Capitol agenda: Democrats' H.R. 1 problem  —  Hakeem Jeffries wants “affordability” to be House Democrats' primary legislative pitch heading into the midterms.  But not all his members agree it should be “H.R. 1” if they win back the majority.  Other top Democrats interviewed this week …

Trump Isn't Giving Up on His Slush Fund  —  When Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before Congress last Tuesday, senior administration officials hoped that his testimony would be enough to quell the uproar over a $1.776 billion payout scheme for Trump loyalists, including January 6 rioters.

Trump's Dangerous Escalation in a Losing War  —  There are certain moments in sports when, right after the game ends, you instantly know it has a place in history.  Last night was one of those moments.  The Knicks came back from 29 points down to defeat the Spurs in the final seconds and take a 3-1 series lead.

‘Knives are out’ inside the White House  —  With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco and Irie Sentner  —  Good Thursday morning, it's Dasha, taking the lead to take you inside the mood at the White House amid a string of setbacks for the president.  Get in touch.  —  In today's Playbook ...

Trump says ‘I love the inflation’ as annual rate jumps to a 3-year high  —  The president suggested the recent numbers mean there will be a bigger decline in inflation once the war in Iran is over. … President Donald Trump embraced an unlikely foe Wednesday: inflation.

Oil executives warn White House that gas prices will get worse  —  Grim predictions add to the problems of a president already facing a sharp rise in inflation.  —  Summary  —  Oil and gas executives have warned the White House that gasoline prices could surge in coming months …

At Least Six States Have RSVP'd ‘No’ to Trump's State Fair  —  Some states say the Freedom 250 birthday bash is too expensive, too rushed and too politicized.  — Copy  —  President Donald Trump's big birthday bash for America is hitting more speedbumps, as at least six states plan to sit out the Great American State Fair.

Women Who Fled Iran Are to Be Deported to Central African Republic, Lawyers Say  —  The women are among nearly two dozen people slated to be sent to a country where the U.S. government has advised “Do not travel for any reason.”  —  The Trump administration is preparing to deport nearly …

Analysis of Satellite Image and Videos Suggest Precision U.S. Strikes on Iranian Water Facility  —  It is unclear if the U.S. intentionally struck the facility or knew what it was.  Deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.

Trump sees 22 medical specialists, appearing to set new bar for presidents  —  Trump saw about a dozen specialists for prior checkups, per past statements.  The White House has declined to identify which physicians assessed him.  —  Summary  —  For George H.W. Bush's first medical checkup …

The Curious Disappearance of Daniel Dale … In late February, Daniel Dale appeared on CNN to dismantle the more than 20 false or misleading claims that he identified during Donald Trump's State of the Union address.  “There was just a lot of lying tonight,” Dale, the network's fact-checker …

$60M and 7 federal agencies required to stage Trump's UFC fight at White House  —  President Donald Trump's planned UFC fight on the White House's South Lawn has required a monumental effort from more than seven federal agencies, hundreds of staff working onsite daily and at least $60 million …

Why Is Trump Tanking in MAGA Country?  These Dems Found a Good Answer.  —  We learned this week that the Democratic-aligned group American Bridge plans to spend $50 million to help the party's congressional candidates in this fall's elections.  It's a whopping sum and a big gamble.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh takes on a starring role in Maine's Senate race  —  Sen. Susan Collins' 2018 vote to confirm Kavanaugh is a fresh source of anger for Democrats, who point to his key vote to overturn Roe v. Wade — even though she indicated he wouldn't.

The murder of expertise  —  This edition of PN is made possible by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  🧬 Subscribe to PN 🧬  —  The Trump administration has spent the last 18 months gutting funding for scientific research, forcing out nonpartisan experts …

India Says U.S. Strike on Tanker in Iran Blockade Killed Three Nationals  —  The deaths are the first known to have occurred from U.S. action to enforce its blockade  —  Three Indian sailors were killed in a U.S. operation to enforce its blockade of Iran, an Indian official said Thursday …

Knicks fans burning sage outside MSG ahead of Game 4 to purge the bad luck left behind from Trump's attendance  —  ‘It felt so dark yesterday, I was like, this is not the Garden that I know,’ the fan said  —  The NBA Finals have New Yorkers desperate for a Knicks victory trying everything in their powers to help the team.

Vance's chief of staff to leave Trump administration  —  Jacob Reses, who has been with Vance since his successful 2022 Senate campaign in Ohio, is expected to remain close to the vice president's team.  —  Jacob Reses, the chief of staff to Vice President JD Vance, will leave the administration …

Trump Avoids Public Events, Will Hold Two Political Tele-Rallies From Oval Office  —  Key Points  —  President Trump's public schedule for Thursday contains no public events and no opportunities for reporters to question him, with every item on his calendar listed as closed press.

Administration plans intensive, year-round construction schedule for Trump's triumphal arch  —  Construction of the 250-foot-high triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near the Lincoln Memorial could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete …

Forget the DOJ.  For a Trump pardon, call “Bobby” and other influencers  —  A Reuters investigation found nearly all the clemency decisions made by President Trump during his current term flouted longstanding Justice Department guidelines.  In place of traditional rules …