How bad is the Republican coverup on Trump and Russia?  We may soon find out.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  As we head into 2018, one big, looming unknown is this: Just how far will congressional Republicans go to prevent a full accounting of Russia's interference in our election and any possible Trump campaign conspiracy with it?

Monster storm to blast East Coast before polar vortex uncorks tremendous cold late this week  —  Unforgiving cold has punished the eastern third of the United States for the past 10 days.  But the most severe winter weather conditions will assault the area late this week.

Russia probe grand jury looks like ‘a Black Lives Matter rally,’ says witness  —  The federal grand jury handing down indictments for special counsel Robert Mueller doesn't appear to include any supporters of President Donald Trump, according to one witness who recently testified before the panel.

Orrin Hatch, Utah Senator, to Retire, Opening Path for Mitt Romney  —  Orrin G. Hatch, the longest-serving Senate Republican, will announce that he will retire at the end of the year, clearing a path for Mitt Romney to run.  —  January 2, 2018  —  Trump Accuses Former Clinton Aide of Failing to Follow Security Protocols

Roy Moore's Jewish lawyer voted for Doug Jones, raised money for his campaign  —  The Jewish attorney who Roy Moore's wife touted employing in an attempt to fight off claims of anti-Semitism is actually a longtime friend and supporter of Senator-elect Doug Jones, who defeated Moore last month.

Foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump's business  —  WASHINGTON  —  In Indonesia, a local government plans to build a road to shorten the drive between the main airport on the island of Bali and the new high-end Trump resort and golf course.

GOP Rep. Bill Shuster to retire, spend final year working with Trump on massive infrastructure bill  —  Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, will not seek re-election in November, telling the Washington Examiner that he wants to focus exclusively on working …

“Oh My God, This Is So F—ed Up”: Inside Silicon Valley's Secretive, Orgiastic Dark Side  —  Some of the most powerful men in Silicon Valley are regulars at exclusive, drug-fueled, sex-laced parties—gatherings they describe not as scandalous, or even secret, but as a bold, unconventional lifestyle choice.

Flying in 2017 was safer than it's ever been  —  Five new planes you'll be flying soon  —  By nearly all measures, flying in 2017 was safer than ever.  —  Last year, there were 10 fatal commercial passenger and cargo air crashes that killed 44 passengers and crew members.

Matt Lauer Reacts to Hoda Kotb Replacing Him on Today  —  No one is happier for Hoda Kotb's career advancement than Matt Lauer.  —  Hours ago, Kotb was named Lauer's successor as co-anchor of Today.  She will join Savannah Guthrie for two hours a day, starting at 7 a.m. …

MSNBC Guest Rips Bill Kristol's Support of Iran Protests: 'You've Been Advocating Killing Iranians'  —  Things got a bit tense today on MSNBC when neo-conservative commentator and Weekly Standard editor-at-large Bill Kristol was directly challenged over his hawkish Middle East policy positions as they relate to Iran.

Michele Bachmann Is Asking God Whether She Should Run For Al Franken's Senate Seat  —  Former Minnesota congresswoman and current “pastor to the United Nations” Michele Bachmann joined End Times prepper pastor Jim Bakker for a series of television programs that aired last week …

Sheriff David Clarke temporarily blocked on Twitter after violating terms of service  —  Clarke plagiarized portions of thesis (May 2017)  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)Former Milwaukee Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr., a vocal surrogate for President Donald Trump on the campaign trail …

Donald Trump's Year of Living Dangerously  —  When President Donald Trump sat down for dinner on September 18 in New York with leaders of four Latin American countries on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly, anxieties were already running high.

The 5 biggest Trump-Russia events to watch for in 2018  —  Yes, one of them is indicting Donald Trump.  —  President Trump spent 2017 trying to bat back accusations that his campaign colluded with Russia.  But 2018 could be even worse, with potential indictments of Trump's closest aides — and possibly the president himself.

The Trump Investment Boom: Is It Really His Fault Oil Prices Jumped by 40 Percent  —  The NYT had an article touting the fact that businesses are investing more under Donald Trump than before he was elected.  It notes that non-residential investment has risen at an annual rate of 6.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2017.

Trump's tough talk tamps down threat  —  Prez getting results in global arena  —  As 2018 begins, Donald Trump seems to be channeling Theodore Roosevelt.  —  TR famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” which Trump only half believes — the big stick part.  Speaking softly?

Doug Jones hires African-American chief of staff  —  Sen.-elect Doug Jones (D-Ala.) has hired former transportation official and congressional aide Dana Gresham as his new chief of staff.  —  Jones will be the only Senate Democrat to have an African-American chief of staff once Gresham comes on board.

Republicans can't generate buzz for Ros-Lehtinen's seat, and some say it's unwinnable  —  WASHINGTON  —  The GOP's inability to find top-shelf candidates to run for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's U.S. House seat has some Republicans ready to write off the race and shift money and attention to more winnable contests.

The Future of Trumpism Is on Campus  —  In August of 2016, Michael Straw had just gaveled in the year's first meeting of the Penn State College Republicans.  The classroom was packed, with students filling every seat and lining the walls.  Many were returning members, and some were brand new.

About That Trump ‘Autocracy’  —  Remember all those progressive predictions of looming fascism?  —  As Donald Trump heads into his second year as President, we're pleased to report that there hasn't been a fascist coup in Washington.  This must be terribly disappointing to the progressive elites …