“I Have Power”: Is Steve Bannon Running for President?  —  On a whirlwind tour around the globe, Trump's former aide and alter ego reveals what really went down in the White House, his unfettered thoughts on Javanka, his complicated relationship with his erstwhile boss—and his own political ambitions.

Trump advisers vent frustrations about 2018 strategy as president listens … Within hours of celebrating President Trump's biggest legislative achievement, at the South Portico of the White House on Wednesday, his aides and outside advisers had a spirited, and at times tense …

Top FBI official grilled on Comey, Clinton in Hill testimony  —  Washington (CNN)FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe faced numerous questions this week about his interactions, conversations and correspondence with his one-time boss, former FBI Director James Comey, spanning both the FBI's Russia investigation …

Ex-CIA director Brennan goes there, compares Trump to “narcissistic, vengeful autocrats”  —  Foreign relations have been in a tailspin since Donald Trump upended decades of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and declared America would recognize Jerusalem solely as the capital of Israel.

Congress races to fund the government and avert a shutdown  — Congress races to pass a short-term spending bill aimed at averting a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday.  — The measure also contains a provision that would allow President Trump to sign the GOP tax bill immediately …

McConnell Ready To ‘Move On’ From Obamacare Repeal, Others In GOP Say Not So Fast  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants 2018 to be a year of bipartisanship, even if that means moving on from GOP dreams of cutting welfare and fully rolling back the Affordable Care Act.

Five Women Are Accusing A Top Left-Leaning Media Executive Of Sexually Harassing Them  —  Don Hazen, the executive editor of AlterNet, was placed on “indefinite leave” after BuzzFeed News asked his oversight board about accusations that he inappropriately touched employees, sent lewd emails, and showed them explicit photographs.

Papa John's Founder To Step Down As CEO After Backlash Over NFL Comments  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Papa John's founder John Schnatter will step down as CEO next month, about two months after he publicly criticized the NFL leadership over national anthem protests by football players — comments for which the company later apologized.

Judge dismisses suits claiming Trump violated emoluments clause  —  A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a pair of lawsuits claiming that President Donald Trump's failure to divest himself of his real estate empire and other business holdings violated the Constitution's provision banning receipt of foreign …

Trump just gave a bigger Christmas gift to Putin than corporate America — while no one was watching  —  In a move that went largely unnoticed last week, Donald Trump quietly handed Russian President Vladimir Putin the best Christmas gift he could possibly ask for — an invitation …

Trump Administration Considers Separating Families to Combat Illegal Immigration  —  The Trump administration is considering a new policy that would separate parents from their children when families are caught entering the country illegally, according to officials who have been briefed on the plans.

Commentary: Democrats may wish they'd supported Trump's tax cut  —  Why is a plan to cut taxes for working families, enact an Obama-style approach to corporate taxes and increase child-friendly spending the subject of such partisan passion?  It's not policy.  It's not math.  —  It's Trump.

Joint Statement from DNI Coats, AG Sessions, CIA Director Pompeo, FBI Director Wray, and NSA Director Rogers on FISA Section 702 Reauthorization  —  Reauthorizing Section 702 before it expires is vital to keeping the nation safe.  Let us be clear: if Congress fails to act …

Sore loser Roy Moore lashes out at Doug Jones' gay son  —  He's blaming everyone but himself.  —  Republican Roy Moore has still not conceded his loss in the Alabama Senate race, and in recent days, has seemed to pin the blame at minority groups he is known for despising.

All 6 Defendants Not Guilty In Key Felony Trial Of Trump Inauguration Protesters  —  The case could determine the fate of many of the nearly 200 people arrested during the inauguration.  —  All six defendants in a crucial trial involving demonstrators arrested during President Donald Trump's inauguration …

FBI's top lawyer said to be reassigned … The FBI's top lawyer, James Baker, is being reassigned — one of the first moves by new director Christopher A. Wray to assemble his own team of senior advisers as he tries to fend off accusations of politicization within the bureau.

Pence pays surprise visit to Kabul  —  KABUL — Vice President Pence arrived in Afghanistan on Thursday for an unannounced visit with U.S. troops, many of whom were just children when the war began here more than 16 years ago, and to meet with top Afghan leaders to discuss President Trump's strategy for the conflict.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump's Mar-a-Lago tax deal veiled from IRS review  —  PALM BEACH POST INVESTIGATION … Donald Trump stands in the living room at Mar-a-Lago, 1992.  Photo by Katie Deits / Zuma Press  —  PALM BEACH — Donald Trump's deal with the town of Palm Beach to turn Mar-a-Lago …