First Run News

Democrats are turning their campaign message to the many scandals swirling around the Trump administration, betting that vows to “drain the swamp” will attract voters to their side in November. The strategy marks an expansion of the Democrats’ midterm agenda, “A Better Deal,” which up until now has focused almost exclusively on kitchen-table economic issues in lieu of the controversies surrounding MORE and a growing list of people in his orbit.  In extending their message to include an anti-corruption component, the Democrats are painting the Trump administration — a

After resisting for months, House Judiciary Committee Chairman MORE (R-Va.) is proposing changes to his conservative immigration bill to attract more support before the measure receives a floor vote next month.  While it’s unclear whether Goodlatte is working under the direction of GOP leadership, the effort follows a conference call over the weekend — and a flurry of leadership meetings over the last week — designed to find a path forward on the hot-button issue. “We continue to have discussions with members and build support for the bill so that we have the votes n

Republican senators who have warned the White House for months not to interfere with special counsel MORE’s latest demands for the Department of Justice. Republican senators believe that if Trump fired Mueller or obviously interfered in his investigation, it would backfire politically and potentially hurt their chances of keeping control of Congress. “I don’t like seeing demands made, especially about political issues,” Sen.

MORE and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday reached an agreement to allow the inspector general to investigate conservative claims of FBI wrongdoing in the Russia probe, defusing at least for now a burgeoning crisis between the White House and senior law enforcement officials.   After summoning top DOJ, FBI and intelligence officials to the White House, Trump agreed the DOJ’s inspector general should “expand its current investigation to include any irregularities with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s or the Department of Justice’s tactics concerning the Tr

There are 36 states and U.S.

The TAKE with Rick Klein Pennsylvania would seem to have it all for Democrats, and Tuesday’s primaries will stoke talk of waves – both the blue and pink varieties. A state that narrowly and surprisingly supported President House map, record GOP retirements, and an all-male congressional delegation – though almost certainly not for much longer. The Keystone State delivered victories for

The TAKE with Rick Klein The most interesting information to emerge of late from legal maneuverings impacting President Donald Trump is more traditionally swampy than anything having to do with Russian meddling. It could be quite a bit worse than that – and could provide political fodder for Democrats searching for ways to make the case against the president and his party. Recent weeks have brought new d

DATA: Twitter Daniel McLaughlin / Globe Staff © 2018 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC

Capital Source Immediately after the state GOP convention, John Kingston began cutting his field staff’s salaries — a move that prompted four of the five people in those positions to quit.  Ground Game He’s running for Congress. His daughter is running for state representative. And, yes, he is “so proud” of her.   On Saturday, the former mayoral candidate will be one of three people to receive an honorary degree at the University of New Hampshire commencement ceremonies.   Capital Source Scott Lively is challenging Governor Charlie Baker in the GOP primary on Sept. 4.