To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw
To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN
--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump taps William Barr as new AG | Nauert picked to replace Haley at UN | Washington waits for bombshell Mueller filing | House GOP to grill Comey | CNN reports Kelly expected to resign in days | Trump signs stopgap delaying shutdown | Merkel to speak at Harvard graduation
NEWS OF THE MORNING -- TWO NEW HIRES
Psh, this job seems boring and uneventful:
President Trump
Donald TrumpHouse passes voting rights and elections reform bill DEA places agent seen outside Capitol during riot on leave Georgia Gov. Kemp says he'd 'absolutely' back Trump as 2024 nominee MORE announced this morning that he will nominate William Barr to lead the Justice Department as the next attorney general. Barr served as attorney general under former President George H.W. Bush and will replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsTanden withdraws nomination as Biden budget chief Manchin flexes muscle in 50-50 Senate Udalls: Haaland criticism motivated 'by something other than her record' MORE. http://bit.ly/2QC92ps
Why this is such an important position: The attorney general oversees the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. I.e.: He will be right in the center of the fight over the Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) MuellerWhy a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel CNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump MORE probe.
Why Barr's confirmation process won't be smooth sailing: Barr will likely face tough questions about the Justice Department's independence from the White House and about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigations.
What Barr has said about the Russia investigation: "Barr's past commentary has played down the severity of the allegations against Trump -- on both the collusion and obstruction-of-justice fronts -- and he has also suggested the Clintons should be in more trouble." What Barr has said: https://wapo.st/2Um0y4G
Until Barr is confirmed: Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will continue to lead the Justice Department. Whitaker is pretty controversial choice as he has been a vocal critic of the Russia investigation. http://bit.ly/2UjMEjs
Throwback: Barr was unanimously confirmed as Bush 41's attorney general in 1991. Photo and video -- wow, Joe Biden
Joe BidenThe West needs a more collaborative approach to Taiwan Abbott's medical advisers were not all consulted before he lifted Texas mask mandate House approves George Floyd Justice in Policing Act MORE looks young!: http://bit.ly/2RFVmXG
Nikki out, Nauert in:
President Trump announced that he will name State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. http://bit.ly/2E7MCWf
Why Nauert's promotion is big: Nauert is considered relatively inexperienced for the position. He has served as the State Department spokeswoman since April 2017 and was a Fox News anchor before that.
What to expect in her confirmation process: "The former Fox News host's precipitous rise since arriving at the State Department in 2017 sets the stage for a potentially tough Senate confirmation hearing, where Democrats will likely grill Nauert on her qualifications for the position." https://cnn.it/2RHZXII
Why Nikki Haley
Nikki HaleyTrump was unhinged and unchanged at CPAC The Memo: Is Trump mounting a comeback — or finally fading? Haley praises Trump CPAC speech after breaking with him over Capitol riot MORE's departure is big: "Haley, with whom Trump had built a close relationship, was seen as a steady and moderating voice within the administration. Her departure has been widely viewed as a loss within Republican circles."
Happy Friday! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn
SPONSORED CONTENT - THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
NEWS THIS MORNING
First Friday morning of the month -- you know what that means!?:
Via The Hill's Vicki Needham, the U.S. economy added 155,000 jobs in November, below expectations, but the labor market is continuing to gain momentum. The unemployment rate: 3.7 percent, the lowest level since 1969. The number of jobs expected this month: 190,000. Keep in mind: The economy has added jobs every month since October 2010. http://bit.ly/2L2AE1x
HAPPENING TODAY IN THE SPECIAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATION
A teaser for the season finale…:
Plotline No. 1 -- Paul Manafort
Paul John ManafortProsecutors drop effort to seize three Manafort properties after Trump pardon FBI offers 0K reward for Russian figure Kilimnik New York court rules Manafort can't be prosecuted by Manhattan DA MORE:
Special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to file a bombshell report that will explain how President Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, violated his plea deal with federal prosecutors. Keep in mind: It's unclear how much of the filing will be public. http://bit.ly/2Pkw0N3
Plotline No. 2 -- Michael Cohen:
Special counsel Robert Mueller has until 5 p.m. EST to weigh in on whether President Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen should serve jailtime. https://nyp.st/2L1kGoo
Cohen's charges: Cohen has pleaded guilty to tax evasion and violating campaign finance laws. And last week, Cohen admitted to lying to Congress about his Russian contacts.
When Cohen is expected to be formally sentenced: Wednesday.
MEANWHILE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP: This morning, President Trump went on a Twitter tirade against special counsel Robert Mueller, blasting him as conflicted and biased. His tweets: http://bit.ly/2Uobej8
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
The president's chief of staff and the president are no longer on speaking terms -- oh.:
Via CNN's Kaitlan Collins, White House chief of staff John Kelly
John Francis KellyMORE is expected to resign in the next few days. https://cnn.it/2QHlzrs
Why: Their relationship is no longer seen as productive and they have stopped speaking in the past few days, the report claims.
How long Kelly has been chief of staff: Seventeen months. Kelly was brought in to stabilize the chaotic West Wing.
Trump's top replacement: Vice President Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers is a top pick. https://cnn.it/2EjnFbg
Happening this weekend -- Trump attends the Army-Navy game:
President Trump will attend the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia Saturday.
Keep in mind: Trump is the 10th sitting president to attend the game. Trump attended 2016's game as president-elect, but this is the first game attended by a sitting president since former President Obama in 2011. http://bit.ly/2zMjQYr
When and where: 3 p.m. EST Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It will be broadcast on CBS.
ON CAPITOL HILL
This morning -- Comey in the House:
Ousted FBI Director James Comey
James Brien ComeyWray says FBI not systemically racist John Durham's endgame: Don't expect criminal charges Trump DOJ officials sought to block search of Giuliani records: report MORE is meeting with House Republicans behind closed doors today before Democrats take over the House. Why: For Republicans to grill Comey on allegations of bias at the Justice Department. http://bit.ly/2RG94cZ
Timing: "It comes after months of wrangling between House Republicans and Comey, who last week asked a federal court in D.C. to quash a subpoena issued by House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte
Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteBottom line No documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself MORE (R-Va.) that ordered him to testify behind closed doors."
Video of James Comey arriving on Capitol Hill: http://bit.ly/2rlSALI
Just asked @comey if he’s “best friends” with Mueller or has any conflicting relationship with him. He laughed and said:
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 7, 2018
“Note that I smiled.”
Trump's early morning tweet that Comey was referring to: "Robert Mueller and Leakin' Lyin' James Comey are Best Friends, just one of many Mueller Conflicts of Interest. And bye the way, wasn't the woman in charge of prosecuting Jerome Corsi (who I do not know) in charge of 'legal' at the corrupt Clinton Foundation? A total Witch Hunt." http://bit.ly/2rpGTDy
IN OTHER NEWS
Merkel should hold a diplomatic meeting to talk some sense into the Harvard professor who said a serving of french fries should be six fries:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been named as Harvard University's commencement speaker on May 30. Details: http://bit.ly/2E8pTti
The attack on Pearl Harbor happened 77 years ago today:
"About 20 survivors are expected to gather at Pearl Harbor on Friday to pay tribute to the thousands of men lost in the Japanese attack 77 years ago. The youngest of the veterans are in their mid-90s. The Navy and National Park Service will jointly host the remembrance ceremony at a grassy site overlooking the water and the SS Arizona Memorial." https://nyti.ms/2zQ2UQD
Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2SBMFxJ
SPONSORED CONTENT - THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
New education and health initiatives launched alongside the 2019 Special Olympics World Games will have a lasting impact on social inclusion in the UAE and the region. Learn more.
NOTABLE TWEETS
Same, Cookie Monster. SAME..:
Today canceled. Me staying in bed and eating cookies.
— Cookie Monster (@MeCookieMonster) December 7, 2018
Whoa:
BREAKING: Humans have never before heard the sound of wind on Mars until now! Listen to #SoundsOfMars as recorded by @NASAInSight as Martian winds swept over our lander. Best with headphones or a subwoofer. https://t.co/VreQxcAnAM pic.twitter.com/yd98NgZgR3
— Jim BridenstineJames (Jim) Frederick BridenstineThe Biden administration endorses NASA's Artemis, the Space Force Will Biden continue NASA's Artemis program to return to the moon? NASA demonstrates why rocket science is still hard with the SLS test MORE (@JimBridenstine) December 7, 2018
Listen: http://bit.ly/2G1PPsT
ON TAP
The House and Senate are out. President Trump is speaking in Kansas City, Mo., and Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.
9:20 a.m. EST: President Trump left for Kansas City, Mo.
11:55 a.m. EST: President Trump arrives at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.
2:15 p.m. EST: President Trump leaves Kansas City for Washington, D.C.
4:40 p.m. EST: President Trump gets back to the White House.
7:30 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump
Melania TrumpThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by ExxonMobil - FBI director testifies on Jan. 6 Capitol attack Overnight Health Care: Senate to vote on .9 trillion relief bill this week | J&J vaccine rollout begins | CDC warns against lifting restrictions Trump has been vaccinated for coronavirus MORE have dinner with senior White House staff in the East Room.
3 p.m. EST Saturday: President Trump attends the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia.
Dec. 21: The new deadline for Congress to fund the government to avoid a partial government shutdown. https://n.pr/2L4PBjJ
WHAT TO WATCH
12:50 p.m. EST: President Trump speaks at the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods National Conference in Kansas City, Mo. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2PohdRp
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...
Today is National Cotton Candy Day! And just in case that isn't enough sugar for you, tomorrow is National Brownie Day and Sunday is National Pastry Day.
I'm intrigued:
A 500-year-old body was found in the London river wearing thigh-high boots. Hmm: "Leather was an expensive commodity in Tudor times, and it is unlikely someone would be buried wearing such a highly prized item, according to MOLA Headland, the firm leading the project -- meaning the man's demise was likely premature." Photos and full story: https://cnn.it/2L22ICm
And because you made it this far, here's a puppy who does NOT trust the cat -- and will probably sleep with its eyes open tonight: http://bit.ly/2QBK5KI
