Why I Just Resigned From The Los Angeles Times  —  I have been a contributor to the Los Angeles Times op-ed page in some fashion for more than 15 years.  For the last three years, I have been the Senior Legal Columnist, writing regular weekly columns about Trump's legal troubles, the Supreme Court, and a wide range of other topics.

Words found on shell casings where UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead, senior law enforcement official says  —  Brian Thompson, 50, was killed in a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack,” police said.  —  Shell casings found at the scene where the UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead …

In the case of Trump loyalist Ric Grenell, loyalty did not trump all  —  He and his allies mounted an aggressive effort for the top diplomat role.  —  As Ric Grenell made a bid after the election to be Donald Trump's secretary of State, a flurry of social media posts from MAGA influencers started popping …

Incoming Trump administration plans to deport some migrants to countries other than their own  —  The transition team is preparing a list of countries to which migrants might be deported when their home countries refuse to accept them, according to three sources familiar with the plans.

Musk, on Capitol Hill, says ‘get rid of all credits’  —  Elon Musk, the billionaire electric vehicle mogul whom President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to help lead a government efficiency task force, told POLITICO's E&E News on Thursday that he wants to eliminate tax breaks for EV buyers.

Ex-Tulsi Gabbard Aides Say She Was a Devout Consumer of Kremlin Propaganda Network  —  ESSENTIAL READING  —  “There certainly isn't any guarantee to Putin that we won't try to overthrow Russia's government,” Gabbard wrote in a 2017 memo to staff, obtained by ABC News.

‘High on the list of items’: Ramaswamy threat to claw back Rivian loan sparks criticism of Musk's conflict of interest  —  Vivek Ramaswamy, the incoming co-chair of President-elect Donald Trump's commission to cut government spending, has set his sights on money the Biden administration …

Secret Service leader erupts at GOP lawmaker over 9/11 questioning  —  Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) engaged in a shouting match that persisted over gavel banging, as Rowe accused the lawmaker of politicizing the 9/11 attacks.

Ernst signals she doesn't yet support Hegseth to lead Pentagon  —  Sen. Joni Ernst isn't ready to throw her weight behind Pete Hegseth's bid to lead the Pentagon, she said Thursday on Fox News.  Ernst (R-Iowa), who had a “frank and thorough” conversation with the Defense Department pick on Wednesday …

Suddenly, Trump's Ugliest Threats Are Facing Surprise GOP Resistance  —  There are still nearly two months to go before Donald Trump assumes the presidency again, but Republicans or GOP-adjacent industries have already begun to admit out loud that some of his most important policy promises …

7.0 magnitude earthquake hits off Northern California coast, tsunami warning issued  —  HUMBOLDT COUNTY - A large earthquake struck off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning, prompting a tsunami warning for part of the North Coast.  —  According to the US Geological Survey …

Behind the Curtain: Biden's haunting twin sins … They expected some blowback — not a wicked backlash.  — But even Biden's best friends think it was nuts to pardon Hunter as a solo act on the same evening he left for a long-promised three-day trip to Africa.

Trump Organization Plans an Ethics Policy Without Banning Foreign Deals  —  The family business of President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to announce some restrictions on transactions but is not likely to accept as many limitations as it did eight years ago.

GOP's thin House majority could complicate Trump's policy plans  —  “Do the math; we've got nothing to spare,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said during his weekly news conference.  —  House Republicans will enter the new Congress with an even narrower majority than many expected …

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield calls off surgery anesthesia cap … - The decision covered plans in Connecticut, New York and Missouri.  — The insurer had based the decision on surgery time metrics from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, NPR reported.

Stop using generative AI as a search engine  —  A fake presidential pardon explains why you can't trust robots with the news. … How many presidents have pardoned their relatives?  It turns out this is a tricky question to answer.  —  Following Hunter Biden's pardon by his father …

Rev. Jackson asks Biden to pardon Jesse Jr.  —  Good Thursday morning, Illinois.  It's going to feel like sub-zero temps with the wind chill today, so bundle up with Midwestern pride.  —  TOP TALKER  —  SCOOP: The same day Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, the Rev. Jesse Jackson wrote …

Raskin pledges to back federal watchdogs  —  An influential House Democrat is trying to preempt any effort by President-elect Donald Trump to oust the in-house watchdogs at agencies across the federal government.  Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee …

Justice Neil Gorsuch Recuses From Case That Could Benefit Colorado Billionaire  —  The justice had been under pressure to step aside from the matter because of his myriad ties to Philip Anschutz, an oil and gas magnate.  —  Justice Neil M. Gorsuch has recused himself from a case that is set …

Evan Greer on why Dems should stay strong on trans rights  —  “I wish more Democrats would ask themselves, ‘How can we stand for more?’ instead of ‘How can we stand for less?’”  —  ∙ Paid  —  🏳️‍⚧️ Public Notice is possible thanks to paid subscribers.

Pete Hegseth and His ‘Battle Cry’ for a New Christian Crusade  —  The veteran picked to lead the Defense Department has praised the brutal religious military campaigns of the past and has called for a Christian approach to governing.  —  Before Donald J. Trump picked him to lead the Department of Defense …