Trump, Angry Over Mattis's Rebuke, Considers Removing Him 2 Months Early  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump, angry over days of news coverage characterizing the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as a rebuke of the president, has told administration officials that he is considering removing …

Mick Mulvaney says DHS can't ‘spend money from Mexico’ for wall: ‘We have to get it from the treasury’  —  The president's incoming chief of staff said Sunday that any money for the border wall would have to come from the Treasury Department, saying “the Department of Homeland Security can't actually spend money from Mexico.”

Trump says he had a “long” call with Turkish president Erdogan  —  Days after announcing the U.S. would exit Syria, President Trump tweeted: … Why it matters: Turkey is also the country that was most active in sharing information about the Saudi killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump forgets his base is populists and conservatives  —  When candidate Donald J. Trump steamrolled American politics in 2016, he seemed to understand the coalition available to him was an eclectic bunch that felt its issues had been ignored.  —  They were both populists and conservatives, and they placed him in office.

Tsunami set off by volcanic eruption kills 222 in Indonesia  —  CARITA BEACH, Indonesia (AP) — An eruption of one of the world's most infamous volcanic islands is believed to have triggered a tsunami that killed at least 222 people in Indonesia during a busy holiday weekend.

Trump can launch nuclear weapons whenever he wants, with or without Mattis  —  No defense secretary can stop an impulsive president.  —  The abrupt and pointed resignation of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Thursday alarmed official Washington.  Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) called him an …

Turkey masses troops near Kurdish-held Syrian town  —  BEIRUT (AP) — Turkey is massing troops near a town in northern Syria held by a U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led force, a war monitor said as Turkish media reported Sunday new reinforcement crossing the borders.

My Daughter Reality Winner Faced Severe Punishment, but Key Figures in the Trump-Russia Scandal Are Getting Off Easy  —  Photo: Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle/AP  —  Let me introduce myself.  I am the mother of Reality Leigh Winner, a 27-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran who is in prison …

Inside Bernie-world's war on Beto O'Rourke  —  As the Texas congressman's star rises, Sanders supporters turn up the heat: 'Reading Karl Marx is cool.  Doing a livestream while you're doing your laundry is a gimmick.'  —  WASHINGTON — Forces loyal to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are waging …

‘Bushies’ creep into Trump's administration  —  President Donald Trump uses the term “Bushie” as shorthand for anyone he considers too establishment, thinks too conventionally, or is just, in the president's mind, a pain.  —  But a strange thing has been happening within his administration lately.

Facebook's Lonely Conservative Takes on a Power Position  —  Joel Kaplan has emerged as the social-media site's protector against allegations of political bias  —  After more than a year of research and discussion, Facebook Inc. FB -6.33% late this summer shelved a project called “Common Ground” …

John Huber, Justice Dept. Sheriff Who Never Quite Rode Into Town  —  John Huber has developed almost mythical status among pro-Trump tweeters since former Attorney General Jeff Sessions directed him to investigate why the FBI spied on Trump's aides and whether they protected Hillary Clinton and her foundation over alleged misdeeds.

Mystery company involved in Mueller investigation appeals to Supreme Court  —  Washington (CNN)An unnamed, foreign government-owned company in a mystery court case is asking the Supreme Court to pause a grand jury subpoena it received related to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Christmas Is the Loneliest Time for Qanon Fans  —  The Daily Beast spoke to four Q believers who claim to have been isolated from loved ones, as well as a former Q believer who thinks the isolation helps reinforce QAnon support.  —  Kimberly's boyfriend was tired of hearing the QAnon videos she watched around their small apartment.