Top Items:
Gabriel Sherman / Vanity Fair:
“I Have Power”: Is Steve Bannon Running for President? — On a whirlwind tour around the globe, Trump's former aide and alter ego reveals what really went down in the White House, his unfettered thoughts on Javanka, his complicated relationship with his erstwhile boss—and his own political ambitions.
CNN:
Top FBI official grilled on Comey, Clinton in Hill testimony — Washington (CNN)FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe faced numerous questions this week about his interactions, conversations and correspondence with his one-time boss, former FBI Director James Comey, spanning both the FBI's Russia investigation …
Discussion:
RedState, Politicus USA, IJR, Power Line and Instapundit
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Ryan Struyk / CNN:
Most Americans doubt Trump on Russia probe, while Mueller approval tilts positive — Berman: Trump wrong to claim collusion ‘disproven’ — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — 56% of Americans think Trump's public statements on the Russia probe have been mostly or completely false
Discussion:
Politico, Shareblue Media, Hullabaloo and TheBlaze
Natasha Bertrand / Business Insider:
A trio of House Republicans lobbing attacks on Mueller have been in touch with the White House
A trio of House Republicans lobbing attacks on Mueller have been in touch with the White House
Discussion:
Raw Story, Daily Kos, RedState, IJR, TheBlaze, AOL, Talking Points Memo, The Week, Shakesville, Fox News Insider, Politico, Fox News and The Hill
Matthew Chapman / Shareblue Media:
Ex-CIA director Brennan goes there, compares Trump to “narcissistic, vengeful autocrats” — Foreign relations have been in a tailspin since Donald Trump upended decades of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and declared America would recognize Jerusalem solely as the capital of Israel.
Discussion:
RedState, IJR, Raw Story, twitchy.com and Mediaite
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Washington Post:
U.N. resoundingly rejects U.S. decision on Jerusalem in pointed rebuke … The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a measure rejecting the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which was repeatedly criticized as undermining prospects for peace.
Discussion:
The Guardian, Booman Tribune, Just Security and Al Jazeera English
New York Times:
Defying Trump, U.N. General Assembly Condemns U.S. Decree on Jerusalem — UNITED NATIONS — A lopsided majority of United Nations members rebuked the United States on Thursday, denouncing its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ignoring President Trump's threats to retaliate …
Discussion:
bizpacreview.com, National Review, Townhall.com and Mediaite
Eli Lake / Bloomberg:
Nikki Haley Confronts the U.N.'s ‘Jackals’
Nikki Haley Confronts the U.N.'s ‘Jackals’
Discussion:
Townhall.com, Washington Post, IJR, TheBlaze, RedState, bizpacreview.com, New York Times, Instapundit, New York Magazine, Betsy's Page, CNN, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Haaretz
Nicole Gaouette / CNN:
Despite Haley threat, UN votes to condemn Trump's Jerusalem decision
Despite Haley threat, UN votes to condemn Trump's Jerusalem decision
Discussion:
RedState, The Gateway Pundit and twitchy.com
Washington Post:
Trump advisers vent frustrations about 2018 strategy as president listens … Within hours of celebrating President Trump's biggest legislative achievement, at the South Portico of the White House on Wednesday, his aides and outside advisers had a spirited, and at times tense …
Discussion:
Politico and Business Insider
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Maggie Haberman / New York Times:
Dispute Over Midterm Game Plan Erupts Inside the White House
Alex Isenstadt / Politico:
Republicans warn Trump of 2018 bloodbath
Josh Gerstein / Politico:
Judge dismisses suits claiming Trump violated emoluments clause — A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a pair of lawsuits claiming that President Donald Trump's failure to divest himself of his real estate empire and other business holdings violated the Constitution's provision banning receipt of foreign …
Discussion:
RedState, Washington Post and The Week
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Sharon LaFraniere / New York Times:
Judge Dismisses Suit Against Trump Over Business Dealings — WASHINGTON — In a legal victory for the Trump administration, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Thursday that accused President Trump of violating the Constitution by continuing to own and profit from his business empire.
Cora Lewis / BuzzFeed:
Five Women Are Accusing A Top Left-Leaning Media Executive Of Sexually Harassing Them — Don Hazen, the executive editor of AlterNet, was placed on “indefinite leave” after BuzzFeed News asked his oversight board about accusations that he inappropriately touched employees, sent lewd emails, and showed them explicit photographs.
Discussion:
NewsBusters and The Daily Caller, more at Mediagazer »
Kelsey Snell / NPR:
McConnell Ready To ‘Move On’ From Obamacare Repeal, Others In GOP Say Not So Fast — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants 2018 to be a year of bipartisanship, even if that means moving on from GOP dreams of cutting welfare and fully rolling back the Affordable Care Act.
Discussion:
The Hill, Talking Points Memo, Axios, Washington Post, Balloon Juice, IJR and Politico
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Paul Demko / Politico:
Obamacare sign-ups surge, despite Trump's declaration on ‘repeal’
Obamacare sign-ups surge, despite Trump's declaration on ‘repeal’
Discussion:
cms.gov, Balloon Juice and ACA Signups
Dylan Scott / Vox:
8.8 million people signed up for Obamacare coverage despite Trump's sabotage
8.8 million people signed up for Obamacare coverage despite Trump's sabotage
Discussion:
ABC News, ACA Signups, New York Times, Talking Points Memo, Axios and NBC News
Christina Wilkie / CNBC:
Congress races to fund the government and avert a shutdown — Congress races to pass a short-term spending bill aimed at averting a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday. — The measure also contains a provision that would allow President Trump to sign the GOP tax bill immediately …
Discussion:
New York Times, NPR, Hot Air, National Review, The Daily Caller, AOL, Washington Free Beacon and IJR
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John Judis / Talking Points Memo:
The Politics of the Republican Tax Bill: A Dissenting View
The Politics of the Republican Tax Bill: A Dissenting View
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, No More Mister Nice Blog, Booman Tribune, Mother Jones and JustOneMinute
Mike DeBonis / Washington Post:
Senate passes stopgap spending bill, allowing Congress to avert partial government shutdown
Senate passes stopgap spending bill, allowing Congress to avert partial government shutdown
Discussion:
IJR, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, The Daily Caller and ThinkProgress
New York Times:
Trump Administration Considers Separating Families to Combat Illegal Immigration — The Trump administration is considering a new policy that would separate parents from their children when families are caught entering the country illegally, according to officials who have been briefed on the plans.
Joseph Pisani / Associated Press:
Papa John's Founder To Step Down As CEO After Backlash Over NFL Comments — NEW YORK (AP) — Papa John's founder John Schnatter will step down as CEO next month, about two months after he publicly criticized the NFL leadership over national anthem protests by football players — comments for which the company later apologized.
Discussion:
The Daily Caller and Balloon Juice
Avery Anapol / The Hill:
Trump praises ‘Fox & Friends’ for being named ‘most influential’ because he watches it — on Thursday praised “Fox & Friends” after a media website named it the “most influential” because he watches it. — “Was @foxandfriends just named the most influential show in news?” Trump tweeted.
Discussion:
Townhall.com, Mediaite, IJR, Raw Story, Washington Free Beacon, Washington Times, Deadline and RedState
NBC News:
Prosecutors ask FBI agents for info on Uranium One deal — On the orders of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Justice Department prosecutors have begun asking FBI agents to explain the evidence they found in a now dormant criminal investigation into a controversial uranium deal that critics …
Discussion:
Shareblue Media, ThinkProgress, Axios, Project Republic, Talking Points Memo, New Republic, IJR, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, The Hill, John Hawkins' Right Wing News, Raw Story, The Gateway Pundit, Business Insider, The Week, The Daily Caller, Mediaite, bizpacreview.com, RedState, Law & Crime, New York Magazine and No More Mister Nice Blog
Ryan J. Reilly / HuffPost:
All 6 Defendants Not Guilty In Key Felony Trial Of Trump Inauguration Protesters — The case could determine the fate of many of the nearly 200 people arrested during the inauguration. — All six defendants in a crucial trial involving demonstrators arrested during President Donald Trump's inauguration …
Discussion:
New York Magazine and The Stranger …, more at Mediagazer »
Bloomberg:
Mueller Is Looking Into a U.S. Foundation Backed by Russian Money — Foundation got $500,000 in undisclosed Russian donations — Representatives attended meeting with Trump campaign officials — Sara Peterson flew to Moscow in 2012 to take home two Russian orphans just as the Kremlin …
Discussion:
Mother Jones, Talking Points Memo, The Daily Caller, U.S. Department … and Towleroad
mypalmbeachpost:
EXCLUSIVE: Trump's Mar-a-Lago tax deal veiled from IRS review — PALM BEACH POST INVESTIGATION … Donald Trump stands in the living room at Mar-a-Lago, 1992. Photo by Katie Deits / Zuma Press — PALM BEACH — Donald Trump's deal with the town of Palm Beach to turn Mar-a-Lago …
Discussion:
Raw Story and Mother Jones
Zack Ford / ThinkProgress:
Sore loser Roy Moore lashes out at Doug Jones' gay son — He's blaming everyone but himself. — Republican Roy Moore has still not conceded his loss in the Alabama Senate race, and in recent days, has seemed to pin the blame at minority groups he is known for despising.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Newsroom, Washington Examiner, New York Daily News and The Montgomery Advertiser
Jenna Johnson / Washington Post:
Pence pays surprise visit to Kabul — KABUL — Vice President Pence arrived in Afghanistan on Thursday for an unannounced visit with U.S. troops, many of whom were just children when the war began here more than 16 years ago, and to meet with top Afghan leaders to discuss President Trump's strategy for the conflict.
Discussion:
Axios, Politico, ABC News, The Gateway Pundit and Shakesville
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Caroline Orr / Shareblue Media:
Trump just gave a bigger Christmas gift to Putin than corporate America — while no one was watching — While most of the country was focused on Alabama's Senate race, Trump was playing Secret Santa with Putin. — In a move that went largely unnoticed last week, Donald Trump quietly handed …
Manohla Dargis / New York Times:
Review: In ‘The Post,’ Democracy Survives the Darkness — THE POST - NYT Critic's Pick - Directed by Steven Spielberg - Biography, Drama, History, Thriller - PG-13 - 1h 55m — Steven Spielberg's exhilarating drama “The Post” is about a subject that's dear to the heart of journalists: themselves!
Discussion:
Splinter
Jordan Pascale / Virginian-Pilot:
Virginia officials will randomly pick winner of tied House of Delegates race on Dec. 27 — Politicos, mark your calendars for Wednesday Dec. 27. — That's the day the Virginia Board of Elections will randomly pick the winner of the high stakes and tied 94th House District race. — The impact?
Discussion:
NBC News, Business Insider, Vox, Refinery29, Shakesville, NPR, The Atlantic and Washington Post
Callum Borchers / Washington Post:
Breitbart editor now says he believed Leigh Corfman and thought Roy Moore was ‘terrible’ — In the final weeks of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama, Breitbart News strained to discredit Leigh Corfman, who accused Republican Roy Moore of sexually touching her when she was 14 and he was 32.
Bakari T Sellers / The Guardian:
A new generation of young black politicians is coming - the Democrats should listen — Democrats have every right to feel optimistic after a major win in Alabama, but keeping up momentum will require more than taking black voters for granted … he recent upset in the special election …
ODNI Newsroom:
Joint Statement from DNI Coats, AG Sessions, CIA Director Pompeo, FBI Director Wray, and NSA Director Rogers on FISA Section 702 Reauthorization — Reauthorizing Section 702 before it expires is vital to keeping the nation safe. Let us be clear: if Congress fails to act …
Discussion:
RedState, emptywheel and Washington Post
Carlos Lozada / Washington Post:
The presidency survived the Watergate, Iran-contra and Clinton scandals. Trump will exact a higher toll. — Histories of past presidential scandals reveal common threads and turning points — but also show how Trump stands alone. — THE FINAL DAYS — By Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.