San Francisco Chronicle: Politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two influential Republican senators have injected new information into the partisan dispute over the government's secret surveillance of a former campaign adviser to President Donald Trump, revealing more details about how the FBI and Justice Department used research compiled by a former British spy whose work was funded by Democrats.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for one of the four people charged in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation have asked to withdraw from the case.
Attorneys for Rick Gates say in a newly unsealed motion that "irreconcilable differences have developed with the client which make our effective representation of the client impossible."
They say in the filing that they can't elaborate because of attorney-client privilege.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House aide is stepping down following allegations of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives.
Staff secretary Rob Porter says in a statement that the allegations are "outrageous" and "simply false." He says photos published were taken nearly 15 years ago and the "reality behind them is nowhere close to what is being described." Porter adds that he has been transparent and truthful, but will leave the White House after a transition period.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are demanding Myanmar's exclusion from U.S.-led military exercises in neighboring Thailand next week amid pressure for more American sanctions in response to atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top White House aide announces deal on 2-year budget pact with huge increases for defense, domestic programs.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Attorney General Eric Holder says he's open to the idea of running for elected office in 2020.
At a breakfast meeting with journalists Wednesday, Holder said "I'll see" when asked if he might run for office, including president, in the future.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has met with a top Justice Department official to review a classified Democratic memo on the Russia investigation, less than a week after he brushed aside objections from the same agency over releasing a Republican account.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — Buoyed by the sudden likelihood of a budget pact, lawmakers are on track to avoid a repeat of last month's government shutdown — though President Donald Trump unexpectedly raised the possibility of closing things down again if he can't have his way on immigration.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — Former Miss America Mallory Hagan is running for Congress from eastern Alabama.
The 29-year-old Opelika, Alabama, native announced her Democratic bid for Alabama's District 3 seat during an event at her parents' dance studio on Tuesday.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

WASHINGTON (AP) — House passes stopgap bill to prevent government shutdown Thursday night; faces changes in Senate.