11 Essential reads you missed this week

President Trump sought to project confidence in the economy this week amid growing signs of a possible recession, Democratic presidential hopefuls are unloading against the news media, and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) again found himself at the center of controversy after his remarks about rape and incest.

{mosads}Catch up on these and other stories you might have missed this week.

• Economic angst rises at bad time for Trump

Trump is scrambling to quell questions about his stewardship of the economy as the rising odds of a recession pose a dire threat to his reelection campaign.

• Manufacturing shrinks, raising questions for Trump

The risks of an economic recession are on the rise, but the country’s manufacturing sector is already there. And for Trump, who promised to end the “American carnage” of “rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation,” that could be political trouble.

• Volatile presidential polls spark new round of anxieties

Trying to figure out the state of the Democratic presidential race? Get in line.

Public opinion surveys have varied by the day, particularly in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, where some candidates can point to individual polls to argue they are building momentum.

• Democratic contenders unload on news media

The Democratic presidential contenders are letting loose with a barrage of attacks against the news media, ripping national outlets for what they view as biased coverage of their campaigns or unfair double standards in covering Trump.

• Assault weapons ban picks up steam in Congress

An assault weapons ban is picking up steam in the House and on the 2020 campaign trail as Democrats search for a way to respond to two recent mass shootings while putting greater political pressure on recalcitrant Republican leaders.

• Trump crosses new line with Omar, Tlaib, Israel move

He has sided with foreign autocrats over his own intelligence community; backed foreign dictators over his own military commanders; and supported foreign despots over his own allies abroad.

But Trump broke new ground on Thursday when he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deny two Muslim congresswomen entrance to the country for a fact-finding visit, accusing them of harboring hatred toward “Israel & all Jewish people.”

• Republicans offer support for Steve King challenger

House Republican lawmakers are openly expressing support for Rep. Steve King’s (R-Iowa) main primary challenger after the incumbent’s latest controversial remarks about abortion, rape and incest.

• Native American advocates question 2020 Democrats’ commitment

Native American advocates are raising concerns over some of the 2020 Democratic presidential contenders’ commitment to their issues amid absences at a conference in Iowa next week.

• Biden’s gaffes pile up, worrying some supporters

Joe Biden’s string of gaffes is raising questions among Democrats about his ability to beat Trump in 2020. 

• New intel chief inherits host of challenges

Former Navy Vice Adm. Joseph Maguire will take over as acting director of national intelligence (DNI) when Dan Coats steps down Thursday, thrusting him atop an intelligence community undergoing a broad shake-up in senior leadership.

• 2020 Democrats fight to claim Obama’s mantle on health care

Democratic presidential candidates are vying for former President Obama’s mantle on health care, arguing that he would support their stance in the raging debate over “Medicare for All.”