Welcome to the beat and we're joining you in this new year week as the Rockefeller Christmas tree is still up.

I told you we're going to count that.

We also have reports on Trump's immunity claims, Andrew Weisman here later this hour.

Plus, accountability for gun lobbyists, that story on the

trial of Wayne La Pierre is coming up. But our top story is this 2024 campaign

that is here whether you like it or not.

Indeed, last night we had the reports from Iowa

where the caucus is now just 12 days away.

Can you believe that?

And tonight, right now, we begin with how the Biden White House

and campaign is leaning into this

unavoidable political month. The president taking his re-election message to

Pennsylvania. That's a key state he won and the symbolism of George Washington's leadership in what you see on your screen, Valley Forge.

Washington is touted for setting a standard for democracy, walking away from power after those two terms, Biden will draw a

contrast to Trump on that score. Trump being the election loser who tried to steal

a race compared to Washington who was making news in his day with what was

described then as you see here the resignation of George Washington Esquire of his situation

as President of the United States of America.

That was a time of kingdoms.

So it was a big deal that Washington resisted,

as this paper put it, the solicitations of his friends

to continue in office, a selfless act that they reported

...