The death of former Secretary State Henry Kissinger — arguably America's most famous and divisive diplomat — has triggered an outpouring of remembrance, respect and revulsion from current and former U.S. officials.
State of play: Nearly 24 hours after news of Kissinger's passing broke on Wednesday night, President Biden put out a statement praising Kissinger's "fierce intellect" but noting that "we often disagreed. And often strongly."
Florida Republican Party Chair Christian Ziegler is the subject of a police investigation that reportedly involves an allegation of sexual battery.
The big picture: Nonprofit watchdog news site Florida Trident, citing sources close to the investigation, first reported that a woman alleged she was in a "longstanding consensual" sexual relationship with Ziegler and his wife, Bridget, before being "sexually battered" by Ziegler at her home, without his wife present.
Mark Cuban tells Axios that he never plans to run for any elective office, cooling off speculation that began after he struck a deal earlier this week to sell his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks.
Driving the news: Cuban had previously told NBC News that he had "no plans" to run for president in 2024, but hadn't issued a blanket denial of all political ambition.
Why it matters: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) are likely to spar over their dueling conservative and progressive visions in a showdown that could also serve as a preview for future contests.
House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from Congress.
Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia's (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans' resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.
Nikki Haley, in a new presidential campaign ad,called for voters to move on from the "chaos and drama of the past."
Why it matters: Her first TV ad of the GOP primary season is part of a multimillion-dollar advertising initiative, as the former UN ambassador positions herself against front-runner former President Trump.
Why it matters: Republicans furiously opposed the subpoenas, which are part of the committee’s investigation into Supreme Court ethics. The panel has pursued more information after a series of reports uncovered luxury trips and lavish gifts that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted.
A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday devolved into a heated back-and-forth as Republicans accused the panel's chair of refusing to let them speak on judicial nominations.
Why it matters: The spat came ahead of a vote on controversial subpoenas of conservative billionaire Harlan Crow and judicial activist Leonard Leo as part of an investigation into Supreme Court ethics.
A New York appeals court on Thursday reinstated a limited gag order on former President Trump in his ongoing civil fraud trial, according to a court filing.
Why it matters: Trump has already been fined twice for violations of the limited gag order, which he was seeking to have thrown out.
Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state.
Why it matters: Santos — who faces an uphill battle in a vote to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, facing huge numbers of federal workers who aren't coming to the office, is privately pushing Cabinet secretaries to break their staffs' stubborn work-from-home habits.
Why it matters: Only about half of Cabinet agencies have achieved the White House's goals for returning to offices by January, according to an administration official. Zients wants to inject more urgency into the effort.
Former President Trump's MAGA flock now has its own shopping platform, where like-minded conservatives can snub what they see as "leftist" businesses and buy things "from people who respect life, family and freedom."
Why it matters: The platform — dubbed PublicSquare and backed by investors including Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle — is part of a growing crop of companies riding a backlash to what some conservatives see as corporations and retailers that promote overly progressive social agendas.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut on Wednesday at age 100, according to his website.
The big picture: The author, academic and statesman was the top U.S. diplomat for two presidents and a central figure in U.S. foreign policy in the latter half of the 20th century.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who died on Wednesday at age 100, left a major mark on the world stage while serving as the top U.S. diplomat under two presidents, and beyond.
The big picture: He was lauded as a distinguished author, academic and statesman, but also criticized for some Cold War policies — notably the bombing of Cambodia in the 1970s. His being jointly awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for helping negotiate a cease-fire in Vietnam prompted two members of the Nobel committee to resign.
A Texas man accused of threatening Georgia officials in a Craigslist post that called for their killing following the 2020 election was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday.
The big picture: Chad Christopher Stark, 55, of Leander, was the first person arrested under the Department of Justice's Election Threats Task Force, which launched in 2021 in response to a spike in threats against election workers following the 2020 election.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is forcing another vote on impeaching Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas this week — but some Republicans who voted against it last time plan to do so again, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The measure risks a second defeat on the House floor given House Republicans' narrow majority.
In a series of meetings on Capitol Hill this week, Israeli military and Biden administration officials have tried to allay congressional Democrats' concerns about mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.
Why it matters: The gatherings come in the midst of a debate among Democrats about conditioning military aid to Israel on specific steps the country must take to protect innocent Palestinians.
No Labels — the bipartisan group plotting a third-party presidential bid — is pulling the plug on its Dallas convention next spring and will instead conduct its "selection process virtually," Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The group hasn't made a final decision on whether or not to launch a third-party challenge, which Democratic critics argue could throw the election to former President Trump.
Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to "get the hell out," according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.
Billionaire Mark Cuban told NBC News on Wednesday he has "no plans" for a presidential run in 2024.
Why it matters: Cuban's recent decisions to sell his majority stake in the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and to leave ABC's "Shark Tank" after season 16 has sparked speculation about his political ambitions, Axios' Dan Primack reports.
