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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Trump Picks Yet Another Fox Star for White House Role  —  REVOLVING DOOR  —  Monica Crowley, Trump's pick for Chief of Protocol, is only the latest former Fox employee to land a job offer in his incoming administration.  —  President-elect Donald Trump named Monica Crowley …

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,” …

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 …