What Went Wrong for Ron DeSantis in 2023  —  The Florida governor entered the year flush with cash and momentum.  In the months since, internal chaos and Donald Trump's indictments have sapped even his most avid supporters.  —  Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida woke up in Iowa with a familiar political headache.

House GOP traps itself in impeachment box  —  Republicans are barreling toward an impeachment vote, still short of a majority.  But if they skip one altogether, it might look like failure to the base.  —  Now that House Republicans have formalized the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden …

Deputy AG says GOP attacks on DOJ have contributed to an ‘unprecedented rise’ in threats  —  Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly disparaged Monaco and other Justice Department officials involved in the various legal cases against him.  —  Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco decried Republican claims …

‘We can reclaim control of our destiny,’ Al Gore says of climate change  —  The former vice president found hope in the possibility that humans have the tools to repair the planet.  —  Former Vice President Al Gore expressed optimism that humanity can still repair the damage to the environment that is causing global warming.

Donald Trump can't dodge his NY fraud verdict by moving Trump Org or giving it to, say, Ivanka: experts  — A Manhattan judge has said he'll reach a verdict in the Trump civil-fraud trial by late January.  — He has already ordered the dissolution of all Trump properties licensed to do business in New York.

Pope Francis Blasts Weapons Industry in Christmas Appeal for Global Peace  —  Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.

Martin O'Malley's confirmation as Social Security commissioner is a win for the American people  —  Last week, the Senate confirmed Martin O'Malley to be the next Commissioner of Social Security.  This is a major achievement: It marks the first time in over 25 years that the Senate has confirmed …

Donald Trump urges federal appeals court to grant him immunity from criminal prosecution in election subversion case  —  Donald Trump urged a federal appeals court to throw out the federal election subversion criminal case in Washington, DC, again arguing in a filing late Saturday that he is protected under presidential immunity.

The elephant in the Giuliani defamation courtroom  —  A jury has ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million — covering compensatory and punitive damages, and emotional suffering — for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two poll workers in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2020.  He quickly filed for bankruptcy.

Israel has waged one of this century's most destructive wars in Gaza  —  The damage in Gaza has outpaced other recent conflicts, evidence shows.  Israel has dropped some of the largest bombs commonly used today near hospitals.  —  The Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip has been unlike any other in the 21st century.

Protecting endangered species used to be bipartisan — it needs to be again  —  Fifty years ago this month, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) came into force.  The Senate had unanimously passed the bill in July 1973, in a bipartisan show of support that's almost unthinkable today …

Chad Adopts Constitution to Prepare for Return to Democracy  —  Chadians approved a new constitution that the Central African nation's military rulers say will pave the way for elections and a return to civilian rule.  —  Preliminary results show that 86% of votes were cast in favor …

Sen. Bill Hagerty says US is sending ‘mixed messages’ to Israel  —  Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) believes the United States is sending “mixed messages” to Israel regarding their war against Hamas.  —  The Biden administration has largely stood by Israel following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks …