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.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is going to Canada for surgery  —  Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, one of the fiercest political critics of socialized medicine, will travel to Canada later this month to get hernia surgery.  —  Paul, an ophthalmologist, said the operation is related to an injury in 2017 when his neighbor …

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.

Bernie Sanders staffs up for 2020  —  Bernie Sanders is adding firepower to his political team ahead of a potential 2020 campaign, locking down digital alumni who were key to his surprise performance in 2016 and recruiting the media production company that helped launch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to prominence.

'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 …

U.S. ambassador in Berlin warns Germans about Russian gas pipeline, triggering applause elsewhere  —  American ire over German reliance on Russian natural gas imports shows no signs of letting up, and over the weekend, Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador in Berlin, issued a warning …

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 …

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.

Attorney General nominee says Mueller should be allowed to finish report  —  Washington (CNN)Attorney General nominee William Barr said that, if confirmed, he would let special counsel Robert Mueller finish his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and believes the results should be made public.

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 …

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.

Manhattan DA Vance alone among city's district attorneys in referring defendants to ICE  —  When Justo Santos beat a murder charge in 2014, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance wasn't done with him — he referred Santos to ICE for possible deportation.  —  The move, which Vance says is appropriate under …

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 …

Worse than you thought: inside the secret Fitzgerald probe the Navy doesn't want you to read  —  A scathing internal Navy probe into the 2017 collision that drowned seven sailors on the guided-missile destroyer Fitzgerald details a far longer list of problems plaguing the vessel …

Immigration loophole allows MS-13 gang members to go free  —  If the Trump administration had its way, Ramon Arevalo Lopez and Oscar Canales Molina would have been either in detention or deported.  —  Instead, they were out on the streets — thanks to judges' orders — where, according to police …

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 …

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 …

What's the Difference Between Steve King and Donald Trump?  —  The Republican Party is doing a little soul searching.  Last week, Representative Steve King of Iowa drew harsh rebukes from some members of his party for his defenses of white nationalism and white supremacy.

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 …

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.

2020 Republican Primary Power Rankings  —  Get ready for the Trump primary!  —  Since 1964, nine sitting presidents have stood for re-election.  —  Five of them were challenged in the primaries.  —  If 2020 obeys the normal rules of political physics, President Trump will face a primary challenger.

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?