Now playing Next USA Shutdown, Brexit wobble the West First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter. 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA First Read's Morning Clips: Calling back workers — without pay A roundup of the most important political news stories of the day 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Alaska's frontier faces widespread government shutdown pain Thousands of miles removed from the political fight in Washington, the historic shutdown is reverberating through the state. 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Exclusive: In new video, Ocasio-Cortez joins progressive effort to oust more incumbent Democrats The NY lawmaker is likely to cause a stir in the party by lending her star power to a Justice Democrats' program to boost insurgents. 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Trump wanted to eat Democrats' lunch. That's why they didn't show up for his. Analysis: With a nothing-burger on the menu, moderates didn't want to get eaten alive. 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Kirsten Gillibrand forming exploratory committee for 2020 White House run The senator announced her all-but-certain entry into the Democratic presidential race on late-night television. 16/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Attorney General nominee Barr: The public may never see Mueller's report Trump's pick to be the country's chief law enforcement officer was questioned about the special counsel investigation at his confirmation hearing. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA House overwhelmingly passes resolution condemning Iowa GOP Rep. King's racist comments The lawmaker, who has a history of offensive remarks about immigrants, himself supported passage of the measure, saying that it was "true" and "just." 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA 42,000 Coast Guard members miss first paycheck due to government shutdown "The Congress can't their act together. The president can't get their act together, but your community will take care of you," one Coast Guard spouse said. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Rick Gates still cooperating in several ongoing investigations,' Mueller says Last November, Robert Mueller also cited Gates' ongoing cooperation in asking for a delay in his sentencing. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA New York lawmakers approve election reforms, including early voting Among the changes: State and federal primaries are now required to be held on the same day. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Trump's pick for AG says he'll protect the Mueller probe. But what if his boss disagrees? First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA First Read's Morning Clips: Shutdown drags on A roundup of the most important political news stories of the day. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Women are fueling Democrats' 2020 hopes — with money The race for political cash is no longer dominated by men, at least among liberals. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Trump welcomes Clemson Tigers to the White House with 'American fast food paid for by me' The White House said the shutdown was responsible for the president's decision to cater the event with a spread that featured more than 300 burgers. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA William Barr once warned of need for 'political supervision' at Justice Department Attorney General nominee Barr said in 2001 the idea the Justice Department "has to be independent" gained ground after Watergate and risked going too far. 15/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Trump brushes off Ocasio-Cortez. She responds by hitting the president where it hurts. The president and the New York Democrat have both shown themselves to be comfortable on the attack. 14/01/2019
Now playing Next USA Supreme Court rejects challenge to Whitaker's appointment as acting AG Opponents of his appointment said he was not qualified for the position because he was not subject to Senate confirmation. 14/01/2019
Now playing Next USA It's Day 24 of the partial government shutdown. Here's how we got here. First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter. 14/01/2019
Now playing Next USA First Read's Morning Clips: Majorities blame Trump, GOP for shutdown A roundup of the most important political news stories of the day. 14/01/2019