Politics

As the haze of anesthesia receded, Bob Kerrey could make out the anxious faces of his parents against the bleak walls of the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He summoned Elinor Kerrey to his side, and muttered: “How much is left?” Military doctors had struggled to undo the mess that a crude North Vietnamese grenade had made … Read more

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) One after another, Republican leaders painted a dire picture of America from the Republican National Convention stage in Milwaukee on Tuesday, suggesting the nation is awash in violent crime driven by an “invasion” … Read more

Former President Richard Nixon said Wednesday that the United States will at some point face a choice between Russia and Ukraine as a focus for its support in Eastern Europe. Nixon, speaking during a one-day visit to Ukraine, said he was aware of concern in former Soviet republics over the rise of ultranationalist Vladimir V. … Read more

The Pentagon is seen in an aerial view through an airplane window in February. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) The Pentagon’s intelligence and law enforcement arms are investigating what it says are leaks of national security information. Defense Department personnel could face polygraphs in the latest such inquiry by the Trump administration. A memo … Read more

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to know why the state’s gas prices are higher than the rest of the country. He’s not the first governor to respond to outrage from the state’s drivers, but the odds aren’t good for cracking the mystery at the pump. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The governor of California was … Read more

Judge John G. Roberts Jr., President Bush’s choice for chief justice of the United States, said Monday that he aspired to a humble and limited role as leader of the Supreme Court, more akin to an umpire who calls the balls and strikes rather than the star player who is the center of attention. “Justices … Read more

Kitty Dukakis, left, and Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis are seen outside their home in Brookline, Mass., on March 7, 1989. Kitty Dukakis has died. She was 88. (David Tenenbaum / Associated Press) Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential nominee Michael S. Dukakis who spoke openly about her struggles with … Read more

Just two days before President Clinton is to announce ways to reduce youth violence, Republican rival Bob Dole called for getting tough on juvenile criminals by making their records stick with them through life. “Unless something is done soon, some of today’s newborns will become tomorrow’s super-predators–merciless criminals capable of committing the most vicious of … Read more

Washington Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone is sworn in to testify to the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in July 2021. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) A Tennessee rioter who dragged a police officer into a mob, initiating some of the most harrowing violence of the U.S. … Read more

Mayor Karen Bass, pictured in 2022, is facing a possible recall election. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record — our City Hall newsletter. It’s Julia Wick, giving you the latest on city and county government, with a hand from Rebecca Ellis. Newsletter Get the lowdown on … Read more