The whisper network that caught up to Eric Swalwell … Those messages were the embers of a firestorm that in short order incinerated Swalwell's campaign, and is now engulfing what remains of his political career.  —  Swalwell suspended his campaign Sunday, days after multiple news outlets reported …

Whistleblower says Trump officials thought USAID did ‘just abortions,’ asked for ‘Barney-style’ slides before gutting agency, per new book  —  Read an exclusive excerpt from Nicholas Enrich's “Into the Wood Chipper”  —  One of the first acts by the second Trump administration was the complete gutting …

Republicans Were Relieved Trump Deleted an Image of Himself as Jesus  —  But they had fewer issues with Trump's rants against Pope Leo.  “There's only one Jesus,” Sen. Josh Hawley said.  “So, you know, best to stick with that.”  — Copy  —  Republicans in Congress predictably brushed …

Saudi Arabia Is Pressing U.S. to Drop Its Hormuz Blockade  —  Gulf energy exporters worry Iran could escalate and close the Bab al-Mandeb, the main exit route for bottlenecked Persian Gulf oil  —  Saudi Arabia is pressing the U.S. to drop its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and return …

Trump's Erratic Behavior and Extreme Comments Revive Mental Health Debate  —  As the president threatens to wipe out Iran and attacks the pope, even some former allies and advisers are questioning whether he has grown increasingly unbalanced, describing him as “lunatic” and “clearly insane.”

Vance, after rallying in Hungary for Orban, says he wasn't surprised by the autocrat's defeat … “His legacy in Hungary is transformational — 16 years, fundamentally changing that country,” Vance said, explaining that his decision to stump with Orban last week was “not because we can't read polls.

‘Everyone is Replaceable’: Death Rattles Oregon Amazon Facility  —  Sam was helping unload trucks when a heavy thud against concrete echoed across the Amazon warehouse.  An employee's lifeless body lay on the floor.  —  Work halted in the loading docks on the south side of Amazon's distribution center in Troutdale, Oregon.

Cook Political Report shifts 4 Senate races toward Democrats  —  The Cook Political Report shifted four Senate races to the left on Monday but noted that the GOP is still favored to maintain its majority in the upper chamber this November.  —  “With an increasingly sour national environment for Republicans …

The Internet's Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril  —  As major news outlets cut off the Wayback Machine, journalists and advocacy groups are rallying to protect the Internet Archive's vast collection of web pages.  —  This month, USA Today published an excellent report that revealed …

The real cost of the war with Iran  —  Play  —  The U.S. has been spending up to $2 billion every day on the war with Iran.  But that's just military expenditure.  What's the real, long-term economic toll?  —  Guests  —  Justin Wolfers, economist.  Professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan.

Judge tosses Trump's lawsuit against WSJ over Epstein letter  —  A federal judge on Monday tossed a defamation lawsuit filed by President Trump against the Wall Street Journal over a story describing a “bawdy” birthday letter bearing the president's name that was reportedly given to Jeffrey Epstein.

Amid War, G.O.P. Puts Off Testimony From Senior Pentagon Commanders  —  House lawmakers had been scheduled to hear testimony next week from the head of military operations in the Middle East, but the Republican majority postponed the hearing until late May.  —  Republicans in Congress …

Meloni slams ‘unacceptable’ Trump comments on Pope Leo  —  Trump's attacks left many right-wing politicians under pressure to defend the pope, as many of their voters have a strong attachment to Catholic tradition.  —  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned U.S. President Donald …

Trump's federal workforce changes cost the economy more than $165.6B, analysis finds  —  The Trump administration's reforms to the federal government cost the U.S. economy more than $165.6 billion, according to a new estimate from the Partnership for Public Service.

Why Was the Prairieland Jury Persuaded to Convict Given the Government's Weak Case?  —  Questions linger about a “loud uproar” in the jury room on the day of the verdict, as juror misconduct is alleged in a post-verdict motion seeking a new trial.  —  Johnson County, TX — In a surprising verdict …

Trump Is History's Worst Idiot and I Know Why: Political Guru  —  ‘LOSING HIS MARBLES’  —  The president has demonstrated time and again that he is not fit for the role of commander in chief, David Rothkopf argues.  —  President Donald Trump is not the smart and savvy political prodigy …

Pride Flag Can Fly at Stonewall After Trump Administration Reversal  —  The settlement ends a symbolic attack on the L.G.B.T.Q. rights movement and deals a blow to the administration's assault on diversity initiatives.  —  The federal government agreed on Monday that the rainbow Pride flag …

Minnesota county is investigating potential kidnapping and false imprisonment by federal officers  —  A Minnesota county is investigating the arrest of a Hmong American man by federal officers that was captured on video as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment, officials announced Monday.

Rubio to host Israeli, Lebanese ambassadors for talks amid ceasefire effort  —  Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host on Tuesday a meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington, D.C., to launch direct negotiations between the countries.

Baltimore cuts flouride levels amid shortage caused by Iran war  —  The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) announced Monday that it will be temporarily reducing the amount of fluoride in its municipal water beginning this week due to national supply disruptions brought on by the war in Iran.