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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on the Trump Administration Transition Team Proposal  —  The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to address recent reports regarding a proposal from the Trump transition team in the United States for The Bahamas to accept deportation flights of migrants from other countries.

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 …

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.

House GOP set for tiniest vote margin possible: ‘We have nothing to spare’  —  House Republicans will have zero room for error in the 119th Congress — literally.  —  Rep. John Duarte (R) conceded to Democrat Adam Gray in California's 13th Congressional District Tuesday night …

As Hegseth's fight to head Pentagon lags, Trump not working the phones to save him: Sources  —  Trump's team is focused on where female Republican senators stand.  —  Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, is joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet …

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.

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.

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.

Cornyn says Kash Patel ‘will be’ confirmed to lead the FBI  —  Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday he is confident that Kash Patel “will be” confirmed to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  “People I know and who I trust speak well of him and I'm looking forward to meeting with him,” …

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.

What's Happening at MSNBC?  —  David Frum just shared a disturbing anecdote from an appearance this morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe.  According to his short article at The Atlantic, he made a flippant reference to reporting that Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth was known for drinking on the job at Fox News.

North Carolina Supreme Court candidate seeks to disqualify 60,000 voters — including his opponent's parents  —  In an effort to overturn the results of November's election, Jefferson Griffin, a Republican candidate for the North Carolina Supreme Court, is asking state election officials to throw out more than 60,000 ballots.

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 …

The horrifying implications of today's Supreme Court argument on trans rights  —  Support independent journalism that matters — become a Vox Member today.  —  The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in United States v. Skrmetti, arguably the most important transgender rights case the Court has ever heard.

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 …