U.S. Politics

Highlights

Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela
The development comes as the U.S. military is drawing up options for President Trump to consider, including possible strikes inside the country.
By Julian E. Barnes and Tyler Pager
CreditAdriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
1. congressional memo
  The Lonely House Republican Still Coming to Work During the Shutdown
  Representative Kevin Kiley of California has criticized his own party for keeping the House out of session during the shutdown. He is battling boredom and disaffection as the stalemate drags on.
  By Annie Karni
  CreditHaiyun Jiang/The New York Times
2. Part Enabler, Part Buffer: The Bind of the Justice Dept.’s No. 2
  Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, has helped usher in President Trump’s retribution campaign. But he faces anger on the right for resisting some of the most extreme measures.
  By Glenn Thrush and Alan Feuer
  CreditPete Marovich for The New York Times
3. Racist and Homophobic Texts From Young Republican Officials Prompt Backlash
  Some local G.O.P. officials who participated in the text exchanges are losing their jobs or being pressured to resign. But top Republicans have been dismissive.
  By David W. Chen and Megan Mineiro
  CreditRainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

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A C.I.A. Secret Kept for 35 Years Is Found in the Smithsonian’s Vault
Jim Sanborn planned to auction off the solution to Kryptos, the puzzle he sculpted for the intelligence agency’s headquarters. Two fans of the work then discovered the solution.
By John Schwartz
TimesVideo
Pentagon Reporters Walk Out, Rejecting New Press Rules
Journalists with access to the Pentagon turned in their badges on Wednesday instead of agreeing to a revised press policy that newsroom leaders say violates the First Amendment. The New York Times and others refused to sign, but at least one organization, One America News, did.
By Shawn Paik
Mamdani Is Making Overtures to Jewish Leaders. Some Are Listening.
Zohran Mamdani is stepping up his Jewish outreach, as he holds private meetings with rabbis and other leaders across New York City who oppose his stance on Israel.
By Lisa Lerer and Katie Glueck
A Military Celebration Sparks Another Newsom-Trump Feud
Gov. Gavin Newsom had feared that the ceremony would send missiles over Interstate 5, but the Marines later said that its “live-fire” would be contained.
By Laurel Rosenhall
Trump Hosts Dinner for Wealthy Donors to White House Ballroom
The president lauded dozens of executives and businesspeople for the “tremendous amounts of money” they have pledged for his project, which has prompted ethical concerns.
By Zolan Kanno-Youngs
As Trump’s Federal Hiring Freeze Expires, He Puts New Restrictions in Place
The terms of the new order indicate that federal agencies will be hiring only with the approval of his political appointees.
By Eileen Sullivan
How the Pentagon Is Blocking Out News Organizations
The new rules codify strict limitations on access and raise the prospect of punishment for requesting information on matters of public interest.
By Erik Wemple
Trump Administration Decimates Birth Control Office in Layoffs
The layoffs have raised fears that the administration could be effectively ending an initiative that provides contraception for millions of low-income women.
By Caroline Kitchener
On Fox News, Mamdani Speaks Directly to Trump: I Won’t Be a Mayor Like Adams
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, defended his positions while parrying questions about the Israel-Gaza war.
By Maya King
news analysis
Oval Office Becomes a Diorama of Power Dynamics as Trump Goes After Rivals
Top officials, unwilling to fight for the historical independence of their institutions, watched on Wednesday as President Trump continued his pursuit of controlling law enforcement.
By Glenn Thrush