Politics: Trump tells confidants that a government shutdown might be good for him

Hillundefineds workplace rights agency points to Congress for lack of transparency; 'Celebrating Merry Christmas again': Trump opens new front in the culture wars

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The most important politics stories today   Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post Trump tells confidants that a government shutdown might be good for him The president's waffling on the issue is hampering talks on a new long-term spending plan. By Josh Dawsey, Sean Sullivan and Ed O'Keefe  •  Read more » Perspective Hill's workplace rights agency points to Congress for lack of transparency The congressional Office of Compliance was largely unknown before the current tsunami of sexual misconduct allegations hit Congress By Joe Davidson | Columnist  •   Read more »   'Celebrating Merry Christmas again': Trump opens new front in the culture wars The president's blunt rhetorical appeals to his evangelical supporters run against the practices of his predecessors in the White House, critics say. By David Nakamura  •   Read more »   Is Trump reshaping an entire branch of government — the judiciary? Supreme Court reporter Robert Barnes shares his expertise about presidential influence on the federal courts system. Plus, we talk to a political science professor about the demographic breakdown of Trump's nominees and how it differs from that of presidents past. By Allison Michaels  •   Read more »   White House plan to oust Tillerson could elevate Trump loyalist Pompeo The president is weighing a strategy to replace the former Exxon CEO at the State Department, potentially with the current CIA chief. By Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker and Josh Dawsey  •   Read more »   Erik Prince tells House investigators he met with Kremlin-linked banker in Seychelles It is the first time that the Trump campaign supporter has acknowledged he spoke with Kirill Dmitriev, head of an investment fund solely owned by the Russian Federation. By Karoun Demirjian  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Franken faces pressure to quit as Democrats demand 'zero tolerance' for sexual misconduct Once seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump, the former 'SNL' star is now fighting for political survival. By Karen Tumulty, Elise Viebeck and Ed O'Keefe  •   Read more »   Analysis Cotton to CIA? The move would say a lot about how the GOP star views his party's future He falls in the camp of some young and ambitious politicians who hold in derision the dysfunctional nature of the plodding Senate. By Paul Kane  •   Read more »   House Democrats weighing legislative changes that would open up harassment settlement process Some House Democrats met with victims advocates and employment-law experts for recommendations on how to overhaul the system to handle harassment claims. By Michelle Ye Hee Lee  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Analysis Why Senate Republicans are rushing to pass an unpopular tax bill, in one sentence They've come to the conclusion that failure is not an option. By Amber Phillips  •   Read more »   Top Democrats call on Conyers to resign over sexual harassment allegations The demand came as the congressman was hospitalized and the woman who settled a complaint with him in 2015 identified herself publicly. By Elise Viebeck and David Weigel  •   Read more »   As Washington debates taxes, some Republicans keep focus on partisan issues loved by their base Driving more interest that tax cuts, from town halls to prime time cable news, are familiar political battles with a partisan edge. By David Weigel  •   Read more »   A woman's bold campaign ad points out the one thing she doesn't have "Who can you trust not to show you their penis?" By Avi Selk  •   Read more »   Trump isn't going to Alabama to campaign for Moore — but plans to hold a rally next door At the Dec. 8 Pensacola, Fla., rally, advisers said the president is likely to attack national Democrats and may attack Jones. By Josh Dawsey  •   Read more »   Analysis The Supreme Court once said Alabama's denial of criminals' voting rights was racist. Now 'Fox & Friends' says felons are Democrats' 'secret weapon' to beat Moore. Never mind that the felons' voting rights were restored by the state's Republican legislature and governor. By Callum Borchers  •   Read more »   Recommended for you     Get The Energy 202 newsletter Your daily guide to the energy and environment debate. Sign Up  »         Share Politics:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Politics or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071