memeorandum: Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, at midnight mass (Emily Goodin/Daily Mail)

5:25 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: New York Times, Politico, Axios, Breitbart, Fox News, The Slot, Raw Story, Law & Crime, Joe.My.God., Snopes.com, New York Post, The Hill, MSNBC, KTLA 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.

Meg Cunningham / ABC News:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she's ‘disturbed’ by McConnell's comments on White House coordination — “I happened to think that further confused the process,” she said. — Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she was “disturbed” by possible coordination between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell …

Discussion: The Gateway Pundit

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

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

Discussion: Raw Story

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

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 …

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

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

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 Washington Times

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

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

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.

New York Times:

In Trying Times for President's Business, It Turns Out Less Trump Is More — 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 …

Discussion: The Hill

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

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 …