Evening Edition: Trump fixates on pardons, considering case championed by Kim Kardashian

Pruitt enlisted EPA aide to help his wife inquire about opening a Chick-fil-A; McConnell cancels most of Senate's August recess, forcing campaign-schedule scramble

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The day's most important stories

Trump fixates on pardons, considering case championed by Kim Kardashian President Trump is telling aides that he is considering pardoning Alice Marie Johnson after meeting with Kardashian to discuss the 63-year-old's case. The potential pardon has caused consternation in the West Wing, with top advisers disturbed by the process, according to two people familiar with the discussions. By Ashley Parker, Robert Costa and Josh Dawsey  •  Read more » Pruitt enlisted EPA aide to help his wife inquire about opening a Chick-fil-A Marlyn Pruitt never opened a restaurant. But the revelation that Scott Pruitt used his position as EPA administrator and EPA staff to try to line up work for her appears to open a new chapter in the saga of his questionable spending and management decisions, which have spawned a dozen probes. By Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis and Josh Dawsey  •  Read more »   McConnell cancels most of Senate's August recess, forcing campaign-schedule scramble The Republican majority leader slashed the break to one week instead of four, leaving vulnerable Democrats to juggle campaign and legislative duties. By Sean Sullivan  •  Read more »   In the Army and the Klan, he hated Muslims. Now one was coming to his home. Chris Buckley, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the KKK, despised Muslims and other minorities. He tattooed "Infidel" in Arabic on his left forearm during an Army tour. "I wanted them to know I was the one the imam warned them about," he said. But then something changed. By Steve Hendrix  •  Read more » Kate Spade, whose handbags were essential accessories for upscale women, dies at 55 A onetime fashion editor, Ms. Spade designed handbags with simplicity in mind. By Matt Schudel  •  Read more »   David Koch is leaving Koch Industries, stepping down from Americans for Prosperity His departure will change the makeup of one of the most active and well-funded political forces in the country and one that has been a bulwark in supporting Republicans. By James Hohmann  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Key fund for Medicare will run out 3 years earlier than expected, trustees say The annual report on the stability of Medicare and Social Security amplifies earlier warnings that both are unsustainable over time and urges Congress to revise the programs to ward off shortfalls. By Amy Goldstein  •  Read more »   China offered to buy $70 billion in U.S. products to ward off Trump's tariffs The offer was made in talks in Beijing over the weekend with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, part of sensitive trade negotiations that could force President Trump to make a tough decision about accepting this proposal or pushing for more. By Steven Mufson and Damian Paletta  •  Read more »   Miss America eliminates swimsuit competition and won't judge contestants on physical appearance The changes come on the heels of a major shakeup of the Miss America board following the revelation that disparaging emails about former contestants were sent by pageant leaders and staffers. By Emily Yahr  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Fox News apologizes for implying Eagles players were kneeling in protest. They were praying. Tight end Zach Ertz described Fox's use of images of players in prayer as "propaganda." The White House, which canceled a visit by the Super Bowl champions, accused the Eagles of deciding to "abandon their fans." By Cindy Boren  •  Read more »   Wall Street Journal replaces top editor The replacement of Gerard Baker surprised many of the newspaper's journalists. But at times he has been a controversial figure in his own newsroom, with some reporters privately grumbling that he took a softer approach to the candidacy and presidency of Donald Trump. By Paul Farhi  •  Read more »   Campaign 2018 What to watch for in today's primaries in California, Alabama, Iowa and five other states Eighty-five House seats. Five governor's mansions. Five Senate seats. Hundreds of local and state legislative races. It's the biggest single day of elections until November. By David Weigel  •  Read more »   Perspective Melania Trump's disappearance is a legitimate news story It's important for the news media to report on how norms are eroding, whether superficial or not. By Margaret Sullivan  •  Read more »

Share Evening Edition:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Evening Edition or because it is included in your subscription. Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Evening Edition Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post  |  1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071