Pence told Jan. 6 special counsel harrowing details about 2020 aftermath, warnings to Trump: Sources  —  The former VP is the top official known to have spoken with investigators.  —  In this Nov. 24, 2020 file photo President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence prepare to speak …

Trump's New Gambit to Delay His Trials Isn't Quite Working  —  The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial won't even consider pushing it back, especially after prosecutors accused defense lawyers of delay games. … Donald Trump's calendar is filling up—and not with campaign events.

CIA director pushes big hostage deal in secret meeting with Mossad chief  —  The meeting in Qatar comes as William Burns takes on a central role navigating the crisis for President Biden  —  CIA Director William J. Burns arrived in Qatar on Tuesday for secret meetings with Israel's spy chief …

The Hunter Biden counter-offensive: A strategy long overdue, or a political minefield  —  The president's son has a new legal plan, and it will play out in parallel with his father's reelection campaign.  —  For years, as Hunter Biden faced a protracted criminal probe …

Why Biden is falling behind on nominations  —  Good morning, Early Birds.  This evening is the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting.  The tree is a Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.  Tips: earlytips@washpost.com.  Was this forwarded to you?  Sign up here.

Jewish groups sue University of California over ‘unchecked’ antisemitism  —  The 36-page lawsuit argues that UC Berkeley and its law school's inaction on discrimination against Jewish students has led to a spread of antisemitism.  —  Jewish groups are suing the University of California system …

Sports Illustrated Published Articles by Fake, AI-Generated Writers  —  There was nothing in Drew Ortiz's author biography at Sports Illustrated to suggest that he was anything other than human.  —  “Drew has spent much of his life outdoors, and is excited to guide you through his never-ending list …

Why the Fifth Circuit Keeps Making Such Outlandish Decisions  —  Where to even start in cataloging the most ridiculous—and alarming—recent rulings to come out of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit?  —  There's a case about whether a class action could go forward that boiled …

‘Take It Seriously’: Presidential Historian Issues Warning Over New Donald Trump Vow  —  “This is what authoritarians do.  This is what fascists do,” said Michael Beschloss, who explained why the former president must be taken at his word.  —  LOADING  —  NBC News presidential historian …

Russian Court Extends Detention of WSJ Reporter  —  Evan Gershkovich has been in custody since March and denies an allegation of espionage  —  A Russian court ruled to extend the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich for a third time since he was taken into custody …

Billionaire-backed Koch network endorses Nikki Haley for president  — The political network largely financed by billionaire Charles Koch has endorsed Nikki Haley for president.  — The endorsement marks the end of a yearlong search for a viable alternative to Donald Trump.

Uncharitable giving  —  In the United States, the federal tax deduction for charitable giving was created in 1917.  The idea was that non-profit organizations provide tangible benefits to society, and donations should be encouraged.  The tax deduction effectively lowers the cost of donations to worthy causes through a public subsidy.

GOP faces ominous signs in effort to avoid January shutdown  —  No government funding bills are scheduled to hit the House floor this week, an ominous sign for Republicans returning to Washington for the first time since their Thanksgiving recess.  —  Lawmakers face a mid-January deadline …

‘Stop the price gouging’: Biden hits corporations over high consumer costs  — President Joe Biden took aim at corporations for charging prices he said were artificially high.  — “Any corporation that has not brought their prices back down, even as inflation has come down …

Antagonisms flare as red states try to dictate how blue cities are run  —  Despite long advocating small government and local control, Republican governors and legislators across a significant swath of the country are increasingly overriding the actions of Democratic cities …

In Alabama, another small-town paper hit in ‘open season’ on free press  —  It's an increasingly familiar drama: Local authorities go after journalists and publishers of small papers, which find themselves on the First Amendment's front lines.  —  ATMORE, Ala. — When Don Fletcher checked …

Expelling George Santos: Democrats May Force GOP's Hand  —  Democrats may make the first move if Santos doesn't resign, or if GOP leaders don't act  —  As GOP leaders agonize over how to handle disgraced Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., whose expulsion from Congress seemed inevitable last week, Democrats have a plan to force action.