The oilman who brought Trump and the Bush world together

Throughout the presidential campaign, the Bush family and many of its Republican allies turned their backs on Donald Trump. Now, they’re finding common cause with Trump over his pick to lead the State Department: Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has long orbited their same political, philanthropic and business worlds.

Eugene Robinson:Who in the Gop will stand up to Trump?

President-elect Donald Trump’s victory tour was more than just an opportunity to strut and preen around the country like a peacock with a comb-over. It was a warning to Republican leaders in Congress that Trump intends to be in charge — and that there will be consequences if the party establishment does not fall in line.

Sound Off for Dec. 21: Greener pastures

Now that the electoral vote is in, I would like to quote from a notorious American patriot: “At this point, what difference does it make?” Are you hearing footsteps, Coach Payton? There are jobs open in Jacksonville and Los Angeles. Better dust off your resumA .

Dems press for Tillerson’s tax returns

Democrats are accusing Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to become secretary of state, of reneging on a pledge to hand over three years worth of tax returns. A standard questionnaire sent jointly by Democrats and Republicans asks whether the nominee would be willing to provide prior tax returns for himself and his spouse “if asked.”

The Latest: Man held for death of ex-reality show contestant

San Francisco appointed a deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday to head the city police department as it deals with a number of racially charged issues. San Francisco named a new police chief, an African-American police veteran who officials and community activists hope can reform a troubled department marred by fatal police shootings of minorities.

Hillary Clinton emails search warrant documents made public

The FBI told a federal court it needed a search warrant to look at thousands of Hillary Clinton’s emails on the laptop of former US congressman Anthony Weiner because they had potential to cause “grave damage to national security” if disclosed. The wording was contained in a redacted search warrant and other court papers that were previously under seal until Tuesday in the investigation of an online relationship between Mr Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin, and a teenage girl in North Carolina.

Half of Utahns like Trump’s cabinet picks but no one from the state chosen

Fifty percent of Utahns like what they’ve seen so far from President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections, even though no one from the state has yet made the cut, according to a new poll. The UtahPolicy.com poll found that half of Utahns are pleased with the president-elect’s choices for his new administration, while 36 percent say they are displeased, and 14 percent aren’t sure how they feel.

Trump interviewing candidates for remaining cabinet posts

President-elect Donald Trump spent his Tuesday holed up at his Mar-a-Lago estate in southern Florida meeting with candidates for his unfilled cabinet and cabinet-level positions, including prospective hires to run the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Trump met Luis Quinonez, who runs a company with military and healthcare ties, and Toby Cosgrove, the CEO of the Cleveland Clinic. Both are thought to be candidates to be the next VA secretary.

Trump interviewing candidates for remaining cabinet posts

President-elect Donald Trump spent his Tuesday holed up at his Mar-a-Lago estate in southern Florida meeting with candidates for his unfilled cabinet and cabinet-level positions, including prospective hires to run the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Trump met Luis Quinonez, who runs a company with military and healthcare ties, and Toby Cosgrove, the CEO of the Cleveland Clinic. Both are thought to be candidates to be the next VA secretary.

What Others Say: Passage of Cures Act is great news

The so-called “do nothing” Congress has done something very special before taking its end-of-the-year holiday break. Both the House and Senate approved the far-reaching 21st Century Cures Act, which includes key funding for Alzheimer’s research, mental health treatment and to battle the scourge of opioid addiction.

What Others Say: Passage of Cures Act is great news

The so-called “do nothing” Congress has done something very special before taking its end-of-the-year holiday break. Both the House and Senate approved the far-reaching 21st Century Cures Act, which includes key funding for Alzheimer’s research, mental health treatment and to battle the scourge of opioid addiction.

The Latest: McConnell says no to select panel on Russia

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is rejecting calls for a special Senate investigative committee focused on possible interference in U.S. elections by Russia and other countries. McConnell says a finding by U.S. intelligence officials that Moscow hacked Democratic emails in a bid to elevate Donald Trump “is a serious issue, but it doesn’t require a select committee.”

Court to unseal Clinton email search warrant

A federal court in New York is scheduled to release redacted copies Tuesday of the search warrant that allowed the FBI to dig into a trove of Hillary Clinton emails days before the presidential election. The emails were found on a computer belonging to former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of a top Clinton aide.

Coal mine rule draws GOP’s ire

The Obama administration Monday unveiled a new rule designed to protect streams and groundwater from coal mining, but the threat of a Republican-led challenge of the measure looms large after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The Interior Department said in a news release that the rule “updates 33-year-old regulations and establishes clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining that will protect 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests over the next two decades, preserving community health and economic opportunities while meeting the nation’s energy needs.”

Warrant Related to Clinton Emails to Be Unsealed Tuesday

A federal judge in New York has ordered that a search warrant and supporting documents that authorized the FBI in the final days before the election to examine a laptop computer in connection with Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server be unsealed Tuesday at noon. The laptop’s hard drive, which sources say was discovered in an unrelated investigation into alleged sexting by former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, had been used by Weiner and his estranged wife, top Clinton adviser Huma Abedin.

California’s Electoral College goes to Clinton amid protests

Tate Atherton-Shipp, 5, of Fairfield, Calif., holds a sign at a rally outside the state Capitol, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. People turned out at a rally before the Electoral College was scheduled to meet, urging electors to vote their conscience and reject the expected selection of President-elect Donald Trump.

New York members of Electoral College vote for Clinton

New York’s 29 members of the Electoral College have cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton, who won the state despite losing the presidential race to Republican Donald Trump. Among the electors gathered Monday in the state Capitol’s Senate chambers was former President Bill Clinton, who says he’s never been prouder of any vote.

Bliss Tapped to Run House Gop Pac

Corry Bliss, who managed Sen. Rob Portman’s reelection campaign, will serve as executive director for House Republicans’ main PAC next cycle. Bliss’s work on Portman’s race resulted in a 21-point victory for the Ohio Republican and received bipartisan praise from campaign operatives.

McCain blasts Navy warships in report on Pentagon waste

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is blasting the Navy’s expensive new warships that have been plagued by engine problems and have yet to demonstrate key warfighting functions. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a Navy fighter pilot in the Vietnam War, said the $12.4 billion spent for 26 littoral combat ships is the most egregious example of what he calls “America’s Most Wasted: Indefensible,” the latest in a series of reports on wasteful spending by the Pentagon.

Cook explains to employees why he attended Trump tech summit

Apple CEO Tim Cook said he felt it was necessary to “engage” when President-elect Donald Trump – who has railed against Apple and other tech companies – invited him and 11 other tech executives to attend a summit in New York last week Cook explains to employees why he attended Trump tech summit Apple CEO Tim Cook said he felt it was necessary to “engage” when President-elect Donald Trump – who has railed against Apple and other tech companies – invited him and 11 other tech executives to attend a summit in New York last week Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2i37sM6 Apple CEO Tim Cook listens as President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with technology industry leaders at Trump Tower.

Blumenthal joins Simmons to call for improved safety at Stonington rail crossings

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and First Selectman Rob Simmons discuss safety improvements they say are urgently needed at two rail crossings in town during a meeting in Stonington Town Hall Monday afternoon. Stonington — Twice this fall First Selectman Rob Simmons wrote letters to Amtrak President Charles W. Moorman IV urging him to make safety improvements at the Elihu Island and Walker’s Dock rail crossings before someone is injured or killed.

Slideshow: Most sinful cities

The meeting of Presidential Electors will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Capitol in Mississippi. The electors will case their electoral votes in the 2016 General Election or President and Vice President of the United States.

The Latest: SC win gives Trump 44 of 270 electoral votes

Graphic shows disparities between population and electoral votes among states; 4c x 5 inches; 195.7 mm x 127 mm; WASHINGTON – The Latest on the Electoral College meeting Monday to formally elect Donald Trump the nation’s 45th president : With a win in South Carolina, Donald Trump now has won 44 electoral votes of the 270 he needs to formally win the presidency. Clinton won the popular vote in the Nov. 8 election.

Gov-elect: North Carolina will repeal LGBT law on Tuesday

In this June 24, 2016, file photo, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper speaks during a forum in Charlotte, N.C. North Carolina legislators will repeal the contentious HB2 law that limited protections for LGBT people and led to an economic backlash, the state’s incoming governor, Roy, said Monday, Dec. 19. less FILE – In this June 24, 2016, file photo, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper speaks during a forum in Charlotte, N.C. North Carolina legislators will repeal the contentious HB2 law that limited … more FILE – In this Monday, April 25, 2016, file photo, protesters head into the Legislative building for a sit-in against House Bill 2 in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina legislators will repeal the contentious HB2 law that limited protections for LGBT people and led to an economic backlash, the state’s Gov.-elect Roy Cooper said Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

Mount Washington wind chill hits 87 below zero

New England’s highest peak is notorious for its winds. Combine those whipping winds with an air temperature of 35 below zero and you get a wind chill of minus 87. A West Lebanon woman survived a close call Saturday after she was dragged underneath a tractor trailer in a White River Junction parking lot.

McCain: Russian hacks could ‘destroy democracy’

Sen. John McCain said Russian election-related hacks threaten to “destroy democracy” and faulted the American response as “totally paralyzed.” McCain, the Arizona Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, again called for a select committee to investigate the CIA’s finding that Russia hacked Democrats’ emails in a bid to help President-elect Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.

Endorsements, election results reveal policy sentiment of Kansas voters

House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs took the unconventional step during the Kansas Democratic Party convention in Topeka of publicly identifying 15 Republican House members considered most vulnerable to defeat in the 2016 election cycle. The veteran lawmaker representing the Democratic stronghold in Kansas City, Kan., said during the April gathering limited resources would require emphasis on nine conservative GOP incumbents with ties to Gov. Sam Brownback or serving districts in which Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Davis did well in 2014.

Senators push to widen inquiry into Russian election hacking

Pressure mounted Sunday for a broader congressional investigation of Russian cyberattacks aimed at influencing the U.S. election, even as a top aide to President-elect Donald Trump said there was no conclusive evidence of foreign interference. The effort was being led by a bipartisan group of senators, including John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate Democratic leader, who called on Sunday for the creation of a Senate select committee on cyberactivity to take the investigative lead on Capitol Hill.