‘Highly unusual’: New warning signs for DOJ’s Trump-ordered case against Comey

A federal magistrate judge questioned whether privileged material was improperly obtained and used. ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — A federal magistrate judge scolded Justice Department prosecutors on Wednesday for an “indict first, investigate second” posture in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, raising new questions about a “highly unusual” case that was ordered up … Read more

Carney doesn’t rule out more floor-crossing talks

The Canadian prime minister’s path to control of the House runs through disaffected Conservatives. OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is not denying he’s in talks to woo more opposition lawmakers to join his Liberal government to secure a critical majority mandate. “My view is, always, I will talk to anyone,” the prime minister told … Read more

‘Absolutely correct’: Machado praises Trump’s Venezuela actions

The president has said he thinks Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s days leading the socialist country are numbered. MIAMI — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Wednesday praised President Donald Trump’s aggressive approach to the country as “absolutely correct,” as the White House weighs further military action on the socialist country. The Nobel Peace Prize … Read more

Justices wonder how Trump could refund tariffs, if they decide against him

Justice Amy Coney Barrett cautioned during oral arguments Wednesday that the logistics of refunding companies that have paid the disputed duties would be “a mess.” The Supreme Court on Wednesday contemplated the process for paying back billions in tariffs the Trump administration has collected, should the justices rule those duties are illegal. “How would this … Read more

California Republicans vow to continue fighting Prop 50

A grab bag of strategies for mitigating the Democratic gerrymander includes a federal lawsuit and a return to the ballot. After their campaign against Proposition 50 suffered an embarrassing defeat at the polls, California Republicans are insisting the fight is not over, promising a variety of strategies to mitigate the damage of the Democratic gerrymander … Read more

Republican incumbents set for face-off in redrawn California district post-Proposition 50

Rep. Ken Calvert said he will run in the redrawn 40th District — which now bleeds into more than half of the representative’s current 41st District. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) will challenge incumbent Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) for California’s newly drawn 40th District, he announced Wednesday, teeing up a contentious face-off between two battle-tested Republicans … Read more

Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres faces primary challenge over his fierce Israel support

Former DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake is launching a challenge to the three-term Congress member. NEW YORK — Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) is getting a primary challenge from a rival homing in on his fierce support for Israel and the donations he’s collected as a result. Former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake, a … Read more