Journalists float astonishing theory around silence surrounding Mitch McConnell's health  —  With Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) health status still unclear after his latest medical incident, multiple journalists have offered a stunning theory for why his office and fellow Republicans have remained largely silent.

Trump Wants a New Air Force One in His Presidential Library.  It's Not a Done Deal.  —  He would like the $400 million luxury 747 to eventually be the centerpiece of his Miami presidential library but his plans face obstacles  —  President Trump on Wednesday achieved his long-awaited ambition …

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro slams socialist NY Dem Darializa Avila Chevalier — and warns major battle for future of party is coming  —  WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro tore into New York socialist congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier and warned that a battle is brewing for the soul of the Democratic Party.

In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes  —  A centerpiece address for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration devoted time to American history, but had all the hallmarks of a Trump rally.  —  An hour before midnight on the Fourth of July …

The Alabamafication of National Politics  —  On Juneteenth, I watched Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee for Alabama governor, deliver a speech at the Scottsboro Boys Museum, in the northeastern corner of the state.  I found myself thinking of the 1960s civil-rights rallies that I'd covered …

Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech  —  Thousands of people stood in security lines for hours in severe heat to reach the National Mall, only to be ordered to leave as events were set to start.  Some refused.  —  Federal officials ordered thousands of people …

A Zombie Congress Is Threatening the GOP Agenda  —  Wave of defeated and discouraged House members creates new headaches for GOP leaders  —  WASHINGTON—A growing number of GOP lawmakers have little incentive to come to work or toe the party line, putting critical legislation in danger as Republicans lurch toward the midterms.

Johnson says House will pass SAVE America Act ‘one more time’ in reconciliation bill  —  Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday said the House will attempt to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act “one more time” through a budget reconciliation bill.

How Trump is turning NATO into a cash machine  —  President Donald Trump has recast a generations-old transatlantic alliance built on shared democratic values into a framework he's more comfortable dealing with — a business.  —  He's persuaded NATO members to turbocharge their own defense spending …

The Comey effect: 10 years ago, an FBI news conference changed America  —  “It is hard to think of another single event in the last decade that has had such far-reaching and sweeping and unintended global consequences as Jim Comey's press conference,” said one historian.

At Trump's Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases … Kenni Miller joined a class-action lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but the case was later dropped by the Trump administration.Kristian Thacker for The New York Times

The twisted history Trump's White House is using to redefine religious freedom  —  Is religious freedom on the retreat in America?  A Trump commission certainly believes that to be true. … When the Founding Fathers began their work to unify the colonies, America's religious landscape looked nothing …

Trump tries again to delay $5m sexual abuse payout to E Jean Carroll  —  Lawyers file request days after US supreme court declined to hear an appeal, with payout topping $5.8m with interest  —  Lawyers for Donald Trump have requested more time to pay a $5m civil judgment …

Trump Administration Rolls Back Dozens of Gun Regulations  —  Critics say the administration is weakening public safety.  Proponents say regulations would be where they were before President Joseph R. Biden took office.  —  The Trump administration is scrapping more than three dozen firearms regulations …