memeorandum: Murkowski ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's vow for ‘total coordination’ with White House for impeachment trial (Sean Maguire/Associated Press)

3:05 PM ET, December 25, 2019

Top Items:

Murkowski ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's vow for ‘total coordination’ with White House for impeachment trial — ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says she was “disturbed” to hear Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell say there would be “total coordination” between the White House …

Discussion: Politico, Fox News, Axios, New York Post, Raw Story, New York Times, Law & Crime, KTLA, MSNBC, Joe.My.God., The Hill and CNN

Karl Rove / Wall Street Journal:

Clinton's Impeachment Was Dignified — The Democratic base demanded a circus this time, and Pelosi is giving it to them. — There are always tensions between the House and the Senate, even when the same party controls both chambers. Each views the other, and its rules, procedures and attitudes, with some disdain.

Discussion: The Hill

CNN:

Moderate GOP senator ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's coordination with White House — Washington (CNN)Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she is “disturbed” by coordination between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the White House over the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

Associated Press:

GOP senator ‘disturbed’ by McConnell impeachment remark — FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2019 file photo, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during a hearing on the impact of wildfires on electric grid reliability on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Discussion: Raw Story and Bangor Daily News

Adam Edelman / NBC News:

GOP Sen. Murkowski ‘disturbed’ by McConnell comments about impeachment trial — The Alaska lawmaker is seen as one of the few Republicans who could break from her party on a Senate vote to convict Trump. — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Tuesday she was “disturbed” …

Jake Sherman / Politico:

POLITICO Playbook: Merry Christmas! — MERRY CHRISTMAS! ... SPOTTED: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump having Christmas Day brunch at the Ritz in Paris. Pic — CATCHING UP WITH TRUMP, from USA Today's MICHAEL COLLINS' pool reports yesterday: THE PRESIDENT went to church at Family Church …

Discussion: Associated Press, Palm Beach Post and Townhall

Alexandra Jaffe / Associated Press: Bloomberg axes company using prisoners for campaign calls

Sasha Pezenik / ABC News:
Bloomberg campaign used prison labor to make 2020 campaign calls

Discussion: CBS News, Redstate and UPI

Washington Post:

In aftermath of Ukraine crisis, a climate of mistrust and threats — The new Russia adviser at the White House — the third in just six months — has no meaningful background on the subject. The only expert on Ukraine has never spoken with President Trump, only been mocked by him publicly.

Discussion: Raw Story

Rebecca Klar / The Hill:

Trump calls for ‘deeper understanding and respect’ in Christmas message — President Trump called for unity and respect in his presidential Christmas message released Wednesday by the White House. — “While the challenges that face our country are great, the bonds that unite us as Americans …

Discussion: Axios

Maya King / Politico:

'We've never seen spending like this': Bloomberg, Steyer saturate airwaves — They entered the race late, but the two billionaires seeking the Democratic nomination are making up for lost time. — Together, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg have poured nearly $200 million into television …

Evan Semones / Politico:

Trump campaign encourages supporters to confront their ‘snowflake’ relatives — With families coming together at the end of one of the most divisive years in recent memory, President Donald Trump's campaign has created what is intended to be a gift for supporters who might talk politics with a “snowflake” relative this Christmas.

Discussion: Fox News, NPR, Washington Post and Axios

Rebecca Klar / The Hill:
Trump campaign launches website to help supporters ‘win arguments’ with ‘snowflakes’ during holidays

Discussion: Breitbart

Ruth Maclean / New York Times:

Speaking Out on Gay Rights and Corruption Costs Ambassador His Job — Zambia's president wanted U.S. Ambassador Daniel Foote gone after he criticized the government for corruption and for sending a gay couple to prison. — The United States recalled its ambassador to Zambia on Monday …

Discussion: CNN

Wall Street Journal:

NATO Faces a Fresh Quandary as Turkey Tips Toward Russia — Alliance strains to resolve tensions with President Erdogan, who has threatened to evict U.S. bases if Trump administration imposes new sanctions — Turkey's president has warned that he would evict U.S. forces from two military bases …

Emily Goodin / Daily Mail:

Donald Trump talks with famed lawyer Alan Dershowitz at family Christmas dinner at Mar-a-Lago amid reports the he could join the president's impeachment team — Donald Trump got up from his family Christmas Eve dinner at Mar-a-Lago to greet Alan Dershowitz amid reports Dershowitz may join Trump legal team

Discussion: Redstate, Associated Press and The Hill

Drew Harwell / Washington Post:

Colleges are turning students' phones into surveillance machines, tracking the locations of hundreds of thousands — When Syracuse University freshmen walk into professor Jeff Rubin's Introduction to Information Technologies class, seven small Bluetooth beacons hidden around …

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