Republican senator from a GOP stronghold says that Donald Trump might lose in his state

Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said on Wednesday that it was "quite possible" that Donald Trump would lose his state after a series of polls showed the race between the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and Hillary Clinton as either extremely close or in the former secretary of state's favor. But Flake, in an interview with Business Insider, said he did not expect the presidential race to affect fellow Sen. John McCain's efforts at reelection in the traditionally deep-red state.

Libertarian nominee: Trump says ‘racist’ things

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson said Donald Trump says "racist" things and should be disqualified from becoming president for saying that he is "looking at" replacing employees of the Transportation Security Administration who are Muslim and wear hijabs. "He has said 100 things that would disqualify anyone else from running for president but doesn't seem to affect him," he told CNN's Brianna Keilar in an interview aired Sunday on "State of the Union."

Trump has ‘warm’ meeting with Indiana governor, as Veep speculation swirls

Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence had a private meeting Saturday morning at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, that served as an informal way for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee to become better acquainted with a possible running mate. According to two Republicans familiar with the meeting, the conversation between Trump and Pence lasted for more than an hour, and the governor was joined by his wife, Karen, as he visited with the real-estate mogul.

Congress dawdles on Zika as U.S. threat grows

In late February, the White House asked Congress for $1.9 billion in emergency money to stem the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which at the time had been tentatively linked to birth defects in South America. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has concluded that the virus does cause birth defects, including microcephaly.

Trump’s VP finalists include Christie, Gingrich

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump could announce his running mate pick before the party's convention to help drum up excitement heading into Cleveland, a source familiar with the process told CNN. Trump, who has repeatedly said his choice for vice president was down to as few as four candidates though sources tell CNN the list is closer to seven, and his aides had previously said the pick would likely be announced at the convention.

Trump looks to unlikely speakers for convention help

Donald Trump is turning to his family, sports figures and business leaders to fill speaking slots at the Republican National Convention later this month as scores of prominent Republican leaders continue to refuse to line up behind their controversial nominee-to-be. Trump announced Friday that his wife and children "are all going to be speaking" at the nominating convention that kicks off in just over two weeks.

Milbank: There’s still no smoking gun on Clinton, Benghazi

The House Select Committee on Benghazi released its long-awaited findings Tuesday and concluded that well, it looks as though they're going to have to empanel another select committee to iron out the dueling conclusions reached by various members of the committee. The panel members spent two years and $7 million to come up with the last word on what happened in Libya in September 2012, when four Americans were killed.

Washington flummoxed over federal displays of Confederate flags

A year after South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its capitol grounds, official Washington is struggling with further restrictions on the flag's display on federal property, including in the U.S. Capitol complex. The National Park Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Army have longstanding guidelines for its cemeteries that permit display of the Confederate flag one or two days a year.

Lynch meeting latest episode to strain Clinton trust

" An impromptu meeting between Bill Clinton and the nation's top cop could further undermine Hillary Clinton's efforts to convince voters to place their trust in her, highlighting perhaps her biggest vulnerability. Attorney General Loretta Lynch expressed regret on Friday that she met with the former president earlier in the week at the Phoenix airport while the Justice Department's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices nears a conclusion.

House GOP gun measure not likely to get Dems’ support

U.S. House Democrats said Friday they won't support legislation Speaker Paul Ryan plans to bring to a vote next week that seeks to prevent terrorists from purchasing firearms. Following their dramatic 25-hour House chamber sit-in last week to demand votes on gun bills, Democrats contend the Republican proposal doesn't provide strong enough action and warn that renewed protests are possible after the House reconvenes Tuesday.

Washington flummoxed over federal Confederate flag displays

A year after South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its capitol grounds, official Washington is struggling with further restrictions on the flag's display on federal property, including in the U.S. Capitol complex.