Denver is hosting a conference this week that's being put on by a psychedelic advocacy group.

The Republican Party’s 2024 presidential field is all but set after a trio of new announcements this week.

Donald Trump is the first former president ever to be indicted, but he’s not the first politician who will have a mug shot taken.

No current or former Texas politician has announced a campaign for the 2024 presidential race.

It’s early yet, but next year’s presidential race may feature something the political world hasn't seen in the last 50 years: no elected officials from Texas.

Presidential aspirants running for reelection while dreaming of the highest office in the land often face an uncomfortable question: Will they commit to serving a full term — should they win one — when their best moment to take a shot at the White House may come sooner than that.

Democratic Texas governor’s race candidate Beto O’Rourke is hoping the Uvalde school shooting can reset the contest in America’s largest red state.

With violent crime increasing in much of the U.S., Republicans see a winning strategy in portraying Democrats as soft on crime ahead of this year’s elections.

The medicinal use of hallucinogenic mushrooms is making inroads in U.S. states as military veterans advocate for the therapeutic value of psychedelic drugs, including in conservative states like Utah, Texas and Oklahoma.

A grand jury has declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson following a police investigation sparked by lawsuits from 22 women who have accused him of harassment and sexual assault.

In the closing days of the recall effort that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, his campaign has found a familiar foil that’s as big as Texas.

Lawyers fighting sexual assault allegations against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson face a predicament: Defending their client means working to discredit the claims of 22 women who are more likely to be believed four years into the #MeToo movement.

The midsummer race for Ohio’s traditionally Republican 15th Congressional District wouldn’t typically get much national attention.

Texas Republican Jake Ellzey is the newest member of the U.S. House.

Texas Democrats are camping out Washington to try to kill a Republican bill making it harder to vote in the Lone Star State.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to keynote the signature fundraiser for the Republican Party in South Carolina.

Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks.

A runoff for a U.S. House seat in Texas is set.

Barr offered his resignation last Monday after weeks of tension with Trump brought about an early exit from his post. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)NEW YORK – President Donald Trump’s administration is ending how it began, with over-the-top declarations of praise for the chief executive. Attorney General William Barr offered his resignation last Monday after weeks of tension with Trump brought about an early exit from his post. In the six weeks since his defeat by Biden, Trump has been increasingly disengaged from his job. But with Trump largely in hiding, it fell to Pence to make a public show of meeting with those distributing the vaccine.

President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing several Democrats who lost congressional reelection races last month for key positions in his administration. President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing several Democrats who lost congressional reelection races last month for key positions in his administration. Their consideration continues a long Washington tradition of defeated politicians seeking shelter in a new White House. A decade later, he headlined a rally for her winning congressional campaign. “More than helping the president, these people can help the White House staff dealing with members of Congress,” said Card.

A woman holds a sign during a protest against the execution of Rodney Reed on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Bastrop, Texas. The stay of execution by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals came just hours after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles had recommended delaying the lethal injection. Bryce Benjet, an attorney with the Innocence Project, which is representing Reed, said defense attorneys were “extremely relieved and thankful” to the appeals court. The Texas Attorney General’s Office declined to comment Friday on whether it would appeal the order staying Reed’s execution. In their most recent motion to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Reed’s lawyers alleged prosecutors suppressed evidence or presented false evidence related to Fennell.

Some Democrats say the case against the president is already overwhelming. WASHINGTON, D.C. - All four White House officials who are scheduled to give depositions on Monday during the House's impeachment inquiry won't show up, as a source with knowledge of the situation tells CNN that National Security Council lawyers John Eisenberg and Michael Ellis will not testify. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was scheduled to appear Wednesday, will not participate in a closed door deposition, an Energy Department spokesperson said Friday. Two other OMB officials, Michael Duffey and Russell Vought, also won't show up to their depositions later this week, a source with knowledge of the situation tells CNN. A transcript of the conversation released by the White House shows Trump repeatedly pushed Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

Alex Wong/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON (CNN) - Energy Secretary Rick Perry will not participate in a closed-door deposition with impeachment investigators but would consider testifying in an open hearing, according to the Department of Energy. "The Secretary will not partake in a secret star chamber inquisition where agency counsel is forbidden to be present," department spokesperson Shaylyn Hynes said in a statement Friday. Perry had been asked to appear before the three committees conducting the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday. Perry, who plans to leave his post at year's end, had been under scrutiny over his role in the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

In addition to questions about the content of that conversation, Vindman is likely to be pressed on how the transcript of the call was handled by White House officials who moved to contain the fallout in its aftermath. The anxiety and internal concern reflect a phone conversation that deeply troubled national security professionals, even as Trump now insists there was nothing wrong with how he conducted himself. The source said Perry regularly travels at the behest of the White House. The entreaty caused concern among some of his national security officials, who discussed among themselves whether Trump had crossed a line. From there, the National Security Council director responsible for Ukraine -- Vindman -- reviewed the document for accuracy before it made its way to then-national security adviser John Bolton and his deputy Charles Kupperman.

POOL via CNN(CNN) - President Donald Trump will convene his Cabinet Monday morning for the first time since July, the first such meeting since House Democrats announced an impeachment inquiry. Trump has faced unprecedented turnover in his administration and there are currently a few vacancies in his Cabinet. In addition to a full-time chief of staff, Trump has yet to nominate a Homeland Security Secretary, Energy Secretary or Director of National Intelligence. Trump nominated Jovita Carranza to head the Small Business Administration in April, replacing Linda McMahon, but she has not yet been confirmed. Behind Vice President Mike Pence, DeVos is the longest-serving Trump Cabinet member.

Copyright 2019 CNNWASHINGTON (CNN) - Assistant Secretary of Energy Melissa Burnison told the three committees involved in the House impeachment inquiry that the Energy Department is "unable to comply with your request for documents and communications at this time." The rejection is the latest instance where the Trump administration has flouted House subpoenas in the Democratic impeachment inquiry. The White House charged in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week that its impeachment inquiry was "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional," and that it would not participate in the investigation. Democrats have had more success using subpoenas to bring in current and former administration officials, despite White House direction that they do not appear. This past week, former White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill, State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland all testified under subpoena.

Dan Brouillette [Public domain]WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Donald Trump announced Friday that he plans to nominate Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette to replace Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. Perry said on Thursday that he plans to leave his post later this year after he informed Trump of his intention to resign. Before serving in the Trump administration, Brouillette was senior vice president at USAA, which provides financial services to US military, and was vice president of Ford Motor Company. Trump also praised the current secretary, thanking Perry for "the outstanding job he has done." The President said on Thursday that he had already picked Perry's replacement, and that Perry had been involved in choosing his successor.

Alex Wong/Getty Images(CNN) - US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Friday he "didn't see a problem" with being asked by President Donald Trump to speak with Rudy Giuliani about matters involving Ukraine. "As the Governor of Texas, I used people outside of government all the time to get me information," Perry said. In May, Perry led the US delegation to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's inauguration, where his conversation with the new leader has raised the interest of House Democrats conducting the impeachment inquiry. "We heard corruption in almost every conversation that we had talking about Ukraine and whether or not President Zelensky was going to come over here," Perry said. "Because President Trump wasn't going to send American money to a country that had a history of being corrupt, and he was hammering that.

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry faces a deadline Friday to comply with a congressional subpoena as part of the ongoing impeachment inquiry. Perry, Parnas, Fruman and Giuliani have all been subpoenaed by House Democrats for information relating to the impeachment inquiry. Furthermore, potential changes at the Ukrainian energy giant could have major geopolitical implications. (Dale Perry and Rick Perry are unrelated). Perry said Parnas and Fruman also brought up Ukrainian businessman Dymtro Firtash, who has served as the main intermediary between Naftogaz and Gazprom.

Alex Wong/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON (CNN) - Energy Secretary Rick Perry notified President Donald Trump that he plans to resign from his post, two administration officials confirmed to White House reporters on Thursday. Asked about a Bloomberg report indicating that Perry notified the President of his impending resignation in writing while Trump was aboard Air Force One on Thursday, White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told CNN: "Can't wave you off." Perry's resignation comes amid scrutiny over his role in the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine. Perry was one of the "three amigos" leading US relations with the country, meeting three times with Zelensky. Perry told the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that he spoke with Giuliani at the President's direction this spring about alleged Ukrainian corruption.

FORT WORTH, Texas - FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Energy Secretary Rick Perry has notified the president that he intends to leave his job soon. That's according to an administration official who confirmed the news on condition of anonymity. Perry was traveling with the president to Texas Thursday when he shared the news aboard Air Force One. Perry is under scrutiny over the role he played in the president's dealings with Ukraine, which are currently the subject of an impeachment inquiry. Perry had disputed reports that he was planning to leave the administration in an interview Wednesday with The Wall Street Journal.

Alex Wong/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON (CNN) - House Democrats on Thursday issued a subpoena to Energy Secretary Rick Perry for documents related to the Trump administration's contacts with Ukraine as part of the ongoing House impeachment inquiry. The subpoena was issued by the House Intelligence Committee in consultation with the House Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees. A letter sent to Perry by the House Democratic chairmen of those three committees states that "public reports have raised questions about any role you may have played in conveying or reinforcing the President's stark message to the Ukrainian President." Last week, Perry pledged to work with lawmakers looking into the whistleblower complaint. "I'll just briefly say we're going to work with Congress and answer all their questions," Perry said at a department event.

Perry had led the delegation who attended Zelensky's inauguration, and was a central figure in the May meeting with Trump. It became clear to the Trump administration officials, the sources said, that they would have to deal with Giuliani. Perry acknowledged speaking to Giuliani, according to an Energy Department spokesperson. When asked if he had ever spoken to Perry about Ukraine, Giuliani responded by dismissing the question. "Did Henry Kissinger ever call me about Ukraine," Giuliani wrote to CNN on Tuesday.

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry speaks as President Donald Trump looks on during an East Room event on the environment on July 7, 2019, at the White House in Washington, DC. (CNN) - US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Monday that he "absolutely" asked President Donald Trump "multiple times" to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but about energy -- not the Bidens -- and said he is not leaving his role in the administration. "Absolutely, I asked the president multiple times. The Energy Department confirmed on Sunday that Perry "supported and encouraged" Trump to speak with Zelensky on matters related to energy and the economy. Energy issues, though, were not discussed during the July phone conversation between the two leaders, according to a rough transcript of the call released by the White House.

Alex Wong/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON (CNN) - Energy Secretary Rick Perry "supported and encouraged" President Donald Trump in July to speak to the newly-elected Ukrainian President, but on energy matters, the Energy Department said Sunday. Energy issues were not discussed during the July 25 phone conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a rough transcript of the call released by the White House. "Secretary Perry absolutely supported and encouraged the President to speak to the new President of Ukraine to discuss matters related to their energy security and economic development. Perry has been described by some as being a key component of the US' relationship with Ukraine because of the energy component. Perry is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials this coming week "to develop enhanced interconnections between Poland and Ukraine," the department announced Friday.

Perry is also is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials this coming week "to develop enhanced interconnections between Poland and Ukraine," the department announced Friday. Neither Perry nor his aides have said whether he knew of the President's request to Zelensky, and an Energy Department official told CNN that Perry made no mention of Biden in his conversations on Ukraine. Perry is scheduled to visit the White House on Friday, according to a source familiar with the plans. Perry posted online late Thursday that he plans to bring one of his grandchildren "to the White House tomorrow to have pic with POTUS." Since taking the position of energy secretary, Perry has held unusually firm footing in the high-turnover Cabinet, surviving -- largely outside of the harsh DC spotlight -- as scandal, infighting, and ethical lapses dragged his colleagues down.

Alex Wong/Getty Images(CNN) - Energy Secretary Rick Perry plans to leave his post in the Trump administration by December, according to The Washington Post and The New York Times. "While the Beltway media has breathlessly reported on rumors of Secretary Perry's departure for months, he is still the Secretary of Energy and a proud member of President Trump's Cabinet. He was confirmed as energy secretary on March 2, 2017, with a 62-37 vote in the Senate. Perry intends to announce in the coming weeks that he will step down, two people familiar with his plans told the Times. The newspaper reported that Perry has cleared his future calendar and has been wrapping up pet projects.

"I'll just briefly say we're going to work with Congress and answer all their questions," Perry said at a department event on artificial intelligence and energy. Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes told CNN, "Regardless of subject, the Department is always willing to work with Congress in response to requests that follow proper procedures." Trump, the whistleblower says, "instructed Vice President Pence to cancel his planned travel" because he wanted to see "how Zelenskyy 'chose to act' in office." The third meeting between Perry and Zelensky occurred in late August, according to an Energy Department statement at the time. Perry also met in Ukraine with Zelensky's predecessor in August 2017 and visited the country on a Baltic region tour in November 2018.

(CNN) - Three days before Christmas in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law creating the United States' first emergency stash of crude oil. At the time, OPEC, the cartel of oil-producing nations, had a stranglehold on the world's supply of crude. Today the United States is one of the world's largest producers and a major seller, not just a buyer, of oil. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve contains 645 million barrels the world's largest backup oil supply. They damaged the core of Saudi oil production and have temporarily knocked out 5.7 million barrels a day.

Adam Mosseri, chief of Instagram, wants users to know the service isn't getting ready to use your photos against you. "If you're seeing a meme claiming that Instagram is changing its rules tomorrow, it's not true." Governor Perry said. But an Instagram spokesperson told CNN Business "there is no truth" to the viral meme. Last week, Mosseri announced a new feature that he said would help users easily report Instagram posts containing fake news.