Federal prisons director stepped down due to strained relationship with Jared Kushner, Jeff Sessions

The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Mark Inch, stepped down from his post last week due to his strained relationship with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, according to a report Thursday. Inch, a retired Army major general, claimed that he had been barred from weighing in on important decisions by Kushner and Sessions, and noted there was a disregard for "departmental norms" when he announced he was resigning, the New York Times reports .

Trump Cancels Summit With North Korean Leader

WASHINGTON - President Trump has cancelled the upcoming summit between the United States and the North Koreans in a new letter released on Thursday. Mr. Trump writes in the letter that he was "very much looking forward to being there with you.

The Latest: White House accuses NK of lack of judgment

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just after President Donald Trump canceled the June 12 summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, citing the "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a recent statement from North Korea, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. less Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just after President Donald Trump canceled the June 12 summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, citing the "tremendous ... more A copy of the letter sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from President Donald Trump canceling their planned summit in Singapore is photographed in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Trump signs bill easing post-2008 crisis restraints on banks Source: AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law a measure that loosens key restraints for banks imposed after the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession. Savoring the legislative triumph, he called it "the next step in America's unprecedented economic comeback."

Cruz to join listening session with Santa Fe, Sutherland Spring victims

Ten candles, 10 bibles and 10 white roses are representing the 10 deceased in the Santa Fe High School shooting during a candlelight vigil for victims and survivors at Texas First Bank on Friday, May 18, 2018, in Santa Fe. A dozen lawmakers are meeting with almost 40 victims and survivors of Texas mass shootings at the state Capitol Thursday to discuss possible solutions to gun violence.

House passes defense bill authorizing pay raise for troops, new jets…

The National Defense Authorization Act, which passed 351-66, is a blueprint that merely authorizes spending on various programs and policies and doesn't actually provide any money for the military. The Senate is working on its own version of the defense authorization bill.

Trump tweeted Wednesday that the FBI had been caught in a ‘major SPY scandal.’

House and Senate lawmakers are set to meet with top intelligence officials as President Donald Trump raises new suspicions about the federal investigation into his 2016 campaign. Trump is calling his newest attempt at discrediting special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation "spygate."

Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Lou Barletta new target of conservative group

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, the Republican nominee in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race, talks to supporters during an election night results party on May 15 in Hazleton, Pa. I cover national politics and policy from Washington D.C., with a focus on Pennsylvania and New Jersey lawmakers and issues.

Beware the Blue Wave

Most states are blue states or purple states, and the only way to turn a purple state red is the old-fashioned way: by driving America First Republicans and independents to the polls, and outnumbering the tens of millions of anti-American voters throughout the country. President Trump has kept most of his promises , and our nation needs lawmakers who will fulfill the promises they make as candidates.

Republicans to Meet with Intel Officials on Russia Probe

House and Senate lawmakers are set to meet with top intelligence officials as President Donald Trump raises new suspicions about the federal investigation into his 2016 campaign. Trump is calling his newest attempt at discrediting special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation "spygate."

Court Upholds Ruling Against California’s Assisted Suicide Law

An appeals court has let stand a lower court ruling overturning a California law that allows physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to the terminally ill. California's Fourth District Court of Appeals on Wednesday refused to stay last week's decision by the Riverside County Superior Court, which ruled that state lawmakers should not have passed the law during a special session on health care funding.

In GOP immigration battle, factions split over citizenship Source: AP

Divisions over whether to provide a conduit to citizenship for young "Dreamer" immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally loomed as the pivotal sticking point Wednesday as House Republicans searched for a solution to their campaign-season standoff over an issue that has split them for years. In bargaining Wednesday, moderates told conservatives that any deal would have to include steps that could ultimately lead to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers.

Georgia Democrat Challenges Racial Barrier in Governor Race

Georgia Democrats gave Atlanta lawyer Stacey Abrams a chance to become the first Black female governor in American history on a primary night that ended well for several women seeking office. Abrams set new historical marks with a primary victory Tuesday that made her the first Black nominee and first female nominee for governor of either majority party in Georgia.

Critics: NFL decision chooses mainstream appeal over players

With its decision to ban kneeling during the national anthem, critics are accusing the NFL of prioritizing being in the good financial graces of mainstream America over the social justice passions of its players trying to draw attention to the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police. The NFL's new anthem policy - similar to NBA rules in place for decades - makes the athletes stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" or be absent from the field while it's played.

Nominee to Run Government Ethics Office Says He Won’t Tweet Like His Predecessor

Before he resigned as director of the Office of Government Ethics last July, Walter Shaub was fond of tweeting about his dismay with the Trump White House's handling of issues such as financial disclosure and ethics waivers. But Emory Rounds III, President Trump's nominee to run the governmentwide ethics office, told senators on Wednesday that, if confirmed, he would "make it clear when he's making an official statement as the director."

Trump Administration Tries to Reassure Key Senators About ZTE Enforcement

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said the defense authorization is expected to address ZTE. The Trump administration is trying to reassure Senate Republicans that it won't go light on sanctions enforcement against Chinese communications equipment firm ZTE.