| | | | The eye of Mueller turns toward Trump | | For months now, we've known that special counsel Bob Mueller's investigation into potential Russian meddling and collusion in the 2016 election is taking a very hard look at some top Trump deputies like Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn.
But on Wednesday, we learned, according to The New York Times, that Mueller is also digging into Trump himself -- and, in particular, a series of high-profile meetings and firings since he has been President.
Writes Timesman Michael Schmidt:
"(Mueller) has asked the White House for documents about some of President Trump's most scrutinized actions since taking office, including the firing of his national security adviser and FBI director, according to White House officials."
Schmidt also reports that Mueller is interested in any paper trail related to the May 10 Oval Office meeting between Trump and Russian officials Sergey Kisylak and Sergey Lavrov, in which, reportedly, Trump told them a "great pressure" had been taken off of him in firing Comey. (Trump also reportedly called Comey a "nut job" in that meeting.)
Soon after Schmidt's report broke, my former colleagues at the Washington Post added more meat to the bone regarding what Mueller is asking for -- and why. Write Carol Leonnig and Roz Helderman:
"The requests broadly ask for any document or email related to a series of highly publicized incidents since Trump became president, including the firing of national security adviser Michael Flynn and Comey, the people said. The list demonstrates Mueller's focus on key moments and actions by the president and close advisers that could shed light on whether Trump sought to block the FBI investigations of Flynn and of Russian interference. His team is also eyeing whether the president sought to obstruct the earlier Russia probe overseen by Comey."
The takeaway from these two stories shouldn't be that Mueller has the goods on Trump and is going to take down the President. We simply don't know that yet.
But what we do now know is that Mueller's investigation has reached all the way to center of Trump's White House -- into the Oval Office and the man who sits behind the Resolute Desk.
And that is a big deal.
-- Chris | | GRAHAM-CASSIDY: STATE BY STATE | | CNN dataviz wiz Sam Petulla created the above map to show how much each state would stand to gain or lose in federal dollars if Graham-Cassidy passed.
He made the map based on new data from an Avalere Health analysis, which suggests that Graham-Cassidy -- if passed in its current form -- would cut federal money to states by $215 billion over the next decade.
Read more in Chris' story here. | | REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: MENENDEZ TRIAL | | It's day nine of the trial of Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, and CNN's Laura Jarrett is still sending us the best feeds from the courtroom. Her latest:
"Friends can be criminals."
One might think those were the words of a prosector -- but no, they came from the mouth of the federal judge presiding over the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez and his friend, Dr. Salomon Melgen, on Wednesday. So why does this matter?
Because Menendez doesn't deny he rode on Melgen's private jet and let him pay for awesome hotel rooms -- instead, his primary defense is that they were friends, so he didn't accept the perks in exchange for doing Melgen political favors, the senator took them because the pair had been hanging out for decades.
The judge gets this argument ... but only to a certain point. "Friendship can also serve as the camouflage for a crime," Judge Walls said (without the jury present). "Just because you are friends doesn't mean you have eternal purity. Friendship is sometimes the best vehicle for a crime."
That's a significant statement from the man who will eventually instruct the jury on the applicable law before deliberations -- which will ultimately determine Menendez's fate. | | | Check out Brooklyn's Big Thief, and read NPR's recent interview with the band's singer-guitarist Adrianne Lenker. | | CNN's Kate Bennett and Betsy Klein covered First Lady Melania Trump's luncheon at the United Nations Wednesday, where she delivered a speech. From their article:
"Trump, hosting the other first spouses of world leaders, called on the group to help her with her cause to assist children all over the globe.
'Together, we must acknowledge that all too often it is the weakest, most innocent and vulnerable among us -- our children -- who ultimately suffer the most from the challenges that plague our societies,' the first lady said. 'Whether it is drug addiction, bullying, poverty, disease, trafficking, illiteracy, or hunger, it is the children who are hit first and hardest in any country. And as we all know, the future of every nation rests with the promise of their young people.'
Trump has not yet formally revealed her platform as first lady, but aides say it's coming 'soon.' " | | So, Betsy had a busy morning: She also covered Ivanka Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly. From her article:
"Trump spoke out against human trafficking Tuesday, calling it 'the greatest human rights issue of our time.'
'This is a call for action, a call for global unity,' Trump said at a panel event hosted by Great Britain and Northern Ireland, noting that her father, President Donald Trump, has said he is 'prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government" to combat human trafficking.'
Human trafficking is a chronically under-reported problem that affects at least 20.9 million people globally in both forced labor and sex trafficking." | | | "Who knows? Stranger things have happened." -President Donald Trump on achieving peace in the Middle East | | | NOT A DEM, BUT STILL A DEM SUPPORTER | | Although Gov. Jim Justice switched from the Democratic party to the Republican party in early August, the West Virginia leader reportedly told Republican lawmakers this week that he still supports Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's re-election.
Per West Virginia Metro News: "Governor Justice was speaking to Republicans on Monday evening at the state Culture Center. He addressed his desire to pass a multimillion dollar road bond during a statewide vote October 7, an issue that has divided Republicans. The governor then opened up for a wide array of questions...
The delegate who asked about the Manchin race was Kayla Kessinger, a Republican from Fayette County. 'You know, I think most of us in here agree that any time we can have a new Republican join our party, we're glad to have him join us. I'm glad to hear that you do stand with us on issues like life and the Second Amendment, and I think that there's one issue that unites every Republican in this room, and it's beating liberal Democrat Joe Manchin in the next election,' Kessinger said to Justice. Assessing the governor's response during an interview this week at the Capitol, Kessinger said: 'It was not the answer that I think Republicans were looking for. He kind of skirted around the question.' Multiple Republicans said the governor expressed his support for Manchin." | | Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is speaking up about health care (again). The comedian on Tuesday made headlines after saying Sen. Bill Cassidy lied "right to my face."
During an appearance on Kimmel's show earlier this year, Cassidy came up with what he called the "Jimmy Kimmel Test," which, according to the host, was a test that said that "No family should be denied medical care, emergency or otherwise, because they can't afford it."
"He agreed to that," Kimmel said. "He said he would only support a healthcare bill that made sure a child like mine would get the health coverage he needs, no matter how much money his parents make."
Read Chris' take on how the "Jimmy Kimmel" test became the health care fight's measuring stick. | | | Hurricane Maria weakened to a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday afternoon. However, CNN will continue to update the storm as it continues to exit Puerto Rico. To track the hurricane, check this map. Read CNN's full story here. | | | In honor of former President Obama's return to the spotlight (kind of), here's a GIF of him waving goodbye. Give us a virtual wave hello and tell everyone you know to subscribe. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | Get the Nightcap, a comprehensive summary of the most important political news, delivered to your inbox daily. | | | | | |
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