Jack Smith files to drop Jan. 6 charges against Donald Trump  —  President-elect Donald Trump faced four felony charges in connection with his efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, which culminated in the U.S. Capitol attack.  —  WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith …

Popular vote totals make Trump's ‘mandate’ look like a mirage  —  Donald Trump won the popular vote, but more Americans voted against him than for him — discrediting Republican talk about an electoral “mandate.”  —  As the latest episode of NBC News' “Meet the Press” began …

Trump lawyers investigate allegations that top aide sought financial gain from influence with president-elect, sources say  —  Attorneys for Donald Trump conducted an internal investigation into allegations that one of his top aides, Boris Epshteyn, has sought to gain financially from his influence …

Harris is telling her advisers and allies to keep her political options open  —  She could run again for president — or California governor.  —  Kamala Harris has been lying low since her defeat in the presidential race, unwinding with family and senior aides in Hawaii before heading back to the nation's capital.

‘Huge relief.’ CEOs exhale after Trump taps Scott Bessent to lead Treasury  —  New York CNN —  Business leaders say they are relieved President-elect Donald Trump made a safe choice to lead the Department of Treasury after more unconventional selections to other cabinet posts.

The Democrats' Billionaire Mistake  —  Let us extend our ethic of care to our celebrities, and in particular white celebrities, so many of whom contributed their time and talent to the Kamala Harris campaign.  These people understand both justice and mercy, and their greatest concern …

Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, another chapter in a strange tradition  —  A lame-duck president “pardoned” a turkey Monday.  —  “They tell me there's 2,500 people here today looking for a pardon,” President Biden joked at a White House ceremony on the South Lawn.

A Third Woman Died Under Texas' Abortion Ban.  Doctors Are Avoiding D&Cs and Reaching for Riskier Miscarriage Treatments.  —  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.  Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they're published.

Biden will attend Trump's inauguration in January, White House says  —  President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, the White House said Monday.  —  Before the election, Mr. Biden said he would attend, regardless of who won.

Donald Trump's Luck with the Economy May Be Turning  —  Donald Trump got lucky in his first term.  When he arrived, inflation was low, unemployment was falling and growth was steady.  He applied a bit of juice via his large regressive tax cut, and the economy accelerated without triggering inflation.

Former FBI agent urges Biden to order background checks on Trump's Cabinet picks  —  FBI background checks for Cabinet nominees is a long-established practice in Washington  —  President-elect Donald Trump's decision not to do background checks on his Cabinet picks could come back to haunt him …

Scoop: Trump likely to tap loyalist Kash Patel for top FBI or DOJ post … Trump still could change his mind, including by elevating Patel all the way to FBI director — a move that would send Gaetz-like shockwaves throughout Washington.  — “Kash has a lot of allies who think placing …

Forget Project 2025.  Steve Bannon Is Laying Out What's Coming to Anyone Willing to Listen.  —  Steve Bannon got out of prison exactly a week before Election Day.  He was released before dawn and immediately headed to a remote studio to tape War Room, his podcast and streaming show …

Republicans Freak Out Over Trump's Choice for Labor Secretary  —  It might be the most shocking news yet to come out of this roller-coaster of a transition: After weeks of choosing cabinet secretaries who seem determined to destroy the agencies they will lead, Donald Trump announced the choice …

U.S. believes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal reached: senior official … - The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected approve the deal on Tuesday, the U.S. official said. … - “We think we have a deal. … - Four U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios on Sunday that the deal was nearly final.

At the crossroads of news and opinion, ‘Morning Joe’ hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting  —  One of the striking things about how furiously many people reacted to the news last week that MSNBC “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski met with President-Elect Donald Trump was how quaint their defenders sounded.

Republicans gear up for the coming battle over $5 trillion tax cut's costs … WATCH NOW  —  As Republicans on Capitol Hill lay the groundwork for extending the 2017 tax cuts, cracks are already emerging on one of the biggest questions: how to handle the cost.

Michael Blake is running for mayor — with a backup plan  —  For a guy who is notably ambitious, even for politics, Michael Blake's latest play hints at parody.  —  Blake has launched a campaign for mayor of New York City at the same time that he's eyeing a run for chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Trump Plans New Tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico … (Corrects misspelling of Mexico in second paragraph.)