The Real Scandal of Our Media Tycoons  —  Quote of the year so far, from Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago yesterday: “In the first term, everyone was fighting me.  This time, everybody wants to be my friend.”  —  Amazing how many friends you can make with just a few well-chosen threats of vengeance against your remaining enemies!

House Republicans fume at Speaker Johnson over handling of CR: ‘A total dumpster fire’  —  House Republicans are fuming at Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) handling of an end-of-year measure to extend government funding until March, saying it is more like a sprawling omnibus — which they abhor — than a simple temporary funding measure.

AOC defeated by Connolly in battle for Oversight role … - Ocasio-Cortez, one of House Democrats' most high-profile members, also lost a vote of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on Monday. … - He had the backing of several veteran lawmakers, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Scoop: Top editors stiff the Washington Post … - One person involved in the search told us Lewis' pitch was foggy and uninspiring. … Other candidates include current interim executive editor Matt Murray.  But it's hard to imagine this monthslong process unfolding so publicly — only to end with the same guy in charge.

A bomb killed a Russian general in Moscow.  A Ukrainian official says secret service was behind it  —  Live from Moscow after an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment block killed the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Americans Pass Judgment on Their Courts  —  Sharp decline in confidence in judiciary is among the largest Gallup has ever measured  —  LONDON — Americans' confidence in their nation's judicial system and courts dropped to a record-low 35% in 2024.  —  The result further sets the U.S. apart …

Tragedy in Wisconsin  —  A teacher and student were killed by a 15-year old girl in the latest school shooting to rock the nation.  Bitcoin has hit a new high after Trump's plan to create a U.S. bitcoin strategic reserve stoked enthusiasm.  What are the odds of seeing a white Christmas?

Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize it  —  In a rare joint statement, the archivist and deputy archivist of the United States said Tuesday that the 1970s-era Equal Rights Amendment cannot be certified without further action by Congress or the courts …

Masayoshi Son and the Art of the Fake Deal  —  The investment Trump is touting is fake on multiple levels  —  Just a quick note about the latest fake news, economic policy edition.  (I have a doctor's appointment, and probably won't get my planned post, about health care, out until the middle of the day.)

KFile: Pete Hegseth spread baseless conspiracy theories that January 6 attack was carried out by leftist groups  —  President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, justified the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack and spread baseless conspiracy theories claiming …

Shock poll: 41 percent of young voters find killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO acceptable  —  A poll found 41 percent of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable, more than the 40 percent in that demographic who consider it unacceptable.

Trump's Time interview provides a sobering reminder  —  He's staggeringly unfit.  Always has been.  Always will be. … 📰  —  In conjunction with naming him “Person of the Year,” Time Magazine last week published a lengthy interview with Donald Trump.

After Trump's Victory, Republicans Trust the Election System Again  —  Surveys taken since Donald Trump's win show a resurgent faith among the president-elect's supporters, and little Democratic appetite for conspiracy theories.  —  Americans are more confident in the country's election system …

Drugmakers Paid PBMs Not to Restrict Opioid Prescriptions … In 2017, the drug industry middleman Express Scripts announced that it was taking decisive steps to curb abuse of the prescription painkillers that had fueled America's overdose crisis.  The company said it was …

Craig wins seat to lead Dems on House Agriculture Committee  —  House Democrats voted Tuesday to make Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) their top member on the House Agriculture Committee, choosing a junior member of the powerful panel over a more veteran lawmaker who was also vying for the seat.

The road back to power for Democrats  —  It begins with messengers and messages that meet the moment.  —  Rahm Emanuel is U.S. Ambassador to Japan.  —  Campaigns of joy in an era of rage don't win elections.  —  Make sense of the latest news and debates with our daily newsletter

Mark Robinson logs in to state meeting as ‘minisoldr,’ the handle at the center of CNN allegations  —  The username ‘minisoldr’ became famous in September, when CNN reported allegations that Robinson used the moniker to post messages on a pornographic website.

The Battle Against Trump 2.0 Begins in the States  —  Democratic governors are talking a tough game against the incoming administration — and activists are determined to hold them to their promises  —  D … Or, at least, the microphones.  —  In the days following the 2024 election …

The Crumbling Foundation of America's Military  —  I. Supply and Demand  —  Here, in the third decade of the 21st century, the most sought-after ammunition in the U.S. arsenal reaches the vital stage of its manufacture—the process tended by a young woman on a metal platform on the second story …

A low, low point for ABC News  —  The real story of inflation  —  Covid-era stimulus didn't cause higher prices.  It was the pandemic itself.  —  Ian Birrell  —  Argentina's much-mocked Javier Milei just might get the last laugh  —  Washington Post Opinions  —  Assad is gone.

House GOP accuses Liz Cheney of tampering with J6 witness, ask FBI to investigate criminality  —  Interim report by Rep. Barry Loudermilk concludes Jan. 6 attack was “preventable,” highlights intelligence and security failures, Cheney's possible shenanigans.  — Article  — Dig Deeper

Hawley pitches massive increase to child tax credit  —  Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is proposing a huge expansion of the child tax credit (CTC), setting up a potential fight with budget hawks as GOP lawmakers work to hash out their priority tax bill.  —  Hawley wants to increase the CTC …

Freed prisoner who said he was a victim of the Assad regime was an intelligence officer, locals say  —  A man who was filmed by CNN being released by rebels from a Damascus jail was a former intelligence officer with the deposed Syrian regime, according to local residents …

Elon Musk and SpaceX Face Federal Reviews After Violations of Security Reporting Rules … Elon Musk and his rocket company, SpaceX, have repeatedly failed to comply with federal reporting protocols aimed at protecting state secrets, including by not providing some details of his meetings …

Biden calls for ban on congressional stock trading  —  President Joe Biden endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview that's being released this week, belatedly weighing in on an issue that has been debated on Capitol Hill for years.  “Nobody in the Congress should be able …