Trump considers a major shake-up in his administration
President Trump has been lashing out in frustration over the midterm results and his poorly-received Europe trip.
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Democrat Kyrsten Sinema wins the Arizona Senate race
Sinema, who was once a spokeswoman for the Green Party, repackaged herself as a moderate and overcame tens of millions in attacks on her liberal record. She is the state’s first female senator, and our nation’s first openly bisexual senator.
Florida's first-ever recount in three statewide races kicks off
Republican Gov. Rick Scott sharpened his attacks on his opponent in the razor-tight U.S. Senate race and filed a new round of lawsuits against Democratic election officials.
Plotting on Capitol Hill
On Thursday, Democrats maneuvered for position in down-ballot races, hoping to claim a sliver of power in the party’s first majority in eight years.
Matt Whitaker temporarily replaces Jeff Sessions as Attorney General
A Justice Department official said Whitaker would assume authority over the special counsel probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election — though his role will be subject to the normal review process for conflicts.
A referendum on Trump
Two-thirds of voters said the president was a factor in how they voted, according to network exit polls. That allowed Democrats to win control of the House, and Republicans to expand their majority in the Senate.
Trump and Congress brace for the elections
President Trump's speeches at three campaign rallies yesterday were meant to shore up challenging Senate races in states where he won overwhelmingly. White House aides have all but given up on keeping control of the House.
Midterms will show whether non-Trump Republicans can win by stoking racial animosity
The fierce battle for control of Congress and the nation’s governorships has turned toward blatant and overtly racial attacks rarely seen since the civil rights era of the 1960s.
Trump hopes that fear will gin up GOP turnout
On Thursday, Trump ratcheted up the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has been the centerpiece of his midterm push by portraying a slow-moving migrant caravan, consisting mostly of families traveling on foot through Mexico, as a dangerous ‘invasion.'
A key Watergate document, finally released, could be ‘road map’ for Mueller
History nerds are geeking out this morning.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke faces possible criminal referral amid cascading investigations
Special counsel Bob Mueller is also probing whether Trump ally and longtime confidant Roger Stone may have helped Wikileaks time its release of Democratic emails.
Trump is going to Pittsburgh after the mayor asked him not to
A former Rabbi at Tree of Life synagogue also said during an appearance on MSNBC that President Trump should wait a week before visiting the city where the deadly shooting took place.
New details emerge about Pittsburgh shooter
Police identified the 11 victims killed in Saturday’s mass shooting at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue, the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.
Republicans think they're increasingly likely to hold the Senate, even pick up seats
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been telling associates that Republicans are in a strong position to hold the Senate and could pad their narrow 51-to-49 advantage by a couple of seats, though he’s avoiding precise predictions.
America is on edge as more pipe bombs are discovered
The discovery of five pipe bombs mailed to prominent Democrats, CNN and a liberal billionaire have put the country on edge and sent law enforcement officials scrambling to prevent any more packages from reaching their targets.
U.S. Cyber Command is pushing back against Russian attempts at midterm meddling
The U.S. Cyber Command has begun targeting Russian operatives, warning them that the military is tracking their activities in an attempt to deter them from disrupting the fast-approaching midterm elections.
Trump's strategy of fear
White House aides say the migrant caravan has proved to be a particularly effective wedge issue for Trump. His approach in many ways seeks to re-create the 2016 playbook that unexpectedly lifted him to the presidency.
Generic Democrats in the Midwest are faring better than more fiery liberals in Sun Belt
The Democratic nominees for governor in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Kansas are intentionally bland. In contrast, Democratic voters selected the more fiery candidates for governor in primaries in states like Texas and Georgia.
A shouting match erupts outside the Oval Office over immigration
While some GOP leaders in the House had initially hoped to focus their election message on the economy, President Trump has continued to highlight immigration.
Trump’s handling of the Khashoggi crisis typifies his approach to foreign policy
President Trump’s hesitation and friendly engagement with the Saudis underscores his transactional approach that prioritizes geopolitics and economic interests over human rights and democracy.
How Scott Walker is working to withstand a ‘blue wave’ in Wisconsin
While making the case for a third term as governor, Scott Walker compared himself to the star quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
Sebelius stumping with Democrats shows the changing politics of health care
If you made a list five years ago of national Democratic surrogates that a candidate in a purple state like Wisconsin would want to campaign with, Kathleen Sebelius would not be on it.
Trump's wide-ranging 60 Minutes interview
President Trump talked about how he'll handle Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, his mockery of Christine Blasey Ford, his unsupported assertion that China meddled in the 2016 elections and more.
How the Khashoggi crisis is bringing fresh scrutiny to Trump’s business ties to Saudi Arabia
The Turkish government has told U.S. officials that they have audio and video recordings to support their conclusion that Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Rosenstein feuded with McCabe in front of Mueller
The feud between Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe dates back to Robert Mueller's May 2017 appointment as special counsel.
U.S. intelligence knew Saudi officials had discussed plans to capture journalist Jamal Khashoggi
In an op-ed for today’s print edition of The Washington Post, Khashoggi's fiancee calls on Trump to help shed light on his disappearance.
Trump apologizes to Kavanaugh during politicized swearing-in ceremony
Since Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed on Saturday, Trump has seemed more interested in inflaming rather than reducing the tensions over his pick amid questions over whether the high court is becoming too politicized.
Three headlines that should be on your radar for Oct. 8
'Can He Do That?' host Allison Michaels fills in for James.
Kavanaugh moves closer to a confirmation
Sens. Susan Collins and Jeff Flake indicated Thursday that the additional FBI probe was adequate. A third Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, has not yet announced her vote.
Senators now have the FBI's completed report on Kavanaugh
In anticipation of the report’s arrival, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday night teed up a key vote to advance Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for Friday. That could set up a final vote on Saturday.