McConnell aims to boost U.S. Republican vaccination rate by countering ‘bad advice’  —  U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell blamed misinformation for the low rates of COVID-19 vaccination among Americans, which are fueling a rise in coronavirus cases, particularly in Republican-dominated states.

Our democracy is under attack.  Washington journalists must stop covering it like politics as usual.  —  Back in the dark ages of 2012, two think-tank scholars, Norman Ornstein and Thomas Mann, wrote a book called “It's Even Worse Than It Looks” about the rise of Republican Party extremism and its dire effect on American democracy.

A Confusing Message  —  The C.D.C. recommends indoor masking for the vaccinated, but only in some places.  —  The C.D.C. has both a polarization problem and a communication problem.  —  Let's start with the polarization problem: The parts of the country that would benefit most from a new crackdown …

The CDC's Unforced Error  —  On the menu today: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Biden administration make a critical error by recommending vaccinated Americans put on the masks again; sorting through who's still not vaccinated and why; figuring out Simone Biles's early withdrawal …

The New Moral Code of America's Elite  —  Every striver who ever slipped the rank of their birth to ascend to a higher order has shared the capacity to ingratiate themselves with their betters.  What the truly exceptional ones have in common is the ability to connect not only with their superiors …

Trump-backed candidate loses in Texas special election  —  Voters in North Texas delivered an upset Tuesday, picking GOP state Rep. Jake Ellzey to fill a vacant House seat over a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump.  —  Ellzey beat fellow Republican Susan Wright …

Who's Behind Dallas Justice Now's 'Don't Send White Kids to Ivy League' Controversy?  —  As soon as Casie Tomlin found the FedEx envelope in her mailbox, she knew something looked fishy.  Inside, a flyer from a group called Dallas Justice Now urged parents in Dallas' wealthy — and largely white …

DOJ fires warning shot against ‘unusual’ post-election ballot reviews  —  The Justice Department on Wednesday issued another warning aimed at states conducting or considering audits of ballots tallied in last year's election, reminding election authorities that allowing ballots to be mishandled can violate federal law.

Least persuadable unvaccinated Americans are largely white and Republican  —  Parents are heavily resistant to the vaccine.

GOP Rep. Clyde stands by comparison of Jan. 6 mob to ‘tourists’ when pressed by Democratic Rep. Raskin  —  Rep. Andrew S. Clyde (R-Ga.), who infamously compared the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to “a normal tourist visit,” steadfastly stood by his contention Tuesday night during …

Jared Kushner to leave politics, launch investment firm - sources  —  Jared Kushner, a top adviser to former President Donald Trump, plans to launch an investment firm in coming months, a move that will take him away from politics for the foreseeable future, sources familiar with the plan said on Wednesday.

The intellectual right contemplates an ‘American Caesar’  —  Jan. 6 was a badly planned rehearsal for the real deal  —  How does ideological change happen?  Why do certain political ideas and possibilities that appear outrageous and even unthinkable at one moment in history come to be considered options worth taking seriously?

Pelosi: McCarthy a ‘moron’ for opposing mask mandate  —  Tensions between the party leaders in the House rolled to a boil on Wednesday when Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called her Republican counterpart, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), a “moron” for his opposition to wearing masks in the House.

'He's a Great Guy': Trump's Favored Aide Has Troubled Past  —  “Max Miller,” said Donald Trump.  —  “You know Max?”  —  The former president stood behind the microphone at the lectern at one of the most recent of his trademark rallies late last month at the county fairgrounds here and told …

The Unraveling of the Trump Era  —  As president, Donald Trump wasn't known for his mastery of the federal regulatory process.  The “Muslim ban” is perhaps the most famous example of a Trump policy that was enacted hastily, challenged repeatedly, and ultimately undone by his successor …

What Do These People Think About Gawker Coming Back?  —  If you are reading this, it means Gawker is back.  We reached out to some of our favorite writers, artists, policymakers, and billionaires to ask them how that makes them feel.  Below are their answers.

America had its first show trial on Tuesday and it was loathsome  —  Perhaps it's because I grew up surrounded by extraordinarily tough people, but I found myself singularly unmoved by the spectacle in the House on Tuesday, which reminded me of a bad mash-up of Dr. Phil, Oprah …

Supreme Court Job Approval Dips Below 50%  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Forty-nine percent of Americans approve of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing, its first approval rating below the majority level since 2017.  A year ago, 58% approved of the court, the highest Gallup had measured since 2009.

Whistleblowers say they were told to downplay Covid outbreak among migrant kids at shelter  —  WASHINGTON — Two more whistleblowers have come forward to allege that children were mistreated by contractors and senior federal employee managers at a Department Health and Human Services migrant shelter …

Lauren Boebert throws ‘mask in the face of a floor staffer’ as she fumes over ‘totalitarian’ House rules: report  —  Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert doesn't like masks, as evidenced by her COVID-denialist rhetoric and her history of defying mask mandates in the House chamber.

U.S. Commerce Chief Sees Some Tariffs as ‘Very Effective’  — Levies can help level playing field for U.S., Raimondo says  — Trump administration cited national security for steel tariffs  —  U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said some tariffs on imported goods can be effective …

This is what Republicans said as Capitol police told their stories on the Hill  —  CNN's fact check team analyzed statements made by Republican politicians while Capitol police gave statements in a hearing regarding the January 6th insurrection.Source: CNN  —  FOLLOW CNN POLITICS

What if There Wasn't a Coup Plot, General Milley?  —  Mr. Caldwell is a contributing Opinion writer and the author of “The Age of Entitlement: America Since the Sixties” and “Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and the West.”  —  This month, the first crop of books …

Lincoln Project's new ad contrasts Republican donors with footage of Capitol riot  —  Blackstone, Koch Industries and Cigna accused of supporting ‘the very structure that led to the murderous violence on January 6’  —  Lincoln Project ad targets GOP donors over Capitol riot