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.

‘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 …

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 …

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 …

Midway through first term, Trump is not meeting the public's modest expectations for his job performance, poll finds  —  In his first two years in office, President Trump has largely underperformed the even modest expectations that Americans had for him as he took office in January 2017, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.

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.

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 …

Trump Goes After Fox News: ‘Even Less Understanding’ of Wall than ‘Fake News CNN and MSNBC’  —  President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to take a rare jab at Fox News.  —  “Never thought I'd say this but I think @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner @FoxNews have even less understanding …

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.

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.

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 …

‘Mean as a Snake’: When President Trump Met the Real Mitch McConnell  —  It's nearly impossible to have a conversation while waiting on the president to make an appearance.  Instead, everyone steals glances at the closed door, waiting for it to open, and converses in short …

It's time to blow up the bureaucracy that's killing America … For decades now, Americans have slogged through a rising tide of idiocies.  Getting a permit to do something useful, say, open a restaurant or fix a bridge, can take years.  Small businesses get nicked for noncompliance of rules they didn't know.

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 …

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 …

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.