First on CNN: Trump's impeachment defense team leaves less than two weeks before trial  —  (CNN)Former President Donald Trump's five impeachment defense attorneys have left a little more than a week before his trial is set to begin, according to people familiar with the case, amid a disagreement over his legal strategy.

21 Men Accuse Lincoln Project Co-Founder of Online Harassment  —  John Weaver, a longtime G.O.P. operative who advised John McCain and John Kasich, made sexual overtures to young men, sometimes offering to help them get work in politics.  —  John Weaver, a longtime Republican strategist …

GOP Rep. Kinzinger to start new PAC to challenge party's embrace of Trump  —  Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of 10 Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump earlier this month, has launched a new leadership political action committee that is designed to become a financial engine to challenge …

Russia arrests 3,300 during wide protests backing Navalny  —  MOSCOW (AP) — Chanting slogans against President Vladimir Putin, tens of thousands took to the streets Sunday across Russia's vast expanse to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, keeping up the nationwide protests that have rattled the Kremlin.

Democrats are faced with a choice.  Protect the filibuster or protect democracy.  —  The Democrats can use their House and Senate majorities to reform our politics, guarantee voting rights and enhance our democracy.  Or they can surrender to an anti-majoritarian, money-dominated system …

So you're being held accountable?  That's not ‘cancel culture.’  —  According to the Washington Examiner's Eddie Scarry, nothing less than a “social justice mob” descended on Politico after it gave a guest-editing slot to right-wing flamethrower Ben Shapiro.

Dodger Stadium's COVID-19 vaccination site temporarily shut down after protesters gather at entrance  —  Dodger Stadium's mass COVID-19 vaccination site was temporarily shut down Saturday afternoon when about 50 protesters gathered at the entrance, frustrating hundreds of motorists who had been waiting in line for hours.

Trump officials actively lobbied to deny states money for vaccine rollout last fall  —  WASHINGTON — Top Trump officials actively lobbied Congress to deny state governments any extra funding for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout last fall — despite frantic warnings from state officials …

As Virus Variants Spread, ‘No One Is Safe Until Everyone Is Safe’  —  Rich countries are cornering the market on coronavirus vaccines, leaving poorer regions as potential breeding grounds for variants, like one found in South Africa, that could make vaccines less effective.

Ghosts of 2009 Drive Democrats' Push for Robust Crisis Response  —  In their quest for Republican backing, Democrats say they missed opportunities in 2009 for a stronger response to the Great Recession.  They're determined not to repeat the mistake.  —  WASHINGTON — Democrats are haunted …

Melvin Capital Lost 53% in January, Hurt by GameStop and Other Bets  —  Citadel, its partners and Point72 took losses from their investment in the hedge fund  —  Melvin Capital Management, the hedge fund that has borne the brunt of losses from the soaring stock prices of heavily shorted stocks recently …

Trump Raised $255.4 Million in 8 Weeks as He Sought to Overturn Election Result  —  The former president's fund-raising slowed significantly after the Electoral College delivered its votes to make Joseph R. Biden Jr. the 46th president.  —  President Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party …

All the Lies They Told Us About the Filibuster  —  On July 28, 2017, John McCain held the fate of the Affordable Care Act in his hands as he headed to the Senate well to cast what everybody expected would be the decisive 50th vote to repeal the most ambitious piece of social legislation that had been enacted since the Great Society.

Mossad head says IDF chief ‘irresponsible’ for panning US Iran nuclear policy  —  The head of the Mossad spy agency has reportedly panned as “irresponsible” a controversial speech by IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi last week during which he disparaged the Biden administration's policy on Iran's nuclear program.