Trump Thought Firing Flynn Would End ‘Russia Thing,’ Chris Christie Writes in Book  —  President Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, believed that the “Russia thing” would end as a side effect from the firing of the national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn …

Kamala Harris emerges as a 2020 front-runner, but is that a good thing? … Even before Kamala Harris' campaign launch in Oakland on Sunday, her nascent 2020 bid had already hit full gallop — a star turn on “Good Morning America,” a self-reported seven-figure fundraising milestone, a friendly reception in a key primary state.

Howard Schultz knows some Dems are going to hate him  —  Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz tells Axios he's “unfazed” by the online trashing from Democrats who think that by running for president as an independent, he could split the anti-Trump vote and re-elect the president.

Hiding Out With Randy Credico, the Stand-Up Comic Who Could Help Put Roger Stone in Prison  —  It is the Wednesday after the midterms, and comedian and longtime New York political stuntman Randy Credico is smoking an e-cigarette at the Friars Club bar, expounding on his theory that the president …

Treasury Dept. Lifts Sanctions on Russian Oligarch's Companies  —  The Trump administration on Sunday lifted sanctions against the business empire of Oleg V. Deripaska, one of Russia's most influential oligarchs.  —  Congressional Democrats had tried to block the move this month …

U.S. and Taliban Agree in Principle to Peace Framework, Envoy Says  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — American and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the framework of a peace deal in which the insurgents guarantee to prevent Afghan territory from being used by terrorists …

Congressional leaders point fingers after shutdown deal  —  Leaders differ on immigration deal details but both sides say they would like to see find ways to avoid future shutdowns.  —  WASHINGTON — With the clock ticking on the temporary deal that reopened the government …

We demand BuzzFeed pay out earned paid time off to its recently laid-off employees.  —  To Jonah Peretti, Lenke Taylor, and Ben Smith:  —  We are the BuzzFeed News Staff Council, a group of employees appointed to open up the lines of communication between News employees and company management.

Wall Street freaks out about 2020  —  NEW YORK — Top Wall Street executives would love to be rid of President Donald Trump.  But they are getting panicked about the prospect of an ultraliberal Democratic nominee bent on raising taxes and slapping regulations on their firms.

Elite Law Firm's All-White Partner Class Stirs Debate on Diversity  —  The post appeared on LinkedIn in early December: Paul, Weiss, one of the country's most prominent and profitable law firms, said it was “pleased to announce” its new partner class.  —  In the image, 12 lawyers looked out at the world, grinning.

Inside Trump's decision to end the shutdown  —  On Friday morning, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney convened a small group of aides in his office to discuss their options to end the government shutdown.  There weren't many.  The previous day, Trump had been embarrassed …

The Fleecing of Millennials  —  Their incomes are flat.  Their wealth is down.  And Washington is aggravating future threats.  —  For Americans under the age of 40, the 21st century has resembled one long recession.  —  I realize that may sound like an exaggeration, given that the economy has now been growing for almost a decade.

Post-shutdown negotiations look brutal for Trump  —  Lawmakers in both parties are skeptical about President Trump's chances of securing funding for his wall on the Mexican border after a 35-day partial government shutdown that bruised the White House's political standing.

Scoop: Trump mused about “military option” in Venezuela with Graham  —  Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told me that as recently as a couple of weeks ago Trump mused to him about the possibility of using military force in Venezuela, where the U.S. government is currently pushing for regime change using diplomatic and economic pressures.

‘Want to see the Lincoln bedroom?’:  Trump relishes role as White House tour guide  —  When President Trump brings senators, New York friends or other guests to the Oval Office, he occasionally opens a door near his desk summoning guests to follow.  Flashing a grin, he wants his friends …

Venezuelan Spring  —  The people are destitute, angry and tired of socialism.  They want it to end.  —  The latest Venezuelan effort to topple dictator Nicolás Maduro is a pivotal moment in Latin American history, as the international community is acknowledging.

Lawmakers to Debate Border, Immigration as Next Shutdown Threat Looms  —  The president in an interview says he doubts lawmakers will find a resolution in coming weeks  —  WASHINGTON—President Trump said Sunday he doesn't believe congressional negotiators will strike a deal over border-wall funding …

Another Side of #MeToo: Male Managers Fearful of Mentoring Women  —  DAVOS, Switzerland — Men attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this year were worried about a lot of things.  A global economic slowdown.  Threats to cybersecurity.  Populism.  War.

AP-NORC poll: Most Americans oppose Trump's foreign policy  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of Americans disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling U.S. foreign policy and about half think the country's global standing will deteriorate during the next year …

Pence, Ivanka, Kushner no-show as Mattis gets standing ovation at elite DC dinner  —  Trump blasts Mattis: What's he done for me?  —  Washington (CNN)Former Defense Secretary James Mattis received a standing ovation Saturday at the annual black-tie Alfalfa Club dinner after delivering …