memeorandum: Obama's closest adviser says president has been scandal-free (Daniel Halper/New York Post)

11:35 AM ET, January 2, 2017

Top Items:

Heather Caygle / Politico:

Black pols plan Trump resistance — After eight years of the nation's first African-American president, black lawmakers were in for an adjustment no matter who won the White House. — But members of the Congressional Black Caucus say they're bracing for the worst in Donald Trump …

Discussion: Raw Story

Elana Schor / Politico:
New GOP Congress confronts a crushing to-do list

Discussion: Wall Street Journal and The Daily Caller

Aaron Short / New York Post:
Trump tells Schumer he likes him more than other GOP leaders

Discussion: BizPac Review and RedState

David Weigel / Washington Post: Claiming mandate, GOP Congress lays plans to propel sweeping conservative agenda

Jennifer Steinhauer / New York Times:
With New Congress Poised to Convene, Obama's Policies Are in Peril

Discussion: The Resurgent, No More Mister Nice Blog and Althouse

Jeffrey M. Jones / Gallup:

Many in U.S. Skeptical Trump Can Handle Presidential Duties — PRINCETON, N.J. — As Donald Trump prepares to take the presidential oath on Jan. 20, less than half of Americans are confident in his ability to handle an international crisis (46%), to use military force wisely (47%) …

Discussion: Politicus USA and The Week

Jennifer Calfas / The Hill: Ex-Bush official: Trump ‘like an addict’ for press coverage

NBC News:
Meet The Press 1/1/17 — ANNOUNCER: — From NBC News …

Discussion: AOL and Althouse, more at Mediagazer »

New York Times:

Why Corporations Are Helping Donald Trump Lie About Jobs — President-elect Donald Trump would like everybody to believe that his election is energizing the economy by forcing businesses to create thousands of jobs in the United States. And companies like Sprint seem perfectly happy …

Paul Krugman / New York Times:

America Becomes a Stan — In 2015 the city of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, was graced with a new public monument: a giant gold-plated sculpture portraying the country's president on horseback. This may strike you as a bit excessive. But cults of personality are actually the norm in the …

Discussion: John Hawkins' Right Wing News

Robert Kuttner / The Huffington Post:

Impeaching Trump — The process begins now. — Donald Trump is wildly unfit to be president, and he will demonstrate that in ways that break the law and violate the Constitution. Since the election, there have been three wishful efforts to keep Trump from the presidency …

Kyle Balluck / The Hill:

Aide downplays Trump hacking revelation … Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday tamped down expectations that President-elect Donald Trump — will reveal new details about alleged Russian hacking during the U.S. presidential election in the coming days.

Discussion: RedState, Hot Air, Mediaite and The Week

Mike Rodriguez / Monitor:

State Rep. Martinez shot in head by ‘stray bullet’ while celebrating — The District 39 representative says he is doing well — NORTH OF WESLACO — State Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez confirmed Sunday evening that he's now doing well after being shot in the head earlier that morning …

Discussion: USA Today and Raw Story

Daniel Halper / New York Post:

Obama's closest adviser says president has been scandal-free — Scandal, what scandal? — President Obama has been squeaky clean, according to his closest adviser, Valerie Jarrett. — “The president prides himself on the fact that his administration hasn't had a scandal …

Discussion: IJR, TheBlaze and Infowars

Kurt Schlichter / Townhall.com:

For Democrats, 2017 Will Be The Year of Living Stupidly — If you thought 2016 was packed full of liberal foolishness, just wait until you get a load of 2017. As 2016 ends, progressives enter the new year terrified that Donald Trump will continue to run circles around them …

Michael Patrick Leahy / Breitbart:

Between 2012 and 2015, 1,565 refugees were diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB) in the United States, according to annual reports published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). — The CDC data, which has been public but obscure until now, shows that the number of refugees diagnosed …

Salena Zito / Washington Examiner:

The art of getting to know Trump — In the fall of 2006 right after then Sen. Barack Obama announced to Tim Russert on Meet the Press he was seriously considering a run for the nomination of the Democratic Party for president, thousands of reporters, journalists, bloggers …

David Edwards / Raw Story:

NPR's Michele Norris: ‘Make a America Great Again’ is deeply encoded ‘promise of white prosperity’ — DON'T MISS STORIES. FOLLOW RAW STORY! — NPR host Michele Norris pointed out over the weekend that President-elect Donald Trump's campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is a …

Discussion: RedState and alan.com

Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:

Obama Plans Farewell Speech From Chicago — HONOLULU — President Obama will give a farewell address next week from Chicago, his hometown, most likely his last chance to defend his legacy directly to the country before Donald J. Trump is sworn in, the White House announced on Monday.

Discussion: CNN and The Week