“A new effort to let Iowans virtually caucus for president could expand participation in the 2020 Democratic caucuses by almost a third,” a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows.

“The results show that 21 percent of Iowans say they will definitely or probably participate in the 2020 Democratic caucuses. Eight percent initially said they were unlikely to caucus for Democrats in person, but also say they would definitely or probably participate if they had the option to do so remotely.”

“Billionaire Republican donors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson gave $500,000 to a legal defense fund set up to help aides to President Donald Trump that are involved in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation,” Politico reports.

Playbook: “Pelosi is holding her position — no wall — but is showing a bit of flexibility. This was never about the money, which is why Democrats are willing to give Trump more than he asked for, but for border security, not the wall.”

“Pelosi and McConnell — both experienced appropriators — can figure out how to give both sides a way to declare victory here. New fencing where it’s necessary. Repaired fencing where it’s needed. More — and new — technology. Trump can actually win on the number — $5.7 billion — but he’ll have to lose on the wall.”

“Less than 24 hours after the news site BuzzFeed reported that the president instructed his personal attorney to lie to Congress about his push for a Moscow real estate project, special counsel Robert Mueller’s office put out a statement firmly disputing the reporting,” the Washington Post reports.

“The statement was remarkable on several levels — first, the special counsel’s office speaks exceedingly rarely, and second, the statement seemed to drive a stake through a sensational allegation that Democratic lawmakers suggested earlier in the day could spell the end of the Trump presidency.”

BuzzFeed responded: “We are continuing to report and determine what the special counsel is disputing. We remain confident in the accuracy of our report.”

The Blue Wave T-Shirt is now available on demand.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) “strode into Iowa Friday with all the look of a presidential candidate, igniting pent-up Democratic frustration with her brand of fiery liberalism in the premier caucus state,” the AP reports.

Said Warren: “It’s time to dream big and fight hard, not just for those at the top, but for an America that works for everyone.”

New York Times: “Though Ms. Warren’s campaign is still nascent — she announced the formation of an exploratory presidential committee on Monday — Friday’s event had all the hallmarks of a candidate meant to last: a laser-focused message on income inequality, a robust campaign staff shepherding hordes of interested reporters, and an excited supporter base eager to hear more.”

“In 2018 people stepped up and showed up like never before. Keep it up in 2019. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’ll be right there with you. Happy New Year, everybody!”

— Barack Obama, on Twitter.

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) said that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have “American blood” on their hands because they have not agreed to fund a wall along the southern border, The Hill reports.

Brooks claimed that “thousands of Americans” die annually because of the “Democrats’ refusal to secure our borders.”

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker claimed he earned “All-American” academic honors while at the University of Iowa on his resume and on government applications, but the Wall Street Journal found no record of it being true.

New York Times: “Mr. Mattis had repeatedly told friends and aides over recent months that he viewed his responsibility to protect the United States’ 1.3 million active-duty troops as worth the concessions necessary as defense secretary to a mercurial president. … Officials said Mr. Mattis went to the White House with his resignation letter already written, but nonetheless made a last attempt at persuading the president to reverse his decision about Syria, which Mr. Trump announced on Wednesday over the objections of his senior advisers.

“Mr. Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, was rebuffed. Returning to the Pentagon, he asked aides to print out 50 copies of his resignation letter and distribute them around the building.”

Mike Allen: “It was a historic letter and a historic moment capping a historic day, one you could easily see filling a full chapter of future books on the Trump presidency. The wheels felt like they were coming off the White House before Mattis quit.”

“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s reluctance to hold a vote on a popular criminal justice bill has angered top Republican senators and created an unusual rift with a longtime GOP ally, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa,” the AP reports.

“Grassley has spent years working to build a coalition around the bill and is pushing for a year-end vote. Grassley says more than two-thirds of the Senate supports it. But McConnell is refusing to bring the legislation forward in a standoff that’s dividing the Republican majority and putting President Trump on the spot.”

“For the 85-year-old chairman of the Judiciary Committee, this is not the way Senate is supposed to operate. Grassley was expecting some deference from McConnell after delivering on Trump’s judicial nominees — including two now on the Supreme Court. Trump backs the criminal justice bill, too, but McConnell says it’s divisive.”