven months away from the most consequential midterm election in the history of the United States.  Meanwhile, we are fighting a war.  These are the structural conditions for a coup attempt in which a president tries to nullify elections and take permanent power as a dictator.

Trump's new budget proposal is historic — in one of the worst ways possible  —  On Friday, the Trump administration submitted its annual budget request to Congress.  The document called for dramatically reducing what the United States government does for Americans.

Finish the Job: How Trump Can Still Win in Iran  —  The war the United States and Israel are fighting is for much higher stakes than what could well be simply a temporary reopening of Persian Gulf maritime traffic.  The entire geopolitical shape of the Middle East is now at issue …

Niece, grandniece of slain notorious Iranian Gen. Soleimani arrested by ICE while enjoying lavish lifestyles in LA  —  The niece and grandniece of slain Iranian mastermind Gen. Qasem Soleimani were arrested by US officials, the State Department announced Saturday.

Republicans are losing clout in statehouses in another possible sign of midterm trouble … “I think he puts Republicans on the defensive with his actions,” said Dick Wadhams, a longtime consultant and a former state GOP chair in Colorado.  “They can't stand it anymore.”

Judge blocks Trump's college admissions data push in 17 states … Massachusetts District Court Judge Dennis Saylor, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in a late Friday order the survey was created in a “rushed and chaotic manner” and problems with it are being “compounded” …

Donald Trump isn't sounding like himself, and that's terrifying.  Hi, Paul Krugman here with a brief update on Saturday afternoon.  —  Not my usual thing.  No economics, no analytics, just I felt I needed to say something.  On Wednesday, Trump gave a speech, which was... pretty depressing.

Trump weighs broader cabinet shake-up as Iran war pressure grows  —  U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a broader cabinet shake-up in the wake of Attorney General Pam Bondi's removal this week, as he grows increasingly frustrated with the political fallout from the war with Iran …

Trump's Relentless, ‘Utterly Incoherent’ Battles  —  From Tehran to the Supreme Court, a look at Trump's relentless battles.  —  President Trump claims America is “winning bigger than ever before,” but his battles abroad and in American courtrooms drag on.

Jonathan Majors Fell Through A Window On Daily Wire Action Flick, Leading Crew To Walk Off Set; Producers Say They “Don't Negotiate With Communists” … As we previously reported, IATSE called a strike against the production on March 26 over a series of labor issues.

Epstein Presented Himself to Indian Tycoon as a Trump White House Insider  —  The convicted sex offender gave Anil Ambani information on appointments and foreign policy.  Some seemed prescient, though there was no evidence he was close to the administration.

Trump-Vance White House Escalates Holy Week Assault Against Catholic Church  —  A judge forced ICE to open the doors.  On Holy Thursday, four priests washed the feet of fourteen detained migrants.  The next morning, the Pentagon excluded Catholics from Good Friday services.

US Deploys Bulk of Stealthy Long-Range Missile for Iran War  —  The next steps in the US military campaign against Iran will commit nearly its entire inventory of stealthy JASSM-ER cruise missiles, drawing them from stockpiles devoted to other regions.  —  The order to pull the $1.5 million weapon …

RFK Jr. launches midterm travel push to shore up ‘MAHA’ support … The Trump White House is leaning on Kennedy's popularity to boost its messaging.  A senior White House official, granted anonymity to discuss the secretary, called him “one of our most requested surrogates and the Cabinet official …

Europe's Options in the Strait of Hormuz: Few, and Risky  —  European leaders and other officials have ideas for bringing shipping back to the strait once the Iran war ends.  But none of them are sure bets.  —  When senior officials from 40 countries met virtually this week to discuss …

Did President Trump have a hand in writing the latest White House East Wing court filing?  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  Government lawyers for President Trump asked an appeals court late Friday for an emergency ruling to allow construction of the White House East Wing to resume after a lower court judge halted it earlier this week.

Missing Airman Raises Concerns That Iran Could Gain Leverage Over the U.S.  —  Since 1979, Iran has repeatedly used Americans and Europeans detained on its territory to win concessions over more powerful adversaries.  —  The downing of a U.S. fighter jet over Iranian territory and the intense search …