Politics: ‘When you put this guy in a cage and think you’re controlling him, things like this happen’

At raucous town halls, Republicans have faced another round of anger over health care   Democracy Dies in Darkness     The most important politics stories today   Jonathan Ernst / Reuters 'When you put this guy in a cage and think you're controlling him, things like this happen' After a week of seclusion at his Bedminster golf club, Trump got a lot off his chest on Thursday. By Philip Rucker  •  Read more » At raucous town halls, Republicans have faced another round of anger over health care Republicans had hoped to begin a conversation about tax reform and must-pass budget measures. Instead, they've faced constituents still focused on the stalled effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. By David Weigel  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Analysis Trump’s effort to blame Obama for the opioid epidemic Trump suggests that Obama let opioid prosecutions fall during his presidency but cites data that does not show that. By Glenn Kessler  •  Fact Checker  •  Read more »   How much power does a president have to lead the U.S. to nuclear war? With insight from White House reporter Jenna Johnson, we learn the answers to this critical question from an expert in North Korean history and a professor who's worked in past White Houses on counter proliferation and nuclear arms control. By Allison Michaels  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Gaming out the North Korea crisis: How the conflict might escalate Trump has four options, experts say: Status quo. Tougher sanctions. Talks. War. By Marc Fisher and David Nakamura  •  Read more »   Trump D.C. hotel turns $2 million profit in four months New documents show that Trump International is charging what could be the highest rates in the city. By Jonathan O'Connell  •  Read more »   Obama campaign successor teams up with progressives to train full-time activists Organizing for Action has trained 1,000 fellows this year and wants to train thousands more. By David Weigel  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Trump attacks on McConnell bring rebukes from fellow Republicans The president, on Twitter, escalated an extraordinary feud with a GOP leader, dimming hopes for passing legislation this fall. By John Wagner, Ed O'Keefe and Paul Kane  •  Read more »   Trump says opioid crisis is a national emergency, pledges more money and attention The president embraced an recommendation by a commission he set up to study the scourge, just days after his health secretary said the administration was holding off on the declaration. By Joel Achenbach, John Wagner and Lenny Bernstein  •  Read more »   Trump says he was surprised by FBI raid of Manafort’s home, which sent a ‘very strong signal’ The president said he hadn't spoken to the attorney general or the FBI about the raid on his former campaign chairman's house. By John Wagner and Tom Hamburger  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   McCain releases strategy for Afghanistan, preempting and rebuking Trump The plan would increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan and commit to a presence for the long term. By Karoun Demirjian  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Trump says he is ‘very thankful’ to Putin for expelling U.S. diplomats from Russia "I want to thank him because we're trying to cut down our payroll and as far as I'm concerned I'm very thankful that he let go a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll," Trump said. By Philip Rucker  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Job seekers urge Trump to hire American at Mar-a-Lago At a Palm Beach County job fair, local residents say they long for a chance to work at Trump's luxury clubs. By Lori Rozsa  •  Read more »   Analysis Centrist Democrats begin pushing back against Bernie Sanders, liberal wing A new super PAC aims to support Democrats in the heartland region where party has suffered deep losses. By Paul Kane  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Analysis The Energy 202: Trump's lack of nuclear knowledge is what's really scary The muddled rhetoric is nothing new. By Dino Grandoni  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   Daily 202 PowerPost's must-read morning briefing for decision-makers. Sign Up »         Share Politics:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you are signed up for Politics PM. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071