memeorandum: Trump suggests the Mar-a-Lago documents were bound for his library. But advisers say he's rarely talked about it. (Peter Nicholas/NBC News)

3:55 PM ET, September 4, 2022

Top Items:

David Wilson / Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German killed outside home — Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, one of Nevada's most accomplished and trusted journalists, was found dead with stab wounds outside his home Saturday morning.

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Associated Press and WTOP News

New York Times:

Trump Lashes Out in First Rally Since F.B.I. Search — Donald J. Trump and President Biden have both made recent appearances in Pennsylvania, one of the key states in November's midterm elections. — WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In his first rally since his home was searched by the F.B.I. on Aug. 8 …

Discussion: BBC, The Hill, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Agence France-Presse, Althouse and Al Jazeera

Elaine Godfrey / The Atlantic:

Trump Returns to Rally Team MAGA — WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—Donald Trump's rally on Saturday night was his first major public appearance since the FBI searched his Florida home—and you could tell. A kind of manic, vengeful energy circulated among the throngs of supporters in the blue stadium seats at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Discussion: Mother Jones and Washington Times

Julia Mueller / The Hill:

Former GOP rep: Trump gave Democrats ‘major gift’ with speech in Pennsylvania — Former Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Charlie Dent on Saturday said former President Trump's speech at a rally on Saturday night in the Keystone state was a “major gift” for Democrats.

Discussion: The Atlantic and Raw Story

The Philadelphia Inquirer:
In Pa. visit, Trump attacks Biden for ‘vicious, hateful and divisive’ address

Discussion: Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Hill, Fox News, Washington Times, Steak for Newsletter, Vanity Fair, Phil's Newsletter, No More Mister Nice Blog and Uniic Media

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia:

Ambassador Sullivan's Departure — U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John J. Sullivan has concluded his tenure as U.S. envoy and departed Moscow today. Ambassador Sullivan was appointed in December 2019 and has served as Ambassador for almost three years.

Discussion: New York Times, The Hill, Washington Examiner, UPI, New York Post, CNN, NewsNation, TASS and Radio Free Europe/Radio …

Associated Press:
U.S. ambassador to Russia leaving post as Ukraine war drags on

Discussion: Fox News, Associated Press, Politico and The Gateway Pundit

Simon Schuster / MLive.com:

Campaign finance filings show Tudor Dixon's campaign at ‘critical juncture’ — The differences on paper are stark. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's campaign held 26 fundraisers in 35 days, has 49 people on its payroll and $14 million in the bank as of Aug. 22.

CBS News:

Transcript: Rep. Jamie Raskin on “Face the Nation,” Sept. 4, 2022 — The following is the transcript of an interview with Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland that aired Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, on “Face the Nation.” — MAJOR GARRETT: We're joined now by Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin …

Discussion: Insider, Breitbart and PoliticusUSA

Melissa Quinn / CBS News:
Raskin wants Gingrich, Ginni Thomas and Pence to testify to Jan. 6 committee

Discussion: CNN, Raw Story and The Guardian

Emmanuel Felton / Washington Post:

Living in a city with no water: ‘This is unbearable’ — JACKSON, Miss. — What stood out this week was the calm. The streets were quiet, and residents queued expectantly for resources. — The entire city of more than 150,000 was without safe drinking water, with no end in sight.

Peter Nicholas / NBC News:

Trump suggests the Mar-a-Lago documents were bound for his library. But advisers say he's rarely talked about it. — A central question involving the records former President Donald Trump stored at his Mar-a-Lago home is why he was keeping reams of government documents and classified material.

Discussion: Axios, Michael W. Ferguson Newsletter and Bloomberg

John Blake / CNN:

When ‘wokeness’ comes to Middle-earth: Why some say diverse casting ruins the new ‘Lord of the Rings’ series — Cynthia Addai-Robinson portrays Queen Regent Miriel in Amazon's new “Lord of the Rings” series, “The Rings of Power.” Addai-Robinson is among a number of actors of color playing …

Washington Post:

Florida let them vote. Then DeSantis's election police arrested them. — BELLE GLADE, Fla. — When Leo Grant Jr. cast his ballot in the 2020 election, it was the first time the 53-year-old had ever voted — an act that made him feel like he was setting a good example for his three sons and fulfilling his role as a citizen.

Zach Schonfeld / The Hill:

Michigan secretary of state says officials worried about ‘violence and disruption’ on Election Day — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) on Sunday said election officials nationwide are most worried about “violence and disruption” as the midterm elections approach.

Discussion: Fox News, CBS News and Political Wire

Associated Press:

Barack Obama wins Emmy for narrating national parks series — Barack Obama is halfway to an EGOT. The former president won an Emmy Award on Saturday to go with his two Grammys. — Obama won the best narrator Emmy for his work on the Netflix documentary series, “Our Great National Parks.”

Discussion: Vanity Fair, France 24, Breitbart, Fox News and The Hill

Carolyn Giardina / The Hollywood Reporter:
Barack Obama Wins Emmy

Discussion: Insider

Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:

Distinguished pol of the week: Biden hits his stride — Republicans who excuse a coup, vilify the FBI and rationalize defeated former president Donald Trump's holding on to highly sensitive national security secrets as he left the White House are whining that President Biden, at a fundraiser, called the MAGA movement “semi-fascist.”

Discussion: Insider, The Daily Wire, Raw Story, RedState, Los Angeles Times, The Daily Caller, The Indian Express, BizPac Review, Newsbusters, Townhall, Washington Examiner, Las Vegas Review-Journal, IJR and Election Law Blog

Kevin Robillard / HuffPost:

Democrats Make A Play To Win Over Seniors, Long A Base For GOP — Across the country, the party is focusing on prescription drug costs and Social Security. — PHOENIX — Democrats in key races around the country are making an aggressive push for older voters, a key bloc in lower-turnout midterm elections …

Discussion: USA Today

Michael Schulman / New Yorker:

John Legend Bet on Himself — The singer-songwriter and Instagram Dad talks about his next album, his time as a management consultant, and his falling out with Kanye West. — “I'm not dressed for public consumption,” John Legend apologized, before turning on his Zoom camera.