Sen. Rick Scott after viewing brutal new videos: ‘This is a complete waste of time’  —  Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told reporters after viewing the explicit videos of the attack on the Capitol the Senate trial is a “complete waste of time.”  —  “I'm disgusted that, you know …

Exclusive: Dozens of former Republican officials in talks to form anti-Trump third party  —  (Reuters) - Dozens of former Republican officials, who view the party as unwilling to stand up to former President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine U.S. democracy, are in talks to form …

Lucasfilm, UTA Drop ‘Mandalorian’ Star Gina Carano Following Offensive Social Media Posts … Gina Carano is “not currently employed by Lucasfilm,” the company said in a statement Wednesday after controversy erupted over “The Mandalorian” star's social media posts.  UTA has also dropped her as a client, Variety has confirmed.

Springsteen blew 0.02 - quarter of legal limit, source says  —  Kathleen Hopkins Ken SerranoAsbury Park Press  —  New Jersey rock icon Bruce Springsteen's blood-alcohol content was .02 - just a quarter of New Jersey's legal limit - when he was arrested on Sandy Hook in November and charged …

Houston Doctor Fired for Giving Away Doses of Covid Vaccine  —  Ten doses of the Covid-19 vaccine would expire within hours, so a Houston doctor gave it to people with medical conditions, including his wife.  What followed was “the lowest moment in my life,” Dr. Hasan Gokal said.

Cruz: Actually, It Is Constitutional to Impeach and Convict a Former President  —  On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted on the constitutional question of whether an impeachment trial may be held for Donald Trump now that he is out of office.  Six Republicans joined all 50 Democrats in answering that question in the affirmative.

There Is No Defense—Only Complicity  —  To understand what was at issue in the impeachment proceedings today, it helps to look at a video released yesterday by Senator Marco Rubio.  —  Few Republican officials have more reason to hate former President Donald Trump than the defeated rival Trump so memorably nicknamed “Liddle Marco.”

Trump Justice Department Sought to Block Search of Giuliani Records  —  Manhattan prosecutors had been prepared to seek a search warrant for electronic records related to powerful Ukrainians who had helped Rudolph Giuliani dig for dirt on the Biden family.  —  In the final months …

Former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel claims 2020 election was ‘stolen from President Trump’  —  In announcing bid for U.S. Senate, Mandel also criticized Gov. Mike DeWine's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.  —  CLEVELAND — Former two-term Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel become the first Republican …

Sen. Cassidy's impeachment trial vote shows he might want to be a bipartisan dealmaker  —  Sen. Bill Cassidy has been signaling for a few months that he wants to be a more independent force.  After the November elections, in which the Louisiana Republican easily won a second term …

RIP @neeratanden  —  Welcome to POLITICO's 2021 Transition Playbook, your guide to the first 100 days of the Biden administration  —  It's the end of an era.  —  Since the 2016 Democratic primary, NEERA TANDEN, JOE BIDEN's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget …

Larry Flynt, Who Built a Porn Empire With Hustler, Dies at 78  —  As the publisher of a notorious sexually explicit magazine, he found himself at the nexus of a cultural and legal war and became an unlikely free-speech hero.  —  Larry Flynt, a ninth-grade dropout who built a $400 million empire …

Biden raises concerns with Chinese president in first official phone call  —  WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping by phone Wednesday evening for the first time since he took office, the White House said.  —  The White House said in a statement that Biden raised …

Masks should fit better, or be doubled up to protect against coronavirus variants, CDC says  —  Making the seals tighter to prevent leakage can reduce people's exposure by more than 95 percent in laboratory tests.  —  PLEASE NOTE  —  The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free.

Brad Parscale is back again in Trump's orbit.  The former 2020 campaign manager hated by the ex-president is building his post-White House digital operation. … - Brad Parscale is back working for Trump designing his post-presidency digital operation.  — No one informed Trump …

Trump Sneers at Searing Videos of MAGA Mob: ‘Massive Drop-Off in Quality’  —  JUST GREAT  —  As former President Donald Trump watched his Senate trial on TV from afar in Florida, he was, predictably, unmoved by the Senate impeachment trial's display of previously unreleased security footage of the Jan. 6 MAGA riot.

Georgia Prosecutors Open Criminal Inquiry Into Trump's Efforts to Subvert Election  —  State officials are being instructed to preserve documents related to “attempts to influence” the Georgia election, just weeks after former President Donald J. Trump asked an official to “find” votes.

Scoop: Biden considering Lisa Cook for open Fed seat  —  President Biden is considering nominating Lisa Cook, an economist at Michigan State University, to fill an open seat on the Federal Reserve Board, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.  —  Why it matters: The appointment would be historic …

Mike Shirkey caught in hot mic moment, says he stands by points on Capitol attack ‘hoax’  —  LANSING — Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, opened the floor session of the Michigan Senate on Wednesday morning with a prayer.  He spoke of seeking unity, working together and looking to God when people “get off track.”

The Killing of George Floyd Tore Minneapolis Apart.  Now Comes the Trial.  —  As attorney general, William P. Barr rejected a plea deal days after Mr. Floyd died, worried protesters would view it as lenient.  Derek Chauvin had agreed to plead guilty to third-degree murder.