Newt Gingrich Mocks Mitt Romney For “Sucking Up” To Donald Trump  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich joined radio host Laura Ingraham to discuss the Trump transition and his hopes for the Trump administration.  —  NEWT GINGRICH: There's a scene in ‘Pretty Women’ where Richard Gere goes …

EXCLUSIVE: Trump's Treasury pick says he wants to slash taxes across the board  —  Treasury Secretary nominee Steve Mnuchin: We can sustain 3-4% economic growth  —  In line with President-elect Donald Trump's proposals, Steve Mnuchin told CNBC on Wednesday his focus as Treasury secretary …

CIA chief warns Trump: Scrapping Iran deal ‘height of folly’  —  The director of the CIA has warned US President-elect Donald Trump that ending the Iran nuclear deal would be “disastrous” and “the height of folly”.  —  In a BBC interview, John Brennan also advised the new president to be wary …

Starting January 20, Donald Trump Can Send Unblockable Mass Text Messages to the Entire Nation  —  You've probably, at some point, gotten a text alert on your phone about some nasty weather, an Amber Alert about a missing child, or even a (very poorly worded) alert about police looking for a criminal.

Nancy Pelosi chosen again as House Democratic leader — but tally suggests deep division  —  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) on Wednesday won the race to lead the Democratic caucus for an eighth term, prevailing in a contest that became a vote of confidence in her continued stewardship …

Sarah Palin Under Consideration for VA Secretary  —  Sarah Palin is under consideration for secretary of veterans affairs, a close Palin aide and a top Donald Trump transition official tell ABC News.  —  The Palin aide tells ABC News that in “recent days,” Palin told Trump transition officials …

The Day After: Obama on His Legacy, Trump's Win and the Path Forward  —  In an interview conducted the day after the election, the commander in chief reflected on the stunning results and how he'll spend his time post-White House.  Pete Souza/The White House

How Donald Trump Sealed the Deal to Keep Carrier Jobs in the U.S.  —  Even before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Donald Trump has become negotiator-in-chief, as illustrated by the deal he struck with air conditioning manufacturer Carrier.  —  A source close to the company said President-elect …

Bob Dylan skips White House event  —  Bob Dylan won't be attending President Obama's meet-and-greet on Wednesday with American Nobel Prize winners, the White House said.  —  “Unfortunately, Bob Dylan will not be at the White House today.  So everyone can relax,” Obama's top spokesman, Josh Earnest, told reporters.

Graham preparing ‘Dreamers’ bill  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is readying legislation that would extend legal protections for previously undocumented immigrants who came here as children — benefits granted under a 2012 directive from President Barack Obama that are at risk with the incoming Trump administration.

Stein files for Michigan recount costing state $4M  —  Green Party candidate Jill Stein's quest to recount Michigan's 4.8 million ballots in an unprecedented autopsy of a presidential election could cost taxpayers more than $4 million.  —  Stein formally requested Wednesday a hand recount …

Conway asked how she can ‘rationalize’ working for Trump  —  Kellyanne Conway, a top aide to President-elect Donald Trump  —  , pushed back Wednesday at a question from a 17-year-old student about how she can “rationalize” working for someone who faces claims of sexual assault.

Intel Officials Believe Russia Spreads Fake News  —  “This is beyond propaganda, that's my understanding.”  —  WASHINGTON — US intelligence officials believe Russia helped disseminate fake and propagandized news as part of a broader effort to influence and undermine the presidential election …

Petraeus would have to notify probation officer if named secretary of State  —  Former Gen. David Petraeus is reportedly one of President-elect Donald Trump  —  's finalists to be secretary of State.  —  If he's chosen, he'll have three days to notify his probation officer.

Next Slide  —  “We were like this is unreal, this is unbelievable,” McCord said.  “When we had both fully read it, we looked at each other — and I will never forget this moment — we both burst into tears.  I was ghost white, and we just prayed.  There was nothing else to do.

Don't use Melania Trump's face on a cake, Slovenians warned  —  Since her husband became US president-elect, Melania's name is splashed all over her hometown.  —  Slovenians have been told to stop using Melania Trump's name and likeness to sell everything from pastries to honey.

DumpKelloggs: Breakfast Brand Blacklists Breitbart, Declares Hate for 45,000,000 Readers  —  Kellogg Co. announced on Tuesday its decision to pull ads from conservative media giant Breitbart.com because its 45,000,000 monthly conservative readers are not “aligned with our values as a company.”

Chip And Joanna Gaines' Church Is Firmly Against Same-Sex Marriage  —  Their pastor considers homosexuality to be a “sin” caused by abuse — whether the Fixer Upper couple agrees is unclear.  —  Chip and Joanna Gaines' series Fixer Upper is one of the most popular shows on HGTV.

Next Slide  —  The blaze apparently began when embers from a wildfire on nearby Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wafted into the Twin Creeks and Mynatt Park areas of town Monday night as the already-heavy winds doubled in speed, the fire chief said.

U.S. Will Ban Smoking in Public Housing Nationwide  —  Smoking will be prohibited in public-housing residences nationwide under a federal rule announced on Wednesday.  —  Officials with the Department of Housing and Urban Development said the rule will go into effect early next year …

Trump had a different take on flag burning when he visited David Letterman last year  —  President-elect Donald Trump, who on Tuesday suggested jailing or stripping the citizenship of those who burn the American flag, offered a different view less than six months before joining the presidential race.

Chaffetz on Clinton probe: 'We can't just simply let this go'  —  House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz  —  's actions as secretary of State have raised too many red flags for Congress to stop investigating her just because she lost the presidential election.

Ethics Office Praises Donald Trump for a Move He Hasn't Committed To  —  WASHINGTON — The Office of Government Ethics has informed lawyers for President-elect Donald J. Trump that only a divestiture of his financial stake in his sprawling real-estate business will resolve ethical concerns …