News from the note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
Consider this an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
Fox News poll: Majority think Mueller will find Trump committed criminal or impeachable offenses
From The Hill
A Fox News poll released Wednesday reported that a majority of Americans believe that special counsel Robert Mueller will find that President Trump committed criminal or impeachable offenses.
Wylie to House Dems: Bannon ordered Putin messaging tests
From Politico
Former Trump campaign CEO and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon ordered Cambridge Analytica staff to test messaging around Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russian expansion in 2014, Cambridge Analytica whisteblower Christopher Wylie told House Democrats this week.
Senate panel approves bill to protect special counsel
From CNN
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved legislation to protect the special counsel from being fired, a rare bipartisan step that sends a warning signal to President Donald Trump not to remove Robert Mueller.
The legislation, which would give Mueller and other special counsels the ability to challenge their firings in court, still has little chance of becoming law — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed not to put it on the floor, House Republicans have shown no interest in the measure and Trump would be unlikely to sign it.
Diamond and Silk say under oath they weren’t paid by Trump campaign; FEC filings say otherwise
From The Hill
“We have never been paid by the Trump campaign,” Lynette Hardaway, who goes by Diamond, told Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas).Filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that the campaign paid the duo $1,275 on Nov. 22, 2016, for “field consulting.”
Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as Trump’s second secretary of state
From CNN
The Senate approved Mike Pompeo‘s nomination as the next secretary of state on Thursday, installing the former CIA Director as the nation’s top diplomat at a time when several high stakes negotiations are underway around the globe.
The vote was 57-42.
The Latest: Cosby lashes out after guilty verdict
From AP
Bill Cosby is lashing out at prosecutors after a jury convicted him of three counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Cosby stood up and erupted after jurors left the courtroom. He used an expletive to refer to District Attorney Kevin Steele, who was arguing to revoke Cosby’s bail. Cosby shouted, “I’m sick of him!”
For more on this story from The News Blender
Bill Cosby Found Guilty on All Counts
‘Busy’ Trump admits he didn’t get wife much for her birthday
From AP
On Melania Trump’s 48th birthday, President Donald Trump worried Thursday that his gift might not be sufficient.
Trump got an interview with “Fox and Friends” going by giving a shout-out to the first lady: “So, happy birthday to Melania,” he said.
Asked what he had gotten his wife, Trump said: “I better not get into that because I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn’t get her so much.”
Justifying that, he added, “You know, I’m very busy.”
Judge appoints former judge as special master in Michael Cohen case
From Politico
A New York federal judge says she is appointing a former Manhattan federal judge to help determine what materials seized in raids on the home and office of President Donald Trump’s private attorney are protected by attorney-client privilege.
For more on this story from The News Blender
Trump’s Fox & Friends Comments Could Hurt Cohen
Ivanka Trump talks skills training legislation with senators, CEOs
From The Hill
White House senior adviser and first daughter Ivanka Trump discussed legislation to boost skills training for tech careers with senators and corporate executives on Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the event.
Trump specifically talked with lawmakers and business leaders about reauthorizing the Perkins Act, a bill aimed at bolstering workforce education training, during a dinner she and husband Jared Kushner
And a Bonus Note from the Unhinged Category…
Trump: I would rather have presidential election based on the popular vote
From The Hill
President Trump on Thursday argued that he’d rather see the presidential election be determined based on the popular vote than the current Electoral College system, claiming it would be “much easier to win.”
