Biden already admitted guilt — he's just betting Garland doesn't prosecute him, or Trump  —  There will be much to chew on as the criminal investigation of President Biden by the newly appointed special counsel, Robert Hur, unfolds.  For now, my question is: Have we already, in effect, witnessed a guilty plea?

The Cases for and Against Trump  —  Ms. Conway is a Republican pollster and political consultant who was Donald J. Trump's campaign manager in 2016 and senior counselor to him from 2017 to 2020.  She is not affiliated with his 2024 presidential campaign.  —  Donald J. Trump shocked the world …

Trump Organization Fined $1.6 Million for Evading Taxes  —  The Trump Organization must pay $1.6 million for giving executive off-the-books benefits and pay.  —  Former president Donald J. Trump's family real estate business was ordered on Friday to pay a $1.6 million criminal penalty …

Supreme Court Investigators Have Narrowed Leak Inquiry to Small Number of Suspects  —  At least one law clerk is among those suspected of leaking the draft abortion ruling in May  —  Roe v. Wade: Protests Over Leaked Draft of Supreme Court Opinion  —  Created with sketchtool. … 1x

Apparently, Economic Conservatives Hate Cost-Cutting Leaders Now  —  In a repellent demonstration that many of today's Republican party differences are about personality and style, and not about policy or philosophy, the Club for Growth is choosing to run attack ads against former Indiana …

George Santos said accused ‘Ponzi scheme’ he worked at was ‘100% legitimate’ when accused of fraud in 2020  —  Republican Rep. George Santos, said a company later accused of running a “Ponzi scheme” was “100% legitimate” when it was accused by a potential customer of fraud in 2020 …

Americana  —  with David Weigel  —  In this edition: The backstory and goals of the “new Church Committee,” the 2024 GOP jostling over gas stoves, and a talk with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz about the new House rules.  —  The committee that can turn Fox News segments into subpoenas

Suppressing the Black Vote.  And Bragging About It.  —  “We can be especially proud of the City of Milwaukee (80.2% Dem Vote) casting 37,000 less votes than cast in the 2018 election with the major reduction happening in the overwhelming Black and Hispanic areas.”  — Wisconsin Republican official Robert Spindell

U.S. will begin ‘extraordinary measures’ to stay under debt limit  —  Treasury warns of ‘irreparable harm’ to global economy as debt limit standoff begins  —  The Treasury Department said Friday that it will begin taking “extraordinary measures” next week to prevent the U.S. government …

Superintendent: 6-year-old's backpack searched before Richneck shooting  —  “At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon,” Superintendent Dr. George Parker said  —  NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Newport News Public Schools has revealed new information in the shooting of a teacher at Richneck Elementary School.

Hamline student, former instructor at center of debate over religion, academic freedom speak out  —  Two people at the center of the controversy at Hamline University over academic freedom that has gained international attention spoke Wednesday about how the incident has impacted their lives.

The Confounding Double Standard Behind Robert Hur's Appointment As Special Counsel  —  A lot of things happened.  Here are some of the things.  This is TPM's Morning Memo.  —  Why The Double Standard?  —  The appointment of Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate …

Clouded leopard  —  Clouded leopards dwell in the cloud forests of Southeast Asia and are one of the most ancient cat species.  However, they are neither a true great cat nor a true small cat, because they cannot roar or purr.  Poaching and habitat loss threaten this vulnerable species.  —  FUN FACTS

Paul Ryan sounds off on the McCarthy drama and coming debt ceiling fight  —  Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan thinks his old friend Kevin McCarthy may be better prepared for the role than any politician in modern history — but the job won't be easy with his five-seat majority.

Teacher and cousin of Black Lives Matter founder ‘Tased to death’ by LAPD  —  ‘He needed help and was killed,’ says Patrisse Cullors, as police are seen repeatedly using stun gun on him after traffic accident  —  A cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors was killed …

COVID Leading Cause of Death Among Law Enforcement for Third Year  —  Editor's note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Center.  —  COVID-19 remained the top-ranked cause of death among law enforcement officers last year.

Justice Department announces new rule to regulate pistol-stabilizing braces  —  Attorney General Merrick Garland and Steve Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced new regulations Friday that would subject pistol-stabilizing braces …

Florida Gov. DeSantis announces prescription drug legislation  —  Goal of FL proposal to decrease costs of prescriptions  —  Fox News Flash top headlines for January 13  —  Florida will seek to provide consumers more flexibility in buying prescription drugs and more information …

Rightwing group pours millions in ‘dark money’ into US voter suppression bid  —  Tax filings reveal advocacy arm of Heritage Foundation spent $5m on lobbying in 2021 to block voting rights in battleground states  —  The advocacy arm of the Heritage Foundation, the powerful conservative thinktank based …

Pentagon mulls back pay for troops kicked out over Covid vaccine mandate  —  The Pentagon is considering providing back pay to former service members who were discharged for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, now that the mandate has been repealed, according to a spokesperson.

I Ate at the Italian Restaurant Where George Santos Is Often, for Some Reason, Spending Exactly $199.99  —  There was plenty of street parking on Thursday night outside of Il Bacco Italian restaurant in Little Neck, Queens, but we valeted the car anyway.  Il Bacco is the favorite restaurant …

Buttigieg avoided calls, public appearances on paternity leave, FOIA documents show  —  Buttigeig has faced criticism over the timing of his roughly two-month leave  —  Tucker: Pete Buttigieg is more concerned with equity than the transportation crisis  —  Transportation Secretary Pete …

Will New York City's Soccer Stadium Cost Taxpayers $0 or $516 Million?  —  An independent budget analysis suggests that the city will be losing $516 million in tax revenue from its deal to place a new soccer stadium in Queens.  —  New York City's first professional soccer stadium supposedly carries …

Adam Kinzinger Holds Nothing Back In McCarthy Review: 'Kevin's a Piece of S**t'  —  Adam Kinzinger held nothing back when reviewing Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the former congressman accusing the Republican leader of being willing to say whatever it takes to get elected.