Plenty of heat and personal vitriol came out in Sen. Markwayne Mullin's (R-Okla.) hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security. - But little light came through on how to end the DHS shutdown . Why it matters: After weeks of negotiations — and the firing of a Cabinet official — Democrats remain dug in on demands for statutory changes to ICE and Border Patrol. - Mullin's testimony didn't alter that dynamic. - "I don't think his nomination increases the likelihood of a compromise, because he stood pretty firm against the kinds of reforms that Americans are demanding," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), told Axios. - That's despite Mullin drifting toward the Democrats' direction, signaling openness to requiring judicial…
“Also very funny to describe a duel as being between two consenting adults. You know, because if only one person consents, that’s murder,” said Seth Meyers, host of “Late Night.”
Democrats storm out in protest of a closed-door briefing on the Epstein files, characterizing it as a "fake hearing." Republicans chided them for a "premeditated" stunt.
Several others were injured in the strike, which hit a caravan being used as a hair salon in the town of Beit Awwa, according to Palestinian officials.
The Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, is shunned in federal politics but is a regional force. This fall, it could win broader power for the first time.
In India, China and several other nations, Novo Nordisk is on the verge of losing patent protection for its blockbuster weight loss drug, opening the door for cheaper competing versions.
President Trump said Wednesday that Israel will not conduct further attacks on Iran's main natural gas facility. Why it matters: Trump's comments that seem to be an effort to de-escalate the situation came hours after he green-lit the Israeli strike on the facility that marked a significant escalation in the war. Driving the news: The Israeli Air Force struck a natural gas processing facility in southwestern Iran on Wednesday. - The attack on the South Pars gas field was the first time Israel has struck natural gas facilities in Iran, which are key to Iran's economy. - Israeli and U.S. officials said the strike was coordinated with and approved by the White House. - Several hours later, the Iranian military conducted two missile…
Joe Kent, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is under criminal investigation for potentially leaking classified information, sources said.
Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent has been under FBI investigation for months on suspicion he leaked classified information, three sources familiar with the case tell Axios. Why it matters: Kent propelled himself into national headlines Tuesday when he resigned his post and blamed Israel for tricking President Trump into launching the Iran war even though it posed "no imminent threat " to the U.S. Driving the news: Immediately after his resignation, administration officials said he had been "a known leaker" and had been cut out of briefings with the president. - Semafor reported that Kent, who led the National Counterterrorism Center, had been placed under investigation prior to his resignation, which Axios independently…