FLASHBACK: When right-wing pundits thought political hush money payments were a crime  —  “The facts are that he broke campaign finance laws and that he lied to cover it up,” Fox News' Sean Hannity said.  —  Hannity was not talking about former President Donald Trump, who was indicted …

‘Fake news’ no more: Marjorie Taylor Greene's journey to 60 Minutes  —  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene “expected a hit job” when she decided to open her doors to CBS' 60 Minutes, which gave her a star turn in their opening segment on Sunday.  It's a program known for its sometimes strained relationship with Republicans.

Justice Dept. said to have more evidence of possible Trump obstruction at Mar-a-Lago  —  Ex-staffer's emails, texts are guiding investigators, who increasingly suspect Trump went through boxes after subpoena  —  Justice Department and FBI investigators have amassed fresh evidence pointing …

Chinese spy balloon gathered intelligence from sensitive U.S. military sites, despite U.S. efforts to block it  —  The intelligence China collected was mostly from electronic signals, which can be picked up from weapons systems or include communications from base personnel.

Right-Wing Media Splits From DeSantis on Press Protections  —  Gov. Ron DeSantis's war against mainstream media outlets is poised to wound even his boosters in the conservative press.  Is the Florida governor biting the hand that feeds him?  —  Gov. Ron DeSantis has long courted right-wing news outlets …

Centrist Democrats hatch secret plan to head off debt ceiling calamity  —  The White House and party leaders, however, are distancing themselves from the effort.  —  A group of House Democrats is secretly crafting a fallback plan to avoid an economy-rattling debt default.  —  The White House wants no part of it.

Russia confiscates passports of senior officials to stop defections  —  Kremlin tightens Soviet-era travel restrictions in ‘sensitive’ areas  —  Russia's security services are confiscating the passports of senior officials and state company executives to prevent overseas travel …

Biden in no hurry to announce for '24 … They initially thought Biden would launch a campaign soon after the Christmas break, after talking with his family. … - But if he ultimately chooses to bow out, the late decision could provide an advantage to Vice President Kamala Harris if she wanted …

Democrats target 31 GOP-held seats in aggressive campaign for House majority  —  In a list first shared with NBC News, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee laid out the House districts it's aiming to flip next year.  —  WASHINGTON — Democrats have targeted 31 Republican-held districts …

McDonald's Temporarily Shuts U.S. Offices as Chain Prepares for Layoff Notices  —  Fast-food company expected to notify workers of their job status virtually  —  McDonald's Corp. MCD .66%increase; green up pointing triangle is temporarily closing its U.S. offices this week as it prepares …

The Latest: War in Ukraine  —  Russia Detains Suspect in Blogger's Killing; Officials Blame Ukraine and Opposition … An arrest in the St. Petersburg bombing could presage a heavier crackdown on antiwar Russians.  —  The Russian authorities blamed Ukraine and Russian opposition activists …

Tim Scott super PAC hires 2 SC political operatives as senator eyes presidential bid  —  Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and his advisers are building a South Carolina team.  —  A pro-Scott super PAC has hired two veteran Republican campaign operatives, giving the political group …

Trump's lawyers believe a Manhattan judge impose a GAG order on Monday that will BAN him talking about his Tuesday arrest in NYC - with a penalty of 30 DAYS jail time or $1,000 fine  — Trump could be gagged by a Manhattan court on Monday ahead of hearing  — His legal team is considering hiring …

Nikki Haley is driving Mike Pence's campaign up a wall  —  Pence staffers are complaining privately about Haley's media coverage.  —  Mike Pence might harbor deep-seated resentment toward Donald Trump for his handling of Jan. 6.  But it's Nikki Haley who really gets under the Pence camp's skin.

In Days Before Trump Appears in Court, Few Signs Point to a Jan. 6 Repeat  —  Even as Donald Trump's arraignment differs from the Capitol riot, law enforcement's response is informed by lessons learned from that day and the nationwide protests against police violence.

Nebraska's Legislative Session Is Tangled Up in Transgender Rights Fight  —  State senator behind filibuster helps launch political-action committee  —  Nebraska lawmakers haven't passed a single bill this session.  —  Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has filibustered on the floor of the state Legislature for more than a month.

Virginia teacher shot by 6-year-old files $40M lawsuit after she says school ignored warnings  —  The lawsuit mentions new details about the boy, who is identified as John Doe, and an alleged pattern of troubling behavior.  —  Almost three months after Virginia teacher Abigail Zwerner …

Bill Barr Says Trump Taking The Stand Is A Very Bad Idea: ‘Lacks All Self-Control’  —  The former attorney general said it would be a “particularly bad idea” for Trump to testify at trial.  —  Former Attorney General William Barr said he would not advise Donald Trump to attempt to defend himself …