In Praise of California  —  It has its flaws — what place doesn't? — but it plays a big role in America's greatness  —  One of the unwritten rules of American politics is that it's OK to sneer at and smear our big cities and the people who live in them, while it's an outrageous act …

Jen Rubin exits Washington Post, joins Norm Eisen to launch new outlet countering ‘authoritarian threat’  —  New York CNN —  Veteran opinion columnist Jennifer Rubin is becoming the latest in a long list of Washington Post figures to leave the troubled institution.

NVIDIA Statement on the Biden Administration's Misguided ‘AI Diffusion’ Rule  —  For decades, leadership in computing and software ecosystems has been a cornerstone of American strength and influence worldwide.  The federal government has wisely refrained from dictating the design …

Don't Call Kennedy a Vaccine Skeptic.  Call Him What He Is: A Cynic.  —  The news media labels Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a “vaccine skeptic.”  He's not.  I'm an actual vaccine skeptic.  In fact, everyone who serves with me on the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory committee is a vaccine skeptic.

Before Taking Office, L.A.'s Mayor Said She Would Not Go Abroad  —  Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has been criticized for being out of the country when the wildfires broke out.  Three years ago, she promised in an interview to cut back on her world travel and focus on the city.

Incoming Trump Team Is Questioning National Security Council Staff Over Loyalty  —  Nonpolitical career civil servants are reportedly being grilled over who they voted for, their political contributions and more.  —  LOADING  —  Incoming senior Trump administration officials …

117. Judge Cannon and the Special Counsel's Report  —  The Supreme Court could soon be dragged into one last dispute arising from the prosecutions of President-Elect Trump—this time over public release of part of the Special Counsel's final report  —  Welcome back to “One First,” …

Democrats want to slow Gabbard confirmation path  —  Senate Democrats want to slow the roll on Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the U.S. intelligence community.  —  Democrats are insisting on delaying Gabbard's confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence …

Trump's deportation vows only for ‘rabid’ Republicans and will fail, says Newt Gingrich  —  Former US House speaker says documented people, Dreamers, mothers and children must not be deported  —  Newt Gingrich, the former US House speaker and presidential hopeful, said a section …

Defense pick Pete Hegseth repeatedly criticized removing names of Confederate generals from US bases  —  Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense, has voiced strong opposition to removing the names of Confederate generals from US military bases, repeatedly saying the names should be changed back.

‘I Think Things Are Going to Be Bad, Really Bad’: The US Military Debates Possible Deployment on US Soil Under Trump  —  Trump has said he wants to use active duty U.S. troops to quell protests and round up immigrants.  Will the military comply?  —  Two National Guardsmen stand guard outside …

Moon over Mars?  Congress is determined to kill Elon Musk's space dream.  —  The Trump ally wants the U.S. to forgo the lunar surface for the red planet.  He faces one problem: Congress.  —  Trump confidant Elon Musk wants NASA to drop its ambitious plans to return to the moon and instead head straight to Mars.

Cuomo dominates a mayoral field he hasn't yet entered, third-party poll finds  —  The former governor outperforms rivals — namely Mayor Eric Adams.  But both have the highest negative ratings of the candidates.  —  NEW YORK — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo trounces Mayor Eric Adams …

Hegseth's views on women in combat, infidelity and more — in his own words  —  Pete Hegseth will try to convince members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he should be the next secretary of defense, following weeks of meetings with lawmakers who peppered him with questions …

Scoop: House Dems plan $10 million opening salvo for 2026 … - Jeffries has already started to message against the legislation, labeling it the “GOP tax scam part two” at a press conference last week. … - The campaign will include TV and digital ads to “hold Republicans accountable …

On a Mission From God: Inside the Movement to Redirect Billions of Taxpayer Dollars to Private Religious Schools  —  School Wars: How Battles Over Vouchers, Book Bans, COVID-19 and More Are Harming Public Education  —  This story is exempt from our Creative Commons license until March 14.

The Pentagon needs a new kind of leader  —  At the hands of President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the nation has witnessed one foreign policy disaster after the next.  The duo's catastrophic decision-making and military execution has left Americans dead, our military vulnerable, and our adversaries emboldened.

How Unauthorized Immigrants Help Finance Social Security Benefits  —  Undocumented workers often pay taxes that help fund programs like Social Security — even if they can't collect from them in the future.  —  The Social Security Administration receives billions in free money each year …

Supreme Court allows state and local climate suits against oil companies to proceed  —  WASHINGTON - Oil and gas companies have failed for now to convince the Supreme Court to stop numerous lawsuits filed across the country seeking to recover damages for harms caused by climate change.