Evening Edition: Most Americans hold starkly pessimistic view of politics under Trump, poll finds

Paul Ryan begins a make-or-break push for tax legislation — and his future; Spain removes Catalan leaders, asserts control over breakaway region

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The day's most important stories   Most Americans hold starkly pessimistic view of politics under Trump, poll finds The nation's politics have reached a dangerous low point, 7 in 10 Americans say in a Washington Post-University of Maryland Poll. They say that divisions are as bad now as they were during the Vietnam era, and most share widespread distrust of political leaders and an erosion of pride in the way democracy works in America. By John Wagner and Scott Clement  •  Read more » PowerPost • Analysis Paul Ryan begins a make-or-break push for tax legislation — and his future Enemies and allies agree that if the upcoming tax proposal fails, Ryan's job and the Republican majority in the House will be at risk. By Paul Kane  •   Read more »   Spain removes Catalan leaders, asserts control over breakaway region Hours after a divided Catalan parliament declared independence from Spain, it was an open question who was really in charge of the region.  By William Booth  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Sen. Jeff Flake knew his criticism of Trump would cost him. He couldn't stop himself. There wasn't an immediate trigger for the Republican senator from Arizona's decision to retire. If anything, he hung on because he supports the president's policies and personnel decisions. But it was his view of Trump's behavior that proved most decisive in his decision to call it quits. By Ed O'Keefe  •   Read more »   The Fix • Analysis Republicans' horrible week (and not-great year) was entirely predictable Yes, because Trump. But the party's fracturing was evident long before Trump rode down that escalator in Trump Tower two and a half years ago and launched his presidential bid. By Amber Phillips  •   Read more »   Trump, Republicans steer Russia probes in new directions The president and GOP lawmakers are demanding new scrutiny of Hillary Clinton's actions as secretary of state, potentially jeopardizing investigations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election as the probes close in on Trump's inner circle. By Karoun Demirjian and John Wagner  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT After 'inmates' comment, Houston Texans owner Robert McNair meets with players McNair drew criticism when, in a discussion about anthem protests, he remarked, "We can't have the inmates running the prison." He said his meeting with players was an attempt to clear the air. By Matt Bonesteel  •   Read more »   Appalling behavior won't change because a few high-profile men have fallen from grace The floodgates may have opened on revelations of sexual misconduct in the news business. But for real change, media companies have to address the deep-seated gender inequality at the root of this mess. By Margaret Sullivan  •   Read more »   Strong coastal storm poised to wallop East Coast from Sunday into Monday A major storm will deliver risks of damaging wind and flooding from the Carolinas to New England, and it is beginning to take shape today. By Greg Porter  •   Read more »   She signed up to be a surrogate mother — and unwittingly gave her own child away At six weeks, a second baby appeared on Jessica Allen's scans. Everyone assumed she was carrying identical twins. By Amy B Wang  •   Read more »   'Something is eating my brain,' an inmate said. A lawsuit claims he was left to die. Marques Davis, 27, told Hutchinson Correctional Facility doctors that something was terribly wrong with him. An MRI conducted after his death showed a fungal infection throughout his brain. By Kristine Phillips  •   Read more »   Armageddon via imaginary planet is pushed back again — to November The world failed to end Sept. 23, or Oct. 15 — but watch out for Nov. 19, when an imaginary planet is supposed to set off cataclysmic earthquakes. By Avi Selk  •   Read more »           Share Evening Edition:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Evening Edition or because it is included in your subscription. 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