5 takeaways on Fauci's hostile Senate hearing, GOP contempt threats

Former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci’s Senate hearing Wednesday ended up being an hours-long opportunity for Republicans to vent criticisms, arguments and theories on the COVID-19 response as the veteran government scientist adamantly refused to answer any questions.

Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, has a history of acrimonious interactions with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

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Pentagon, under Trump, Hegseth, draws curtain tighter around Iran War

The Pentagon is drawing wide-ranging scrutiny over its increasing opacity about the mounting toll from the Iran war.

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Lawmakers eye reforms as sexual misconduct allegations, relationship revelations shake Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill may be headed for another reckoning as sexual misconduct allegations against lawmakers — coupled with new revelations of consensual relationships between lawmakers and staffers — have reignited questions about accountability and workplace culture in Congress.

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Live updates: Fauci invokes Fifth at Senate COVID hearing; Trump, Duffy reveal major Dulles revamp

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a face of the government’s pandemic response, invoked his Fifth Amendment right to decline to answer questions before the Senate Homeland Security panel and a critical Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on COVID-19’s origins.

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Senate unanimously agrees to oppose pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell

The Senate unanimously agreed Wednesday that Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and collaborator of Jeffrey Epstein, should not be allowed a presidential pardon or clemency of any kind.

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IN OTHER NEWS

Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press

Democrats fear viral DSA interview on Fox News will leave a scar

Democrats are worried that widely circulated comments from a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) leader outlining the group’s priorities could become Republican attack fodder as the midterm elections draw closer.

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Mamdani signals he is open to slavery reparations

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) in a recently released interview signaled an openness to reparations for slavery in the city.

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Trump shrugs off Cornyn’s hold on Blanche: ‘I heard he’s going through quite nicely’

President Trump brushed off concerns that Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) could hold up acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination in the Senate on Wednesday, saying he heard the process is going “quite nicely.

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Cornyn meeting with Blanche canceled ahead of key Judiciary Committee vote

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Wednesday said his scheduled meeting with attorney general nominee Todd Blanche was canceled and that he’s “not prepared to vote yes” on advancing Blanche out of the Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

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