Trump to return to Washington early ahead of Republican plan to disrupt certification of Biden's win  —  (CNN)President Donald Trump is expected to return to Washington earlier than anticipated ahead of a planned disruption by Republicans when Congress meets next week to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win.

The GOP Just Let Democrats Have Their Stimulus and Campaign On It Too  —  Next week, voters in Georgia will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate in 2021 — and thus, quite plausibly, the future of macroeconomic, climate, and health-care policy in the United States.

Shots are slow to reach arms as Trump administration leaves final steps of mass vaccination to beleaguered states  —  Federal and state officials say the pace will soon accelerate, but the logistical challenges are also expected to intensify in the new year  —  In suburban Milwaukee …

Scoop: Trump administration declassifies unconfirmed intel on Chinese bounties  —  The Trump administration is declassifying as-yet uncorroborated intelligence, recently briefed to President Trump, that indicates China offered to pay non-state actors in Afghanistan to attack American soldiers …

Secret Service to make changes to presidential detail to bring on agents who worked with Biden  —  The Secret Service is making some staff changes in the presidential detail that will guard President-elect Joe Biden, amid concerns from Biden allies that some current members were politically aligned …

Walmart apologizes to Hawley after calling him a sore loser  —  An exchange of sharp words followed the Missouri senator's vow to challenge President-elect Joe Biden's electoral victory.  —  Sen. Josh Hawley speaks on Dec. 16, 2020.  Greg Nash/Pool via AP

Census Bureau to miss deadline, jeopardizing Trump plan  —  The Census Bureau plans to announce it will miss a year-end deadline for handing in numbers used for divvying up congressional seats, a census official said.  That delay could undermine President Donald Trump's efforts to exclude people …

Dr. Drew reveals COVID-19 diagnosis months after apologizing for downplaying coronavirus  —  Celebrity doctor Drew Pinsky has tested positive for COVID-19.  Pinsky, known as “Dr. Drew,” is “under surveillance” according to a message shared on his Instagram account.

Feds probing if Nashville bomber believed in lizard people conspiracy  —  Investigators are exploring several conspiracy theories as potential motives behind the Christmas Day bombing outside an AT&T building in Nashville, including evidence that the bomber believed in lizard people …

Biden's Team Tells Senate Democrats To Send Him Judicial Nominees ASAP  —  The president-elect wants recommendations for all existing district court vacancies by Jan. 19, says his incoming White House counsel.  —  President-elect Joe Biden is signaling that he's ready to move quickly with nominating judges once he's sworn into office.

US defense officials divided over potential for Iranian attack on eve of grim anniversary  —  Washington (CNN)The US flew nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Middle East Wednesday in the latest show of force meant to deter Iran, as defense officials remain divided over the risk posed by the regime …

Alden Global Seeks to Buy Tribune Publishing  —  Hedge fund already owns 32% of the Chicago Tribune publisher  —  A hedge fund that owns a big stake in Tribune Publishing Co. is seeking to buy the newspaper chain behind titles including the Chicago Tribune and New York Daily News, according to people familiar with the matter.

McConnell says push for $2,000 stimulus checks has “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate”  —  The Senate leader said the measure would be too costly, would not be targeted towards needy, and help families that are living comfortably.  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) …

Trump's parting gift to dictators solidifies his authoritarian legacy  —  Throughout his turbulent presidency, President Trump has been erratic and unpredictable.  But in one realm, he has been consistent: supporting bloodthirsty despots who abuse, torture and kill their own people.

GOP Gov Cancels Inaugural Ceremony Over Armed Protesters Outside His Home  —  New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) on Wednesday announced that he is canceling his outdoor inauguration ceremony next month, citing “ongoing public safety concerns” over armed protesters who have gathered outside …

America's Vaccine Rollout Is Already a Disaster  —  It's happening all over again.  For months, Americans who despaired about the country's coronavirus-suppression efforts looked desperately to the arrival of a vaccine for a kind of pandemic deliverance.  Now that it has arrived …

On January 6, we learn whether our Constitution will hold  —  And whether congressional Republicans care  —  January 6 is the day we learn whether our Constitution will hold and whether congressional Republicans care.  —  The 2020 presidential election was, in several targeted battleground states …

Biden Pick For Top Pentagon Post Pushed Trump-Russia Conspiracy Theory, Touted Steele Dossier  —  Colin Kahl, who President-elect Joe Biden announced Wednesday will serve in a top Pentagon position, pushed the now-debunked conspiracy theory that the Trump campaign conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election.