Why Our Monsters Talk to Michael Wolff  —  In his new book, the author of “Fire and Fury” continues his specialty: teasing out stories from men in power.  —  It's early 2019, a few months before Jeffrey Epstein will be arrested on sex charges, and he is sitting in the vast study …

Scoop: Warner warns he may vote against $3.5 trillion budget  —  Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is warning that he could vote against the $3.5 trillion budget package, if more money isn't added for housing assistance to close the racial wealth gap in the current House version of the bill, Axios has learned.

'They're All In on It!'  Rose McGowan Slams Dems at Larry Elder Campaign Event  —  The actress, campaigning for Republican Larry Elder ahead of California's recall election, aired damning accusations against Gov. Gavin Newsom's wife.  —  At a press conference in Los Angeles on Sunday …

Alabama man dies after being turned away from 43 hospitals as covid packs ICUs, family says  —  When Ray DeMonia was having a cardiac emergency last month, his Alabama family waited anxiously for a nearby hospital with available space in its intensive care unit.

Texas wanted to be the tech haven of the U.S. Its new abortion bill and other measures are causing workers to rethink their move.  —  Tech workers are marking Texas off the list of places they'd consider working after the state passed the nation's most restrictive abortion law

Long-Secret FBI Report Reveals New Connections Between 9/11 Hijackers and Saudi Religious Officials in U.S.  —  “This validates what we have been saying,” says an attorney for families of 9/11 victims who are suing the Saudi government over alleged support of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

More than half of Americans support vaccine mandates for workplaces, classrooms and sporting events  —  Biden to the unvaccinated: ‘Our patience is wearing thin’  —  (CNN)Americans have grown more supportive of coronavirus vaccine mandates for workers, students, and in everyday public life …

Without drastic changes, Democrats are on track to lose big in 2022  —  The marked decline in support for President Biden and his administration nationally and in key swing states indicates that the Democratic Party could endure a blowout defeat in the 2022 midterm elections.

I spent 5 years inside DC's foreign policy ‘blob.’ Here's why the experts keep getting us into unwinnable wars like Afghanistan. … One autumn afternoon a few years ago, I took the subway from my Brooklyn apartment to a mansion on the Upper East Side.  I was nervous.

Biden tries to build back cooler and a new and improved Power Up  —  Good morning and welcome to The Early 202 newsletter — Power Up's glow up, so to speak.  —  If you loved Power Up, we think you'll love The Early 202 even more.  We'll continue to bring you the most important political stories …

Trump's White House chief of staff is target of Capitol attack records request  —  House select committee investigating 6 January wants telecom and social media companies to preserve records on Mark Meadows  —  The House select committee investigating the 6 January attack on the Capitol …

There's No Unified Front Against China  —  Cracks are emerging between Europe and America.  —  Joe Biden went to Europe in June for the first foreign trip of his presidency.  But he mostly wanted to talk about China.  No one found it very surprising: Everyone understands that when it comes …

Rudy Giuliani rambles during 9/11 memorial dinner  —  Ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani at a 9/11 commemoration on Saturday called a top US general an “idiot” and “a-hole,” imitated Queen Elizabeth and distanced himself from Prince Andrew, in a series of rambling soliloquies, video shows.

Meet Ron Klain, manager of the White House's summer from hell … The secret meeting of the nation's most exclusive political fraternity took place on a Zoom call on December 18, deep into what had become the rockiest presidential transition in memory.  —  President Donald Trump refused to accept defeat.

G.O.P. Seethes at Biden Mandate, Even in States Requiring Other Vaccines  —  Resistance to vaccine mandates, once a fringe position, has entered the Republican mainstream.  But the governors fighting President Biden's Covid-19 requirements impose mandates of their own.

High school cancels 9/11 tribute, says it could offend some students  —  Students were ready to wear red, white, and blue colors to honor the lives lost on September 11.  But school staff pulled the plug, concerned the expression could be racially insensitive and offend some people.

Trump Politicizes Soldier Deaths.  Gold Star Families Call It ‘Disgusting.’  —  Former President Donald Trump has taken to calling out President Joe Biden for soldier deaths in Afghanistan.  Gold Star families aren't so pleased.  —  “Gross.”  “Disgusting.”  “Without honor.”

George W. Bush's dreadful 9/11 speech  —  President Joe Biden was silent during Saturday's 9/11 commemoration events.  So were former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.  Former President Donald Trump visited a New York City police precinct and fire station, where he made a few impromptu remarks.

DeSantis milks out-of-state travel to lay possible 2024 foundation  —  NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. — More than 1,000 miles from Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis was selling red meat rhetoric for a red meat audience.  —  At the Fifth Annual Nebraska Steak Fry on Sunday, DeSantis was in his element …