The Independent reports: President Donald Trump is wasting little time mocking the White House bid of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “She did very badly in proving that she was of Indian heritage,” Trump told Fox News host Pete Hegseth. “That didn’t work out too well. I think you have more than she does and maybe I do, too. And I …

The New York Post reports: The stock market ended a miserable year on a positive note but still closed out 2018 with its worst showing in a decade. After setting a series of records through the late summer and early fall, major US indexes fell sharply after early October, leaving them all in the red for the year on Monday. …

Just in via press release: Today, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF DC) sued the federal government on behalf of AFGE members and federal employees being forced to work without pay. The lawsuit alleges that the federal government is violating the law by requiring some federal employees to work without pay during …

Boing Boing reports: Apparently, Donald Trump’s penchant for reckless tweets is contagious, and has spread to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), which is part of the Department of Defense. The military men who have the power to launch nuclear weapons at the command of a Potemkin President’s tweeted impulse are making jokes about dropping nukes for New Year’s, just because …

“So Jerry Corsi was working with Mueller to sandbag me on a fabricated perjury charge. Mueller’s minion even promised Corsi no jail time if he would lie and say he gave me John Podesta’s stolen e-mails (which he did NOT) Then they were going to say I passed them on to Trump (which I did NOT). “Jerry was willing to …

The Associated Press reports: The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, and his deputy resigned abruptly Monday amid an overhaul of the Vatican’s communications operations and a crisis period in Pope Francis’ papacy. The departures of Burke and his deputy, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, signaled that problems associated with Francis’ reform of the Vatican bureaucracy came to a head at a bad time. …

The Washington Post reports: In one of his most recent arguments for a southern border wall, President Trump on Sunday falsely claimed that the Washington home of former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama is surrounded by a 10-foot wall. He alleged that the “wall” around the Obamas’ mansion was necessary for the former first couple’s “safety and security,” adding …

The Arizona Daily Star reports: State Rep. Mark Finchem wants to ban public and charter school teachers from spreading “controversial” political, racial and religious messages in their classrooms. The Oro Valley Republican introduced House Bill 2002 in the Legislature last week. If it passes, teachers could face consequences as severe as losing their jobs for engaging in any “political, ideological …

Reuters reports: The Republican National Committee (RNC) on Monday quickly criticized Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as a “far-left obstructionist” in the wake of her announcement that she intends to explore a presidential bid in 2020. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called Warren “out of touch” and seized on Warren’s claim to Native American ancestry, deeming it a “phony claim to minority …

The Associated Press reports: House Democrats are unveiling legislation to reopen the government without money for President Donald Trump’s border wall. The House is preparing to vote on the package Thursday when the new Congress convenes. This is according to an aide who was not authorized to discuss the plan publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. It will include …

“Our Department’s leadership, civilian and military, remains in the best possible hands. I am confident that each of you remains undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life. Our Department is proven to be at its best when the times are most difficult. So keep the faith in our country and …

Time Magazine reports: Leading journalists will ring in the New Year Monday in New York City’s Times Square as the annual ball drop, watched globally by billions, recognizes journalism and free speech. The group of reporters and editors will appear on stage just before midnight to push the button that officially begins the 60-second countdown to the lowering of the …

CBS News reports: While many Americans form their New Year’s resolutions, President Trump on New Year’s Eve aired his grievances and defended his legacy. The president fired off a flurry of tweets Monday as 2018 concludes with a government shutdown, controversy over troop withdrawal plans in the Middle East, and staffing upheavals. Later Monday morning, the president tweeted, “I’m in …

Politico reports: Fox News announced Monday its plans to present an exclusive interview with President Trump during the network’s New Year’s Eve special, with “Fox & Friends Weekend” host Pete Hegseth conducting the discussion. “President Trump will discuss the government shutdown, his New Year’s resolutions and what he hopes to accomplish in 2019,” the network said in its announcement. Trump …

ABC News reports: Despite calls for refunds, new campaign filings show Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith kept $50,000 in donations from major companies like Walmart and Facebook in the wake of her controversial special election victory in November. The latest Federal Election Commission filing — released amid the government shutdown at the end of last week — showed that Republican Hyde-Smith …

The Hill reports: Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean on Sunday called President Trump “mentally incapacitated,” and said Democrats could negotiate with someone “irrational” to end the partial government shutdown. “I actually think the president is mentally incapacitated and I have thought so for quite some time,” Dean, a frequent critic of Trump’s known for his polarizing comments, said …

The Washington Post reports: Sen. Elizabeth Warren jumped into the 2020 presidential campaign Monday, offering a message of economic populism as she became the best-known Democratic candidate yet to enter what is expected to be a crowded race. Warren’s announcement that she was establishing an exploratory committee — the legal precursor to a run — came as other candidates, including …

Mediaite reports: On New Year’s Eve, President Trump apparently felt the need to clear the air and defend his position via a short series of tweets that explained his process as a simple fulfillment of his campaign promise. And, as his is wont, he included some not-so-subtle digs at his detractors. Trump’s dig at “some failed generals” is certainly a …

Playbill reports: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which opened April 23 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, ends its Broadway run today after 27 previews and 289 performances. A North American tour will launch September 30, 2019, playing cities across the United States and Canada. Directed by Des McAnuff, the musical stars Tony Award winner LaChanze (The Color Purple), Ariana DeBose (Hamilton), …

Reuters reports: Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said President Donald Trump reassured him about his plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and his commitment to defeating Islamic State during a White House meeting on Sunday. “We talked about Syria. He told me some things I didn’t know that made me feel a lot better about where we’re headed in …