The committee investigating the assault on the Capitol have seen text messages urging White House staff to get the president to stop the riot. Donald Trump Jr and Fox News hosts were among those who messaged Mark Meadows, Trump’s then chief of staff. Emily, Jon and Anthony pick over who said what, and when.

Governor Gavin Newsom says he plans to copy Texas’s tactics on abortion laws to stop the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons in his state of California. But can his plan actually work? Professor of law Khiara Bridges tells us why she believes his proposal is more than just a PR stunt.

And how a florist’s dream to decorate the White House for Christmas came true.

Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.