Pence cheers Southern Baptist Convention as ‘one of the greatest forces for good anywhere’

Winning several standing ovations, Vice President Mike Pence gave an often laudatory campaign-style speech Wednesday to the closing session of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, calling it "one of the greatest forces for good anywhere in America." Pence, an evangelical Christian, repeatedly made clear that the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. is viewed by him and President Trump as a vital part of their conservative base heading into the midterm elections.

Mueller investigation: Paul Manafort, Moscow aide Konstantin Kilimnik …

Special prosecutor and former head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Robert Mueller has indicted Konstantin Kilimnik, the man believed to be identified as Person A, in the investigation, Bloomberg and other media outlets are reporting. Paul Manafort, former chairman of President Donald Trump's campaign, is also facing additional charges of witness tampering and obstruction of justice, The Washington Post reported .

Scott Pruitt asked his government aide to help with wife’s bid

'He was a scumbag': Arizona 'serial killer' slammed the Jon-Benet Ramsey psychiatrist for helping his ex-wife's divorce case against him and criticized the criminal justice system in bizarre YouTube rants Dark side of life on a superyacht: It's the dream of countless young people to see the world working on the boats of the rich but the reality can be slave conditions and even mysterious deaths for which no one is held responsible Scott Pruitt used his government aide to ask the boss of Chick-Fil-A to meet his wife because she wanted to run a franchise location EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt sought to buy a used version of a mattress that retails for a $1,399 for a Queen size and $1,750 for king-sized version She told investigators she also booked personal flights for Pruitt and searched for a D.C. apartment for him, at times during government hours Pruitt is under investigation for ... (more)

Trump says US prisoner Josh Holt has been released in Venezuela

"Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela," Trump tweeted. "Should be landing in D.C. this evening and be in the White House, with his family, at about 7:00 P.M. The great people of Utah will be very happy!" Holt, 26, a Utah native, traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry Venezuelan Thamara Caleo, according to news reports.

Giuliani: Mueller’s team told Trump’s lawyers…

Special counsel Robert Mueller III's team told President Donald Trump 's lawyers recently that prosecutors do not believe they can charge a sitting president with a crime under Justice Department guidelines, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday. The special counsel's conclusion signals that it would be left to Congress to address any finding of wrongdoing by Trump in the investigation.

Panel set to release report on judges and sexual harassment

As the U.S. judiciary confronts its #MeToo moment, officials plan to release a highly anticipated report this month addressing potential sexual harassment in the nation's courthouses and how complaints are handled. Officials began examining problems after former law clerks and other staffers went public with sexual harassment claims against U.S. Appeals Court Judge Alex Kozinski, a nationally prominent jurist who had served for more than 30 years in California.

Under Trump proposal, lawful immigrants might be inclined to shun health benefits

The Trump administration is considering a policy change that might discourage immigrants who are seeking permanent residency from using government-supported health care, a scenario that is alarming some doctors, hospitals and patient advocates. Under the proposed plan, a lawful immigrant holding a visa could be passed over for getting permanent residency - a green card - if they use Medicaid, a subsidized Obamacare plan, food stamps, tax credits or a list of other non-cash government benefits, according to a draft of the plan published by The Washington Post.

Comedian Faces Criticism After Controversial Remarks At D.C. Gala

President Trump's absence for the second year in a row from the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner may end up being the least controversial thing about Saturday night's gathering of the White House press corps. Chatter online amongst Washington, D.C., journalists and some in the administration's orbit after the event was full of criticism for comedian Michelle Wolf, who was the evening's headliner; criticism and soul-searching about the annual event itself; and an effort by former White House press secretary Sean Spicer to pressure the leadership of the White House Correspondents' Association into answering for Wolf's vulgar, personal jabs leveled primarily at the president and his inner circle.

Opponents decry Scott Pruitt’s plan to roll back groundwater protections at coal ash sites

Heavy machinery excavate and carry coal ash from a drained coal ash pond at Dominion Power's Possum Point Power Station in Dumfries, Virginia. CREDIT: Kate Patterson for The Washington Post via Getty Images Residents have not been clamoring for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to weaken the nation's coal ash waste rules.

Mary Regula, congressional spouse who founded National First…

The Republican Party's Lincoln Day event was coming up, and Mary Regula was filling in for her husband, an Ohio politician who had been asked to speak about President Abraham Lincoln. Instead, Regula, a former teacher who had studied American history in college, began researching first lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

Labor and civil rights organizations call for EPA chief Scott Pruitt’s ouster

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt listens before President Trump arrives to speak during an energy roundtable with tribal, state and local leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in June. Environmental organizations have made themselves hoarse calling for Scott Pruitt's ouster from the Environmental Protection Agency over his efforts to roll back government regulations - and lately, his spending and personnel decisions.

Pulitzers for coverage of Weinstein, Russian meddling

The New York Times and The New Yorker won the Pulitzer Prize for public service Monday for breaking the Harvey Weinstein scandal with reporting that galvanized the #MeToo movement and set off a national reckoning over sexual misconduct in the workplace. The Times and The Washington Post took the national reporting award for their coverage of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential race and contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian officials.

Skowhegan bull chase an example of how not to react, experts say

Dozens Suffocate in Syria as Government Is Accused of Chemical Attack - BEIRUT, Lebanon - Dozens of Syrians choked to death after a suspected chemical attack struck the rebel-held suburb of Douma, sending a stream of patients with burning eyes and breathing problems to medical clinics, aid groups said on Sunday. Scores feared dead in Syria 'chemical attack' as US demands international response - An alleged chemical attack reportedly killed scores of civilians, including children, in Syria on Saturday, with the US describing the reports as "horrifying".

Analysis: If Trump really wants to go after Amazon, he has options

President Donald Trump is livid with Amazon, attacking the company on Twitter and accusing it of taking advantage of the U.S. government to gain an unfair advantage over its competitors. President Donald Trump is livid with Amazon, attacking the company on Twitter and accusing it of taking advantage of the U.S. government to gain an unfair advantage over its competitors.