Activists and Ex-Spy Said to Have Plotted to Discredit Trump ‘Enemies’ in Government  —  The campaign included planned operations against President Trump's national security adviser at the time, H.R. McMaster, and F.B.I. employees, according to documents and interviews.

Vaccinated Americans now may go without masks in most places, the C.D.C. said.  —  In a sharp turnabout from previous recommendations, federal health officials on Thursday advised that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance …

Colonial Pipeline Paid Hackers Nearly $5 Million in Ransom  — Payment came shortly after attack got underway last week  — FBI discourages organizations from paying ransom to hackers  —  Colonial Pipeline Co. paid nearly $5 million to Eastern European hackers on Friday …

Israel begins firing artillery and tank shells into Gaza  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has begun firing artillery and tank shells into Gaza, and scores of families are fleeing their homes, Palestinian witnesses in the Gaza Strip said Thursday.  —  The use of artillery fire marks …

Rep. Greene aggressively confronts Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, causing New York congresswoman to raise security concerns  —  Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene aggressively confronted Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday and falsely accused her of supporting “terrorists,” …

'I Probably Won't Ever Speak to Her Again'  —  Rep. Elise Stefanik's path to House Republican leadership.  —  8 hr ago  —  When the Harvard Institute of Politics decided after January 6 to boot Rep. Elise Stefanik from its Senior Advisory Committee, it likely hurt the 36-year-old Republican more than she publicly let on.

Body-cam footage shows Capitol rioter celebrating as D.C. cop is beaten and Tasered: ‘I got one!’  —  Surrounded by rioters who had dragged him down the U.S. Capitol steps, beaten him and Tasered him, D.C. police officer Michael Fanone screamed in pain.  —  “I got one!” one of the rioters yelled triumphantly.

Gaetz associate signals he will plead guilty in federal case, a worrisome development for the congressman  —  A Florida politician who is central to the investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz for possible sex trafficking of a minor signaled Thursday that he will plead guilty in his own federal case …

Rebekah Jones, the COVID Whistleblower Who Wasn't  —  The former dashboard manager alleges a vast data conspiracy in Florida; not a word of it is true.  —  This is a story about Rebekah Jones, a former dashboard manager at the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), who has single-handedly managed …

The GOP has lost its way.  Fellow Americans, join our new alliance. … The Republican Party made a grievous error this week in ousting Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) from the House leadership for telling the truth about Donald Trump's “big lie,” which has wreaked havoc in our democratic republic by casting doubt over the 2020 election.

Prosecutors Seek Cooperation of Trump Confidante, Subpoena Manhattan Private School  —  Officials examine tuition payments for the grandchildren of Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg  —  New York prosecutors have subpoenaed a Manhattan private school as they seek the cooperation …

Leaked Video: Dark Money Group Brags About Writing GOP Voter Suppression Bills Across the Country  —  In a private meeting last month with big-money donors, the head of a top conservative group boasted that her outfit had crafted the new voter suppression law in Georgia and was doing the same …

Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Officer Arrested for Assault on Federal Law Enforcement Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach  —  Defendant, Stationed in Virginia, Defied, Pushed and Resisted Capitol Police to Help Other Rioters Break into the U.S. Capitol  —  Note: A full copy of the charging documents can be viewed here.

President of Key Teachers' Union Shares Plea: ‘Schools Must Be Open’ in Fall  —  About half the nation's schools are not fully open despite rising vaccination levels, and teachers' unions are getting much of the blame.  Randi Weingarten hopes to carve a path forward.

Is Brett Kavanaugh Out for Revenge?  —  The suburban gentry of Chevy Chase, Maryland, had some difficulty making sense of Brett Kavanaugh's descent into villainy that fall.  He had always seemed so nice and nonthreatening to his neighbors, so normal—the khaki-clad carpool dad who coached …

Former Staffer Sues US Congressman Alleging ‘Reckless’ Approach to COVID-19  —  A former staffer is suing U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), accusing the congressman of taking a “reckless” approach to COVID-19, exposing his staff and himself to the virus.  —  The suit alleges …

Joe Manchin's surprisingly bold proposal to fix America's voting rights problem  —  Manchin's idea won't fix America's democracy, but it could solve some pretty significant problems.  —  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has been an endless source of frustration for his fellow Democrats.

Company: Ex-Trump lawyer raiding nonprofit for personal use  —  Former Trump attorney and self-proclaimed “Kraken releaser” Sidney Powell has told prospective donors that her group, Defending the Republic, is a legal defense fund to protect the integrity of U.S. elections.

You Won't Believe How Trevor Noah Spins Hamas' Assault on Israel  —  The far-left host embraces the ‘both sides’ canard in the very worst way possible … Trevor Noah's moral compass took an odd spin this week.  —  The “Daily Show” host addressed the latest round of violence in the Middle East with neither humor nor insight.

Be Worried  —  New polling suggests it's growing likely Republicans will retake the House in 2022.  —  Scott Rasmussen—the real Scott Rasmussen, whom you can follow here, not the people who run his old firm, Rasmussen Reports—has a new poll.  On the generic ballot, 41 percent …

Most states have reopened.  Here's where new COVID outbreaks happened.  —  Health experts say the data can help with future pandemic planning.  —  States across US ease COVID-19 restrictions … Bars, gyms and restaurants.  Those were just a few settings health experts warned …

New York Yankees Somehow Have 8 COVID Cases in Vaccinated Staff  —  So far in their lukewarm start to the season, the New York Yankees have 19 wins, 16 losses, and eight confirmed coronavirus cases among vaccinated members of their coaching and support staff.

Trump-Biden Was Worst Presidential Polling Miss in 40 Years, Panel Says  —  Surveys overstated Democrats' support up and down the ballot, as some voters were less inclined to participate in polls  —  Public opinion surveys ahead of the 2020 presidential election were the most inaccurate in 40 years …

Live Updates: New York City Mayoral Candidates Prepare For First Debate  —  Tonight's debate will be virtual.  Who has the best video call setup?  —  In a mayoral race all but defined by video call appearances and digital forums, the first official Democratic primary debate will be no exception.

NBC's khaki-wearing data king Steve Kornacki will spread his wings in a new deal  —  NBC News and MSNBC political correspondent Steve Kornacki had only slept for a few hours in the five days between Election Day and the afternoon of Nov. 7 when the board with his electoral vote map showed Joe Biden winning the presidency.