Top Items:
Bridget Bowman / Roll Call:
Arizona's Trent Franks to Resign Jan. 31 — Updated 7:24 pm | Arizona Republican Trent Franks said Thursday he is resigning from Congress effective Jan. 31 amid an Ethics Committee investigation into discussions he had with two female staffers about surrogacy.
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Elena Schneider / Politico:
Rep. Trent Franks to resign after discussing surrogacy with female staffers — Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) announced Thursday that he would resign from office as of Jan. 31, 2018, after discussing surrogacy issues with female staffers. — “I have recently learned that the Ethics Committee …
Discussion:
Washington Post, ThinkProgress, Talking Points Memo, RedState and Politicus USA
Jeremy Herb / CNN:
Ethics Committee clears Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes — Washington (CNN)The House Ethics Committee has cleared House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes in its investigation into whether he disclosed classified information to the Trump White House, which could create an avenue for Nunes …
John Bresnahan / Politico:
Ethics Committee launches investigation into Farenthold sexual harassment allegations
Ethics Committee launches investigation into Farenthold sexual harassment allegations
Discussion:
Washington Post, Reuters and Raw Story
CNN:
Arizona GOP Rep. Trent Franks will resign, sources say
Arizona GOP Rep. Trent Franks will resign, sources say
Discussion:
Weekly Standard, Fox News, KTLA, The New Civil Rights Movement and Splinter
John Parkinson / ABC News:
Paul Ryan forces GOP colleague out of Congress
Paul Ryan forces GOP colleague out of Congress
Discussion:
Associated Press and The Week
Ronald.Hansen / Arizona Republic:
Trent Franks stepping down from Congress amid claims of inappropriate behavior
Trent Franks stepping down from Congress amid claims of inappropriate behavior
Discussion:
Daily Kos
CNN:
Exclusive: Previously undisclosed emails show follow-up after Trump Tower meeting — Analyzing Donald Trump Jr.'s House testimony — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — Washington (CNN)The British publicist who arranged the June 2016 meeting with Russians and Donald Trump Jr. sent multiple emails …
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ThinkProgress, Talking Points Memo, The Daily Beast, Business Insider, Mediaite, The Week, Raw Story and Daily Kos
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Michael Tomasky / The Daily Beast:
Here's Why Democrats Forced Al Franken to Do the Right Thing—And Why They May Come to Regret It … So Al Franken is out. It was the right thing for him to do. I guess. What he did was wrong. It wasn't asking-a-14-year-old-girl-to-take-her- clothes-off wrong, but it was wrong.
Discussion:
Daily Kos, American Prospect and Talking Points Memo
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Matthew Yglesias / Vox:
We need a healthier conversation about partisanship and sexual assault
We need a healthier conversation about partisanship and sexual assault
Discussion:
Politico
J. Patrick Coolican Star / Star Tribune:
Gov. Mark Dayton likely to tap Lt. Gov Tina Smith as Franken replacement
Gov. Mark Dayton likely to tap Lt. Gov Tina Smith as Franken replacement
Discussion:
The Atlantic, The Hill, CNN, NPR, TIME, Business Insider, FiveThirtyEight, Weekly Standard, Talking Points Memo, The Slot, Refinery29, Hit & Run, NBC News, Roll Call, Axios, CNBC, The Daily Beast, Vox, The Moderate Voice, TheBlaze and Politico
CNN:
Al Franken resigning ‘in the coming weeks,’ calls out Trump and Moore
Al Franken resigning ‘in the coming weeks,’ calls out Trump and Moore
Discussion:
Politico, Washington Post, ThinkProgress, Hot Air, NPR, The Ringer, Talking Points Memo, IJR, The Nevada Independent, Vox, New York Times, Washington Free Beacon, NBC News, CNBC, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, twitchy.com, Weekly Standard, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Sputnik International, BloombergQuint and CANNONFIRE
Chris Cillizza / CNN:
Al Franken's totally unapologetic resignation
Al Franken's totally unapologetic resignation
Discussion:
Business Insider, Raw Story, NewsBusters, IJR and twitchy.com
Mike Levine / ABC News:
Less-guarded Sessions spars with interns in internal DOJ video — This summer, in the midst of President Donald Trump's criticism of the Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions in particular, Sessions said during a private event that the U.S. legal system must be …
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Yashar Ali / HuffPost:
Exclusive: Former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Fired For Misconduct By Morgan Stanley — A woman who was interviewed as part of the company's HR probe separately told HuffPost that Ford harassed her one evening in Manhattan several years ago. — Former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr …
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Politico, Power Line, The Hill, NBC News, The Root, Business Insider, New York Times, Shakesville, The Rush Limbaugh Show, IJR, twitchy.com, The Daily Caller, TVNewser, Axios, Mediaite and WREG-TV
Jenna Lifhits / Weekly Standard:
Cory Gardner: The NRSC ‘Will Never Endorse’ Roy Moore — As Donald Trump and the RNC move to support the Alabama Senate candidate, one group stands firm. — A protester holds up a sign as Roy Moore, not pictured, speaks during a campaign rally in Fairhope, Alabama, on Tuesday.
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Michael Harriot / The Root:
A Racist Flyer Might Cost Doug Jones the Election Because the Entire Democratic Party Is Trash
A Racist Flyer Might Cost Doug Jones the Election Because the Entire Democratic Party Is Trash
Discussion:
The Daily Dot, Power Line and WHNT-TV
Olivia Beavers / The Hill:
NRA spends nearly $55K on mailers targeting Doug Jones
NRA spends nearly $55K on mailers targeting Doug Jones
Discussion:
Politicus USA
Stephen Collinson / CNN:
Donald Trump — keeper of promises — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — Washington (CNN)A politician who actually does what he told voters he would do seems almost unfathomable in Washington, a town of broken promises. For Donald Trump, being a president who delivers is especially crucial …
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NBC News, Infowars, KTLA, The Gateway Pundit, The Daily Caller, IJR, AOL, NTK Network, Washington Post and Common Dreams
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Rebecca Savransky / The Hill:
Carter warns Trump: Jerusalem decision could jeopardize ‘any prospect for peace’
Carter warns Trump: Jerusalem decision could jeopardize ‘any prospect for peace’
Discussion:
The Carter Center, Washington Times and The Mahablog
Pew Research Center:
Stark Partisan Divisions Over Russia Probe, Including Its Importance to the Nation — Trump's style, Twitter use top ‘disappointments’ among supporters — A majority of Americans say they think senior members of Donald Trump's administration definitely or probably had improper contacts …
Discussion:
Axios, Washington Post and Pew Research Center
Ryan Grim / The Intercept:
MSNBC Reverses Decision To Fire Contributor Sam Seder — Progressive radio and television personality Sam Seder will be offered his MSNBC contributor job back and plans to accept, according to multiple MSNBC sources. — Seder and MSNBC were set to part ways when his contributor contract expired next year …
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, CNNMoney, The Daily Caller, Vox, Common Dreams, Little Green Footballs, The Daily Beast, Hullabaloo, RedState, Politico, Axios, Politicus USA, Business Insider, Washington Free Beacon, The Wrap, Balloon Juice, Splinter, Mediaite, Right Wing Watch and Althouse, more at Mediagazer »
Cristiano Lima / Politico:
Rep. John Lewis to skip Trump visit to Mississippi Civil Rights Museum — Civil rights icons Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Bennie Thompson announced Thursday they will not attend President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, calling the trip “an insult” to the African-Americans commemorated there.
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The Hill, ThinkProgress, ABC News, Axios, New York Magazine, Hullabaloo, The Root and Shareblue Media
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Marc Fisher / Washington Post:
On eve of Trump visit, Mississippi blacks say he's brought back troubles of the past
On eve of Trump visit, Mississippi blacks say he's brought back troubles of the past
Discussion:
Washington Free Beacon
Tamar Hallerman / Political Insider:
John Lewis cancels trip to civil rights museum, citing Trump's attendance
John Lewis cancels trip to civil rights museum, citing Trump's attendance
Discussion:
New York Times, IJR and Daily Kos
Jonathan Chait / New York Magazine:
The Steele Dossier on Trump and Russia Is Looking More and More Real — When news surfaced at the beginning of the year that British intelligence agent turned private investigator Christopher Steele had compiled a report on Donald Trump's ties to Russia, news reports immediately treated its findings as radioactive.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo and Washington Post
Dylan Farrow / Los Angeles Times:
Op-Ed Dylan Farrow: Why has the #MeToo revolution spared Woody Allen? — Director Woody Allen attends a special screening of “Wonder Wheel” in New York City on Nov. 14. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press) … We are in the midst of a revolution.
Cristina Marcos / The Hill:
House passes bill to avoid shutdown — The House on Thursday passed a two-week stopgap spending bill one day before a deadline to avoid a government shutdown. — House Republicans managed to pass the legislation mostly along party lines in the 235-193 vote, despite often coming short …
Discussion:
USA Today, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, The Week and Political Wire
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Sarah Frier / Bloomberg:
Silicon Valley Is Sneaking Models Into This Year's Holiday Parties — “Ambiance and atmosphere models” contractually obligated to pretend they're party guests are in record demand from local agencies. — Along with a seemingly endless string of harassment and discrimination scandals …
Discussion:
The Daily Caller and The Week
Associated Press:
Trust no one: Scholar risked all to document Islamic State — The historian carried secrets too heavy for one man to bear. — He packed his bag with his most treasured possessions before going to bed: the 1 terabyte hard drive with his evidence against the Islamic State group …
CNN:
Lindsey Vonn: I won't be representing US President at Winter Olympics — St Moritz, Switzerland (CNN)A number of US athletes have spoken out against Donald Trump during his presidency — and skier Lindsey Vonn has become the latest to have her say. — Targeting Olympic gold …
Discussion:
Shareblue Media, The Hill, WCMH-TV, IJR, NewsBusters, Mediaite, Washington Free Beacon, NewsCut and The Daily Caller
Los Angeles Times:
Heavy winds and dry air could prolong Ventura County wildfire for weeks, officials say — Gusty Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions continued to stoke major wildfires in Southern California on Thursday as Ventura County fire officials said the battle there could last well over a week.
Discussion:
The Week
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Ben Lefebvre / Politico:
Zinke booked government helicopters to attend D.C. events — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke spent more than $14,000 on government helicopters this summer to take himself and staff to and from official events near Washington, D.C., in order to accommodate his attendance at a swearing-in ceremony …
Discussion:
Raw Story
Jen Christensen / CNN:
Did President Trump slur his speech? — (CNN)While President Donald Trump was giving his historic speech Wednesday to announce that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, some on the internet focused on the manner in which he made his statement.
Discussion:
FOX2now.com, Raw Story, CNBC, AOL, IJR, The Root and The New Civil Rights Movement