The Post Most from The Washington Post We are former senators. The Senate has long stood in defense of democracy — and must again.; As Trump slides in a new poll, reality begins piercing the bubble; Handle With Care Democracy Dies in Darkness Most popular right now ‘There was no Plan B’: Trump scrambles to find chief of staff after top candidate turns him down The position has proved to be a particularly thankless task in this White House, and the two people to hold the job have been left with their reputations diminished. By Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey, Robert Costa  •  Read more » Opinion We are former senators. The Senate has long stood in defense of democracy — and must again. We are at an inflection point in which the foundational principles of our democracy and our national security interests are at stake. By 44 Former U.S. Senators  •  Read more »   The Plum Line • Opinion As Trump slides in a new poll, reality begins piercing the bubble A new poll shows that majorities side with the Mueller probe. The reality is only just now finding its way into Trump's bubble. By Greg Sargent  •  Read more »   Handle With Care Their occupations are diverse, but their insights are universal. By Amanda Long, Annys Shin, Harrison Smith  •  Read more »   That was awkward — at world’s biggest climate conference, U.S. promotes fossil fuels Laughter and protests greeted the United States’ embrace of continued fossil fuel production as global temperatures continue to rise. By Griff Witte, Brady Dennis  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT How a powerful Russian propaganda machine chips away at Western notions of truth After a botched assassination attempt of Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, the Kremlin spread dozens of false stories in a highly coordinated effort to sow confusion. It worked. By Joby Warrick and Anton Troianovski  •  Read more »   Grade Point Accused of rape, former Baylor fraternity president gets no jail time after plea deal "You both will have to live with this decision," the victim said, lashing out at the McLennan County prosecutors. By Eli Rosenberg, Kristine Phillips  •  Read more »   Across five tweets, Trump makes a meandering case for border wall funding The president threatened that the military could build his long-promised barrier if Democrats don’t cooperate, but did not say how such an effort would be funded. By John Wagner  •  Read more »   Energy and Environment The Arctic is in even worse shape than you realize The Arctic ocean has lost 75 percent of its ice by volume. The thickest ice is also the oldest, so the Arctic is rapidly becoming young. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   Time’s Person of the Year: ‘Guardians’ of the truth, including slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi Time named four individuals and one group — all journalists — who this year helped expose “the manipulation and the abuse of truth” around the world. By Amy Wang, Alex Horton  •  Read more »     Also Popular in Politics   Fact Checker • Analysis Meet the Bottomless Pinocchio, a new rating for a false claim repeated over and over again President Trump rarely stops repeating false statements in response to fact checks, so 14 of his repeated claims make the initial list. By Glenn Kessler  •  Read more » Analysis | The 2020 presidential election could determine whether Trump faces consequences for alleged crimes Kellyanne Conway says Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ‘doesn’t seem to know much about anything’ Analysis | It’s not just the number of Trump-Russia contacts. It’s the timing. Orrin Hatch dismisses Trump hush money allegations   Also Popular in Opinions   Jared Kushner did what? Jared put Saudi Arabia first. By Jennifer Rubin  •  Read more » What has the president been ‘smocking’? Doug Jones on Mueller and Trump: ‘This has never been a witch hunt’ Centrists are alive and kicking A new understanding of ‘collusion’ and obstruction ADVERTISEMENT Also Popular in Local   Nigerian American’s treatment at Dulles Airport is subject of federal lawsuit Maryland man says U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials racially profiled him, violated his rights. By Susan Ferriss | Center for Public Integrity  •  Read more » Perspective | This racist paramedic hates some people whose lives depend on him. He needs to be fired. D.C.-area forecast: Sunny and cold through tomorrow, then a rainy start to weekend At least two dead, thousands without power after historic snowstorm in North Carolina Analysis | Aging headlights pose a risk for motorists and pedestrians, AAA says   Also Popular in Sports   NFL • Analysis The Vikings’ signing of Kirk Cousins seemed like such a good idea at the time The $84 million QB once again shrinks from the moment in a prime-time game and Minnesota is a .500 team after losing Monday night at Seattle. By Mark Maske  •  Read more » Scott Boras didn’t like what he heard from Mark Lerner about Bryce Harper Analysis | Ranking the 4 biggest problem areas on the Redskins’ roster this season Analysis | NFL power rankings, Week 14: Chiefs, Saints are 1-2 after wild weekend of upsets Redskins remain alive in playoff race, but inside locker room, there isn’t much hope   Also Popular in National   Science The Voyager 2 spacecraft has escaped the sun’s bubble To the heliopause and beyond! By Sarah Kaplan  •  Read more » A 17th-century silver mace was snatched in Parliament, and it explains so much about Brexit A bungled case let a child killer go free. Police waited 32 years for another chance. Neo-Nazis gathered to mourn a dead leader. Then they attacked a black DJ, police say. A woman wanted to commit a mass murder — so she contacted Dylann Roof, authorities say   Also Popular in World Britain’s May is seeking Brexit concessions, but Europe is not playing along Former Canadian diplomat reported missing in China following arrest of Huawei executive  Huawei executive fights for release in Canada bail hearing that will continue into third day The ordinary people keeping the peace in Nigeria’s deadly land feuds Analysis | Is it time to scrap Brexit?   Also Popular in Business Investigation of generic ‘cartel’ expands to 300 drugs Two years after #Pizzagate showed the dangers of hateful conspiracies, they’re still rampant on YouTube Google is now in the congressional spotlight as CEO Sundar Pichai testifies on Capitol Hill Perspective | The top regrets of retirees The United States isn’t the only country downplaying climate change   Also Popular in Lifestyle Perspective | Carolyn Hax: It takes a village to stop a bully Meet Melania Trump’s enforcer. It’s not her husband. Why do so many Americans adore Michelle Obama? She keeps it real (even at a funeral). What do you get the daughter of India’s richest man for her wedding? A private Beyoncé concert. 2018 is an investment year for cookbooks   Also Popular in Entertainment Review | In HBO’s ‘Momentum Generation,’ the tide turns for the star surfers of the 1990s Review | Need some laughs? The Second City is in town with two shows. Casting coup: Jessie Mueller to play Marian in upcoming ‘Music Man’ at Kennedy Center Review | Decades after his mother’s disappearance, a man searches the past for clues Share The Post Most:  Twitter    Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for The Post Most or because it is included in your subscription. Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from The Post Most Privacy Policy | Help @2018 The Washington Post | 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071