Politics & Government

The West Wing of the White House on July 5. The U.S. Secret Service has closed its investigation into a small bag of cocaine found just inside a different entrance to the building.

Politics & Government

Who left cocaine in the West Wing? The Secret Service says they may never know

1:58pm July 13, 2023

by Tamara Keith

Several hundred people could have dropped the small bag of cocaine near a door to the West Wing. But without fingerprints, DNA or video evidence, the Secret Service can't figure out who did it.

Politics & Government

House panel criticizes FBI Director Wray for alleged politicization of the agency

12:18pm July 13, 2023

Republican members of Congress spent hours at a hearing accusing FBI Director Christopher Wray of targeting conservatives with investigations. Wray denied their allegations.

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A file photo of Republican State Rep. John Torbett from Gaston County

Politics & Government

North Carolina Republicans introduce public education overhaul in dwindling days of session

10:36am July 13, 2023

by Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press

As the North Carolina legislative session winds down and budget negotiations plod along, House Republicans are pitching an eleventh-hour overhaul of public education laws that would take powe

A person pumps gas at a BP gas station in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 12. Annual inflation eased to 3% in June, the lowest in over two years, and there's hope that it could go lower.

Why inflation is losing its punch — and why things could get even better

10:17am July 13, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Annual inflation fell to 3% in June, the lowest since March 2021. That probably won't stop the Federal Reserve from raising rates again, but this month's expected hike could be the last.

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A view of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Politics & Government

Up First briefing: Defense bill delayed; Threads' news policy; SAG-AFTRA strike vote

7:41am July 13, 2023

by Suzanne Nuyen

GOP House lawmakers want to amend the defense authorization bill. Twitter rival Threads wants to downgrade news and politics. The Hollywood actors union holds a strike vote this morning.

Politics & Government

Morning news brief

7:11am July 13, 2023

GOP lawmakers want to amend the defense authorization bill. Guatemala's presidential election faces more chaos. Social media newcomer Threads seeks to downgrade news and politics on its platform.

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Politics & Government

Politically charged social issues are dragged into Pentagon's budget battle

5:55am July 13, 2023

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Washington Post reporter Marianna Sotomayor about the hard-right GOP push to insert abortion restrictions and other issues into a defense spending bill.

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John Roberts is sworn in as U.S. Supreme Court chief justice on Sept. 29, 2005, at the White House by Justice John Paul Stevens with Roberts' wife, Jane, and then-President George W. Bush.

Politics & Government

How the Supreme Court's conservative majority came to be

12:45am July 13, 2023

by Ron Elving

The 6-3 majority was solidified in former President Donald Trump's term, but its roots go back to the Bushes and the political circumstances of 1991 and 2005.

FBI Director Chris Wray defends agency at House Judiciary Committee hearing

6:09pm July 12, 2023

by Carrie Johnson

The FBI director faced heated questions from Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, who assailed the bureau for that they said are politically-motivated investigations.

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FBI director Christopher Wray testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday. Wray is photographed June 20 in Atlanta.

FBI Director Wray grilled as House GOP members allege 'politicization' of the agency

6:02pm July 12, 2023

by Jaclyn Diaz

Wray faced a wide range of questions by House Judiciary Committee members, most framed as accusations that the FBI pursues a political agenda targeting conservatives.