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 Backdoor Attempts to Delay His Trials Are Backfiring  —  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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Russian court extends detention of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich until end of January  —  The hearing took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.  —  MOSCOW — A court in Moscow on Tuesday extended …

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 …

The Left's fear of fascism under Trump is the ultimate example of projection  —  The liberal crazies, from actor Rob Reiner to the once conservative but now ideologue-for-sale Joe Scarborough, have their knickers in a knot over the potential that America may drift into “fascism” …

‘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 …

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.

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 …

‘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 …