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| Roger Stone cites fifth amendment and says he won't give documents to Senate – as it happened | Roger Stone cites fifth amendment and says he won't give documents to Senate – as it happened |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| It’s been another busy day in Washington as the nation pays tribute to the 41st president, a lawsuit claiming Donald Trump is profiting from the presidency enters a new phase and we await a sentencing memo that will detail the degree to which the president’s former national security adviser is cooperating with Mueller’s investigation. Here’s what else happened today: | |
| Bipartisan group of senators left a briefing with CIA director Gina Haspel convinced that crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s death. | Bipartisan group of senators left a briefing with CIA director Gina Haspel convinced that crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s death. |
| Trump ally Roger Stone invokes his Firth Amendment right . | Trump ally Roger Stone invokes his Firth Amendment right . |
| Georgia will elect a secretary of state and Public Service Commissioner in two run-off elections. | Georgia will elect a secretary of state and Public Service Commissioner in two run-off elections. |
| Former VP Joe Biden said he is the “most qualified” candidate to be president, stoking 2020 speculation. | Former VP Joe Biden said he is the “most qualified” candidate to be president, stoking 2020 speculation. |
| Michael Avenatti took himself out of contention for the presidency in 2020, citing family concerns. | Michael Avenatti took himself out of contention for the presidency in 2020, citing family concerns. |
| The stock market plunged as investors lost faith in a trade truce between the US and China | The stock market plunged as investors lost faith in a trade truce between the US and China |
| DC, Maryland attorneys general to subpoena Trump Organization, IRS | DC, Maryland attorneys general to subpoena Trump Organization, IRS |
| The emails of top NRCC officials stolen in major 2018 hack, according to Politco. | The emails of top NRCC officials stolen in major 2018 hack, according to Politco. |
| We’re waiting on tenterhooks for special counsel Robert Mueller to file a memo revealing the extent to which former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has been assisting his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. | |
| Here’s Jon Swaine on what to expect tonight. | Here’s Jon Swaine on what to expect tonight. |
| Michael Flynn: Mueller to recommend sentence for former Trump adviser | Michael Flynn: Mueller to recommend sentence for former Trump adviser |
| US stock markets plummeted as investors lost faith in the agreement between the US and China that had been negotiated by Donald Trump at last week’s G20 summit, reports The Guardian’s Dominic Rush. | |
| Trump and China’s president, Xi Jinping, reached a 90-day trade truce after a dinner at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday. But differing reports on the terms of the truce from Chinese and US officials rattled investors fearful of a full-on trade war between the two economic superpowers. | Trump and China’s president, Xi Jinping, reached a 90-day trade truce after a dinner at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday. But differing reports on the terms of the truce from Chinese and US officials rattled investors fearful of a full-on trade war between the two economic superpowers. |
| After the meeting Trump told reporters: “It’s an incredible deal. If it goes down, certainly, if it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made.” | After the meeting Trump told reporters: “It’s an incredible deal. If it goes down, certainly, if it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made.” |
| But details of the deal have since unravelled. White House officials have struggled to explain, for example, whether China has actually agreed to drop its 40% tariffs on US autos. | But details of the deal have since unravelled. White House officials have struggled to explain, for example, whether China has actually agreed to drop its 40% tariffs on US autos. |
| US stock markets slide after Trump warns China: 'I am a Tariff Man' | US stock markets slide after Trump warns China: 'I am a Tariff Man' |
| Trump’s longtime political ally Roger Stone invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to share documents and testimony with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to a letter posted by the panel’s ranking Democrat, senator Dianne Feinstein. | |
| Roger Stone’s attorney sent a letter this week stating Stone won’t provide documents or appear for an interview before the committee. https://t.co/csC3TG1BPH pic.twitter.com/oRbpE0qjEw | Roger Stone’s attorney sent a letter this week stating Stone won’t provide documents or appear for an interview before the committee. https://t.co/csC3TG1BPH pic.twitter.com/oRbpE0qjEw |
| Earlier today Republican senator Mike Lee appeared optimistic that criminal justice reform legislation could pass the chamber before the end of the year. | Earlier today Republican senator Mike Lee appeared optimistic that criminal justice reform legislation could pass the chamber before the end of the year. |
| Update: it’s not looking good. | Update: it’s not looking good. |
| McConnell gave no indication today that he would put criminal justice reform on the floor at party lunch today, per two GOP senators. Time is running out to shoehorn it in | McConnell gave no indication today that he would put criminal justice reform on the floor at party lunch today, per two GOP senators. Time is running out to shoehorn it in |
| An all-star crew visits Capitol Hill | An all-star crew visits Capitol Hill |
| All I know is Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Fred Couples, Tony LaRussa, Jim Nantz, Albert Pujos, Jack Nicklaus, and a bunch of other folks are here???? pic.twitter.com/00cIrbQULb | All I know is Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Fred Couples, Tony LaRussa, Jim Nantz, Albert Pujos, Jack Nicklaus, and a bunch of other folks are here???? pic.twitter.com/00cIrbQULb |
| Democratic leaders are demanding CIA Director Gina Haspel brief the full Senate after she met with a small group of lawmakers on Tuesday to discuss the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. | Democratic leaders are demanding CIA Director Gina Haspel brief the full Senate after she met with a small group of lawmakers on Tuesday to discuss the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. |
| A bipartisan group of senators left the classified briefing on Tuesday morning convinced that the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in Khashoggi’s death. | A bipartisan group of senators left the classified briefing on Tuesday morning convinced that the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in Khashoggi’s death. |
| “While I will not discuss the content of the Haspel briefing, it reinforced the need for a strong response to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” said Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who attended the briefing. “CIA Director Haspel should brief the full Senate without delay.” | “While I will not discuss the content of the Haspel briefing, it reinforced the need for a strong response to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” said Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who attended the briefing. “CIA Director Haspel should brief the full Senate without delay.” |
| “Every Senator should hear what I heard this afternoon,” senator Dick Durbin, the minority whip, added in a statement. | “Every Senator should hear what I heard this afternoon,” senator Dick Durbin, the minority whip, added in a statement. |
| Here’s some more details from the Associated Press on the emoluments lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland, which accuses Trump of profiting off of the presidency. | |
| The flurry of subpoenas came a day after U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte approved a brisk schedule for discovery in the case alleging that foreign and domestic government spending at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel amounts to gifts to the president in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause. | The flurry of subpoenas came a day after U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte approved a brisk schedule for discovery in the case alleging that foreign and domestic government spending at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel amounts to gifts to the president in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause. |
| The subpoenas target more than 30 Trump-linked private entities and the federal agency that oversees the lease for Trump’s D.C. hotel. Subpoenas were also being sent to the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture and the IRS, all of which have spent taxpayer dollars at the hotel. | The subpoenas target more than 30 Trump-linked private entities and the federal agency that oversees the lease for Trump’s D.C. hotel. Subpoenas were also being sent to the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture and the IRS, all of which have spent taxpayer dollars at the hotel. |
| The subpoenas focus on answering three questions: which foreign domestic governments are paying the Trump International Hotel in Washington, where that money is going and how Trump’s hotel is affecting the hospitality industry in the District of Columbia and Maryland. | The subpoenas focus on answering three questions: which foreign domestic governments are paying the Trump International Hotel in Washington, where that money is going and how Trump’s hotel is affecting the hospitality industry in the District of Columbia and Maryland. |
| To help answer those questions, the subpoenas are asking for records of payments to Trump from state government and federal agencies that patronized the hotel. They’re also seeking information proving that hotel revenues are going to the president through his affiliated entities, including The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust. Most of the records are being requested back to Jan. 1, 2015. | To help answer those questions, the subpoenas are asking for records of payments to Trump from state government and federal agencies that patronized the hotel. They’re also seeking information proving that hotel revenues are going to the president through his affiliated entities, including The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust. Most of the records are being requested back to Jan. 1, 2015. |
| Inbox: Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduce resolution honoring the late president George HW Bush | Inbox: Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduce resolution honoring the late president George HW Bush |
| “President George HW Bush was a dedicated family man and husband of 73 years,” reads the resolution. “[He] showed unwavering love and devotion to his family, the United States, and the world.” | “President George HW Bush was a dedicated family man and husband of 73 years,” reads the resolution. “[He] showed unwavering love and devotion to his family, the United States, and the world.” |
| Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will pay her interns “at least” $15 an hour. She has called out members of Congress who offer unpaid internships, which often limits the posts to children of means. | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will pay her interns “at least” $15 an hour. She has called out members of Congress who offer unpaid internships, which often limits the posts to children of means. |
| .@saikatc confirms @Ocasio2018 will pay her interns "at least" $15/hrA 2017 study found that only 8% of House Republicans and 4% (!) of House Ds pay their internsAlso, read @DPAQreport: https://t.co/Y7imloMdhi https://t.co/e1nl88jsOV | .@saikatc confirms @Ocasio2018 will pay her interns "at least" $15/hrA 2017 study found that only 8% of House Republicans and 4% (!) of House Ds pay their internsAlso, read @DPAQreport: https://t.co/Y7imloMdhi https://t.co/e1nl88jsOV |
| Meet the nine-year-old who took on the man and won the right to legally throw a snowball. | Meet the nine-year-old who took on the man and won the right to legally throw a snowball. |
| “I thought it was crazy,” Colorado minor, Dane Best, said. “Little kids should be allowed to throw snowballs at each other.” | “I thought it was crazy,” Colorado minor, Dane Best, said. “Little kids should be allowed to throw snowballs at each other.” |
| All it takes is one person with a dream (and some snow) to make something happen. To the people of Severance CO, enjoy your town’s first ~legal~ snowball fight! https://t.co/aryzPgo3pD | All it takes is one person with a dream (and some snow) to make something happen. To the people of Severance CO, enjoy your town’s first ~legal~ snowball fight! https://t.co/aryzPgo3pD |
| A prohibition-era ordinance in Severance, Colorado barred residents from launching “missiles” at people, places or animals. The definition included tightly packed balls of snow. No longer. | A prohibition-era ordinance in Severance, Colorado barred residents from launching “missiles” at people, places or animals. The definition included tightly packed balls of snow. No longer. |
| Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union and George Shultz, the former US secretary of state under Ronald Reagan, have penned a joint op-ed in the Washington Post urging the US not to exit the landmark 1987 arms control agreement know as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. | Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union and George Shultz, the former US secretary of state under Ronald Reagan, have penned a joint op-ed in the Washington Post urging the US not to exit the landmark 1987 arms control agreement know as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. |
| Abandoning the INF Treaty would be a step toward a new arms race, undermining strategic stability and increasing the threat of miscalculation or technical failure leading to an immensely destructive war. | Abandoning the INF Treaty would be a step toward a new arms race, undermining strategic stability and increasing the threat of miscalculation or technical failure leading to an immensely destructive war. |
| The answer to the problems that have come up is not to abandon the INF Treaty, but to preserve and fix it. Military and diplomatic officials from the United States and Russia should meet to address and resolve the issues of verification and compliance. Equally difficult problems have been solved in the past once the two sides put their minds to it. We are confident this can be done again. ... | The answer to the problems that have come up is not to abandon the INF Treaty, but to preserve and fix it. Military and diplomatic officials from the United States and Russia should meet to address and resolve the issues of verification and compliance. Equally difficult problems have been solved in the past once the two sides put their minds to it. We are confident this can be done again. ... |
| We were both at Reykjavik and participated in the negotiations before and after that led to the first agreements. We understand that nuclear weapons raise difficult issues. But we are convinced the United States and Russia must resume progress on a path toward the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons. The alternative, which is unacceptable, is the continuing threat of those weapons to our very existence. | We were both at Reykjavik and participated in the negotiations before and after that led to the first agreements. We understand that nuclear weapons raise difficult issues. But we are convinced the United States and Russia must resume progress on a path toward the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons. The alternative, which is unacceptable, is the continuing threat of those weapons to our very existence. |
| BuzzFeed has gotten its hands on a letter signed by more than 400 former Justice Department who say they are “disturbed” by President Donald’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general. | |
| “Because of our respect for our oaths of office and our personal experiences carrying out the Department’s mission, we are disturbed by the President’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker to serve as Acting Attorney General,” the statement signed by former DOJ officials and attorneys reads, according to BuzzFeed. “Mr. Whitaker has not been confirmed by the Senate, his qualifications to be the nation’s chief law enforcement officer have not been publicly reviewed, and he has not been fully vetted for any potential conflicts of interest.” | “Because of our respect for our oaths of office and our personal experiences carrying out the Department’s mission, we are disturbed by the President’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker to serve as Acting Attorney General,” the statement signed by former DOJ officials and attorneys reads, according to BuzzFeed. “Mr. Whitaker has not been confirmed by the Senate, his qualifications to be the nation’s chief law enforcement officer have not been publicly reviewed, and he has not been fully vetted for any potential conflicts of interest.” |
| Whitaker assumed the position on November 7th after Trump forced out his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Whitaker, who was Sessions’ chief of staff, was not confirmed by the Senate. | Whitaker assumed the position on November 7th after Trump forced out his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Whitaker, who was Sessions’ chief of staff, was not confirmed by the Senate. |
| BREAKING: DC, Maryland attorneys general to subpoena Trump Organization, IRS, other entities in emoluments lawsuit against Trump. | BREAKING: DC, Maryland attorneys general to subpoena Trump Organization, IRS, other entities in emoluments lawsuit against Trump. |
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