The Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News and Analysis

State, federal officials turn focus to security

Governors warn of long-term dangers to their state capitols

Officials say the riots in Washington and state capitals last week signal a dark and dangerous period of extended upheaval.

By Holly Bailey and Tim Craig

LIVE UPDATES

2:39PM
With Trump banned from Twitter, his supporters are parsing speeches for clues about what’s next
2:33PM
Two Democratic lawmakers request cots for newly stationed National Guard members
2:25PM
Star-studded virtual concert part of Biden inauguration activities

Trump brought leadership turmoil to security agencies in run-up to Capitol riot

The departments of justice, defense and homeland security all have acting secretaries at a crisis moment for the nation.

By Paul Sonne, Matt Zapotosky and Nick Miroff

For friends and allies of Harris, deadly Capitol attacks prompt fresh fears

By Chelsea Janes

At left, Trump supporters storm the Capitol on Jan. 6. At right, demonstrators protest outside of the White House on June 1 after George Floyd’s death. (Evelyn Hockstein for The Post; Getty Images)

U.S. Capitol riot, a Black Lives Matter protest: A visual comparison of two starkly different policing responses

Two demonstrations, at the most prominent symbols of democracy in the nation’s capital, highlight the divisions President Trump has stoked and the disparate treatment of Black and White people by law enforcement.

By Rachel Chason and Samantha Schmidt

Washington Post LiveVideo

Former FBI director James B. Comey on the political and legal ramifications of a post-Trump Washington

National Mall will be closed on Inauguration Day amid security concerns

By Emily Davies and Justin Jouvenal

Delta says passengers won’t be able to check guns on D.C.-bound flights through next week

With Trump’s Twitter megaphone gone, Silicon Valley’s power rings loud

By Craig Timberg1 hour ago

Facebook’s Sandberg deflected blame for Capitol riot, but new evidence shows how it played a role

Trump impeached an unprecedented second time after inciting mob

Ten House Republicans joined Democrats to impeach President Trump for “incitement of insurrection.”

By Mike DeBonis and Paul Kane

The president is isolated and angry at aides for failing to defend him

By Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker

The president as pariah: Trump faces a torrent of retribution over his role in the U.S. Capitol siege

For DNC chair, Biden picks Jaime Harrison, who set fundraising records in bid to unseat Lindsey Graham

By Michael Scherer

Upset by veterans who stormed the Capitol, these vets decided to clean up trash the mob left in D.C.

By Sydney Page

Opinions

Bullied into voting against impeachment? Tell the cops and then resign.

Opinion by Jennifer Rubin

Republican politics is now defined by the threat of murderous violence

Opinion by Paul Waldman

Democrats were for occupying capitols before they were against it

Opinion by Marc A. Thiessen

A leaked intelligence memo suggests Trump’s lies could incite more violence

Opinion by Greg Sargent

Nebraska meatpackers breathe for hours through blood-soaked masks. This can’t keep happening.

Opinion by Tony Vargas

Four years ago, I set out in an RV to understand Trump’s appeal. Here’s what I found.

Opinion by Donna F. Edwards

Coronavirus

Biden to unveil emergency coronavirus plan, with major focus on vaccines

The package will be narrowly tailored to garner GOP support and followed by a broader recovery plan with more expansive Democratic priorities.

By Erica Werner and Jeff Stein

Biden expected to include new child benefit in major new stimulus proposal

Biden to deliver speech on pandemic as daily death toll again exceeds 4,000

By Paulina Firozi1 hour ago

(Deb Lindsey for The Post)

Road to Recovery

Caterers struggle to survive after pandemic forces cancellation of events that they depend on

By Emily Heil and Tim Carman

New unemployment claims jump to nearly 1 million, the highest level since August

By Eli Rosenberg

Why Indonesia is prioritizing the young, not the elderly, for coronavirus vaccines

The approach differs dramatically from other countries prioritizing the oldest and most vulnerable.

By Siobhán O'Grady1 hour ago

Guide to the PandemicFull Coverage

Vaccinations

Your questions about the coronavirus vaccines, answered

Eight facts to combat common covid-19 misinformation

By Marisa Iati

The covid-19 symptoms to watch out for

U.S. deaths reported per day

Sign up to get our Coronavirus Updates newsletter

Your Life At Home

Adrienne Kennedy’s new play, ‘Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side,’ is utterly unique

Why some seasonal hotels across the U.S. are staying open year-round

Road to Recovery

The pandemic forced live events to go virtual. It may change access to entertainment forever.

Dollar General will pay workers to get the coronavirus vaccine

The $3,000-a-month toilet for the Ivanka Trump/Jared Kushner Secret Service detail

By Peter Jamison, Carol D. Leonnig and Paul Schwartzman1 hour ago

Trump’s ‘zero tolerance’ border policy was pushed aggressively by Jeff Sessions, despite warnings, Justice Dept. review finds

By Nick Miroff and Matt Zapotosky1 hour ago

Siegfried Fischbacher1939–2021

Magician of the Siegfried & Roy duo dies at 81

With partner Roy Horn, they became among the most popular entertainers in Las Vegas.

By Matt Schudel

D.C. attorney general seeks to interview president’s son in inauguration spending suit

By David A. Fahrenthold1 hour ago

2020 rivaled hottest year on record, pushing Earth closer to a critical climate threshold

By Chris Mooney, Andrew Freedman and John Muyskens

Consumer TechPerspective

Samsung says its Galaxy S21 phones work better, have four back cameras — and cost $200 less

By Geoffrey A. Fowler

Don’t Miss

New movies to stream this week: ‘Rock Camp: The Movie,’ ‘Acasa, My Home’ and more

By Michael O'Sullivan

Falling short on your 2021 resolutions? Remember: pandemic.

By Allyson Chiu

After ‘Hamilton,’ Leslie Odom Jr. just wanted to be himself. Then the role of Sam Cooke came calling.

By Thomas Floyd

Drew Brees and Tom Brady are trading jokes about their ‘History Channel’ matchup

By Cindy Boren

Trending

The Washington Post

At least three lawmakers test positive for coronavirus following Capitol riots

Three members of Congress tested positive for the novel coronavirus after taking shelter in a crowded room during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.

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Politics

The FixAnalysis

From bad to worse for Josh Hawley

The Missouri Republican's effort to overturn the election has earned him more enemies than friends.

By Aaron Blake

The Daily 202Analysis

Few House Republicans defended Trump’s conduct as they opposed his second impeachment

By James Hohmann

(Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg)

For some Christians, the Capitol riot doesn’t change the prophecy: Trump will be president

For a growing segment of charismatic Christians, President Trump can't lose if modern prophets said he didn't.

By Michelle Boorstein

Power UpAnalysis

Trump has lost many defenders, but he’s still got Alan Dershowitz

The Harvard law school professor emeritus — part of the president's legal team for the first impeachment trial — is reportedly being considered to defend him a second time around.

By Jacqueline Alemany

Capitol riot arrests: Retired firefighter accused of throwing fire extinguisher at police; man carrying Confederate flag

The fire extinguisher hit Capitol Police Officer William Young on his helmet and ricocheted off two others, the FBI said.

By Spencer S. Hsu, Rachel Weiner and Ann E. Marimow23 minutes ago

Fact CheckerAnalysis

The misleading arguments from this impeachment

Some of President Trump's defenders, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), dusted off well-worn spin from his first impeachment.

By Salvador Rizzo

Analysis

A House Republican wanted proof of incitement. Here are four rioters who came to D.C. because of Trump.

By Philip Bump

Who Joe Biden has picked to fill his Cabinet

By Washington Post Staff

World

A police drone flies over Marseille. (Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images)

In victory for privacy activists, France is banned from using drones to enforce coronavirus rules

The decision comes amid a broader tug-of-war between privacy activists and authorities in Europe over how to police coronavirus restrictions.

By Rick Noack

Hong Kong authorities arrest 11 over activists’ attempted Taiwan boat escape

By Shibani Mahtani

As Germany looks beyond Merkel, leadership race is leaving voters cold

By Loveday Morris

Joe the pigeon traveled from Oregon to Australia. Now he’s on death row.

By Erin Cunningham

What the world is saying about the U.S. after the Capitol attack and Trump’s impeachment

Here’s what some world leaders and top officials have had to say about the chaos and its aftermath.

By Ruby Mellen and Adam Taylor

Today's WorldViewAnalysis

How Trump-allied foreign activists and dissidents responded to the U.S. Capitol siege

Activists and dissidents from all over the world embraced President Trump's backing, but the disputed U.S. election now casts an unwelcome shadow.

By Adam Taylor

National

Kyle Rittenhouse flashed hate symbols, posed with Proud Boys in a Wisconsin bar, prosecutors say

The excursion while out of jail on a $2 million bond raised red flags for prosecutors handling the state’s case against Rittenhouse, who is charged with fatally shooting two men and wounding a third during an August protest following the police shooting of a Black man in Kenosha, Wis.

By Katie Shepherd

Tom Vilsack’s nomination as agriculture secretary reopens old wounds for Black farmers

By Laura Reiley

High winds drove plastic bags and other trash against a fence near a landfill in Clarkston, Wash., on Wednesday. (AP)

Fierce windstorm slams western, central U.S., sparking blizzard conditions for some

By Matthew Cappucci1 hour ago

Andrew Yang is running for New York mayor. He wants universal basic income — and TikTok Hype Houses.

By Jaclyn Peiser

Law professor John Eastman spoke at rally before Capitol riots. Facing outrage, he won’t return to his university.

By Andrea Salcedo

D.C., Md. & Va.

D.C. area boosts vaccine efforts as demand exceeds supply

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said that the need is “far outpacing” vaccine availability.

By Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason, Lola Fadulu and Erin Cox

Montgomery County sees uptick in homicides so far in 2021

The trend continued this month as investigators launched a manhunt this week for a 29-year-old who allegedly slashed his girlfriend in the neck.

By Dan Morse

It's been almost two years since the Capitol looked like this. (Kevin Ambrose)

D.C.’s lack of snow over the past two winters is making history

The snow drought is partially tied to luck, unfavorable weather patterns and climate change. In the short term, there’s no obvious end to it, although we are moving into the snowiest time of the year historically.

By Ian Livingston, Jason Samenow and Matthew Cappucci23 minutes ago

White man convicted of killing Black Army Lt. Richard Collins III at Md. bus stop to be sentenced

By Katie Mettler

D.C. transportation director leaving to join Biden administration’s climate team

By Luz Lazo

Metro to close 13 stations for a week amid threats of inauguration violence

By Justin George

Capital Weather Gang

D.C.-area forecast: Mild for mid-winter today but cooling down by the weekend

By David Streit

Known coronavirus deaths and cases per 100 thousand

FAQ: What to know about restrictions and safety

Going Out Guide

Take in Inauguration Day from home with these food and drink specials and virtual events

Local bars and restaurants have cooked up commemorative dishes to help make your sofa feel more festive.

By Fritz Hahn

The best things to do — virtually and in person — while social distancing in the D.C. area

Virtual film festivals, streaming concerts and socially distanced events offer escapes during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Fritz Hahn and Hau Chu

These D.C. museum websites provide a fix of inaugural pomp and pageantry

You can access such popular exhibitions as “America’s Presidents” and “The First Ladies” online.

By Fritz Hahn

Real Estate

Mortgage rates spike to highest levels in nearly two months

Capitalizing on D.C.’s alleys in the real estate picture

Second home market surges

Business & Technology

(Jabin Botsford/The Post)

Perspective

Trump’s most enduring legacy could be the historic rise in national debt

It rose almost $7.8 trillion during his time in the White House — approaching World War II levels, relative to the size of the economy. This time around, it will be much harder to dig ourselves out.

By Allan Sloan and Cezary Podkul

Facebook’s Sandberg deflected blame for Capitol riot, but new evidence shows how platform played role

By Elizabeth Dwoskin

Seldom-seen Amazon unit made the call that brought down pro-Trump Parler

By Jay Greene, Rachel Lerman and Tony Romm

The Technology 202Analysis

Capitol violence spurs changes at Airbnb, GoFundMe and more

By Cat Zakrzewski

Perspective

Employers are taking a hard line against workers who support pro-Trump mob attack on U.S. Capitol

Employers have been quick to separate themselves from employees and affiliates that took part in, or in any way supported, the mob's rhetoric.

By Karla L. Miller

Market Watch

Last Updated: Today at 2:25 p.m. ET

Dow 31,131.93

Today 0.23%

S&P 3,813.78

Today 0.10%

NASDAQ 13,168.64

Today 0.30%

Health & Science

The Health 202Analysis

The era of bipartisan work on lowering drug prices might be over

By Paige Winfield Cunningham

Three reasons a negative test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not infected

By Marisa Iati1 hour ago

Trump pushed for a moon landing in 2024. It’s not going to happen.

By Christian Davenport

Ford is testing safety tech allowing bikes and e-scooters to ‘talk’ to cars

By Dalvin Brown

Sports

Urban Meyer closing in on deal to return to coaching, jump to NFL

Meyer, who won three national titles for Florida and Ohio State as a college coach, could make the leap to the NFL if he completes an agreement to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars.

By Mark Maske

Analysis

James Harden is a winner and a loser of the Nets’ blockbuster trade

While Harden achieved his major short-term goals, the saga surrounding his exit from Houston is liable to do longer-term damage.

By Ben Golliver

The 2020 regular season started for the Washington Football Team with a home game against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. (Jonathan Newton/The Post)