Politics

Politico reports: A judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump can be deposed in a defamation lawsuit brought last year by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice” who says Trump kissed and groped her after she appeared on the show. Zervos is one of more than a dozen women who have accused Trump of unwanted sexual contact. The …

The Washington Post reports: NASA is talking to several international companies about forming a consortium that would take over operation of the International Space Station and run it as a commercial space lab, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in an interview. “We’re in a position now where there are people out there that can do commercial management of the International …

Politico reports: President Donald Trump and one of his top aides on Monday night appealed a federal court ruling that said the president was violating the constitutional rights of individuals he has blocked from viewing his personal Twitter feed. Three Justice Department officials filed notice of their appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on behalf …

“An ambassador’s most critical responsibility is to advance our national interests by developing relationships and trust with their host country. They should not meddle in local or regional politics by backing political parties, candidates or causes. If Ambassador Grenell is unwilling to refrain from political statements, he should be recalled immediately. The United States does not accept foreign meddling in …

The Washington Post reports: Howard Schultz, who built the coffee chain into a global giant, is leaving the company, where he previously served as chief executive. He has been an outspoken leader on civic issues, and this move has reignited speculation that he might plan a run for political office. Starbucks recently has been embroiled in controversy over the arrest …

Raw Story reports: After a day of confusing statements by Donald Trump and the White House, Fox News’ Shep Smith unequivocally declared that his reporting on the current administration is “without fear or favor.” “We want to report without fear or favor and hold truth to power,” the host said following the president’s outlandish claim that he can pardon himself …

The Hill reports: The Pentagon’s inspector general has officially launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct by former physician to the president Ronny Jackson, a spokesman confirmed Monday. “What I can tell you is that the DoD Office of Inspector General has initiated an investigation into allegations related to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Ronny L. Jackson,” inspector general spokeswoman Dwrena …

Agence France-Presse reports: Germany on Monday said it had asked the new US ambassador in Berlin, outspoken Trump loyalist Richard Grenell, to clarify his reported comments on far-right website Breitbart that he wants to “empower” European conservatives. A German foreign ministry spokesman said Berlin had “asked the US side for clarification” and that state secretary Andreas Michaelis would re-visit the …

NBC News reports: Former President Bill Clinton says that, even in light of the #MeToo movement, he would not have approached how he dealt with Monica Lewinsky any differently and acknowledged that — 20 years after their relationship made headlines — he’s still never apologized privately to the former intern. “I don’t think it would be an issue,” the ex-president …

The Huffington Post reports: Candidate Donald Trump bragged that he could shoot someone on New York’s Fifth Avenue and not lose any support, and now President Donald Trump’s lawyer says Trump could shoot the FBI director in the Oval Office and still not be prosecuted for it. “In no case can he be subpoenaed or indicted,” Rudy Giuliani told HuffPost …

The Hill reports: First lady Melania Trump is expected to host a reception for Gold Star families alongside her husband on Monday, marking her first public appearance in weeks. The White House schedule for Monday lists the Gold Star Families Memorial Day Reception as a closed-press event and says the first lady will be in attendance alongside President Trump. The …

CBS News reports: In the race for Congress, most polls report one national percentage for Democrats and Republicans. But that’s not very helpful – because this is a race for seats. 435 of them, in fact. So the CBS News/YouGov Battleground Tracker will report seats: how many districts the Democrats would get, and how many the Republicans would get, as …

Politico reports: President Donald Trump will host an iftar dinner at the White House next week to recognize the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to a White House official, a departure from last year’s decision not to host the traditional post-sundown meal. The iftar dinner is scheduled for Wednesday. The White House official declined to provide a list of …

The Kansas City Star reports: Promising a “fresh start” for state government after months of scandal, Mike Parson was sworn in today as Missouri’s 57th governor. “My pledge to all Missourians is to work hard each and every day to bring honor, integrity, transparency to the Governor’s Office,” Parson said moments after taking the oath of office, later adding: “Now …

Axios reports: Eric Holder, Obama’s former Attorney General, told an audience at a political event in New Hampshire Friday that even if Trump is using his pardon power to send a signal to potential witnesses in the Mueller probe, people who are pardoned can still go before a grand jury.Holder said Trump issuing pardons “will not ultimately thwart the Mueller …

The Washington Post reports: At an island resort off the coast of Singapore, U.S. event planners are working day and night with their North Korean counterparts to set up a summit designed to bring an end to Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. But a particularly awkward logistical issue remains unresolved, according to two people familiar with the talks. Who’s going to …

“Roseanne will always be my friend but her world came crashing down this week with a series of tweets she put out on Tuesday that were so full of racism, conspiracy theories and personal attacks they were described as abhorrent bordering on presidential. Roseanne has said she has multiple personalities – and unfortunately one of them is quite a racist. …

The Associated Press reports: Hours before he was to leave office, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Friday signed into law a measure that makes it a crime to try to blackmail a person using a private sexual image — the same allegation that led to his downfall. The new “revenge porn” law makes it a felony to threaten the nonconsensual …

All while Trump rejects “inconvenient” phone security protocols: A federal study found signs that surveillance devices for intercepting cellphone calls and texts were operating near the White House and other sensitive locations in the Washington area last year. A Department of Homeland Security program discovered evidence of the surveillance devices, called IMSI catchers, as part of federal testing last year, …

The Washington Post reports: The account manager at the Tiny Jewel Box, which calls itself Washington’s “premier destination for fine jewelry and watches,” had promised to expedite the order of a dozen customized silver fountain pens — each emblazoned with the seal of the Environmental Protection Agency and the signature of its leader, Scott Pruitt. Now all that the EPA …