Is Mike Pence Loyal?  Trump is Asking, Despite His Recent Endorsement  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump's post-midterm election news conference at the White House last week took a surprising turn when a reporter asked about locking down his 2020 ticket.  —  “Mike, will you be my running mate?”

Only on AP: Abrams prepares push for new Georgia Gov. vote  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Stacey Abrams' campaign and legal team is preparing an unprecedented legal challenge in the unresolved Georgia governor's race that could leave the state's Supreme Court deciding whether to force another round of voting.

CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi's assassination  —  The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month, contradicting the Saudi government's claims that he was not involved in the killing …

I Found the Best Burger Place in America.  And Then I Killed It.  —  n my office, I have a coffee mug from Stanich's in Portland, Oregon.  Under the restaurant name, it says “Great hamburgers since 1949.”  The mug was given to me by Steve Stanich on the day I told him that …

“I dont feel comfortable being a Republican anymore” |  Skullduggery on acast  —  In this episode of Skullduggery, co-hosts Michael Isikoff and Dan Klaidman sit down for an exclusive and highly sought after interview with George T. Conway III, husband to the Counselor of the President, Kellyanne Conway.

Trump legal team balks at Mueller's questions on post-2016 election activity  —  Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump and his legal team have taken issue with some of the questions from special counsel Robert Mueller that cover the transition period after the 2016 election …

Trump Offered to Nominate Ricardel as Ambassador to Estonia, Sources Say  — Deputy national security adviser said to turn down Baltic post  — Ricardel says ‘I admire the president and first lady’  —  President Donald Trump offered to nominate Mira Ricardel as ambassador to Estonia …

Julian Assange has been charged, prosecutors reveal in inadvertent court filing  —  WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange has been charged under seal, prosecutors inadvertently revealed in a recently unsealed court filing — a development that could significantly advance the probe into Russian interference …

U.S. Marshals Service spending millions on DeVos security in unusual arrangement  —  The cost to taxpayers could be as much as $19.8 million through next year, according to figures provided to NBC News.  —  WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos began receiving around-the-clock security …

Two Years In, Trump Struggles to Master Role of Military Commander  —  WASHINGTON — He canceled a trip to a cemetery in France where American soldiers from World War I are buried.  He did not go to the observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day.  He has not visited American troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Top Cheney Aide in Mueller's Sights as Probe Expands  —  Mueller's investigators have examined an array of operatives with ties to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE—including John Hannah, Dick Cheney's former national security adviser.  —  Dick Cheney's former top national security aide …

Progressives back Pelosi for speaker — in return for more power  —  It wasn't a coincidence that moments after Nancy Pelosi promised progressive House leaders more power in the next Congress, a host of liberal groups announced they were supporting her for speaker.

Judge orders White House to return Jim Acosta's press pass  —  (CNN)Federal judge Timothy J. Kelly sided with CNN on Friday, ordering the White House to reinstate chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass.  —  The ruling was an initial victory for CNN in its lawsuit against President Trump and several top aides.

Setting the Record Straight on Regarding My Facebook Work  —  Setting the Record Straight Regarding My Facebook Work  —  Over the past 48 hours I've had some extremely serious accusations leveled against my integrity and my work.  So I want to be upfront about this and share my personal thoughts.

Alleged Russian operative Mariia Butina negotiating with prosecutors  —  A document filed in federal court indicates prosecutors and Butina's lawyers are working towards a plea agreement.  —  Lawyers for alleged Russian operative Mariia Butina have entered into negotiations with federal prosecutors …

For First Act in Power, Democrats Consider Making Their Own Agenda Impossible to Pass  —  This week, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi unveiled a list of new procedural rules that her caucus intends to implement when the next Congress is seated.  Most of these measures are unobjectionable “good government” reforms.

Hyde-Smith appears to joke that making it harder for students to vote is a ‘great idea’  —  Senator deflects over ‘public hanging’ comment  —  Washington (CNN)Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith appeared to say laws that make it “just a little more difficult” for attendees …

Melania Trump racked up $174,000 in hotel bills for a day trip to Toronto  —  US first lady Melania Trump ran up a six-figure hotel bill for a one-day trip to Toronto last year, according to federal spending records.  —  Government spending data show at least six separate Toronto hotel charges ranging …

Mark Meadows, Ruben Kihuen sanctioned over sexual harassment-related allegations  —  The House Ethics Committee has formally sanctioned two members — GOP Rep. Mark Meadows (N.C.) and Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen (Nev.) — over sexual harassment-related allegations, the latest sign that fallout …

Iran to Be Declared in Breach of Chemical Weapons Bans  —  Sources: Trump admin will announce Iran in breach for first time  —  The Trump administration is set to announce that Iran is not in compliance with the Chemical Weapons Conventions, marking a significant departure …

Michael Avenatti Never Should've Been a Resistance Hero  —  I can't say I was surprised when Michael Avenatti was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence on Wednesday.  It's not that he seems like someone who'd assault a romantic partner.  For one thing, that's not something …

Trump to meet with Florida's Bondi as he searches for new attorney general  —  WASHINGTON  —  President Donald Trump will meet with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — who is on his short list be his next attorney general — while he vacations at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach …

Trump Says He'll Nominate Andrew Wheeler to Head the E.P.A.  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday said he intends to nominate Andrew R. Wheeler to be the permanent administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  —  The E.P.A. has been at the center of Mr. Trump's deregulatory agenda …

Trump's White House Chaos Is Worsening  —  Distractions and disarray are threatening to upend Trump's presidency.  Can he possibly stay focused?  —  As my Bloomberg Opinion colleague Timothy L. O'Brien argues, the Trump administration, always veering toward chaos, is in the process of diving in head first.

So, Was It A Wave?  —  There's been an ongoing discussion about whether the 2018 midterms can be properly considered a “wave” election.  While I think they certainly can be considered a wave, that doesn't get to the question of whether they ought to be considered as such.  —  At its core, this debate is pretty silly.

I'm fine with women in power, just not this one specific woman currently in power  —  The first thing I need to make clear is that I love and support women.  I am eager to see more women rise to positions of power.  Hashtag pink wave!  Hashtag pink hat!  —  But I have to say …

Betsy DeVos Strikes a Blow for the Constitution  —  The proposed Title IX rules highlight how bad things have become on campus.  —  The Department of Education has issued its long-awaited proposed regulations reforming sexual-assault adjudications on college campus.

Grassley to trade Judiciary gavel for Finance  —  Chuck Grassley plans to trade his Senate Judiciary Committee gavel to lead the Finance Committee next year, he said on Friday — leaving Lindsey Graham in line to replace him as chairman.  —  Grassley's move to Finance wasn't a given …

Way too many Americans say suppression tactics stopped them from voting  —  This is a scandal for anyone who cares about free and fair elections in America.  —  Democrats dominated the midterm elections this year and took back the most House seats they have since Watergate.