memeorandum: In aftermath of Ukraine crisis, a climate of mistrust and threats (Washington Post)

6:40 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: Washington Post, New York Times, HuffPost, Breitbart, Politico, Axios, Raw Story, The Slot, Fox News, New York Post, Law & Crime, The Hill, Joe.My.God., KTLA, MSNBC and CNN

Alexander Bolton / The Hill:

McConnell flexes reelection muscle with $1B gift for Kentucky — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is delivering more than $1 billion worth of federal spending and tax breaks to his Kentucky constituents, just in time for Christmas and ahead of a potentially tough reelection campaign.

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

Meg Cunningham / ABC News:
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she's ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's comments on White House coordination

Discussion: The Gateway Pundit

CNN:
Moderate GOP senator ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's coordination with White House

Discussion: Raw Story

Associated Press:
GOP senator ‘disturbed’ by McConnell impeachment remark

Discussion: Raw Story and Bangor Daily News

Adam Edelman / NBC News: GOP Sen. Murkowski ‘disturbed’ by McConnell comments about impeachment trial

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

New York Times:

For Trump Organization, Office Skyscrapers Make Up for Lagging Hotels — Office towers in New York and San Francisco — centers of political resistance — are offsetting revenue downturns in the president's glitzier Trump-branded hotels. — DORAL, Florida — It is happy hour at Trump National Doral Miami …

Discussion: The Hill

Almog Ben Zikri / Haaretz:

Netanyahu Rushed Off Stage During Campaign Event as Rocket Intercepted in Southern Israel — Netanyahu taken off stage at event in southern port city of Ashkelon and later returned after rocket alerts blared in Gaza-border communities — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed off …

Discussion: РБК

Associated Press:
Israeli PM Netanyahu hustled off stage at campaign event amid rocket attack

Discussion: One America News Network

CNN:

US ambassador recalled after dispute with Zambian government over gay rights and corruption — Washington (CNN)In an extraordinary move, the State Department is pulling the US ambassador to Zambia after the president there objected to his harsh criticism of the government's record on corruption and gay rights.

Discussion: East Bay Times

Ruth Maclean / New York Times: Speaking Out on Gay Rights and Corruption Costs Ambassador His Job

Regina Garcia Cano / Associated Press:

Nonstop violence as Baltimore nears record homicide rate — BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore could wrap up 2019 with its highest per-capita homicide rate on record as killings of adults and minors alike for drugs, retribution, money or no clear reason continue to add up and city officials appear unable to stop the violence.

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

Emily Goodin / Daily Mail:

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, at midnight mass — Giuliani went after Soros in the interview, saying he was more Jewish than him. The former mayor has repeatedly targeted the billionaire as part of his argument of a deep state conspiracy at work against President Donald Trump.

Discussion: The Independent, HuffPost and Politico

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 …

Discussion: Breitbart and The Hill

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 The Post Millennial

Sergii Leshchenko / KyivPost:

By helping Giuliani, Ukrainian politicians help Russia — Then-Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko (R) speaks during the meeting of a parliament committee on Nov. 19, 2018. — In the scandal surrounding the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump, there are many controversial figures, both on the U.S. and the Ukrainian side.

Discussion: Raw Story

Agence France-Presse:

Single Chinese woman sues over egg freezing — Beijing (AFP) - A single woman in China has gone to court challenging rules that forbid unmarried women from freezing their eggs in the first case of its kind in the country. — Teresa Xu said she was prompted to take legal action …