CNN reports that the dispute between Donald Trump and the US intelligence community over allegations of Russia’s election-related hacking may finally reach a climax behind closed doors on Friday as Trump sits down with James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence along with other agency heads.

• The Hill: Conway: Trump Plan for Mexico to Pay for Wall Hasn’t Changed
• Daily Caller: FBI Claims DNC ‘Inhibited’ Its Investigation of Stolen Emails
• Politico: Trump Restores Power of Israeli Ambassador
• WashExaminer: NAACP Protest of Sessions ‘a Fundraising Gimmick’
• WashTimes: IRS Prioritized Obamacare Over Taxpayer Customer Service, IG Report Says

Trump is weighing slimming down the Office of the Director of National Security (ODNI) and cutting CIA staff in Washington in favor of placing more personnel overseas, reports The Wall Street Journal.

• Independent: Declassified Intelligence Report On Russian Hacking to Be Made Available to Public
• WashTimes: Obamacare Cracks Show As 13 Dems Say They Could Vote To Reform Health Law
• Reuters: Massachusetts Sheriff Offers Prison Inmates to Build Trump’s Wall
• The Hill: Gingrich on Chicago Torture Video: ‘We Are Right on the Edge of a Terrible Period’
• Politico: Trump Labor Meeting Worries Progressives

President Obama met behind closed doors Wednesday morning with congressional Democrats to devise a strategy to save the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and other health-care policies — the very day Republicans have commenced debate on how to get rid of the massive 2010 health-care law, reports The Washington Post.

• Townhall: Democratic Senator Refuses to Meet with Obama in Wednesday Morning Meeting
• Reuters: Pence, Republican Lawmakers Focus on Obamacare in Capitol Talks
• The Hill: GOP Panel to Probe Obama Response to Russia Hacking
• WashTimes: Donald Trump Blasts Defense Contracting Titans for Overpriced Weapons
• The Hill: Palin Apologizes to Assange