Sunday’s Headlines: White House ‘systems failed’ with Comey’s firing, but Trump pushed the buttons

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The morning’s most important stories, selected by Post editors

Top Stories

Analysis

White House ‘systems failed’ with Comey’s firing, but Trump pushed the buttons

In choosing how and when to fire FBI Director James B. Comey — a subject of considerable debate in the White House — President Trump characteristically followed his gut. The aftermath plunged his presidency into its most serious self-inflicted crisis yet, exposing dysfunction and distrust within his West Wing and imperiling his agenda.

By Philip Rucker • Read more »

Trump’s shifting reason for firing Comey could cost him with Hill leaders

The possibility that Trump misled lawmakers about the reasons for Comey’s ouster could fuel calls on Capitol Hill for investigators to more aggressively probe allegations of collusion between Trump’s campaign and the Russian government.

By Elise Viebeck • Read more »

Nations race to contain one of the biggest cyberattacks in recent history

It was still unclear who was behind the sophisticated “ransomware” attack that affected hospitals, agencies, students and more in 100 countries. The malware’s spread may have been stemmed by the work of a young British researcher.

By Elizabeth Dwoskin and Karla Adam • Read more »

At Mar-a-Lago, the star power of the presidency helps charities — and Trump — make more money

The Post identified more than 45 events since Election Day in which outside groups paid to rent space at Trump’s private Florida club. For most, Trump’s presence — or possible presence — became a ticket-selling draw that generated extra cash for the groups and himself. But the Trump effect can cut both ways: one charity that faced criticism for hosting an event there experienced a decline in ticket sales.

By Drew Harwell and David A. Fahrenthold • Read more »

From death row to adoption: Groups move animals north, where euthanasia rates are lower

Dozens of organizations nationwide are taking part in a dizzying daily reshuffle of dogs and cats, taking them mostly away from high-kill southern regions. It’s a small but growing factor in the decline of euthanasia at American shelters.

By Karin Brulliard • Read more »

Opinions

Trump must be impeached. Here’s why.

By Laurence H. Tribe • Read more »

Trump’s top aides need to go

By John Podesta • Read more »

Former attorney general: Trump made the right call on Comey

By William Barr • Read more »

A theory: Trump fired Comey because he’s taller

By Kathleen Parker • Read more »

I know the fears of immigrants in the schools I oversee. I was undocumented myself.

By Hanseul Kang • Read more »

What we know Trump did this week — and why it matters

By Editorial Board • Read more »

More News

Trapped in Trumpland: Politics seeps into everything, even at the strip club

More than half of adults recently surveyed by the American Psychological Association said they had discussed politics at work since the election, and 26 percent reported feeling tense and stressed as a result.

By Abha Bhattarai • Read more »

North Korea launches a ballistic missile that flies about 435 miles

A White House statement played up the incident’s proximity to Russia: “With the missile impacting so close to Russian soil — in fact, closer to Russia than to Japan — the President cannot imagine that Russia is pleased.”

By Anna Fifield • Read more »

On SNL, Melissa McCarthy’s Sean Spicer emerges from the bushes and finally confronts Trump

The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” included a skit with McCarthy-as-Spicer and Alec Baldwin’s President Trump, who delivered a “kiss of death” that bordered on an intense make-out session.

By Elahe Izadi • Read more »

Egypt sees recent archaeological findings as a blessing for a struggling economy

This weekend’s announcement that 17 mummies were found south of Cairo marked the latest in a series of discoveries this year that officials see as a boost for the tourism sector, a vital source of hard currency.

By Sudarsan Raghavan • Read more »

Solo-ish | Perspective

Why one mom won’t be spending Mother’s Day with her son

Mother’s Day can be devoted to light and laughter, with moms celebrating themselves, rather than taking part in a sentimental tribute to the mother/child bond.

By Sherri Daye Scott • Read more »

This week’s defiant, funny and touching college commencement speeches

Comedian Will Ferrell channeled Whitney Houston, Sen. Elizabeth Warren made a call to civic action, and Sen. Tim Kaine urged graduates to keep an open mind and listen to others.

By Danielle Douglas-Gabriel and Maria Sacchetti • Read more »

Put your baby to sleep in a box? A Finnish idea is winning converts here.

The idea, tied to Finland’s national health-care system, started 80 years ago and helped to substantially reduce the country’s infant mortality rate, the Finnish government says.

By Kristi Eaton • Read more »

News quiz: Fired, fired up and attacked

A high-profile government official was terminated this week, but that wasn’t the only headline. See how well you paid attention, and earn more points for quickly providing the correct answers.

By Tiffany Harness • Read more »

On Love

That prank call was to the right number

She tried to phone a classmate, but the person who answered kept her on the line. And they just kept talking.

By Nora Krug • Read more »

Food

This fried rice is actually good for you

It’s loaded with spring vegetables and topped with an egg.

By Ellie Krieger • Read more »

Magazine

What a son will do for his mother

When she was in a nursing home, he took unorthodox measures to be sure they spent time together.