Outside the Beltway

Was Jim Comey fired in an effort to impede the Russia investigation? Trump’s own words are making it sound more and more likely.

Evidence continues to mount that the Russia investigation was the real motivation for President Trump’s decision to fire James Comey.

Trump’s job approval numbers continue to sink.

There seems to be no question that the decision to fire James Comey was motivated largely by the President’s frustrations over the fact that his campaign is under investigation.

Less than a week after revealing that the F.B.I. was investigating the Trump campaign regarding ties with Russia, F.B.I. Director James Comey has been fired by President Trump.

North Korea is pushing back against increased pressure from China over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

F.B.I. Director James Comey testified yesterday on the reasons he chose to publicly speak out just days before the 2016 election about the reopened Clinton email investigation.

Predicting election outcomes is different than predicting impeachment.

North Korea is threatening another nuclear test, the United States is threatening retaliation, and China is warning of a ‘gathering storm’ on the Korean Peninsula.

It’s been a bad week for U.S.-Russian relations.

Inconceivably, Steve Bannon thought that clashing with President Trump’s daughter and son-in-law was a good idea. He’s likely learned his lesson now.

A top Trump campaign adviser was the subject of a FISA warrant for at least part of last year.

Mitt Romney is reportedly considering running for Senate in Utah if Orrin Hatch decides to retire.

It’s not at all clear that there is a useful strategy at work here.

An apparent terrorist attack in Russia’s second largest city.

More trouble for Lt. General Michael Flynn.

Lt. General Michael Flynn wants immunity before he agrees to testify before Congress. This could be significant, or it could mean nothing at all.

Donald Trump has basically declared war on the people who blocked the AHCA from passing last week.

The tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro is set to become the latest member of the NATO alliance despite the fact that there is seemingly no good reason for it.

Republicans are going to find it difficult to distance themselves from Donald Trump.

After just sixty-six days, there are some disturbing patterns emerging from the Trump Administration.

A major legislative defeat for Paul Ryan, the House GOP, and President Trump.

More evidence of ties between the Trump campaign and Russian interests.

Republicans in Congress are slavishly seeking to divert attention from wrongdoing by Donald Trump, or Russia.

It may well be that the 25th Amendment, not the impeachment clause, will be his undoing.

Two big admissions from the Director of the F.B.I. today are likely to lead to real political headaches for the Trump Administration.

Rachel Maddow hyped the fact that she had obtained a copy of Trump’s 2005 tax return last night. It turned out to be much ado about nothing.

Rex Tillerson, “the phantom of Foggy Bottom.”

More conflicts of interest for the Trump Administration.

Trump appears to undervaluing existing bureaucracies listening more to hacks and ideologues.

A strong pick for what is likely to be an important Ambassadorial position in coming years.

Hawaii is the first state to challenge the Trump Administration’s revised Muslim travel ban.

A majority of Americans support appointment of an Independent Counsel to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 election and the Trump’s campaign’s ties to Russia, but we should be careful before taking this step.

The tu quoque presidency rocks on.

Another day, another round of reports about contacts with Russian officials and people close to President Trump.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions apparently misled Senators when asked about his contact with Russian officials.

My latest is out at RealClearDefense.

Well, at least someone has a backbone.

Reports indicate that President Trump will seek to increase military spending. We don’t need to, and we can’t really afford it.

A major announcement from NASA in the search for possible life outside the Solar System.