Calling Sinema an Obstacle to Progress, 5 Veterans Quit Her Advisory Council  —  The furious members accused the Arizona Democrat of “answering to big donors rather than your own people,” in the latest sign of the political pressure she faces.  —  WASHINGTON — Five veterans tapped …

Pranksters have already defaced Trump's new social network  —  Truth Social has some unusual rules for a Trump-run site: It reserves the right to ban users and safeguard itself from lawsuits with Section 230 protections.  It also prohibits ‘excessive use of capital letters.’

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has paid his first voter fraud bounty.  It went to an unexpected recipient  —  Patrick, a Republican, promised to pay $25,000 to any tipster who came forward with evidence of real voter fraud.  He cut his first check this week.  —  AUSTIN — Nearly a year …

Manchin insists he hasn't threatened to leave Democrats  —  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in an exclusive interview with The Hill on Thursday said he has no plan to leave the Democratic Party and has not threatened to do so.  —  “What he reported is simply untrue.”

At informal ‘bitching’ dinners, Pete Buttigieg donors are chattering about prodding him to run against Kamala Harris in 2024 if Biden backs out  — Democrats publicly insist that Joe Biden will run again in 2024.  — But privately, some Democratic donors are preparing for a post-Biden campaign.

I Was Wrong About Donald Trump  —  Mr. Brock led one of the largest Democratic super PACs dedicated to defeating Donald Trump in the 2020 election.  Before he became a Democrat, he worked for The Washington Times and the Heritage Foundation.  —  Like most Democrats, I initially underestimated Donald Trump.

China wipes Boston Celtics from NBA broadcasts after Enes Kanter slams Tibet abuses  —  The Boston Celtics are facing blowback in China after center Enes Kanter posted a video voicing his support for Tibetan independence.  —  The reaction was swift.  Chinese video-streaming giant Tencent cut …

Bannon only one of 19 not cooperating with Jan. 6 panel  —  Rise and shine, Early Birds!  T-minus 12 hours until “Dune” lands on a screen near you.  Tips, comments, dad jokes?  We're all ears (no spoilers!): earlytips@washpost.com.  —  On the Hill  —  All the committee's subpoenas …

Biden's support is fading as concerns over the economy and Covid grow, CNBC survey finds  — Just 41% of the public approve of President Joe Biden's job performance, compared with 52% who disapprove, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey.  — Fifty percent now approve …

Joint Statement from the United States, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, Regarding a Compromise on a Transitional Approach to Existing Unilateral Measures During the Interim Period Before Pillar 1 is in Effect  — On October 8, 2021, the United States, Austria, France …

Superman will no longer champion ‘the American way.’ It's sad, but our nation deserves it.  —  If you were a country aspiring to democracy or an effective COVID response, would you emulate America?  We are not living our best national life.  —  The Superman family is making a lot of news lately.

NIH Admits to Funding Gain-of-Function Research in Wuhan, Says EcoHealth Violated Reporting Requirements  —  A top NIH official admitted in a Wednesday letter that U.S. taxpayers funded gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses in Wuhan and revealed that EcoHealth Alliance …

Capitol Rioters in Jail's ‘Patriot Wing’ Have Their Own Rituals and a Growing Fan Base  —  Experts worry that a lack of de-radicalization efforts in jail could mean inmates falling further into the narrative that led to the January 6 violence in the first place.  —  TO

DeSantis calls for special Florida legislative session to fight Biden's vaccine mandate  —  TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday called for a special legislative session to block the Biden administration's vaccine mandates, taking the most aggressive action yet in his ongoing fight with the White House over Covid restrictions.

as Sharks Hunt Again  —  Nina Lanctot sprinted toward a calamity she had long ago foretold.  It was mid-September 2018.  Moments earlier, Lanctot, an ocean lifeguard and former collegiate swimmer, was eating lunch in the parking lot at Newcomb Hollow, a beach in the town of Wellfleet on Outer Cape Cod.

Democrats brace for cuts to paid leave program as they whittle down Biden economic package  —  Lawmakers may end up authorizing only four weeks of benefits, far less than the 12 weeks that many initially sought.  —  When President Biden unveiled his political blueprint to aid workers …

Sunrise, Sunset  —  The American Federation of Teachers has several hundred thousand dollars invested in Israel bonds.  —  It has publicly endorsed a two-state solution promising self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and rejected BDS.  It has promoted its work in Israel …

White House Knew About Letter That Compared Parents to Domestic Terrorists  —  The country's largest school board association collaborated with the Biden White House before sending a controversial letter calling on the FBI to investigate parents as potential domestic terrorists, according to previously unreported emails.

With “Havana Syndrome,” Washington Is Repeating Colin Powell's Worst Mistake  —  The passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell has provided the occasion for reflection on the man's most consequential act, which also happened to be his most shameful one: his February 2003 speech at the United Nations …

Gov. Greg Abbott's pick for top Texas election post worked with Trump to fight 2020 results  —  As secretary of state, Fort Worth attorney John Scott would oversee election administration in Texas.  —  Copy link  —  Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday appointed John Scott …

Jen Psaki Hates You  —  The White House press secretary is a perfect representative of our spiteful ruling class.  —  Let us now praise Jennifer Rene Psaki—English major, sorority girl, mother of two.  Let us praise her seemingly endless supply of monochrome crew-neck blouses and pencil skirts …

‘Strong probability’ that Brian Laundrie's remains found in Florida park, family attorney says: What we know  —  NORTH PORT, Fla. - The parents of Brian Laundrie are “heartbroken” after the discovery of what could be human remains and items that apparently belonged to him in a Florida wilderness park …

Matt Gaetz's Fundraising Craters as He Finally Shuns Spotlight  —  Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has finally started to keep his mouth shut.  Turns out, that strategy has consequences.  —  As Rep. Matt Gaetz gears up for potential charges to drop, the Florida Republican has gotten much quieter …

Unmasked NYPD Officers Remove Subway Rider After He Confronts Them  —  Andrew Gilbert said he repeatedly asked two officers to wear masks in accordance with M.T.A. and Police Department policy.  He was eventually pushed out of the station.  —  A New York City police officer grabs a male commuter …

Americans are more worried about what's being taught in schools than the pandemic  —  The casual observer might have been a bit baffled why Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), during a hearing on Thursday focused on Attorney General Merrick Garland, would mention Virginia Democratic gubernatorial …

Virginia GOP Candidate Glenn Youngkin Financed a PAC That Supports 2020 Deniers and 1/6 Apologists  —  Fight disinformation.  Get a daily recap of the facts that matter.  Sign up for the free Mother Jones newsletter.  —  When Glenn Youngkin was running for the Republican nomination …