Oct 28, 2018

Mattis: Pittsburgh shooter "poorest excuse for a man"

James Mattis addresses a press conference on October 28, 2018 in Prague. Photo: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Defense Secretary James Mattis called the gunman who shot up a Pittsburgh synagogue yesterday killing 11 people "the poorest excuse for a man you could ever come up with," the Military Times' Tara Copp reports.

One key quote: "Who would use a weapon in a house of worship, on unarmed innocent people and even shoot four policemen, then surrender himself... This is a coward. He is not a man by any definition that we use in the Department of Defense."

Go deeper: 11 victims identified in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

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Erica Pandey

The renaissance of the American family

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

It used to be scarce and hard-earned, but suddenly family time is abundant in the era of shelter-in-place.

Why it matters: For the first time since the early 19th century, many parents and kids — and even grandchildren — are all under the same roof round-the-clock. And if past periods of emergency are any guide, this enforced togetherness could deepen our relationships for years to come.

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Alexi McCammond

Biden says he's starting VP search this month

Joe Biden. Photo: Scott Olson / Staff

Joe Biden said he's spoken to Sen. Bernie Sanders and former President Barack Obama about selecting a running mate — and that he wants to build "a bench of younger, really qualified people" who can lead the nation over the course of the next four presidential cycles.

Driving the news: Biden spoke about the state of the 2020 race during a virtual fundraiser on Friday night that was opened to pooled coverage.

Go deeper8 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Gigi Sukin, Alayna Treene

Trump ousting intelligence community inspector general

Michael Atkinson, inspector general of the intelligence community. Photo: Bill Clark / Getty Images

President Trump notified key lawmakers on Friday that he’s firing Michael Atkinson, the intelligence community's inspector general, who first alerted Congress last September of an "urgent" complaint from an official involving Trump's correspondence with the Ukrainian president.

Why it matters: The move, to take effect in 30 days, comes amid a broader initiative to purge the administration of officials seen as disloyal to the president.

Go deeper8 hours ago - Politics & Policy