Justice Dept. Investigating Years-Old Leaks and Appears Focused on Comey  —  An inquiry into years-old disclosures of classified information is highly unusual and leaves law enforcement officials open to accusations of politicizing their work.  —  WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors in Washington …

FBI visits Robert Hyde's home and office after he's swept into Ukraine scheme  —  Impeachment investigators released texts earlier this week suggesting Hyde was tracking the movements of the then-U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.  —  The FBI paid a visit to Republican congressional candidate …

GOP senator's vicious outburst shows the corruption of Trump's defenders  —  If you were a United States senator who just snapped angrily at a reporter for politely asking whether compelling new information about a matter of great import to the nation was weighing on your understanding …

F.B.I. Arrests Suspected Members of Neo-Nazi Group Before Virginia Gun Rally  —  The three men had obtained guns and discussed traveling to Virginia for protests against new gun control measures, officials said.  —  WASHINGTON — The F.B.I. has arrested three men suspected of being members …

White House hold on Ukraine aid violated federal law, congressional watchdog says  —  The White House violated federal law in its hold on security aid to Ukraine last year, according to a decision by a congressional watchdog released on Thursday and reviewed by The Washington Post.

A Meticulous Account of Trump's Tenure Reads Like a Comic Horror Story  —  The essence of irony, Henry Fowler wrote in “A Dictionary of Modern English Usage,” is that it “postulates a double audience” — one that's in on the joke, and another that isn't.  The title of Philip Rucker …

Bernie ‘will play dirty’: Ex-Vermont governor slams Sanders  —  A former Vermont governor and ex-chair of the Democratic Governors Association is taking aim at Bernie Sanders and his campaign, accusing the senator of trying to “Hillarize” Elizabeth Warren.  —  In an interview with POLITICO …

Inside Jared Kushner's Unusual White House Role  —  Jared Kushner's White House office is a shrine to his own influence.  Gold-framed accolades from his father-in-law hang on the walls, written in thick black Sharpie in President Donald Trump's spiky hand.  To Jared, Great job on Mexico.

Exclusive: Rep. Ayanna Pressley Reveals Beautiful Bald Head and Discusses Alopecia for the First Time  —  We'd like to have A Word with you.  In The Root's op-ed video series, thought leaders across various disciplines give their perspectives on the important issues you should know about.

Trump to underline his support for school prayer as he courts evangelicals  —  States will be required to report instances in which the right to pray has been denied in public schools under new guidance on religious freedom rolled out Thursday by the administration, as President Donald Trump works …

This Trump Supreme Court Short-Lister Says God Can Instruct Juries on Guilt and Innocence  —  Judge William Pryor of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a jurist from Alabama with a long record in law enforcement, has twice now been high on President Donald Trump's short list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

D.C. Fire Department recruits might be making “white power” hand gesture in photo  —  Washington — A photo of fire department recruits possibly using a racist hand gesture is being investigated by District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services.  CBS Washington, D.C. affiliate WUSA-TV reports …

‘The View’ Has a Meghan McCain Problem  —  The daytime co-hosts' heated bipartisan debates are played down as disagreement among friends.  But the strain for “civility” is tiring.  —  Ms. Ibrahim is a culture writer and reporter.  —  During an episode of “The View” earlier this month …

“It's Quite an Upheaval”: In an Ongoing Makeover of the Times Opinion Babel, the Old Editorial Voice of God Is Being Rationed  —  Even as controversies (Bret Stephens) explode like bombs, Opinion chief James Bennet, the second-most powerful journalist at the Times, pursues his cacophonous plans.

For people, policy and Colorado politics  —  With committee hearings yet to start, the biggest action at the state Capitol this week - so far, at least - was outside the building.  Homeless people who'd erected tents less than a block away were required by the city to pack up and move Wednesday morning.

Finally.  The Feds — including ICE — appear to be investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar.  —  At least three departments are reviewing what could be the worst-ever crime spree by an elected US official  —  On Oct. 30, I reported that the Department of Justice had assigned an FBI Special Agent in Charge …

Impeachment Trial Set to Put Vulnerable Senate Republicans in a Familiar Bind  —  Voters continued to sour on some, as Trump's unpopularity threatens to drag them further  —  Getty Images / Morning Consult Illustration by Vladimir Gorshkov  — With a 52 percent disapproval rating …

EXCLUSIVE: Jeffrey Epstein had burst capillaries in his eyeballs after he died which pathologist tells Dr. Oz suggests he was STRANGLED and did not hang himself  — Dr. Baden shared never-before-seen photos of Epstein's eyeballs and the burst capillaries in his eye sockets

‘Like Hitler:’ Flint councilman insults council president, does Nazi salute  —  A Flint councilman referred to the council president as “Hitler” and gave a Nazi salute during a contentious meeting Tuesday.  —  Councilman Eric Mays and President Monica Galloway had been clashing at various points when …

Former mayor of South Bend, Ind.  —  The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values.  —  This interview was conducted by the editorial board of The New York Times, which will announce its Democratic primary endorsement on Jan. 19.