“That comes as appropriators from both parties are sounding unconfident about delivering a quarter of the Pentagon’s budget through reconciliation.”

“Sue the government he runs, then settle the lawsuit with himself by barring the Internal Revenue Service from auditing his past returns. And as part of that deal, hand over $1.8 billion of taxpayer money to his allies.”

“President Trump has used the federal government to advance his own personal interests and those of his family and allies more expansively and openly than any past occupant of the White House. Any review of history would suggest that it is not even close.”

“But as Mr. Trump, the only convicted felon ever elected president, heads deeper into his second term, he seems even less inhibited by the rules, written or unwritten, that governed his predecessors.”

“Republican centrists insist the intraparty revenge campaign against Massie won’t stop them from speaking out, and potentially voting against, the president’s agenda — even ahead of midterm elections.”

“President Trump reportedly held a tense call on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who railed against a pact under consideration. Markets rebounded Wednesday after Trump said Washington is in the ‘final stages’ with Tehran.”

“But he has warned of US strikes if talks fail, prompting Iran to threaten to spread the war beyond the Middle East if attacks resume.”

“Trump has targeted Memorial Circle — a traffic roundabout on Columbia Island, a man-made island tucked inside the edge of Washington — for his planned arch. Teams of workers conducting surveys and geophysical testing began work at the site last week.”

“Six months out from a midterm election in which their majority is at stake, Senate Republicans face a difficult legislative path with a rising number of restless lame-duck senators and a growing sense that the president cares much less about accomplishments that could boost them in November than about protecting himself and settling his political scores.”

“The United States used to fund robust disease surveillance networks across the region and maintained emergency teams to take charge in public health crises like this one. Much of that work ended with the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development early last year.”

“In the indictment, prosecutors said Carmen Lineberger emailed an internal memorandum and a report — an apparent reference to the report by special couinsel Jack Smith — to a personal address, concealing the names of the files by labeling them as ‘chocolate cake recipe’ and ‘bundt cake recipe.’ The emails were sent in September and December of last year.”

He added: “Trump has lots of good ideas, and he has done a lot of — he’s been right about a lot of things. You have to give him credit where credit is due.”

“Due to GOP absences and defections, the measure likely would have been approved if the vote were held today. Rather than take that risk, Republicans are now expected to hold the vote Thursday.”

“But Democrats could fight back by targeting at least 21 GOP districts in nine different states in time for the 2028 elections—and they can do so without disrespecting the VRA.”

When it comes to the way Trump is handling his job overall, 34% of voters approve of the way he is handling his job as president, while 58% disapprove.

Two things are true at the same time.

Donald Trump can end a Republican political career with a simple Truth Social post.

“The federal criminal charges against the 94-year-old Castro — brother of the late Fidel Castro and widely seen as one of Cuba’s most powerful figures — mark an escalation in the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against the Cuban government.”

— David Axelrod, on CNN.