After Ayers Turns Down Chief of Staff Job, Trump Is Left Without a Plan B  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump has often bragged about having his pick of only the best people to serve in his administration.  —  Being publicly rejected by his first choice for chief of staff …

Maria Butina, accused Russian agent, reaches plea deal with prosecutors that includes cooperation  —  Maria Butina, a 30-year-old Russian gun rights activist who stands accused developing a covert influence operation in the United States, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and cooperate with federal …

We are former senators.  The Senate has long stood in defense of democracy — and must again.  —  By 44 Former U.S. Senators  —  As former members of the U.S. Senate, Democrats and Republicans, it is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak …

Targets of U.S. Sanctions Hire Lobbyists With Trump Ties to Seek Relief  —  Targets of U.S. Sanctions Hire Lobbyists With Trump Ties  — With the use of sanctions increasing, representing clients who face penalties from Washington is becoming a lucrative new niche.

In an email to Tablet the Women's March wrote: … But whatever concerns were popping up were ultimately no match for the steamroller of the event's progress.  And when the day came, the reality far exceeded expectations.  Estimates for the March on Washington range between half a million …

Constitution rules out a sitting president's immunity from criminal prosecution  —  Only President Trump seems not to have noticed — or at least refuses to acknowledge — that the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in his Dec. 7 memo regarding Michael Cohen's sentencing …

Everybody Says Mueller Is Almost Done.  What If He Isn't?  —  In late 2015, the British spy agency GCHQ, and then other Western intelligence agencies, learned of suspicious interactions between Russian agents and Donald Trump's inner circle.  By the summer of 2016, James Comey testified Friday …

Academy Looks Warily at Oscar Host Options As Board Meeting Looms  —  Kevin Hart's abrupt departure as Oscars host has left the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences scrambling to find someone to take the gig.  As of now, the situation remains fluid as the group's leadership explores options …

Jared Kushner did what?  —  The New York Times reports: … As a preliminary matter, we should recognize this as yet another example of why a president should not put a relative in a position of power — especially if the relative possesses questionable judgment and is utterly unqualified for the job.

Thousands of mailed ballots in Florida were not counted  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida officials say thousands of mailed ballots were not counted because they were delivered too late to state election offices.  —  The Department of State late last week informed a federal judge …

Epstein sex abuse victims press judge for decision on tossing his lenient plea deal  —  Victims of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who have waged a decade-long fight for justice, on Monday pressed a federal judge to finally take action on their motion to throw out a controversial plea agreement …

MP causes uproar in parliament by grabbing mace in Brexit protest  —  Lloyd Russell-Moyle waves symbol of Queen's authority to show anger over debate delay  —  Play Video  —  Monday's Commons debate on Theresa May's decision to call off her Brexit vote ended in high drama as a Labour MP seized the ceremonial mace in protest.

An insane amount of people turned out to vote in the midterm elections  —  (CNN)President Donald Trump solved a problem that no other president before him could: Getting people to vote in a midterm election.  —  Whether they were voting for or against his agenda, it is now clear that voters turned out in record numbers in 2018.

5 Marines missing off coast of Japan declared dead  —  The five Marines missing off the coast of Japan for nearly a week following an aviation mishap have been declared dead by the U.S. Marine Corps.  —  The Marines were aboard a KC-13 refueling aircraft that may have been attempting to refuel …

A Former Trump Campaign Staffer Was Ordered To Pay $25,000 For Violating Her Nondisclosure Agreement  —  WASHINGTON — Jessica Denson, a former staffer for President Donald Trump's campaign, is fighting an order to pay nearly $25,000 for violating a nondisclosure agreement, according to court papers.

Harvard Quietly Amasses California Vineyards—and the Water Underneath  —  Making a bet on climate change, the university's $39 billion endowment has been snapping up farmland and the related water rights  —  SHANDON, Calif.—Steve Sinton, a rancher, was baffled when a company he'd never heard …

With Power Grabs in the Midwest, G.O.P. Risks a 2020 Backlash  — The party, which lost four key governorships in the Midwest, depends on its gerrymandered districts in the region for a trove of seats in Congress and legislatures.  — The Republicans' post-election legislative maneuvers …

Hundreds of sex abuse allegations found in fundamental Baptist churches across U.S.  —  Joy Evans Ryder was 15 years old when she says her church youth director pinned her to his office floor and raped her.  —  “It's OK.  It's OK,” he told her.  “You don't have to be afraid of anything.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals Jewish ancestry at Hanukkah celebration  —  Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that oil thought to be enough for only one day burned instead for eight.  So the Jewish festival of lights is also, in a way, a celebration of surprise.