The Hill Articles: December 13, 2018

Prosecutors investigating Trump inaugural fund, pro-Trump super PAC for possible illegal foreign donations: NY Times George Conway: Why take Trump’s word over prosecutors’ if he ‘lies about virtually everything’ Federal judge says lawsuit over Trump travel ban waivers will proceed Facebook hosts ‘pop up’ privacy tutorial in New York City Megyn Kelly on Mika Brzezinski’s comment controversy: ‘I hope she’s forgiven’ Some reporters after White House cancels press holiday party: We wouldn’t have gone anyway Chief justice of California Supreme Court leaves GOP over Kavanaugh confirmation Joaquin Castro says brother Julián is running for president in 2020 Border patrol says 7-year-old migrant died in custody from dehydration and shock CBS reached $9.5M settlement with actress over sexual harassment: report Kasich: I ‘probably’ couldn’t beat Trump today White House distances Trump from inaugural committee amid new scrutiny ABC’s Stephanopoulos teases first interview with Cohen post-sentencing McConnell sets Monday test vote on criminal justice bill Dem Senator on investigation into Trump inauguration: New ‘impropriety’ uncovered every day Washington governor announces killer whale recovery plan Overnight Health Care — Sponsored by Amgen — For Republicans, fight over fetal tissue research comes back to Planned Parenthood | CDC traces contaminated romaine lettuce to California farm | Dems aim to punt vote on ObamaCare taxes Sanders, Warren meet ahead of potential 2020 bids EPA’s huge Christmas gift to special interests Air France becomes first major airline to be led by female CEO Overnight Defense: Senate bucks Trump with Yemen war vote, resolution calling crown prince ‘responsible’ for Khashoggi killing | House briefing on Saudi Arabia fails to move needle | Inhofe casts doubt on Space Force Swalwell says Butina guilty plea shows ‘influx of Russians’ into US ‘political bloodstream’ The next border issue: Legal marijuana discrimination Ex-US attorney: Mueller ‘absolutely’ has Trump’s tax returns Intel panel expects to refer more cases of suspected lying to Mueller Thousands sign petition calling for removal of judge who approved no-jail deal for alleged Baylor rapist On The Money: GOP senator floats options to prevent shutdown | Republicans stunned by Trump shutdown threat | Schumer insists Dems won’t budge on wall | Pelosi expects fierce fight over Trump tax returns | Trump warns GM won’t be treated well after layoff Will Congress score headlines or legislative wins in next session? Some contaminated romaine lettuce traced to California farm Alberta energy lunacy furthers downward spiral. US should watch carefully Overnight Energy — Sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board — Court blocks Atlantic coast pipeline | Kerry calls Trump climate actions ‘profoundly dangerous’ | EPA asked to investigate Pruitt Fox News hits McCarthy calls on incoming Democrats to embrace bipartisanship, not ‘food fight’ or investigations Michelle Obama does Fortnite ‘orange justice’ dance with Santa Hillicon Valley — Presented by AT&T — New momentum for privacy legislation | YouTube purges spam videos | Apple plans $1B Austin campus | Iranian hackers targeted Treasury officials | FEC to let lawmakers use campaign funds for cyber Senate Armed Services chair not convinced of need for Trump’s Space Force A missed opportunity for Democrats in the border wall showdown Incoming Minnesota governor says he’s too busy to meet with Trump House funding bill scraps Arctic icebreaker program CDC report: US gun deaths reach highest level in nearly 40 years Dem pollster blames Gingrich for current partisan strife Senate Dems urge Trump to continue nuclear arms control negotiations after treaty suspension Five gun violence prevention priorities for the incoming Congress Miss USA apologizes for mocking Miss Vietnam for not speaking English Appeals court blocks Trump birth control rules in five states GOP pollster says US civility in politics is in a ‘death spiral’ Prosecutors probing Trump inauguration spending: report City council candidate loses race after tie is called with die toss 

 Trump administration asks Supreme Court to temporarily allow transgender military ban Regulators must become as creative as innovators Aluminum tariffs have put US producers on a level playing field Parkland’s David Hogg sends ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the NRA’s ‘PR team’ after accused Russian agent pleads guilty Ohio Senate approves controversial ‘heartbeat bill’ Suspected French gunman killed by police US deficit soared to $205 billion in November Dem pollster says Silicon Valley is not as liberal as it seems Dem pollster says liberals have failed at weaponizing social media Manchin puts hold on FCC nomination over wireless internet fund delay Senate passes resolution naming crown prince ‘responsible’ for Khashoggi slaying Dozens of bomb threats nationwide prompt evacuations America needs smart foreign aid budget for successful programs Women’s Tennis Association issues new rule clarifications allowing Serena Williams to wear catsuit Alabama attorney general takes over probe into police shooting at mall MSNBC’s Katy Tur announces pregnancy live on the air Memo for next White House chief of staff: Personnel equals policy Pelosi fundraising off White House meeting with Trump: ‘Never in my life have I backed down from a fight’ Tasmania builds first road out of recycled glass bottles, plastic bags DeGette dropped from chief deputy whip spot GOP pollster says partisans selectively view cable news We have the funds we need to secure the border Voters on both sides chose people who pledged to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Senate votes to end US support for Saudi war, bucking Trump Dikembe Mutombo flies 8-year-old boy with tumor from Africa to US for surgery Majority thinks tech giants are biased against conservatives, poll shows Woman charged with felony assault in racist tirade on NYC subway Court quotes ‘The Lorax’ in ruling blocking permit for pipeline to cross national forests Trump: GM ‘is not going to be treated well’ after announced layoffs GOP senator floats options to prevent shutdown Suspect arrested in NYC anti-gay attack that fractured woman’s spine Former FBI official says Mueller won’t be ‘colored by politics’ in Russia probe Kentucky Supreme Court strikes down pension law that prompted teacher walkouts Walker pens Facebook post defending lame-duck legislation undermining incoming Dem governor Russia ramps up cyber warfare as it loses economic footing in Ukraine Trump says he’s down to five candidates for chief of staff Virgin Galactic edges toward space tourism with flight to boundary of space Melania Trump’s favorability plunges in new poll For Republicans, fight over fetal tissue research comes back to Planned Parenthood Trump telling confidants he’s worried about impeachment: report Helms 45 years later: It’s time for Congress to repeal it Mueller’s choice: Impeachment does not preclude indictment Trump: Cohen ‘did more public relations than he did law’ Flake asks Daily Show where he can get a blanket emblazoned with his ‘meaningless tweets’ Cybill Shepherd claims CBS canceled her show for rejecting Les Moonves’s advances McCaskill: ‘Too many embarrassing uncles’ in the Senate Image of Pelosi leaving an exploding White House projected onto California federal building Massachusetts is leading the way on gun safety, but we can’t do it alone Ex-Baylor frat president who received no jail time in sexual assault case barred from graduation House Dems follow Senate action with resolution to overturn IRS donor disclosure guidance California city council member reads QAnon post at council meeting: ‘God bless Q’ New Jersey redistricting reform blasted as gerrymandering power grab Senators offer measure naming Saudi crown prince ‘responsible’ for Khashoggi slaying Yemen, Houthi rebels agree to ceasefire in key port city Congress sends bill overhauling sexual harassment policy to Trump’s desk No ‘middle way’ in US-China struggle — China must change John Kerry: Trump’s actions on climate change are ‘profoundly dangerous’ for planet DHS returns child 11 weeks after claiming father was a gang member What America’s Thinking: December 13, 2018 Former FCC counselor says broadband access was an election issue in midterms Comey’s remarks about Trump dossier are not credible, says former FBI official Trump slams ‘Morning Joe’ host for homophobic remark about Pompeo House lawmakers delay decision on Saudi Arabia pending investigation The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Trump says he ‘never directed’ Cohen to break the law | GOP reels from Trump shutdown threat | Alleged spy Butina pleads guilty to conspiracy charge YouTube’s ‘Rewind 2018’ passes Justin Bieber as most disliked video in site’s history Pelosi sees fierce resistance from White House if Dems seek Trump’s tax returns Trump planning two-week holiday stay at Mar-a-Lago Trump is not a ‘skunk’ — but we need more than just a wall YouTube removed 58 million videos in latest quarter Swalwell: Michael Cohen ‘knows where all the bodies are buried’ Jenny McCarthy: ‘The View’ producers asked me to ‘act Republican’ Watchdog groups call on EPA to probe past interaction with Fox News Doug Jones: Carmakers ‘scared to death’ over Trump tariffs FEC votes to allow lawmakers to use campaign funds for personal cybersecurity Former FCC counselor says Dems will use oversight on net neutrality Pelosi mocks Trump claim on Mexico paying for wall: ‘The Oval Office is an evidence-free zone’ Failure to act on climate change will be catastrophic for food production Oil company played major role in influencing car emissions rollback: report House passes resolution calling for release of Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar What’s the harm in seismic airgun blasting? Lots. That’s why we’re suing Former nicotine research monkeys moved to sanctuary after pressure from Jane Goodall Flake warns in farewell speech: US political climate ‘is not healthy’ Alleged Russian agent Butina pleads guilty to engaging in conspiracy against US The coming (tech) revolution in Gaza DOJ watchdog: No clear ‘pattern’ in missing Strzok, Page texts Trump claims Flynn got ‘great deal’ because prosecutors ’embarrassed’ McCaskill ‘not sure’ Sanders, Harris, Warren can win Missouri in 2020 Ex-federal prosecutor says Trump could argue payments to women alleging affairs were a ‘private matter’ Bolton says no plans to reschedule Trump-Putin meeting Government shelters now housing nearly 15K migrant children Arizona publisher uses his newspaper to accuse wife of poisoning him Senate approves bill reforming Congress’s sexual harassment policy Trump’s last chance to be the deal-maker in chief Aides advise Trump to stay out of Chinese tech executive’s case: report Schumer says Dems won’t budge on Trump wall demand Judge rejects GOP lawmaker’s lawsuit over Maine’s new voting system McCaskill: ‘Kavanaugh spectacle’ made the difference in midterm loss Lanny Davis: I doubt Cohen held back anything with Mueller Cohen cooperation doesn’t guarantee Trump will be hit with campaign finance violation, says former federal prosecutor Solar power industry blames Trump tariffs for slowing growth Booker: ‘Biggest evil’ in country is the ‘lack of engagement’ House won’t vote on government funding, wall until next week The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act kneecaps American factory workers Senators prepare for possible Christmas week voting Activist says FCC won’t make phone companies ban spam calls Panel: Adam Hodge and Gustavo Portela discuss protest outside Trump aide’s house and Senate legalizing hemp farming Apple picks Texas for $1B site Former FBI assistant director says Mueller should also be investigating potential Russian attempts to smear President Trump Number of jailed journalists approaches record high, report says Help wanted: White House chief of staff Former federal prosecutor says campaign finance case against President Trump would be difficult task Iranian hackers targeted personal email accounts of US Treasury officials: report China confirms detention of two Canadians Does Michael Cohen’s testimony actually put President Trump in legal jeopardy? Bill Nelson uses farewell address to remind colleagues ‘no one person is above the law’ Bolton warns Russia, China threaten US in Africa Christmas event organizers apologize after Santa yells at kids to ‘get the f— out’ Gary Sinise Foundation sends more than 600 families of fallen soldiers to Disney World Mueller to outline Middle Eastern countries’ efforts to influence US politics: report Lieu: Trump is ‘essentially an unindicted co-conspirator’ in Cohen case Trump’s own undocumented help highlights plight of many immigrants Family pleads for changes to state gun laws in obituary for son who shot himself Biden, Kamala Harris pose for photo together amid 2020 speculation Outgoing GOP rep says law enforcement, not Congress should conduct investigations Gingrich dismisses speculation he is in running for White House chief of staff A sea change for sexual conduct on campus Adam Schiff: Justice should ‘re-examine’ whether it can indict sitting president Fashion designer bringing back Pelosi’s red coat after viral moment CNN’s Toobin: Trump lied ‘extravagantly’ about Cohen payments ‘from beginning to end’ Anti-wall is not a border policy: How Democrats can sell an immigration plan Melania Trump: Some comedians, journalists use Trump name to ‘advance themselves’ Trump says he ‘never directed Michael Cohen to break the law’ Republicans should take the lead on HIV/AIDS O’Rourke rockets to second place on CNN analysts’ 2020 Dem rankings, Harris remains first Trump’s trade war with China gathers steam — and purpose Trump: ‘Mexico is paying for the wall’ through savings in new trade deal Rising: December 13, 2018 Miss Universe to have all-female judges for the first time Muslim group files discrimination complaint after man says he was kicked off Greyhound bus for speaking Arabic White House won’t hold annual holiday party for press Dem rep sees ‘beginning of the end’ of Trump administration Obama receives Robert F. Kennedy human rights award Korea-Africa relations hold enormous trade, development and investment potential   The Hill’s Morning Report — Where the shutdown fight stands The Memo: Allies worry as Trump’s woes mount The Year Ahead: Push for privacy bill gains new momentum Dems aim to punt vote on ObamaCare taxes Trump shock leaves Republicans anxious over 2019 Top Lobbyists 2018