Jason Miller backs out of Trump White House job  —  Jason Miller, who was tapped only two days ago to be White House communications director, announced Saturday that he will not join Donald Trump's administration.  —  In a statement to POLITICO, Miller said the decision to back out of the job stemmed …

Denying Conflict, Trump Family Tries to Resolve Potential Problems  —  WASHINGTON — Realizing that his presidency could face potentially crippling questions over conflicts of interest, Donald J. Trump and his family are rushing to resolve potential controversies — like shuttering foundations …

Cruz: No money for UN until Israel decision reversed  —  (R-Texas) vowed Saturday to not allow the U.S. to give money to the United Nations until it reversed its Friday decision forcing an end to Israeli settlements.  —  Cruz tweeted that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “No US $ for UN until reversed.”

Reading Fake News, Pakistani Minister Directs Nuclear Threat at Israel  —  A fake news article led to gunfire at a Washington pizzeria three weeks ago.  Now it seems that another fake news story has prompted the defense minister of Pakistan to threaten to go nuclear.

Obama's last Christmas a season of disappointment  —  Sunday marks President Obama's last Christmas while in office.  Though he'll spend it in Hawaii rather than at the White House, it must be a bittersweet Yuletide.  —  Obama's handiwork is being returned to the store like unwanted Christmas presents.

Stein pushes Justice Dept. for investigation of electoral system  —  Jill Stein is continuing her push to investigate the integrity of the U.S. electoral system, with lawyers for the former Green Party presidential candidate asking Attorney General Loretta Lynch to probe the issue.

Is Trump Becoming a Conservative? [with comment by Paul]  —  Conservatives have been pretty universally delighted by President-elect Donald Trump's appointments so far.  With Jeff Sessions, Rick Perry, Gen. James Mattis, Mick Mulvaney, Betsy DeVos, Ryan Zinke, Tom Price and others slated …

In American Towns, Private Profits From Public Works  —  Desperate towns have turned to private equity firms to manage their waterworks.  The deals bring much-needed upgrades, but can carry hefty price tags.  —  BAYONNE, N.J. — Nicole Adamczyk's drinking water used to slosh through a snarl …

The chaos theory of Donald Trump: Sowing confusion through tweets  —  Donald Trump's sudden embrace this week of a nuclear arms race — and his staff's scramble to minimize the fallout — underscored an emerging modus operandi for the president-elect: governance by chaos.