The Rick Scott backlash builds  —  With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  LATEST RACE CALLS — Rep. YADIRA CARAVEO (D-Colo.) conceded to Republican GABE EVANS.  Rep. DAVID SCHWEIKERT (R-Ariz.) wins reelection.  —  SAME AS IT EVER WAS …

Rep. Dean Phillips tears into fellow Democrats over 2024 loss … - “We have a political system ... that really has incentives that actually are working against us. … - “Both parties are subject to it. … - “I think that's what frankly has led to Trumpism, people getting tired …

Trump talked to Putin, told Russian leader not to escalate in Ukraine  —  President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and discussed the war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the call.  —  President-elect Donald Trump spoke …

Trump offers Rep. Elise Stefanik role of UN ambassador, sources say  —  President-elect Donald Trump has offered Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik the job as US ambassador to the United Nations, two sources familiar told CNN on Sunday.  —  The New York congresswoman, the fourth-ranking House Republican …

2024's other big loser?  The mainstream media.  Is there any path forward?  —  The American mainstream media, and its vital watchdog role that once made it a trusted, major institution in a flawed yet functioning democracy, imploded in 2024, and it happened in two ways …

Jockeying kicks off to fill Vance vacancy in Senate  —  Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is facing a key decision on whom to tap to fill the term of Vice President-elect Vance as jockeying among Ohio Republicans for the coveted appointment is set to become a knife fight.

‘The behind-the-scenes work starts today’: The 2028 shadow primary is underway  —  For Democrats' rising stars, there was a silver lining to the blow dealt to them by Donald Trump's victory.  —  Josh Shapiro is already fielding calls from Democratic Party leaders in Pennsylvania urging him to run for president.

House Fast Tracks Bill That Would Give Trump Power to Target Nonprofits  —  The legislation would let the Treasury Department revoke tax-exempt status for any “terrorist supporting organization”  —  Donald Trump hasn't even taken office, and Congress is already moving to advance legislation to expand his ability to target his enemies.

Courts restrained Trump in first term.  Will they ‘check’ his power again?  —  Democratic governors and advocacy groups promise litigation over Trump's agenda.  —  Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio …

Schumer withholds Senate orientation invite from McCormick  —  Democrats are holding out hope that Sen. Bob Casey can pick up enough votes to hold on to the Pennsylvania Senate seat.  —  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will not allow Sen.-elect Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) …

Will Trump's hush money conviction stand?  A judge will rule on the president-elect's immunity claim  —  A gut punch for most defendants, Donald Trump turned his criminal conviction into a rallying cry.  His supporters put “I'm Voting for the Felon” on T-shirts, hats and lawn signs.

Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico  —  Mexico is facing a second Donald Trump presidency, and few countries can match its experience as a target of Trump's rhetoric: There have been threats to close the border, impose tariffs and even send U.S. forces …

Trump announces Tom Homan as incoming border czar  —  Homan touts hard-line immigration views and has previously vowed to “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen.”  —  WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced late Sunday that Tom Homan …

Former Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler to serve on Trump's inaugural committee  —  She will co-chair the committee with New York real estate investor Steve Witkoff  —  President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Saturday that his inaugural committee will be led by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia.