Good morning! Here is your news briefing for Wednesday January 1, 2020
THE DAILY SIGNAL
| Jan 01, 2020 Good morning from Washington. We’ll spend the rest of 2020 looking forward. But just for today, we want to look back, and so we’re sharing some of your favorite Daily Signal articles from 2019. Happy New Year! SPECIAL FEATURE8th Place: A High School Girl’s Life After Transgender Students Join Her SportBy Kelsey Bolar “It’s very frustrating and heartbreaking when us girls are at the start of the race and we already know that these athletes are going to come out and win no matter how hard you try,” says Selina Soule.MoreCOMMENTARYI Was America’s First ‘Nonbinary’ Person. It Was All a Sham.By Jamie Shupe Four years ago, I wrote in The New York Times that I wanted to live “authentically as the woman that I have always been.” Three years ago, I identified as nonbinary. Now, I want to live again as the man that I am.MoreCOMMENTARYI Went to a Socialism Conference. Here Are My 6 Observations.By Jarrett Stepman The 2019 Socialism conference, which had the tag line “No Borders, No Bosses, No Binaries,” contained a cross-section of the most pertinent hard-left thought in America.MoreCOMMENTARY‘Exactly When Did You Think America Was Great?’ Says Eric Holder. Here Is the Answer.By Jarrett Stepman Frederick Douglass delivered his famed speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at a time when slavery not only existed in America, but was spreading. Yet in that speech he said that America and the men who founded it were truly “great.”MoreSPECIAL FEATURE19 Arrests Later, a Texas Town Is Torn Apart Over Voter FraudBy Fred Lucas “Down here, voter fraud is not all that unusual,” says Richard Monte, a city planning consultant. “It’s unusual when they get prosecuted.”More The Daily Signal is brought to you by more than half a million members of The Heritage Foundation. Donate to The Daily Signal Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter How are we doing? We welcome your comments, suggestions, and story tips. Please reply to this email or send us a note at comments@dailysignal.com.The Daily Signal 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (800) 546-2843 Add morningbell@heritage.org to your address book to ensure that you receive emails from us.You are subscribed to this newsletter as rickbulow1974@gmail.com. If you want to receive other Heritage Foundation newsletters, or opt out of this newsletter, please click here to update your subscription. |
THE WASHINGTON POST MORNING HEADLINES
| Sign up for this newsletterRead onlineThe morning’s most important stories, curated by Post editors. (AFP/Getty Images)Trump threatens Iran after embassy attack, but is reluctant to get more involved in the regionIt’s unclear what moves President Trump will make next as he feels the tug between taking a tough line with Iran and trying to avoid getting more involved in the Middle East. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper announced that 750 troops would be sent to the region as “an appropriate and precautionary action … in response to increased threat levels.”By Anne Gearan, Philip Rucker and Josh Dawsey ● Read more » Turmoil in Iraq comes amid shrunken U.S. diplomatic footprintThe Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran has come at a cost: The ability to keep a full diplomatic presence in Iraq.By John Hudson ● Read more » Protesters storm U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, trapping diplomats and setting the stage for a long siegeDiplomats and staffers sought refuge in a fortified safe room at the embassy while the Pentagon dispatched about 100 Marines and two Apache helicopters to reinforce security.By Mustafa Salim and Liz Sly ● Read more » Trump administration to ban most flavored e-cigarette podsThe action won’t apply to menthol or tobacco flavors — or the “open tank” systems sold by vape shops.By Laurie McGinley and Josh Dawsey ● Read more » Ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn’s flight from Japan stuns even his lawyersThe executive, who was arrested in 2018, did not say how he managed to escape to Lebanon, but his secretive departure left Japanese authorities and his attorneys mystified, embarrassed and angry.By Simon Denyer ● Read more » ADVERTISEMENT Killings in D.C. reach decade high as leaders struggle to reduce gun violenceFor a second consecutive year, there was particular concern over the number of young victims, with a dozen school-age children and teenagers fatally shot or stabbed.By Peter Hermann, Dana Hedgpeth and Justin Wm. Moyer ● Read more » What’s in and what’s out for the new year2019 was a wild dream, huh. Or was it a nightmare? Well, we are painfully awake, and it’s time to take a good, hard look at what’s ahead for 2020.The List: 2020 ● By Elahe Izadi and Sonia Rao ● Read more » OpinionsHere’s evidence that 2019 wasn’t as bad as you thoughtBy Editorial Board ● Read more » Iran just outplayed the United States — againBy Max Boot ● Read more » ADVERTISEMENT Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s simple, open-armed act of parental loveBy Michele Norris ● Read more » Reading the tea leaves for 2020By David Ignatius ● Read more » Don Imus, the man who was always willing to go too farBy David Von Drehle ● Read more » If you love books, you owe a debt to Sonny MehtaBy Sarah Weinman ● Read more » More News North Korea’s Kim threatens to resume nuclear, long-range missile testsKim Jong Un said his country no longer feels bound by a moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests, and warned that the world would soon see a “new strategic weapon.”By Min Joo Kim and Simon Denyer ● Read more » Thousands forced to take refuge on Australian beach as deadly wildfires close inThe blazes closed in around the popular holiday destination, trapping vacationers in apocalyptic conditions.By Kim Bellware and Jason Samenow ● Read more » Hong Kong police respond with tear gas as protesters mark new year with yet another mass demonstrationThe gathering, the biggest seen in the territory in weeks, underscored the continued momentum behind the anti-government movement now in its seventh month.By Shibani Mahtani ● Read more » We think you’ll like this newsletterCheck out By The Way for tips and guides that will help you travel better and make you feel like a local wherever you go. Delivered every Thursday. Sign up » |
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THE RESURGENT
| The Resurgent’s Morning Briefing for January 1,2020View this email in your browserShareTweetForwardGood morning, Here is all the news conservatives need to know to start their day. At 4pm ET, you can catch me on radio to bring you up to speed on developments throughout the day. You can listen live here. First the Cake-Bakers, then Sandwich-Makers, then Bell-Ringers. Who’s Next?This year as I settled in to watch my annual 33 seconds of “Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” – that’s the amount of time it takes for me to realize that it’s only fair to the coming year not to make it start with the procession of “special guests and musical […]The post First the Cake-Bakers, then Sandwich-Makers, then Bell-Ringers. Who’s Next? appeared first on The Resurgent. Read in browser » Grace in the New YearI can offer grace and hope you can do the same. Remember too that you don’t know what others have experienced. I am increasingly mindful that if all I knew of some people is what I see on Twitter, I probably would not like them. But most people are far more well rounded than social media suggests. So let’s all of us try to exercise more grace this coming year towards each other. Happy New Year.The post Grace in the New Year appeared first on The Resurgent. Read in browser » ResolutionsThe wonderful thing about New Year’s Resolutions is that you don’t have to fulfill them perfectly in order to win. You make yourself a better person simply by improving over what you did last year.The post Resolutions appeared first on The Resurgent. Read in browser » Recent Items:2020: The Feel When The New Normal Is Pretty Abnormal Obamacare still isn’t working, part 3,957 Watching The Movies: ‘Knives Out’ Yes, The “Man Gets Pregnant By Female Sperm Donor” Story Affects You Meet the Press Got This WrongRemember, you can listen to the Erick Erickson Show anytime and anywhere via WSB Radio, iTunes, Stitcher, and Soundcloud. As always, you can find pretty much anything and everything I’m writing about throughout the day via The Resurgent. Thanks for reading and tuning in. Erick EricksonTHE RESURGENTFacebookTwitterInstagramCopyright © 2020 The Resurgent Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences |
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
| Wednesday, January 1, 2020 |
| U.S. rushes security reinforcements after Iran-backed militia raids embassy in IraqThe Trump administration scrambled to ramp up security at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and tamp down a brewing crisis … more |
| Top News Read More > |
| Opinion Read More > |
| How Democrats stir bigotry and division Democrats know there’s zilch in Constitution about ‘impartial’ Senate Nikki Haley, all-American neo-Trumpian |
| Politics Read More > |
| Special Reports for Times Readers Special Report – Infrastructure 2019Special Report – Energy 2019Special Report – Free Iran Rally 2019 |
| Security Read More > |
| Sports Read More > |
| Rivera finalizes five-year deal to be new Redskins coach Capitals close out decade with loss to Trotz’s Islanders Trick play, FG lift No. 21 Navy over Kansas State in Liberty Bowl |
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DESERET NEWS
THE BLAZE
| View this email in your browser January 1, 2020 Trending now Alex Jones ordered to pay massive sanctions in lawsuit regarding Sandy Hook shooting 12-year-old boy fends off older brother, 20, saving his great-grandparents in stabbing attackMore from TheBlaze Orthodox Jews seen open carrying firearms in New York after spate of anti-Semitic attacks Greta Thunberg: I wouldn’t have ‘wasted my time’ by talking to President Trump U.S. Embassy in Iraq under siege from violent militia members after airstrikes against Iran-backed insurgent group LISTEN: Uncensored and unforgettable, Don Imus, from an interview with Glenn BeckListen live to Blaze RadioTune in to the next generation of talk radio, featuring original content from hosts like Glenn Beck, Pat Gray, Stu Burguiere, Steve Deace and more!Start listeningOne last thing …Burglar breaks into Las Vegas home of armed woman, and pays the ultimate priceA man is dead after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada, and trying to drive away after she shot him. Local law enforcement says that they got a call from woman around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday of a burglary. The unidentified caller then indicated that she had shot the burglar, who tried to drive away. The suspect only got … Read moreYou might like … Got friends?FORWARD THIS EMAIL © 2020 Blaze Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive emails from Blaze Media.Privacy Policy | Manage your preferences | Unsubscribe8275 S. Eastern Ave, Ste 200-245Las Vegas, Nevada, 89123, USA |
CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
| CDN’s Daily News Blast delivers the day’s news first!View this email in your browserCDN Daily News Blast01/01/2020Excerpts:Conservative’s New Year’s ResolutionsBy Amanda Alverez -The Captain of our Team has proven to be capable of leading us through all the dark and twisted bombshells tossed out by liberals. Unfortunately, far too many Conservatives have grown complacent. Instead of getting prepared for the greatest fight in American history for the 2020 elections, many are preparing …Conservative’s New Year’s Resolutions is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news, current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News, Political Cartoons and more. Read on » Trump Announces Where And When He’ll Sign The First Phase Of China Trade DealBy Chris White -President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he’ll sign the first phase of a long-awaited trade deal with China in January at the White House. “I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15,” Trump told his Twitter followers. Phase one of …Trump Announces Where And When He’ll Sign The First Phase Of China Trade Deal is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news, current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News, Political Cartoons and more. Read on » See all breaking news, conservative commentary, political cartoons and more posted to CDN at our Home Page. Follow on TwitterFriend on FacebookAdd on Google PlusCopyright © 2020 Conservative Daily News, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list |
LIBERTY NATION
| Daily BriefingCONSERVATIVE NEWS | LIBERTARIAN NEWS | COMMENTARYVISIT LibertyNation.com FROM OUR NEWSROOMThe Rabbit Hole: Missing Days, Babylonian Monsters and New Year’s DayAncient traditions and surprising truths of the New Year.Listen Now! Happy New Year from Liberty NationBy Liberty Nation StaffWishing you the the very best for 2020.Click Here What America’s ThinkingPresident Trump starts the New Year with a 48% job approval rating.72% of Americans think 2020 will be at a minimum a good year, up from a previous record high of 62% following the election of Donald Trump.65% of American adults had plans to be at home at midnight when 2020 arrived. Just 4% made plans to be in a restaurant or bar.50%+ had a New year’s kiss on their list of things to do. New Year’s Advice for Miserable ProgressivesBy Graham J NobleIf you’re a leftist, you’re caught up in an ideology of misery, pessimism, and anger. It doesn’t have to be that way.Click Here Washington WhispersComing down the pipeline:750 U.S. soldiers will deploy “immediately” to the Middle East after violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday night that he would be willing to testify in a Senate impeachment trial for the president.Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign raised $3.5 million in the final week of December.President Trump is expected to announce a ban on certain flavors of vaping liquid later this week. Read Our Latest BookBy Liberty Nation StaffThe Second American Revolution: Tech Tyranny and Digital DespotsClick Here Your Daily Political DevotionalA Glimpse at What’s Hot in the PolitisphereWelcome to 2020. As we begin the new year, it’s easy to believe that nothing could quite compare with the political machinations and turbulence of 2019, yet perhaps we are just at the beginning of a new crescendo. With politicos fighting over the rules of a Senate trial, the fallout from the IG report yet to land, the impeachment saga in full swing, China trade deals on the horizon, and now an escalating situation in Iraq, it looks like 2019 will be considered a gentle stroll in the park before long. New Year’s Resolutions for Your Political SanityBy Mark AngelidesA lighter look at resolutions for dealing with the 2020 insanity.Click Here News RoundupWe’ve Surfed The Web for YouThe Best Movies Of The 2010sDavid Limbaugh On ‘Why Democrats Must Not Win’Will War Derail Trump’s Reelection? By Patrick J. BuchananPompeo: No Plans to Evacuate Baghdad Embassy or Pull Troops from IraqIllinois governor pardons more than 11,000 marijuana convictions to ring in 2020 Laugh, Cry, Sigh: New Year Memes!By Scott D. Cosenza, Esq.So long, 2019. Welcome to 2020, meme lovers!Click Here WATCH NOWFEATURED LNTVLNTV: Virginia’s Second Amendment Skirmishes Continue – WATCH NOW!LNTV: Democrats’ Post-Impeachment Blues – WATCH NOW!LNTV: Philadelphia is Changing How Heroin is Treated in the USA – WATCH NOW! The Rabbit Hole: Constantine, Cooperation, and the Rise of Christmas Check out one of our podcasts!Subscribe and get notified of new arrivals.SUBSCRIBELNTV: Philadelphia is Changing How Heroin is Treated in the USA – WATCH NOW! Check out one of our videos!View the latest Liberty Nation videos on YouTube.WATCH NOW |
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THE HILL
| View in your browser Ranking the Democrats: Who has best chance of winning nomination?BY NIALL STANAGE The battle for the Democratic nomination is nearing crunch time with roughly one month left before the Iowa caucuses.Some big-name candidates have dropped out — most notably Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) — while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has joined the field. Who has the best chance of winning the nomination?Read the full story here States across the country plan ambitious legislative agendas for 2020BY REID WILSON State legislatures are crafting ambitious plans for legislative sessions in 2020, even though many have only a few months to tackle the contentious issues confronting them.Read the full story here Historic California data privacy measure leaves companies scramblingBY CHRIS MILLS RODRIGO California will become the first state in the country to have a comprehensive data privacy law on Wednesday when the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect.Read the full story here Five things to watch in tech for 2020BY EMILY BIRNBAUM The upcoming year is almost certain to bring an intensified level of antagonism and friction between the top tech companies and the U.S. government, with a stronger threat of regulatory action than ever before.Read the full story here US faces new crisis in IraqBY REBECCA KHEEL AND BRETT SAMUELS The U.S. mission in Iraq ended the year on a violent note Tuesday as supporters of an Iran-backed militia breached the gates of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, vandalizing the property and causing U.S. diplomats to hide in lockdown.Read the full story here Kim says world will soon witness ‘new strategic weapon’BY TAL AXELROD North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned the world will witness “a new strategic weapon” from the isolated nation in the “near future” as nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang are stuck in a stalemate.Read the full story here Lewandowski decides against Senate bidBY JONATHAN EASLEY President Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski announced Tuesday he will not run for the Senate in New Hampshire after flirting with a bid for most of 2019.Read the full story here Esper says 750 soldiers to deploy ‘immediately’ in response to violent embassy protests in IraqBY JOHN BOWDEN; Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that 750 U.S. soldiers will deploy “immediately” to the Middle East after violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.Read the full story here Trump expected to announce limited vaping ban this weekBY NATHANIEL WEIXEL President Trump is expected to announced a ban on certain flavors of cartridge-based e-cigarettes while reportedly exempting the types of devices most commonly found in vape shops.Read the full story here Trump to sign phase one trade deal with China, announces planned trip to BeijingBY BRETT SAMUELS President Trump said Tuesday he will sign a phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China on Jan. 15 at a White House ceremony.Read the full story here Tehran is trying Trump’s patience in IraqBY BEHNAM BEN TALEBLU Opinion |After six months of calibrated escalation on land and at sea by Iran and Iran-backed groups, Tehran’s foreign legion has lurched across a U.S. red line: One American citizen — a contractor — was killed last week at a base in northern Iraq that was barraged by rocket-fire from a pro-Iran militia.Read the full story here 2019’s political winners and losers — on both sides of the aisleBY JESSICA TARLOV Opinion | New Year’s Eve is all about reflection. What do we want for ourselves in the next year? For our family and friends? For our country? It’s also a time for political junkies to reflect on the events of the past year and declare some “winners and losers.”Read the full story here Reuters: Exclusive: Drugmakers from Pfizer to GSK to hike U.S. prices on over 200 drugsBy MICHAEL ERMAN AND CARL O’DONNELL Drugmakers including Pfizer Inc, GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Sanofi SA are planning to hike U.S. list prices on more than 200 drugs in the United States on Wednesday, according to drugmakers and data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors.Read the full story here Wall Street Journal: Trump, Democrats Gird for Fierce 2020 Fight in ArizonaBy CHAD DAY AND ELIZA COLLINS Four years ago, the relatively humdrum scene never would have happened: A week before Christmas, more than three dozen Democrats filed into a public school cafeteria to go over their finances and organizing goals, and to hear from a local candidate.Read the full story here New York Times: Chinese scientist is accused of smuggling lab samples, amid crackdown on research theftBy ELLEN BARRY Zaosong Zheng was preparing to board Hainan Airlines Flight 482, nonstop from Boston to Beijing, when customs officers pulled him aside. Inside his checked luggage, wrapped in a plastic bag and then inserted into a sock, the officers found what they were looking for: 21 vials of brown liquid — cancer cells — that the authorities say Mr. Zheng, 29, a cancer researcher, took from a laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Read the full story here Washington Post: Turmoil in Iraq comes amid shrunken U.S. diplomatic footprintBy John Hudson The storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by protesters on Tuesday has underscored the vulnerability of U.S. diplomats in a country stuck in the middle of a mounting conflict between the United States and Iran.Read the full story here CNN: Chief Justice John Roberts says Americans may ‘take democracy for granted’By Ariane de Vogue WASHINGTON — As the country faces unprecedented rancor between the branches of government in the midst of impeachment proceedings, Chief Justice John Roberts urged his fellow federal judges Tuesday to promote confidence in the judiciary and maintain the public’s trust.Read the full story here Did a friend forward you this email?Sign up for The Hill Tipsheet Forward this Tipsheet You Might Like Privacy Policy | Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Email to a friend | Sign Up for Other Newsletters The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 ©2019 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. |
CAFFEINATED THOUGHTS
| Connect: Facebook Twitter YouTubeView this email in your browser“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,” (Isaiah 43:19, ESV).My 2020 PredictionsBy Shane Vander Hart on Dec 31, 2019 01:28 pm Shane Vander Hart makes predictions for the presidential race, key congressional races, and general political predictions for 2020. Read in browser » Looking Back at 2019, Looking Ahead to 2020By Chuck Grassley on Dec 31, 2019 12:13 pm Chuck Grassley: Even as we ring in the New Year under the cloud of a presidential impeachment, I’m confident our system of representative government will prevail. Read in browser » Top Ten Most Visited Articles in 2019By Caffeinated Thoughts on Dec 31, 2019 10:55 am Caffeinated Thoughts receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. What were the most visited articles in 2019? Here is our list. Read in browser » Iowa Registers 350,000 New Voters In Five YearsBy Caffeinated Thoughts on Dec 31, 2019 09:27 am Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced 350,000 Iowans have registered to vote since he first took office on January 1, 2015. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Pete Buttigieg, Our Founding Fathers, and Slavery Iowa Secretary of State Refers Nine for Criminal Investigation Into Double Voting Iowans Want Tax Cuts Sooner Rather Than Later 2019: A Year of Historic Judicial Confirmations Jesus, Tax Collectors, and TrumpLaunched in 2006, Caffeinated Thoughts reports news and shares commentary about culture, current events, faith and state and national politics from a Christian and conservative point of view. Caffeinated Thoughts P.O. Box 57184 Des Moines, IA 50317 (515) 321-5077 Editor, Shane Vander Hart Connect: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.ShareTweetShareForwardCopyright © 2020 Caffeinated Thoughts, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
| Washington Examiner’s Examiner Today NewsletterView this as website ADVERTISEMENT HIGHLIGHTSNIH head predicts Alzheimer’s breakthrough within five years‘He gets mad’: Texas church helped shooter ‘multiple’ times before attackLatest anti-Semitic attacks just another reminder religious liberty is paramount Arrested Democratic megadonor and anti-Israel activist among those missed by Elizabeth Warren campaign vetting team White House bids are known to be a good way to prepare for the Oval Office’s rigors, which includes vetting by West Wing staff to prevent problematic people meeting with the president. Timeline of US-China trade talks in 2019: All the twists and turnsPresident Trump engaged in a running trade war with Beijing through the entirety of 2019, threatening and enacting tariffs at times while pulling back at other points in the hopes of getting a broader deal. Ultimately, the efforts brought the White House little closer to a deal with Beijing than it was at the beginning of the year. Here is a timeline of the major events throughout the year. How New Year’s Day came to be Ever wondered why we start the new year (and why so many people consequently begin it with a horrific hangover) on Jan. 1? You can thank the most famous Roman emperor of all. It all started on this day in 45 B.C. GOP senator predicts Senate will acquit Trump before State of the Union Sen. Roy Blunt is predicting that President Trump will be found not guilty by the Senate before he gives the State of the Union address on Feb. 4. ADVERTISEMENT Former Bush speechwriter urges voters to end ‘institutional vandalism’ of TrumpWashington Post columnist Michael Gerson published an opinion piece Tuesday slamming President Trump and saying he hoped 2020 would be the year that America recovers from its “nasty infection.” In 2020, conservatives need to get a handle on nationalism “I think we are going to address spending at some point,” White House acting budget director Russ Vought told us late in 2019. New York Times slammed for labeling embassy-storming militants as ‘mourners’ The New York Times caught flack after the publication labeled Iranian-controlled militias that attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as “mourners.” ‘Happy New Year!’: Trump warns Iran will ‘pay a very BIG PRICE’ for US Embassy attack President Trump threatened Iran after militias backed by the Islamic Republic attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. ‘How did they get so close?’: Analysts ask if Iraqi security forces turned a blind eye during attack on US Embassy in BaghdadAn Iranian-controlled militia couldn’t have breached the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad without the tacit acquiescence of some Iraqi security forces, according to American government sources and analysts. ‘Appropriate force protection’: Esper issues statement on Iraqi embassy operation Secretary of Defense Mark Esper released a statement late on Tuesday night saying the U.S. military had taken “appropriate force protection actions to ensure the safety of American citizens, military personnel, and diplomats in country.” Defense officials ready 4,000 troops for deployment in Middle East Three U.S. defense officials confirmed late Tuesday night that 4,000 troops from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s alert brigade are preparing to mobilize to the Middle East after protesters encircled the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier in the day. THE ROUNDUPNorth Korea is no longer bound by nuclear test moratorium, Kim saysTurmoil in Iraq comes amid shrunken U.S. diplomatic footprintWarren confronts ghost of Howard DeanADVERTISEMENT |
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AMERICAN THINKER
| View this email in your browserRecent ArticlesBitter Clingers in Texas Shoot BackJan 01, 2020 01:00 am The reason the Founders put the Second Amendment in the Constitution was seen last Sunday at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas. Read More… Can the Union Endure?Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am At this point, Red and Blue America are not even speaking the same language. We stand near the point of what divorce lawyers term “irreconcilable differences.” Read More… New Year’s Resolution: Be KindJan 01, 2020 01:00 am For a few years, I have tried to say or do something each day for someone who has no way to be a benefit to me. Read More… Progressive Disorder and InjusticeJan 01, 2020 01:00 am The misappropriation of reason and science by people playing god for more than two centuries has produced a mockery of social justice and well-being. Read More… Economic vs. Cultural Marxism: The Most Important DistinctionJan 01, 2020 01:00 am The modern social justice advocate uses the abolition of individuality as a tool to strip human beings of their individuality and bifurcate society. Read More… Islamic Extremism and Interfaith Dialogue in TexasJan 01, 2020 01:00 am Interfaith efforts become a hindrance when they are used to ignore and disguise extremism and hatred rather than expose and combat it. Read More… It’s America for the Commoners! Get Used to It, Wokies!Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am If the Educated Gentry gang members are going to beat up the Commoners in the rest room, just because it feels good, then the only honorable thing for red-blooded Americans to do is to step out of hiding and defend them — the Commoners, that is. Read More… De Blasio Fails on Crime and Anti-SemitismDec 31, 2019 01:00 am Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “crime” policies have been a dismal failure. Read More… Standing up to the PC BulliesDec 31, 2019 01:00 am America has become a land of institutional cowards Read More… Can America ‘Afford’ Another Recession?Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am Every candidate for the U.S. House should be asked what they’re going to do about the deficit and spending. Read More… The Russia Hoax Was Aided by NGOs Peddling Junk ScienceDec 31, 2019 01:00 am Some of the most vicious anti-Trump voices have come from US government-funded Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), affiliated with the State Department, or funded by Big Tech and Soros affiliates. Read More… Who Killed Dag Hammarskjold?Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am The death of the UN general secretary remains unresolved more than fifty years later. Read More… The Most Irritating person of 2019 is….Dec 30, 2019 01:00 am There has been no person in the year just passed that has caused more irritation to so many deserving people than… Read More… 2020 Is Trump’s to LoseDec 30, 2019 01:00 am Democrats are about where they started this time last year. It’s still not looking good for them. Read More… Comey’s FBI vs. the FISA CourtDec 30, 2019 01:00 am FISA policies are only as good as the people implementing them, and it looks as if for some time now the people in charge have acted irresponsibly if not with bias or even illegality. Read More… Documenting the Virginia CrackdownDec 30, 2019 01:00 am Recent elections in Virginia have placed the Virginia government within arm’s length of widespread gun confiscation. Here’s what things will look like. Read More… Education and Business: An Incestuous RelationshipDec 30, 2019 01:00 am Schools are no longer bastions of knowledge; they are financial institutions that will do anything to maintain their economic viability. Read More… Fighting Fires with FireDec 30, 2019 01:00 am In Australia, no aboriginals and few early settlers used water to fight fires. Yet they managed the land fine, without bumbling central authorities. Read More… Recent Blog Posts Yes, Joe Biden really is that dumb Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am A report from Southwest Pennsylvania, where the Republican Party would like to make Joe Biden our Republican Campaigner of the Year. Read more… An intellectual giant has passed Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am The old year saw the passing of one of America’s preeminent historians and moralists, who was a strong voice for teaching honest history, without a Marxist filter. Read more… The question of the year for the Democrats’ presidential nominee Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am There is one question that is like kryptonite for the Democrats running for president. It’s a simple one that the vast majority of voters know the answer to, but for which is there is no good answer for a Democrat. Read more… Trump stands tall against Iranian attacks in Iraq Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am Promising swift and strong retribution against Iran, President Trump also moved quickly and effectively to protect the beseiged US Embassy in Baghdad. Read more… A Baltimore tale Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am It is truly tragic what fifty years of Democrat control has done to a once great American city. Read more… Meet American Thinker’s newest editor: Andrea Widburg Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am You may not be familiar with her name, but if you are a fan of the conservative blogosphere, you probably have seen her blog Bookworm Room Read more… Who is more like Hitler: Trump or those who maintain he is like Hitler? Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am Nearly three years after assuming office, the “Trump is like Hitler” chant continues. Read more… New poll shows Biden competitive in Florida Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am The latest Florida poll shows Biden with a sort of lead, but it’s not time for Trump to start panicking. Read more… Deep in the Age of Unreason Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am There was once an Age of Reason. Today, we appear to be living in the Age of Unreason. Or insanity. Read more… A new year needs a new renaissance…against Islam and leftism Jan 01, 2020 01:00 am Although Islam is an anachronism and the “Progressive” Left is a postmodern offshoot of Marxism and French Critical Theory, they share the same attitude toward knowledge. Read more… Ben Rhodes still at it, defending his Iran deal…and gets a smack-down Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am Sebastian Gorka gave this Obama clown the smack-down he needed. Read more… Ted Cruz educates Pete Buttigieg Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am Pete Buttigieg is not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Yesterday, Senator Ted Cruz devastatingly humiliated him for shooting his mouth off when he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Read more… The withering away of the blue: California set to lose a congressional seat Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am Driving conservatives out only brings more Republican seats to Congress from other states. Read more… Bernie Sanders seizes opportunity to pretend he’s still Jewish Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am He’s appropriating a tragedy and heinous crime for his own personal political advantage. Read more… Mike Bloomberg targets doctors for racial ‘reeducation’ Dec 31, 2019 01:00 am Starbucks’ Howie Schultz had nothing on Mike Bloomberg who wants to reeducate all that racism out of America’s doctors. Is there anything billionaires don’t know? Read more… View this email in your browserAmerican Thinker is a daily internet publication devoted to the thoughtful exploration of issues of importance to Americans. |
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THE FEDERALIST
| Your daily update of new content from The Federalist Be lovers of freedom and anxious for the fray January 1, 2020 The Worst Movies Of The 2010sBy Emily Jashinsky Like most decades, the 2010s produced their share of terrible, terrible movies. Some bad movies can be fun in their own particular ways. These are not those movies. Full articleCensus Test Proves Asking About Citizenship Doesn’t Scare HispanicsBy Lyman Stone The Supreme Court struck down the citizenship question, not because of the arguments leftists made, but because of the Trump administration’s repeated own goals. Full articleWhy Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ Is A Huge LetdownBy Jessica Kramer ‘Little Women’ is so important and transcends each generation because it captures the differences between women — in personalities, desires, and fortunes. Greta Gerwig’s rendition didn’t quite cut it. Full articleWhy It’s Time To Shut Down The Scandal-Plagued U.N. Palestinian Refugee ProgramBy Marko Horg With all these scandals, you would think that the UN would finally vote to end this beleaguered agency. Yet it is as determined as ever to keep fleecing taxpayers around the world. Full articleThe Decade’s Top 10 Most Spectacular Falls From GraceBy Paulina Enck In the 2010s, many major public figures, companies, and institutions faced intense and public falls-from-grace. Here are some of the biggest losers and scandals of the past ten years. Full articleThere’s A Very Real Reason The Phrase ‘As A Millennial’ Fills Us With ContemptBy Christopher Bedford Word for word, ‘as a millennial’ might seem as innocuous a sentence-starter as any. Playful, maybe. No harm in it. That just makes it worse. Full articleReligious People Think Democrats Will Strip Our Rights Because It’s TrueBy Casey Chalk A professor claims religious people are afraid of atheists and Democrats because they’re projecting ignorance and hatred. Maybe instead religious people just follow the news. Full articleThe Best Comedies Of The 2010sBy Emily Jashinsky In 2019, we’re forced to suffer through comedies like ‘Long Shot’ and ‘Late Night,’ when ten years ago, the yearly options were plentiful. Full articleJoe Biden Says He’s Open To A Republican Running MateBy Tristan Justice 2020 Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden said Monday he is open to selecting a GOP running mate to join him on the ticket if nominated. Full article MERRY CHRISTMAS! On Christmas Eve 1941, in Washington on a diplomatic mission to organize the support of Britain’s American allies in the efforts to stop the Nazi menace, Winston Churchill was offered the opportunity to address the American people from The White House. America as a nation had been attacked like never before just weeks earlier, and the horrors of Pearl Harbor were on the minds of every patriot. Read more of The Transom by signing up for a free trial today. follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend Copyright © 2020 The Federalist, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences |
TOWNHALL
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE
| VIEW IN BROWSERJANUARY 1, 2020CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COMDAYWATCH1Today is the day: Legal weed is here. Follow along for live updates.WEDNESDAY, JAN 1Legal sales of recreational marijuana in Illinois have started. Follow along for updates from Tribune reporters and photographers on the lines, shortages and celebrations at licensed stores around the Chicago area.2What to expect for the first day of recreational marijuana sales in IllinoisWEDNESDAY, JAN 1When Prohibition ended in 1933, allowing alcohol to be sold legally again, customers packed bars six-deep, and the Tribune declared the end of “machine gun murders, prohibition bribery, and poison booze.”Likewise, with Illinois’ prohibition on marijuana ending on New Year’s Day, advocates welcome it as a way to reduce funding of criminal cartels, disproportionate jailing of minorities and consumption of contaminated cannabis. And people will celebrate by getting high, despite warnings from medical groups and law enforcement of potential dire consequences. 3On eve of legal pot, Pritzker pardons more than 11,000 people with weed convictionsWEDNESDAY, JAN 1On the day before recreational cannabis becomes legal in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he was pardoning more than 11,000 people who had been convicted of low-level marijuana crimes. Pritzker has touted the social equity elements of the recreational pot law he signed this summer.“When Illinois’ first adult use cannabis shops open their doors tomorrow, we must all remember that the purpose of this legislation is not to immediately make cannabis widely available or to maximize product on the shelves, that’s not the main purpose, that will come with time,” Pritzker said. “But instead the defining purpose of legalization is to maximize equity for generations to come.” 4Looking for a place to buy legal weed? Use our map.WEDNESDAY, JAN 1Wondering where to buy marijuana in Chicago and across Illinois now that it’s legal? Here’s our map, which includes nine more stores the state approved to sell weed just hours before legalization was set to begin.You may be ready to buy legal weed today, but not all the approved stores in Illinois are ready to sell it to you. 5What you need to know before you head to a dispensaryWEDNESDAY, JAN 1When marijuana dispensaries open their doors for recreational sales in Illinois today, customers will walk into a shopping experience more akin to a Walgreens or Apple store than a stereotypical pot shop.Many companies have remade medical marijuana dispensaries to be bright, technology-driven and streamlined. Here’s what you need to know before you go.6How to get high: Tips on smoking, edibles, microdosing and moreWEDNESDAY, JAN 1Legal recreational marijuana presents a wonderland of options. There’s still plenty to smoke if you want it, but you can also vape cannabis, eat it, drink it, cook with it, drop some under your tongue, spray it into your mouth, pop it as a capsule, apply it as a patch or rub it in as a cream.While cannabis will never be for everyone — just like alcohol isn’t for everyone — legalization has opened the pursuit to a far wider audience than the cliches of yesteryear. How do you get high in the era of legal cannabis? That depends on you. The Tribune’s Josh Noel has some tips.Thinking of buying pot? Here’s how experts say it could affect your health — for better and for worse. 7Recreational weed is legal — but you can still get in troubleWEDNESDAY, JAN 1Adults 21 and older may buy cannabis from licensed commercial dealers, up to 30 grams (about one ounce) of flower, 5 grams of concentrate, or 500 grams of infused products such as edibles. But a lot of weed use will remain illegal.8How to talk to your kids about weed, now that it’s legalWEDNESDAY, JAN 1What can you say when your favorite teenager hauls out the argument that recreational marijuana use will soon be legal in the great state of Illinois? Plenty, as it turns out, starting with the basics.Experts urge parents to arm themselves with the facts, among them, that if you’re under 21, recreational marijuana use is still illegal in Illinois. Here are some other key points you can discuss with your kids.advertisement UNSUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF SERVICECopyright © 2020 | Chicago Tribune | 160 N. Stetson Ave., Third Floor, Chicago, IL 60601ABOUT THIS EMAIL You received this email because you are following the Daywatch newsletter. |
ARRA NEWS SERVICE
| Happy New Year 2020Posted: 31 Dec 2019 03:08 PM PSTAs my family enjoys our break today and tomorrow and as we count down tonight to 2020, the ARRA News Service wishes our readers, contributing authors, and friends a very Happy New Year in 2020! In 2020, May we continue to garner wisdom and tenacity to persevere in the battle of ideals to facilitate the return of both moral and fiscal responsibility!May we continue to see our God given liberty and individual freedoms blossom!May God grant the United States mercy and protection from our enemies who wish to see America tarnished, damaged and destroyed!May God Bless with wisdom and protection President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and their families.And may voters see the wisdom in re-election President Trump.Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. ~ Prov. 14:34Tags: Happy New Years, 2020, ARRA News Service To share or post to your site, click on “Post Link”. Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service and “Like” Facebook Page – Thanks! |
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NOQ REPORT
- Pope Francis slaps woman’s hand
- Top three priorities for the GOP in 2020
- Yes, Anderson Cooper’s ‘cock’ story about his mother on live television is an issue
- Rudy Giuliani offers to try the impeachment case… and turn the tables on Democrats
- Top 10 stories from 2019 that will impact the 2020 election the most
- The Solution to Trump Derangement Syndrome
- President to sign ‘Phase One’ trade deal with China on January 15
- Not ‘Iraqi civilian protesters’: U.S. Embassy attack in Baghdad coordinated by Iran-backed militia
| Pope Francis slaps woman’s handPosted: 01 Jan 2020 02:57 AM PSTThe leader of the Catholic Church was greeting people at St. Peter’s Square on New Year’s Eve when a woman grabbed his hand as he was walking away. She forcefully pulled him to her. The Pope slapped her hands and walked off. Pope Francis has managed controversies throughout his tenure. This won’t be one of […]The post Pope Francis slaps woman’s hand appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| Top three priorities for the GOP in 2020Posted: 01 Jan 2020 12:09 AM PSTIn an ideal world, the GOP would still have a majority in the House of Representatives to go along with their Senate majority and control of the White House. If they did, we’d be looking at much different priorities in 2020 (and 2019, for that matter). Instead, we are facing an election year in which […]The post Top three priorities for the GOP in 2020 appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| Yes, Anderson Cooper’s ‘cock’ story about his mother on live television is an issuePosted: 31 Dec 2019 10:56 PM PSTWhen I was a kid, New Year’s Eve night was one of my favorites. My parents and I would gather with one or two of my uncle’s families. It was the only night of the year we could hang out until midnight. The evening was spent making confetti out of colored paper, getting our homemade […]The post Yes, Anderson Cooper’s ‘cock’ story about his mother on live television is an issue appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| Rudy Giuliani offers to try the impeachment case… and turn the tables on DemocratsPosted: 31 Dec 2019 10:09 PM PSTThe President’s attorney and former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani was at a New Year’s event at Mar-a-Lago when he was asked if he would testify in the impeachment trial. He said he’d testify, but he would love to do more than that… “I would testify, I would do demonstrations, I’d give lectures, I’d […]The post Rudy Giuliani offers to try the impeachment case… and turn the tables on Democrats appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| Top 10 stories from 2019 that will impact the 2020 election the mostPosted: 31 Dec 2019 12:15 PM PST2019 was a big news year, yadayadayada. These types of stories are so abundant on or around New Year’s Day, it pains me to add to the mix. But I have a spin that I believe is important. Instead of just looking at the biggest stories of the year, let’s look at the stories that […]The post Top 10 stories from 2019 that will impact the 2020 election the most appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| The Solution to Trump Derangement SyndromePosted: 31 Dec 2019 10:41 AM PSTMaxine Waters was screaming “Impeach 45!” almost as soon as the election results were announced. Multiple Drive-By “News” outlets weren’t long delayed in their cooperation in this effort. Due to the Horowitz report and his testimony we know that this was clearly a result of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Nothing else can possibly explain 17 major […]The post The Solution to Trump Derangement Syndrome appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| President to sign ‘Phase One’ trade deal with China on January 15Posted: 31 Dec 2019 07:56 AM PSTPresident Trump announced on Twitter he will be officially signing a large portion of the China trade agreement at the White House on January 15, 2020. Then, he will be travelling to Beijing at a future date to begin talks on Phase II. I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade […]The post President to sign ‘Phase One’ trade deal with China on January 15 appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
| Not ‘Iraqi civilian protesters’: U.S. Embassy attack in Baghdad coordinated by Iran-backed militiaPosted: 31 Dec 2019 06:33 AM PSTHours after the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by various militia groups associated with Hezbollah and backed by Iran, U.S. mainstream media continued reporting it as civilian protests and “mourners.” According to mainstream media reports, these “protesters” were simply voicing their anti-Americanism and opposition to U.S. airstrikes against militia munitions targets in Iraq […]The post Not ‘Iraqi civilian protesters’: U.S. Embassy attack in Baghdad coordinated by Iran-backed militia appeared first on Conservative Christian News. |
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REDSTATE
| This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive this newsletter on the RedState.com network OR a friend forwarded it to you. We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address immediately. Visit the Townhall Media Preference Center to manage your subscriptions You can unsubscribe by clicking here. Or Send postal mail to: RedState Unsubscribe 1735 N. Lynn St – Suite 510, Arlington, VA 22209 * Copyright RedState and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. |
POLITICO PLAYBOOK
POLITICO Playbook: How Kim Jong Un rang in the New Year
01/01/2020 09:27 AM EST
Presented by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
DRIVING THE DAY
KIM JONG UN kicked off the new decade as only a North Korean dictator with a growing arsenal knows how: By making threats. Pyongyang will no longer commit to limiting its nuclear and ballistic-missile development, he said, and is planning to unveil a new strategic weapon (read: nukes) “in the near future.”
Reading between the lines, it sounded to many like Kim was offering the U.S. one final chance to meet his demands. If America doesn’t make concessions, he warned, North Korea “will shift to a shocking actual action.”
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP seems to have interpreted Kim’s message in the spirit of the season. Amid the New Year’s festivities at Mar-a-Lago, POTUS replied like so, per the White House transcript:
“I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un. I know he’s sending out certain messages about Christmas presents and I hope his Christmas present is a beautiful vase. That’s what I’d like, a vase, as opposed to something else.
“Look, he likes me, I like him, we get along. He’s representing his country. I’m representing my country. We have to do what we have to do. But he did sign a contract, he did sign an agreement talking about denuclearization, and it was signed.
“Number one sentence: denuclearization. That was done in Singapore. And I think he’s a man of his word. So, we’re going to find out, but I think he’s a man of his word.”
BETWEEN IRAN AND NORTH KOREA, the United States sure has its hands full right now. And many will certainly argue that, by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and engaging in failed summitry with Kim, Trump has made a bad situation worse. But keep in mind that the U.S. has been facing these two wily and dangerous foes for decades — starting with the Korean War in the early 1950s, and picking up with the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970s.
No president has figured out a magical formula for dealing with either country, and yet here we are. And if Democrats think they can do better, they’re going to have to make that case to voters in 2020.
MEANWHILE, IN IRAQ — “U.S. Troops Fire Tear Gas as Protesters Swarm Embassy in Iraq Again,” by NYT’s Falih Hassan and Alissa J. Rubin in Baghdad: “For a second day, demonstrators swarmed outside the United States Embassy in Iraq on Wednesday and troops fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse them, but after a few hours the militia leaders who had organized the demonstration called on the crowd to leave.
“Unlike on Tuesday, protesters did not get inside the compound. By midafternoon all but about 200 had dispersed, taking their tent poles with them.” NYT
— REUTERS: “Iraqi paramilitaries call for withdrawal from U.S. embassy”
A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
The House of Representatives passed harmful legislation, H.R. 3, that imposes government set price controls on prescription drugs. This legislation could eliminate over 700k American jobs. Tell Congress: You don’t have to destroy American jobs to lower drug costs. Learn more.
THE BIG ZOOM-OUT … WAPO’s ANNE GEARAN, PHILIP RUCKER AND JOSH DAWSEY: “Trump threatens Iran after embassy attack, but remains reluctant to get more involved in region”
AND/BUT: The U.S. dispatched more troops to the Middle East yesterday, including forces that “come from the very unit that was created in the wake of the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi attack to rapidly come to the aid of embattled embassies in the Middle East.” Like it or not, he’s getting involved. More on Trump’s fears of a Benghazi redux
Good Wednesday morning and Happy New Year. Here’s to the 2020s, and to the thousands of Americans serving in harm’s way today. (It’s me, Blake Hounshell, filling in for one last day before Jake and Anna come back.)
CLICKER — Invariant’s Heather Podesta is out with her annual holiday card of funny New Year’s resolutions.
LETTER FROM PALM BEACH — “Trump cuts loose with unpredictable characters at Mar-a-Lago,” by Daniel Lippman: “Alan Dershowitz, the liberal lawyer who now volubly defends Trump on TV, ran into the president on Christmas Eve. The two were waiting to get food, and Dershowitz said he offered the president an empty plate — Trump declined and instead picked up his own — as the two discussed holiday plans.
“‘He was in a very good mood,’ Dershowitz said. ‘People were talking to him, people were high-fiving him. These are his people.’”
SPOTTED last night strolling the red carpet on their way to having New Year’s Eve dinner in a grand ballroom at Mar-a-Lago: Rudy Giuliani, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Eric, Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Eric and Lara Trump, Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos, Lou Dobbs, Charlie Kirk, Sergio Gor, Hogan Gidley, Mike Lindell and Michael Greenwald and Nolan Wein. (h/t Daniel Lippman, Tuesday’s travel pooler)
— “From the Brig to Mar-a-Lago, Former Navy SEAL Capitalizes on Newfound Fame,” by NYT’s Dave Phillips: “A year ago, Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher was wearing drab prison scrubs at a brig near San Diego, facing murder charges that could have sent him to prison for the rest of his life. Now he is modeling his own lifestyle clothing brand, endorsing nutrition supplements and positioning himself as a conservative influencer with close ties to the man who helped clear him — President Trump.” NYT
STAT DU JOUR: “Trump spent 1 of every 5 days in 2019 at a golf club,” by CNN’s Betsy Klein
2020 BITES ….
— “Buttigieg finishes year with $24.7 million haul in final quarter,” by Elena Schneider
— “Democrats sharpen their differences as Iowa caucuses loom,” by WaPo’s Robert Costa, Sean Sullivan and Amy B Wang
A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
The House voted for a bill that could eliminate over 700k American jobs. Congress: Don’t destroy American jobs to lower drug costs. Learn more.
TRUMP’S WEDNESDAY: The president has nothing on his public schedule.
POLITICO TECH AT CES – We are bringing a special edition of the POLITICO Tech newsletter to CES 2020. Written by Nancy Scola and Cristiano Lima, the newsletter will take you inside the largest and most influential technology event on the planet, featuring every major and emerging industry in the technology ecosystem gathered together in one place. The newsletter runs from Jan. 6 – 10 and will focus on the public policy related aspects of the gathering. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of the Summit.
PLAYBOOK READS
SENATE TRIAL TEA-LEAF READING … JOSH GERSTEIN: “Chief Justice John Roberts warns about dangers of fake news”: “Chief Justice John Roberts — who’s on the verge of an extraordinarily high-profile balancing act presiding over the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump — issued a warning on Tuesday about the dangers of misinformation in the internet era.
“In our age, when social media can instantly spread rumor and false information on a grand scale, the public’s need to understand our government, and the protections it provides, is ever more vital,” Roberts declared in his annual New Year’s Eve message summing up the work of the federal judiciary.
“Roberts was not explicit about whether his call for increased civics education was intended as a rebuke of Trump, although some quickly read it that way.” POLITICO … Roberts’ message
— NYT’s ADAM LIPTAK: “The two men have a history of friction, and Chief Justice Roberts used the normally mild report to denounce false information spread on social media and to warn against mob rule. Some passages could be read as a mission statement for the chief justice’s plans for the impeachment trial itself. … The report seemed to continue a conversation with Mr. Trump about the role of the courts.”
FOR YOUR RADAR … AP/PERTH: “Australia deployed military ships and aircraft Wednesday to help communities ravaged by apocalyptic wildfires that have left at least 17 people dead nationwide and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline.
“Navy ships and military aircraft were bringing water, food and fuel to towns where supplies were depleted and roads were cut off by the fires. Authorities confirmed three bodies were found Wednesday at Lake Conjola on the south coast of New South Wales, bringing the death toll in the state to 15. More than 175 homes have been destroyed in the region.” AP … Unbelievable photos of the wildfires …WaPo’s Phil Bump: How the hottest decade in recorded history unfolded around the globe
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION — “FDA to Ban All E-Cigarette Pod Flavors Except Tobacco and Menthol,” by WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney and Thomas M. Burton: “The Food and Drug Administration plans to ban the sale of fruity flavors in cartridge-based e-cigarettes, but the restriction won’t apply to tank vaping systems commonly found at vape shops, according to people familiar with the matter.
“The action is seen as a compromise between Trump administration officials who want to address a rise in teen vaping and those concerned about the impact on small businesses and the possible political fallout for President Trump, these people said. Polls commissioned by the vaping industry have shown an outright ban would be unpopular in key states for the 2020 election. Federal officials are expected to announce the new plan as soon as Friday.” WSJ
A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
The House voted for a bill that could eliminate over 700k American jobs. Learn more.
TRUMP, INC. — “Trump Organization fires more undocumented workers — a year after its use of illegal labor was revealed,” by WaPo’s Joshua Partlow and David A. Fahrenthold in Charlottesville, Va.: “Nearly a year after the Trump Organization pledged to root out undocumented workers at its properties, supervisors at the Trump Winery on Monday summoned at least seven employees and fired them because of their lack of legal immigration status, according to two of the dismissed workers.” WaPo
BEYOND THE BELTWAY — “U.S. Ushers In 2020 With Slate of New Laws,” by WSJ’s Jacob Gershman: “Hundreds of state laws across the country take effect on Jan. 1., with new measures changing rules dealing with everything from hiring practices to felon rights and grocery bags.
“The nation’s most stringent data-privacy law takes effect on Wednesday, when hundreds of thousands of businesses will have to start complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act. The state’s business community is also bracing for another law that sets a higher threshold for classifying workers as independent contractors.
“A number of criminal-justice changes are set to take effect. New York will eliminate cash bail for defendants charged with minor offenses and nonviolent felonies, curtailing pretrial detention.
“Starting Jan. 1, employees of colleges and universities in Texas, including the University of Texas, Austin, could face criminal penalties for failing to report incidents of sexual assault, harassment or dating violence.
“California will limit the circumstances under which police may use deadly force. Starting on Wednesday, lethal force against a suspect is justified only when necessary in defense of human life.” WSJ
CHAPO TRAP HOUSE READING — “Why Pete Buttigieg Enrages the Young Left,” by Derek Robertson in POLITICO Mag’s Chicago bureau: “The unspoken truth about the furor Buttigieg arouses is that his success threatens a core belief of young progressives: that their ideology owns the future, and that the rise of millennials into Democratic politics is going to bring an inevitable demographic triumph for the party’s far left wing.” POLITICO Magazine
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES is out with its annual list of polling findings for 2019, ranging from 100% (general-election Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren voters who don’t think Trump has the right goals and policies) to less than 0.1% (the Nationals’ chances of winning the World Series back on May 28). A couple of other notable stats: 49% of Americans think we need a complete overhaul of, or major changes to, democracy … 45% of independents believe climate change necessitates immediate action … 71% of suburban Americans think parents should have to get their kids vaccines like MMR. All the stats
WAPO’s ERIK WEMPLE talks to NYT’s ADAM GOLDMAN: “‘Yeah, I briefly chased the pee tape’ — New York Times reporter talks Steele dossier, Horowitz report and more”
COMING SOON – GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS NEWSLETTER: POLITICO’s man about town Ryan Heath leverages the world’s biggest politics newsroom in Global Translations, a weekly newsletter that unpacks essential global news, trends, and decisions. From the most important gatherings of global influencers to hot button issues around the world, you’re not going to want to miss out on this fun and enlightened read. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.
PLAYBOOKERS
Send tips to Eli Okun and Garrett Ross at politicoplaybook@politico.com.
IN MEMORIAM — “The Historian of Moral Revolution,” by David Brooks in The Atlantic: “Gertrude Himmelfarb argued that a great deal is lost when a society stops aiming for civic virtue and is content to aim merely for civility.”
— “Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Top Marine Tested by a Bombing, Dies at 91,” by NYT’s John Cushman Jr.: “Gen. Paul X. Kelley, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who rose to become commandant of the Marine Corps from 1983 to 1987 and endured the devastating bombing of a Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 241 service members in 1983, died on Sunday at a care facility in McLean, Va. He was 91.
“His wife, Barbara Kelley, said the cause was complications of Alzheimer’s disease. At a time when the nation’s military was rebuilding both equipment and morale, a decade after the Vietnam War, General Kelley, regarded as politically adept and well connected, was trusted by President Ronald Reagan’s inner circle.”
— “Sonny Mehta, literary tastemaker who long reigned at Knopf, dies at 77,” by WaPo’s Emily Langer: “Sonny Mehta, a literary tastemaker and kingmaker who spent more than three decades at the helm of the Alfred A. Knopf publishing house, where he courted critical acclaim, profits and sometimes both at once with a lineup of books that included works by a stable of Nobel laureates, the memoirs of presidents and prime ministers, and page-turning crime and love stories, died Dec. 30 at a hospital in Manhattan.”
SPOTTED: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jared Kushner, Chris Ruddy and Michael Lindell having coffee on the Mar-a-Lago terrace on Tuesday. … Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in row 11 on a United Airlines flight from Denver to Boston.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Kelsey Philie, communications director at the Foundation for Government Accountability, and Mathieu Philie, a U.S. Army company commander, welcomed Mason James Philie on Dec. 24.
BIRTHDAYS: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is 66 … European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is 64 … Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) is 55 … Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) is 46 … BuzzFeed co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti is 46 … WaPo’s Brady Dennis … Dana Klinghoffer of NBC News communications … James Glassman is 73 (h/t Tim Burger) … Rob Johnson, founder of Johnson Strategies … Dan Koh … Google’s Tomer Ovadia … former New Jersey Gov. and Sen. Jon Corzine (D) is 73 … former Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) is 55 … former Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) is 78 … Stephanie Penn … Kevin McGrann, assistant VP for federal relations at AT&T … Todd Webster, SVP at Cornerstone Government Affairs (h/t Jon Haber) … Nirmal Mankani … Paul E. Singer Foundation’s Daniel Bonner is 3-0 … Andrew Greene is 3-0 … Dan Weiss is 5-0 …
… Shannon Watts … Josh Nanberg, president of Ampersand Strategies, is 46 … Katie Lee … Ted Bridis, who teaches investigative reporting at the University of Florida … Jeremy Bates … J.D. Bryant, director at Bully Pulpit Interactive … Kara Kearns … POLITICO Europe’s Giulia Chiatante … Ken Toltz … Hannah Schwartz of Joe Biden’s campaign … Michael Kelly … Meagan Vargas … Margot Friedman … POLITICO’s Alex DiNino … Sally Slater … Caroline Buck … Victor Ashe … Alison Howard … Kate Beale Maguire … Brian Frederick … Lauren Hagen … Yama Noori … James Donnelly is 3-0 … C-SPAN’s Nicole Ninh … Max Richtman … Zach Howell … Jay Kahn … Jennifer Hall … Justin Bartolomeo, SVP at HDMK … Rocky Disabato … Hugh Delehanty … Tony Esoldo (h/t Teresa Vilmain)
A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
The House of Representatives passed harmful legislation, H.R. 3, that imposes government set price controls on prescription drugs. This legislation could eliminate over 700k American jobs, reduce spending on cutting-edge medical research, and negatively impact our world-class economy. Tell Congress: You don’t have to destroy American jobs to lower drug costs. Learn more.
- Anna Palmer @apalmerdc
- Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
AXIOS
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By Mike Allen
🎩 Happy 2020 from Orlando, where the Allen family is watching Alabama’s Crimson Tide roll over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
1 big thing: 2020 flashpoints
2020 will be a momentous year for America and the world, with the very real possibility that an impeached U.S. president will be re-elected for the first time.
- Here’s what else the Axios subject-matter experts will be covering — from tech regulation to climate change to job automation. (Sign up for each expert’s newsletter here.)
Politics: To what extent will President Trump and his campaign be able to convert a Republican-led Senate trial into enduring political advantage? By November, will impeachment be just another forgotten series of Trump news cycles, or will it have given him additional tools to wield, or weaknesses to manage? — Jonathan Swan
Business: People can’t stop talking about it: Will 2020 finally be year the next recession hits? As a Magic 8 Ball might say: “Reply hazy.” — Jennifer A. Kingson
Tech: Will the techlash hand-wringing actually lead to greater regulation or antitrust enforcement? On the pure tech front, 2020 will be a little early for truly consumer-ready augmented-reality glasses — but expect to see more experimentation, in smartphones and beyond. — Ina Fried
Media: How will Big Tech companies police their systems for malicious content and political manipulation ahead of the 2020 election? — Sara Fischer
Health care: Trump keeps promising radical steps to lower prescription drug prices, spooking drugmakers. Will he actually do it? Will Democrats really embrace Medicare for All as their party’s position for the 2020 election? It backfired on Elizabeth Warren, and some worry it could cost Dems the election. — Caitlin Owens
Energy: Will the world’s biggest oil companies, under pressure from advocates, make more concrete and deeper climate commitments? — Ben Geman
World: Will the U.S. and North Korea return to “fire and fury” after missing Pyongyang’s end-of-year deadline for a breakthrough in the nuclear talks? How will the U.S. election factor into that, and the U.S.-Iran standoff? — Dave Lawler
China: 2020 is a make-or-break year for Huawei — and for U.S. attempts to limit the China-based company’s presence in global 5G networks. Will Canada and European nations follow U.S. warnings and send 5G contracts elsewhere, or will the promise of cheap Chinese 5G prove too alluring? — Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian
Future: As robots and machines continue to gnaw away at jobs, experts predict that 2020 will be the year that the economy really starts to feel the impact of automation-fueled job losses. Look for these waves of disruption to hit the American heartland the hardest, as big cities keep getting the bulk of new job creation. — Erica Pandey
Cities: The Census will be top of mind for city leaders, who will try to ensure residents are counted appropriately. The frequency of cybersecurity attacks on state and city governments will likely continue to increase, forcing more officials to make the hard choice between paying ransom demands by hackers, or spending the millions it takes to rebuild systems. — Kim Hart
Transportation: Electric vehicles are beginning to enter the mainstream, with more models to choose from in dealer showrooms. But widespread adoption will depend on how quickly battery prices fall and charging stations spread. The industry is working hard on both. In the meantime, buyers are finding that hybrids are a good placeholder. — Joann Muller
Space: SpaceX and Boeing aim to get NASA astronauts to the International Space Station this year. Will 2020 finally be the year when humans finally get back to orbit from U.S. soil for the first time since the end of the space shuttle program? — Miriam Kramer
Sports: Ahead of the Tokyo Summer Games, who will emerge as the face(s) of Team USA — and the Olympics as a whole — now that global/generational superstars like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt have retired? — Kendall Baker
2. 🚨 Trump’s twin war threats
A member of the Iraqi paramilitary group Hashd al-Shaabi yesterday. Photo: Wissm al-Okili/Reuters
President Trump suddenly faces two global crises, both with the real possibility of U.S. military action, if not war:
- Iran-backed militiamen attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad today for the second day in a row. Marines guarding the embassy fired tear gas after the protesters lit a fire on the roof of the reception area, per AP. The militias later called on the protesters to withdraw, reports Reuters.
- “Little Rocket Man,” North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, is threatening to resume nuclear-missile testing, and said he’ll soon introduce “a new strategic weapon.” The momentum of the past few years has stalled, as Washington refuses to lift sanctions until Pyongyang fully abandons its nuclear program, BBC reports.
Why it matters: Trump has benefited from relative peace abroad and prosperity at home. But these twin challenges will truly test his diplomatic mix of bluster and buddying up to bad guys on the world stage.
- On New Year’s Eve, Trump ordered the deployment of 750 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., to the Middle East. 3,000 more prepared for possible deployment in the next several days. (AP)
At the same time, Russia said it had deployed a hypersonic nuclear missile that Vladimir Putin claims is in a class of its own, “fueling concerns of a new arms race with the U.S.,” per Bloomberg.
- Go deeper: From Axios PM, Jonathan Swan goes inside Trump’s thinking on one of the biggest foreign policy crises of his presidency.
Ospreys drop off reinforcement U.S. Marines at the embassy in Baghdad yesterday. Photo: Defense Department via Reuters
3. California’s new privacy law kicks in
Starting today, Californians can find out what data certain companies have collected about them, and even ask for it to be deleted, under the new California Consumer Privacy Act, Axios’ Kia Kokalitcheva reports from S.F.
- Why it matters: The law covers residents of the most populous state, but it also has national repercussions. Other states tend to follow California when it introduces firm rules that don’t exist on the federal level.
- Some companies, including Microsoft, have already said they’ll extend practices required under the law to all their customers and users.
The law applies to any company that has California-based customers and …
- Has at least $25 million in annual gross revenue.
- Has personal information on at least 50,000 people.
- Earns at least half its money selling California consumers’ personal information.
How it works: The California attorney general is in charge of enforcing the law against companies that break it. But A.G. Xavier Becerra’s office is expected to only have the resources to handle a limited number of cases.
4. Pics du jour
Photo: Frank Franklin II/AP
Above: A fisheye lens shows confetti dropping over Times Square at midnight.
Below: Phones’-eye view of the Arc de Triomphe, on the Champs-Élysées, Paris.
Photo: Christophe Ena/AP
Photo: Bruna Prado/AP
Above: Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Below: On the Vegas strip, an eight-minute Fireworks by Grucci show.
Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images
- More photos from around the world.
- In photos: Pioneers we lost in 2019.
5. Wall Street’s best year since 2013
Data: FactSet. Chart: Axios Visuals
Wall Street finished the year with its biggest annual gain in six years, Axios’ Courtenay Brown reports.
- Why it matters: U.S. stocks rebounded from 2018’s year-end meltdown to log impressive gains, despite uncertainty stemming from the trade war and a slowdown in economic growth.
Apple and Microsoft were the biggest contributors to the S&P’s gains both this year and over the past decade, according to Howard Silverblatt, a senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
6. FDA to ban teens’ favorite vapes
President Trump speaks to the media at Mar-a-Lago before a New Year’s celebration. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
“The Trump administration is expected to announce this week that it will ban mint-, fruit- and dessert-flavored e-cigarette cartridges popular with teenagers, but allow menthol and tobacco flavors to remain on the market,” the N.Y. Times reports (subscription).
- Why it matters, per the Wall Street Journal (subscription):”The action is seen as a compromise between Trump administration officials who want to address a rise in teen vaping and those concerned about the impact on small businesses and the possible political fallout for President Trump.”
💬 Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago last night: “We have to protect our families. At the same time, it’s a big industry. We want to protect the industry. … It’s become a very big industry. We’re going to take care of the industry.”
7. Trail pic du jour
Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
This is an official Bernie Sanders sign, waved at a New Year’s Eve event in Des Moines.
8. 🍾 1 hot thing: Hangover cures
The “hangover remedy” business has exploded in the past three years, “a surprising counterpoint to decreased alcohol consumption among American millennials and Generation Z,” the WashPost’s Laura Reiley reports (subscription).
- “There are capsules and patches and beverages.”
- Buzzwords include milk thistle and prickly pear.
“A raft of these remedies has cropped up on …. ‘Shark Tank’ … and nabbed up to $10 million of Silicon Valley venture capital money,” the Post adds.
- Hangover-hack start-ups “have rocketed out $1 million in sales in three months.”
📬 Thanks for starting 2020 with us! Please tell a friend about AM/PM.