Transcripts detail how FBI debated whether Trump was ‘following directions’ of Russia  —  (CNN)In the chaotic aftermath at the FBI following Director James Comey's firing, a half-dozen senior FBI officials huddled to set in motion the momentous move to open an investigation into President Donald Trump …

Kremlin Blessed Russia's NRA Operation, U.S. Intel Report Says  —  When Maria Butina and Alexander Torshin's brought NRA bigwigs to Moscow, it wasn't a rogue mission.  It was okayed from the very top, according to a report reviewed by The Beast.  —  Betsy Woodruff

Hartsfield-Jackson security lines more than an hour long amid federal shutdown  —  Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport stretched more than an hour long Monday morning, causing travelers to miss flights amid the partial federal shutdown.

Democrats Want to Run on Issues in 2020.  But Does Beating Trump Matter Most?  —  WASHINGTON — Medicare for All.  A federal jobs guarantee.  The “Green New Deal.”  No Super PAC money.  No mass deportations.  —  And, of course, a candidate who can beat President Trump — right?

Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib photographed with pro-Hezbollah activist who says Israel has no right to exist  —  Freshman Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., was photographed with a Palestinian activist who praised the terrorist group Hezbollah, said Israel did not have the right to exist …

'A 10 isn't enough': This UCLA gymnast's flawless floor routine just broke the Internet  —  As the first strains of Tina Turner's “Proud Mary” filled the Anaheim Arena on Saturday, Katelyn Ohashi came alive.  —  As she executed a quick body roll with a giant smile plastered across her face …

Theresa May urges MPs to back Brexit deal 'for country's sake'  —  Theresa May has urged MPs to back her Brexit deal “for the country's sake” as Tuesday's Commons vote looms closer.  —  She warned of “paralysis in Parliament” if the deal is rejected and said trust in politics would suffer …

Pentagon Officials Fear Bolton's Actions Increase Risk of Clash With Iran  —  WASHINGTON — Senior Pentagon officials are voicing deepening fears that President Trump's hawkish national security adviser, John R. Bolton, could precipitate a conflict with Iran at a time when Mr. Trump …

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the voice of an ignorant generation  —  The majority of American Millennials identify as socialist, according to surveys by both Reason-Rupe and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.  That's the bad news.  The good news is that just 32 percent of Millennials can define socialism.

Tulsi Gabbard once touted working for anti-gay group that backed conversion therapy  —  (CNN)Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the early 2000s touted working for her father's anti-gay organization, which mobilized to pass a measure against same-sex marriage in Hawaii and promoted controversial conversion therapy.

Scoop: Trump dressed down Mulvaney in front of congressional leaders  —  President Trump chastised his new chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, over his handling of shutdown talks, creating an awkward scene in front of congressional leaders of both parties, according to two sources who were present.

The Unmanning of Conservatism  —  In Trump's view of masculinity, cheap shots replace bravery and hostility replaces honor.  —  Donald Trump wants everyone to know that he's a tough guy.  In 2017, the congressional candidate Greg Gianforte “body-slammed” the Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs …

Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono deserve scorn for effort to establish an anti-Catholic religious test  —  Sen. Kamala Harris is running for president in a very crowded field.  Maybe the need to distinguish herself drove her to take the lead on anti-Catholicism.

Republican Party is mired in the 1950s and ignores today's America at its peril  —  Republicans need to break their own self-made mold of being naysayers instead of doers.  It means designing solutions that actually solve problems.  —  CONNECT  —  It's a new year and almost two decades …

Trump: 'I'm not looking to' declare national emergency over border fight  —  President Donald Trump on Monday appeared to rule out — at least for now — declaring a national emergency to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, setting aside one of the White House's leading options for ending the 24-day partial government shutdown.

Here are 18 reasons Trump could be a Russian asset  —  On Friday, the New York Times reported that “in the days after President Trump fired James B. Comey as F.B.I. director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the president's behavior that they began investigating whether …

LAUSD teachers go on strike for the first time in 30 years  —  Los Angeles teachers braved cold, drizzly weather Monday morning as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years to demand smaller class sizes, more support staff at schools and better pay.

First snowstorm of 2019 packs a wallop: How much snow fell and how it happened  —  The long-duration storm dumped 6 to 12 inches, enough to set some records  —  This was not a heavy snowstorm of typical origin — not a nor'easter, which most often delivers the memorable snow events such as …

Compelled to work without pay, federal employees sue Trump, accusing him of violating 13th Amendment  —  A group of federal employees working without pay during the partial government shutdown are likening the predicament to involuntary servitude in a lawsuit filed last week …

Most Americans Hold Trump Responsible For Government Shutdown, New Polls Show  —  The latest surveys find the public increasingly concerned about the standoff and unhappy with everyone in Washington.  —  Most Americans hold President Donald Trump responsible for the partial government shutdown …

World-Renowned Scientific University Quietly Untangles Itself From Russian Billionaire  —  Nine years ago, Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg was welcomed with open arms by U.S. companies, universities, and even the government.  —  Washington's relations with Moscow were being reset …

Middle East Strategy?  What Middle East Strategy?  —  To Michael Doran, the administration's many statements and actions concerning the Middle East reflect a “coherent vision.”  If true—which is doubtful—it's the wrong vision.  —  In his new essay in Mosaic, Michael Doran …