Top Items:
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.
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
The Week
Paul Krugman / New York Times:
Trump and His Corrupt Old Party — For Republicans, there is no bottom. — Formally, the House of Representatives is holding an inquiry into the question of whether Donald J. Trump should be impeached. In reality, we've known the answer to that question for a long time.
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Julie Pace / Associated Press:
Analysis: Mountain of impeachment evidence is beyond dispute — 1 of 6 — WASHINGTON (AP) — After two weeks of riveting public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, there is a mountain of evidence that is now beyond dispute. — Full Coverage: Trump impeachment inquiry
Discussion:
New York Times, Politico, Reuters, The Daily Beast, Axios and Florida Politics
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 Sargent / Washington Post:
In Fiona Hill's powerful testimony, a disturbing glimpse into Pompeo's mindset — The past few days of impeachment hearings have shined a particularly harsh light on the role in this scandal played by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. And now we're getting a dispiriting glimpse of what Pompeo himself thinks about all of it.
Discussion:
The Mahablog and New York Times
Kevin Liptak / CNN:
Fiona Hill's extraordinary answer distills what impeachment is about
Fiona Hill's extraordinary answer distills what impeachment is about
Discussion:
WPIX 11 New York, Deseret News and CANNONFIRE
Michael Gerson / Washington Post:
Republicans' motivations are all out in the open
Republicans' motivations are all out in the open
Discussion:
New York Magazine, HuffPost and Salon
Gabby Orr / Politico:
'He cares about his grievances and his reelection, and that's it' — President Donald Trump was supposed to offer a White House plan to protect Americans from gun violence. — He was supposed to achieve historic immigration reform, crack down on flavored e-cigarettes …
Discussion:
Raw Story, The Hill and Washington Post
RELATED:
Mark Preston / CNN:
Pelosi to participate in CNN town hall as House weighs impeachment
Pelosi to participate in CNN town hall as House weighs impeachment
Discussion:
Political Wire and Joe.My.God.
Washington Post:
White House and Republicans discuss limiting impeachment trial to two weeks
White House and Republicans discuss limiting impeachment trial to two weeks
Discussion:
Vox, Fox News, ABC News, Salt Lake Tribune, The Hill, HotAir, Raw Story, Daily Kos, The Week and Joe.My.God.
Eric Beech / Reuters:
Trump wants Senate trial, expects Joe Biden to testify: White House
Trump wants Senate trial, expects Joe Biden to testify: White House
Discussion:
Breitbart
Darren Samuelsohn / Politico:
Impeachment is about to get a Robert Mueller reprise — Right now, impeachment is all about Ukraine. But after Thanksgiving, prepare for a Robert Mueller reprise. — Now that House Democrats have wrapped up public hearings on President Donald Trump's pressure campaign to get Ukraine …
Discussion:
Raw Story
RELATED:
Kyle Cheney / Politico:
Questions over next steps as Judiciary moves into impeachment spotlight
Questions over next steps as Judiciary moves into impeachment spotlight
Discussion:
Axios and Joe.My.God.
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:
The Hill, One America News Network, Raw Story, Joe.My.God., Mediaite, DCCC 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:
Breitbart, Slate, War Room, Politico, Vanity Fair, POLITICUSUSA, Mediaite, Axios, Joe.My.God. and The Week
Michael Balsamo / Associated Press:
AG Barr: Epstein's death was a ‘perfect storm of screw-ups’ — 1 of 6 — ABOARD A US GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT (AP) — Attorney General William Barr says Jeffrey Epstein's death was the result of a “perfect storm of screw-ups.” — Barr's comments in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press come days …
Discussion:
National Review, Axios, Political Wire, The Hill and Joe.My.God.
Greg Miller / Washington Post:
Impeachment witness warns that conspiracy theories advance Russia's agenda as they divide Americans — For two months, the impeachment inquiry has focused on President Trump and whether he abused the power of his office for his own political advantage. — On Thursday, the inquiry seemed …
Discussion:
Outside the Beltway, Slate and New York Times
RELATED:
David Harsanyi / National Review:
The Impeachment Hearings Have Been Useless
The Impeachment Hearings Have Been Useless
Discussion:
BizPac Review
Byron York / Washington Examiner:
Ambassador Sondland's slick move — By many accounts, Gordon Sondland delivered the most consequential testimony of the House Democrats' rushed public impeachment proceedings. Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, testified in the impeachment hearings Wednesday.
Discussion:
Twitchy
Grant Stern / Occupy Democrats:
Out of options in the face of damning testimony, Republicans stopped asking Fiona Hill questions — Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee just threw in the towel and stopped asking questions altogether to a pair of impeachment hearing witnesses with damning facts, instead preferring to obviously run out the clock.
Discussion:
Raw Story, PBS NewsHour and The Guardian
RELATED:
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:
The Hill, USA Today, BizPac Review, Joe.My.God. and Raw Story, more at Mediagazer »
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 …
RELATED:
David G. Savage / Los Angeles Times:
House attorneys say Trump's tax returns are needed for impeachment inquiry — Lawyers for the House, citing the “rapidly advancing impeachment inquiry,” urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to reject President Trump's bid to shield his tax returns and financial records from congressional investigators.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, Political Wire and Townhall
Elaine Godfrey / The Atlantic:
Democrats Know Trump Isn't Going Anywhere — The first sound that greeted me, rounding the corner outside the hearing room in the Longworth House Office Building, was the eerie echo of Representative Adam Schiff's voice emanating from the several dozen cellphones blasting live-stream footage of the testimony going on inside.
Discussion:
Media Matters for America and NBC News
New York Times:
R.N.C. Spent Nearly $100,000 on Copies of Donald Trump Jr.'s Book — “Triggered,” published Nov. 5, topped the best-seller list thanks in part to a big order from the Republican National Committee. — When Donald Trump Jr.'s new book “Triggered” appeared at the top of the New York Times best-seller list …
Discussion:
Washington Post, HuffPost and BuzzFeed News
Emily Glazer / Wall Street Journal:
It May Take a Month to Name California's Winner on Super Tuesday — Changes to election procedures are expected to slow the vote-counting for Democratic presidential contenders in March — LOS ANGELES—California's decision to move up its 2020 primary to Super Tuesday in early March …
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 and New York Times