Top Items:
Philip Bump / Washington Post:
Fiona Hill tells Devin Nunes to his face that his Ukraine conspiracy theory is ‘harmful’ — It's already been publicly embraced by Vladimir Putin. — One reason that Russia's interference effort in 2016 was successful was that it leveraged a powerful source of energy: partisanship.
Discussion:
Breitbart, Taylor Marsh, Reuters, Associated Press, The Editorial Board and The Guardian
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Kevin Liptak / CNN:
Fiona Hill's extraordinary answer distills what impeachment is about — Washington (CNN)Fiona Hill's extraordinary answer about her relationship with the American ambassador to the European Union was ultimately a finely distilled description of what the impeachment hearings are all about …
Discussion:
Deseret News, Mercury News and CANNONFIRE
Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:
Republicans' nuttery exposed — You knew it was not going to be pretty. On one side, two professional diplomats, both whip-smart with excellent memories and deep knowledge of Ukraine, neither of whom seems to suffer fools. On the other side, a great many foolish Republicans …
Discussion:
New York Times
Greg Miller / Washington Post:
Impeachment witness warns that conspiracy theories advance Russia's agenda as they divide Americans
Greg Sargent / Washington Post:
In Fiona Hill's powerful testimony, a disturbing glimpse into Pompeo's mindset
In Fiona Hill's powerful testimony, a disturbing glimpse into Pompeo's mindset
Discussion:
New York Times
David Harsanyi / National Review:
The Impeachment Hearings Have Been Useless
Greg Sargent / Washington Post:
The GOP defense of Trump is in slow-motion collapse. It's about to get worse.
The GOP defense of Trump is in slow-motion collapse. It's about to get worse.
Discussion:
New York Times, Vox, The Mahablog, TheBlaze and Slate
Dana Milbank / Washington Post:
Republicans have a new enemy: Truth itself
Republicans have a new enemy: Truth itself
Discussion:
Slate, The Permanent Select Committee … and Breitbart
Associated Press:
Impeachment hearing takeaways: A ‘domestic political errand’
Impeachment hearing takeaways: A ‘domestic political errand’
Discussion:
NBC News, Breitbart, Defense One, Politico, Associated Press, The American Independent and KSLNewsRadio
Wendy R. Sherman / USA Today:
Sondland's impeachment testimony proves Trump foreign policy is run by corrupt clowns
Sondland's impeachment testimony proves Trump foreign policy is run by corrupt clowns
Discussion:
Media Matters for America, Washington Post and Raw Story
Hope Yen / Associated Press:
AP FACT CHECK: Trump, GOP claims on Ukraine corruption
AP FACT CHECK: Trump, GOP claims on Ukraine corruption
Discussion:
Florida Politics and Politico
CNN:
Exclusive: Former FBI lawyer under investigation after allegedly altering document in 2016 Russia probe — Washington (CNN)A former FBI lawyer is under criminal investigation after allegedly altering a document related to 2016 surveillance of a Trump campaign adviser, several people briefed on the matter told CNN.
Discussion:
Power Line, Townhall, The Gateway Pundit, Raw Story, New York Post, Political Wire, The Last Refuge, The Daily Caller, Law & Crime, TheBlaze and Mediaite
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Washington Post:
Justice Dept. watchdog is said to have found evidence an FBI employee altered document in Russia probe — The Justice Department inspector general has found evidence that an FBI employee may have altered a document connected to court-approved surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser, according to people familiar with the matter.
Betsy Swan / The Daily Beast:
Parnas Attended Giuliani's Madrid Meeting With Zelensky Aide — Parnas was at the table for a meeting where Giuliani pressured a senior Ukrainian official to investigate a company linked to the Bidens, the official told The Daily Beast. — When Rudy Giuliani met with a senior Ukrainian official …
Discussion:
Joe.My.God., Mediaite, DCCC, emptywheel, Raw Story and Daily Kos
RELATED:
Colby Itkowitz / Washington Post:
Graham launches probe of Bidens, Burisma and Ukraine
Graham launches probe of Bidens, Burisma and Ukraine
Discussion:
Vanity Fair, Mediaite, POLITICUSUSA, Joe.My.God. and The Week
Zachary Basu / Axios:
Fiona Hill: It is “not credible” Sondland didn't make Biden-Burisma connection
Fiona Hill: It is “not credible” Sondland didn't make Biden-Burisma connection
Discussion:
Politico, The Daily Beast, Washington Post and The Stranger
David Ignatius / Washington Post:
Trump's meddling in a SEAL disciplinary case risks a collision with the Navy — Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was traveling in California on March 30 when he received a 4 a.m. phone call from President Trump. The president demanded that the Navy release from the brig a SEAL named Edward Gallagher …
Discussion:
Navy Times, New York Times and BizPac Review
RELATED:
Dave Philipps / New York Times:
Trump Reverses Navy Decision to Oust Edward Gallagher From SEALs
Trump Reverses Navy Decision to Oust Edward Gallagher From SEALs
Discussion:
Slate, Fox News, Military.com, NPR, Mediaite, Disrn, Hullabaloo, Redstate, The American Independent, GV Wire, The Hill, New York Post, The Gateway Pundit, Daily Kos, TheBlaze, National Review and Joe.My.God.
Washington Post:
‘Insurgents’ lobbied Trump for war crimes pardons with little Pentagon involvement, officials say
‘Insurgents’ lobbied Trump for war crimes pardons with little Pentagon involvement, officials say
Discussion:
One America News Network
Tim Miller / The Bulwark:
Fiona Hill: Impeachment Queen — She's not the hero we deserve. She's the hero we need. — I spent a decade watching impeachment hearings this week. Hours upon hours of puffed-up pols posturing and patronizing and waging war on our psyche through parliamentary procedure.
RELATED:
Axios:
“Could I actually say something?”: Fiona Hill fires back at House Republicans — In a stunning moment at Thursday's impeachment hearing, former top White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill asked whether she may respond to Republican attacks, after three GOP congressman in a row used …
Meridith McGraw / Politico:
White House backs full Senate trial if House impeaches Trump — Top White House officials and Senate Republicans on Thursday agreed that a full trial should be conducted if the House impeaches President Donald Trump, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
RELATED:
Anti-Defamation League:
Sacha Baron Cohen's Keynote Address at ADL's 2019 Never Is Now Summit on Anti-Semitism and Hate — Remarks by Sacha Baron Cohen, Recipient of ADL's International Leadership Award — Thank you, Jonathan, for your very kind words. Thank you, ADL, for this recognition and your work in fighting racism, hate and bigotry.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, IndieWire, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Fortune and NBC News, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Matt Wilstein / The Daily Beast:
Sacha Baron Cohen Uses ADL Speech to Tear Apart Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook — Accepting an award from the Anti-Defamation League, the comedian called Facebook “the greatest propaganda machine in history.” — Sacha Baron Cohen accepted the International Leadership Award …
John Hendrickson / The Atlantic:
What Joe Biden Can't Bring Himself to Say — His eyes fall to the floor when I ask him to describe it. We've been tiptoeing toward it for 45 minutes, and so far, every time he seems close, he backs away, or leads us in a new direction. There are competing theories in the press, but Joe Biden has kept mum on the subject.
Discussion:
National Review and Balloon Juice
Michael M. Grynbaum / New York Times:
Shepard Smith Uses a Post-Fox Spotlight to Defend Freedom of the Press — The former anchor made his first public appearance since his abrupt departure from Fox News, where he faced taunts from colleagues and President Trump. — In his first public remarks since abruptly resigning …
Discussion:
USA Today, The Daily Caller, Raw Story and Mediaite, more at Mediagazer »
Wall Street Journal:
Georgia Gov. Kemp Resists Pressure from Trump on Senate Appointment — President is pressing for Rep. Doug Collins to be named interim senator, but the governor is leaning toward a woman or minority for the post — ATLANTA—Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is resisting pressure …
Politico:
Democratic establishment reaches boiling point with Tulsi Gabbard — Tulsi Gabbard trashed the Democratic Party as “not the party that is of, by and for the people,” accused Kamala Harris of trafficking in “lies and smears and innuendo” and attacked Pete Buttigieg as naive.
Discussion:
Joe.My.God., Breitbart and Mediaite
Peter Elkind / ProPublica:
Prosecutors Investigating the Trump Organization Zero In on Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg — Weisselberg is one of the Trump Organization's longest tenured employees and is now co-running the business. He escaped federal prosecution for the Stormy Daniels payments but is now a focus of an investigation by Manhattan's district attorney.
Discussion:
Law & Crime and POLITICUSUSA
Nicole Perlroth / New York Times:
A Former Fox News Executive Divides Americans Using Russian Tactics — An investigation found that several sites owned by Ken LaCorte push inflammatory items — stories, petitions and the occasional conspiracy theory — to the public. — SAN FRANCISCO — At first glance …
Discussion:
Raw Story, more at Mediagazer »
Washington Post:
White House readies California homelessness plan after ousting top official — Aides could present options to President Trump as soon as next week on an issue that has divided federal and state officials. — White House officials will soon present President Trump with a plan to crack …
Discussion:
Mother Jones
Washington Post:
Kentucky governor's stay at Trump hotel could carry legal implications for president — Gov. Matt Bevin's 2018 visit to Trump's D.C. hotel likely to become fodder for plaintiffs in cases against Trump. — When Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin came to Washington in January for two nights …
Andrew Desiderio / Politico:
Impeachment surprises boost Dems, but Republican resistance holds — Throughout their rapidly unfolding impeachment inquiry, Democrats feared they would lose control of the moment. — So they carefully choreographed two weeks of public hearings to avoid a derailment.
David Brooks / New York Times:
The Revolt Against Populism — These days, the protesters are fighting for freedom. — Have you noticed that the world is on fire? — Crowds are chanting “Death to Khamenei” in Iran while the regime kills them en masse and shuts down the internet. Throngs are marching …
Bryan Anderson / Sacramento Bee:
California can't force Donald Trump to release tax returns, state Supreme Court rules — President Donald Trump won't have to release his tax returns to get on California's 2020 primary ballot following a unanimous ruling from the state Supreme Court on Thursday that invalidated a new state law.
Discussion:
Axios, PEN, The Gateway Pundit and Joe.My.God.