Senate Republicans say it's time to give Trump a reality check … “I'm going to be there front and center,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters.  “It will be important if it actually is a constructive exchange of different opinions, and hopefully we can all get on the same page.

Firings now underway at Office of Director of National Intelligence, source says  —  National security Donald Trump Federal agencies Congressional news  —  The large-scale cuts that President Donald Trump's acting director of national intelligence had been considering imposing …

At least five people arrested in alleged tampering of Reflecting Pool, official says  —  “Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced!”  Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.

New photos show first look at Kennedy Center facade without Trump's name  —  The images were taken from inside the tarp-covered scaffolding that has blocked the public's view for more than a week.  —  Summary  —  New photos show that President Donald Trump's name is indeed off the Kennedy Center …

Iran Says $12 Billion to Be Unfrozen Ahead of Rubio's Gulf Tour  —  Iran said $12 billion of its frozen funds were set to be released as part of ongoing talks with the US, with the two sides broadly signaling progress in negotiations to formally end their war.

“I'm out”: Tucker Carlson says he's done with the GOP  —  Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson says he's “out” of the Republican party moving forward, arguing the GOP no longer reflects his views. … - “And if I'm out, then I think a lot of other people are out.”

A ransom note about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance says she died, CNN reports  —  A ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, said the 84-year-old had died, CNN and other news organizations are reporting, citing law enforcement sources.

The Secret Reason Bosses Want Everyone Back in the Office, Every Day of the Week  —  When the pandemic came to an end, many people who had been working from home assumed they would be allowed to maintain that habit at least a few days a week.  But today in the U.S., a third of companies …

‘Broadview Six’ damage spreads with review of 20 years of one prosecutor's cases  —  Ten defendants in three cases have now seen their federal criminal charges permanently dropped as a result of the grand jury controversy in Andrew Boutros' office, and questions remain about who redacted alleged misconduct …

Federal judge halts Trump administration effort to subpoena Walz in immigration enforcement probe  —  A federal judge has blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to subpoena Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, calling it an effort to “harass and retaliate against them.”

Federal judge blocks bans on SNAP use for soda  —  A federal judge has blocked bans on the usage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for soda enacted by the Trump administration.  —  “Congress defined what ‘food’ is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted.

Pentagon seeks $80 billion from Congress for Iran war  —  The Pentagon has told senators it needs roughly $80 billion, mostly to cover the cost of the U.S. war against Iran, adding to what is already a sizable military spending boost being sought by President Donald Trump.

There's Major Unrest at Michael Flynn's Nonprofit  —  And we have painfully few clues as to why, beyond a cryptic post about a “drunk night between grown adults.”  —  ∙ Paid  —  SINCE TAKING OVER THE STORIED conservative group America's Future in 2021, retired general Michael Flynn has turned it into a real rogue's gallery.

Senate Republicans exclude Democrats' food aid demand from farm bill  —  Senate Republicans' farm bill proposal rejects Democrats' demands to delay a planned shift of some food aid costs to states, according to three people familiar with the plans — jeopardizing hopes of winning bipartisan support for the package.

First the Kennedy Center, Now the Smithsonian … when president trump summoned Lonnie Bunch, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, for lunch at the White House on August 28 of last year, Bunch's advisers assumed that the end was near.  Trump had spent months threatening …

Elon Musk promises to sue lawmaker who suggested DOGE cuts led to the deaths of 4.5 million kids  —  Democrat Ro Khanna cited a 2025 study that estimated more than 14 million people could die without USAID resources by 2030  —  Elon Musk, the trillionaire CEO and former temporary government employee …

The Supreme Court Quietly Embraced Clarence Thomas' Theory of Race.  It's Already a Disaster. … On June 2, in an unsigned, 6-3 shadow docket decision, the Supreme Court transformed a fiercely contested theory of racial discrimination into the law of the land.

Palantir Goes on a Democratic Lobbyist Hiring Spree  —  The ICE contractor has hired Hakeem Jeffries' former chief of staff and a former Democratic senator as it builds out a Democratic lobbying operation on Capitol Hill.  —  💡  —  Share this on X and Bluesky!

Insulin cost cap gets another look in Congress  —  A Senate plan to limit insulin costs in private insurance markets is getting new life after a key committee gave it bipartisan backing. … - Congress capped insulin costs at $35 per month for people on Medicare in 2022.

ACLU to monitor election certification as part of $50 million midterm effort  —  Half of the group's spending will go toward ensuring proper administration of elections in key states amid Trump's efforts to exert greater influence over the process.  —  The American Civil Liberties Union …

Dershowitz to testify on Epstein ties  —  Alan Dershowitz is scheduled to speak with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 20 as part of its ongoing Jeffery Epstein investigation.  “I asked to be allowed to set the record straight and correct various misconceptions,” Dershowitz said in a text message.

Mitch McConnell will not vote this week  —  Sen. Mitch McConnell will not return to the Senate this week, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Republican said Monday.  “Senator McConnell is still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery.

Britain's lost decade  —  On June 23, 2016, the Brexit referendum unleashed a populist tide that rewrote the rules of Western politics.  — Ten years later, a diminished and fractured United Kingdom is preparing for its seventh prime minister — still haunted by the future it was promised.

Cafe Tells Congressman He's Not Welcome Because of His Stance on Israel  —  After Representative Dan Goldman visited a left-leaning coffee shop chain, the shop owner posted caustic remarks on Instagram that made it clear the congressman shouldn't come back.  —  A small coffee shop chain …