- Newsom swats away Democratic challengers. Will his party live to regret it? (Politico) – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s camp has one message for Democrats considering a California recall bid: Don’t even think about it.
- Biden’s closest Senate ally emerges as a shadow secretary of state (Politico) – The president dispatched Sen. Chris Coons to Ethiopia recently for an urgent diplomatic mission.
- North Korea launched two ballistic missiles, U.S., Japanese officials say (NBC News) – News of the launch comes after it was reported that the country fired at least one missile over the weekend, an action the U.S. downplayed.
- White House Weighs Executive Orders on Gun Control (New York Times) – A day after President Biden called on Congress to pass a new assault weapons ban and tougher background checks, the administration was considering steps it could take without legislation.
- Top health officials told to prioritize COVID testing for Cuomo’s relatives (Albany Times Union) – High-level associates also benefited from program in early days of pandemic.
- Colorado Democrats Consider Ban On Assault Weapons After Mass Shooting (NPR) – “There’s no question that the real solution has to come from the federal government. A patchwork of laws is better than nothing, but clearly, if someone is intent on causing harm and we have strict regulations in Colorado, somebody can drive an hour and a half to Wyoming.
- Biden taps Harris to handle border crisis (Washington Post) – “It’s not her full-responsibility job, but she is leading the effort because I think the best thing to do is to put someone who, when he or she speaks, they don’t have to wonder about, is that where the president is,” Biden said. “When she speaks, she speaks for me.”
- Rob Bonta nominated to be California attorney general, would be first Filipino in role (NBC News) – His nomination comes amid push for more Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in positions of power in the wake of racist incidents.
- Rachel Levine, Biden’s pick for health post, is first openly transgender official to be confirmed by Senate. (New York Times) – Two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, crossed party lines to vote for Dr. Levine.
- Cuomo’s Family Is Said to Have Received Special Access to Virus Tests (New York Times) – Top health officials tested Chris Cuomo, the governor’s brother, when testing was not widely available, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
- Democrats Begin Push for Biggest Expansion of Voting Since 1960s (New York Times) – Democrats characterized the far-reaching elections overhaul as the civil rights battle of modern times. Republicans called it a power grab that would put their party at a permanent disadvantage.
- Republicans Aim to Seize More Power Over How Elections Are Run (New York Times) – G.O.P. lawmakers in at least eight states controlled by the party are trying to gain broad influence over the mechanics of voting, in an effort that could further undermine the country’s democratic norms.
- Biden faces a flurry of new challenges ahead of first White House news conference (Washington Post) – Nine days are often more like dog years in the life of a president, and somewhere between planning and execution, reality intruded.
- Prosecutors allege ‘alliance’ between Proud Boys and Oath Keepers on Jan. 6 (Washington Post) – Investigators say members of the two groups coordinated beforehand, preparing for violence.
- House Democrats express alarm over slow stimulus checks (The Hill) – Many people who are elderly, disabled or veterans are facing delays in receiving the $1,400 stimulus checks as part of the most recent COVID-19 relief package.
