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WASHINGTON — In the weeks before Donald J. Trump took office, lawyers joining his administration gathered at a law firm near the Capitol, where Donald F. McGahn II, the soon-to-be White House counsel, filled a white board with a secret battle plan to fill the federal appeals courts with young and deeply conservative judges. Mr. McGahn, instructed by Mr.

A State Department official confirms to ABC News that the department is offering "voluntary buyouts and early retirement incentives" as part of its effort to reduce its own ranks. The Trump administration wants to get rid of 641 employees -- in addition to "normal attrition" -- by the end of 2018, in particular "to reduce unnecessary supervisory levels and organizational layering," the official said. "The Department's goal is to meet its workforce reduction targets through the use of voluntary measures such as buyouts rather than involuntary measures, such as furloughs or ...

Two Republican senators who initially backed Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore have rescinded their endorsements in response to allegations of sexual misconduct. Sens.

President Donald Trump on Sunday openly entertained the possibility that he could become friends with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, even as he admitted it would be a strange thing if it were to happen. "I think anything is a possibility," Trump said Sunday during a joint press conference with the president of Vietnam.

Republican Senate candidate posted on Facebook on Saturday.

While President Donald Trump says he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is sincere when he denies that Russia sought to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election, the president said he personally believes the conclusion of the U.S.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories DANANG, Vietnam — President Trump said Saturday that he believed President Vladimir Putin is sincere in his denials of interference in the 2016 election, calling questions about Moscow’s meddling a politically motivated “hit job” that is hindering cooperation with Russia on life-or-death issues. Speaking after meeting privately with Putin at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Danang, Trump said that he had again asked whether Russia had meddled in the contest b

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories Ayyadurai, an MIT grad who claims to have invented e-mail, had been campaigning as a Republican.  Ayyadurai, an MIT grad who claims to have invented e-mail, had been campaigning as a Republican.  If history is any guide, this will not work out well — but that hasn’t stopped a slew of Democrats with varying levels of roots in the district from such attempts.  The House and Senate tax overhaul plans are broadly similar, but crucial differences are creating headaches for l

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories DATA: Twitter Daniel McLaughlin / Globe Staff © 2017 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories CAPITAL SOURCE US Senator Elizabeth Warren’s state director, Roger Lau, is transitioning out of his government role to take the reins of Warren’s reelection effort.  CAPITAL SOURCE Walsh had previously vowed to stay out of the race: both Edwards and Passacantilli worked for him, in the Office of Housing Stability and in the Office of Economic Development, respectively.