National News at a Glance

Justice Department Seizes Times Reporter’s Email and Phone Records

Federal law enforcement officials secretly seized years’ worth of a New York Times reporter’s phone and email records this year in an investigation of classified information leaks. The seizure — disclosed in a letter to the reporter, Ali Watkins — suggested that Trump administration prosecutors will continue the aggressive tactics employed under President Barack Obama. Trump has complained bitterly about leaks and demanded that law enforcement officials seek criminal charges against government officials involved in illegal and sometimes embarrassing disclosures of national security secrets. News media advocates consider the mining a journalist’s records for sources to be an intrusion on First Amendment freedoms.

White House Analysis Finds Tariffs Will Hurt Growth, as Officials Insist Otherwise

A White House economic analysis of President Donald Trump’s trade agenda has concluded that Trump’s tariffs will hurt U.S. economic growth, according to several people familiar with the research. The findings from the White House Council of Economic Advisers have been circulated only internally, making the exact projections unknown. But the determination comes as top White House officials continue to insist publicly that Trump’s trade approach will be “massively good for the U.S. economy.” The administration has hit Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union with steel and aluminum tariffs and threatened tariffs on Chinese goods. Many of those countries have imposed or threatened reciprocal tariffs.

Doctor Who Danced During Surgery Is Suspended by Georgia Medical Board

A dermatologist seen on video dancing to a hip-hop song while performing a surgical procedure was suspended Thursday by Georgia's medical board, which said her continued practice “poses a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare.” Dr. Windell Davis-Boutte is the medical director and chief executive of Boutté Contour Surgery & Skin in Lilburn, Georgia. She wanted to be known as the “dancing doctor,” said Latoyah Rideau, the patient in the video, who is planning to sue Davis-Boutte. Rideau will join at least nine other patients who have sued Davis-Boutte. The patients claim her negligence left them disfigured and, in one case, brain damaged.

Bharara Registers to Vote, Raising Speculation of a Run

Preet Bharara, the former U.S. attorney in Manhattan who was fired by President Donald Trump, has registered as a Democratic voter in New York for the first time in more than a decade amid speculation that he might run for attorney general. Bharara’s registration in Westchester County occurred during the window for candidates to gather signatures to qualify for the Democratic primary in September. A candidate needs thousands of signatures across half the congressional districts by mid-July — meaning time is short for Bharara to jump in. Bharara did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Giuliani Speaks for Trump. Except When He Doesn’t.

President Donald Trump hired Rudy Giuliani to speak for him. But Trump’s wife and his chief diplomat spent Thursday explaining that Giuliani does not always know what he is talking about. Melania Trump let it be known that Giuliani has no idea how she feels about Stephanie Clifford, the pornographic film actress who goes by the name Stormy Daniels and says she had a sexual encounter with Donald Trump, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear that Giuliani has nothing to do with North Korea policy. Giuliani has been something of a loose cannon, making public comments that were contradicted or touched on matters beyond his ostensible mandate.

Legislature Approves Sports Betting in New Jersey

The New Jersey Legislature voted Thursday to legalize sports betting, paving the way for casinos and racetracks to take wagers on events and providing the state with a new source of revenue. It is likely a matter of days before cash can start changing hands at Atlantic City casinos and at Monmouth Park Racetrack, perhaps in time to take advantage of the interest in the World Cup, which begins next week, or the NBA Finals. The last remaining hurdle is the signature of Gov. Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat, who supports sports betting but has not said publicly when he would sign the bill into law.