Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. Happy Monday! Our newsletter gets you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Co-creators are Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver (CLICK HERE to subscribe!). On Twitter, find us at @asimendinger and @alweaver22.
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President Trump
Donald John TrumpBiden team wants to understand Trump effort to 'hollow out government agencies' Trump's remaking of the judicial system Overnight Defense: Trump transgender ban 'inflicts concrete harms,' study says | China objects to US admiral's Taiwan visit MORE on Sunday embraced a narrative he’s favored for more than two years, this time armed with a verdict he described as entirely in his favor:
“There was no collusion with Russia. There was no obstruction and none whatsoever. And it was a complete and total exoneration,” he said as he returned to Washington from Florida.
The Hill: Mueller finds no Trump-Russia conspiracy in 2016 election.
The Hill: Mueller delivers a win for Trump — five takeaways.
Trump received backing on Sunday from his lawyers, the White House communications team, the Republican Party, his reelection campaign and allies in Congress. They amplified the president’s message of vindication, ignoring contradictory information in Mueller’s report while poised for new clashes in Congress and among Democratic presidential candidates in the months ahead.
Trump spoke shortly after Attorney General William Barr sent Congress and the White House his summary of special counsel Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE’s report, which included no new indictments at the end of a 22-month investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election (The Hill).
Barr wrote that Mueller’s investigation “did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.”
However, Mueller left open the possibility that Trump had obstructed justice in reaction to the Russia probe, according to Barr. But the attorney general said he concluded from the special counsel’s evidence that it was “not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense.”
“While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,” Barr quoted Mueller as writing (Reuters).
The Hill: Mueller’s conclusion raises new questions.
The Hill: Read Barr’s four-page summary to Congress.
What happens next?
The partisan battle continues: Democrats seized on the equivocal reference by Mueller about whether there was criminal evidence of obstruction of the Russia probe (The Hill).
The bottom line: Mueller’s findings are a severe blow to the impeach-Trump drive (The Hill). Yet, progressives who want to pursue impeachment now believe it’s imperative to get the full text of Mueller’s report and its discussion of obstruction of justice. Rep. Al Green
Alexander (Al) N. GreenRemoving slurs, bigotry from places on our maps paves the way to remove them from all aspects of our lives Safeguarding US elections by sanctioning Russian sovereign debt The Memo: Trump furor stokes fears of unrest MORE (D-Texas), for one, continued to call for impeachment on Sunday after Barr’s letter went to lawmakers (The Hill).
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler
Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats accuse GSA of undermining national security by not certifying Biden win Barr sparks DOJ firestorm with election probes memo Marijuana stocks see boost after Harris debate comments MORE (D-N.Y.) said on Sunday his panel will soon call Barr to testify.
The New York Times: House and Senate Democrats vow to continue oversight.
The Washington Post: Trump's actions tied to potential obstruction will be wrestled with in the political arena.
Republican lawmakers, however, accused Democrats of continuing what they see as politically motivated investigations as a weapon to attack Trump into the 2020 election.
“They really don’t have a policy agenda. They have an agenda against the president,” said House Judiciary Committee ranking Republican Doug Collins
Douglas (Doug) Allen CollinsMajority say they want GOP in control of Senate: poll The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Trump, Biden clash over transition holdup, pandemic plans Georgia secretary of state says wife has received threatening texts about recount MORE of Georgia, speaking on “Fox News Sunday.”
Public disclosure: Both parties in Congress say they want the Mueller report to be publicly available to the extent possible under the law. But transparency will have many definitions, and the fight is expected to be intense.
Polls show that a large majority of Americans want the report released, but surveys also show most Americans made up their minds about Trump and his actions before Mueller concluded his investigation.
The president said last week he too wants the report released, and after his enthusiastic response on Sunday to Barr’s summary letter, he will be pressed on all sides to encourage the Justice Department to disclose the report. There was no suggestion on Sunday that Trump seeks to withhold findings or assert executive privilege.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiVoters want a strong economy and leadership, Democrats should listen On The Money: Biden to nominate Yellen for Treasury secretary | 'COVID cliff' looms | Democrats face pressure to back smaller stimulus Democrats face increasing pressure to back smaller COVID-19 stimulus MORE (D-Calif.) echoed her party’s clamor for full disclosure of Mueller’s conclusions and investigative findings with a Twitter hashtag on Sunday: #ReleaseTheReport.
She told 120 Democratic lawmakers on Saturday during a conference call that she will reject any calls for classified briefings to Congress. Pelosi said any information sharing must be unclassified so that lawmakers can discuss the information publicly (The Hill).
Sen. Mark Warner
Mark Robert WarnerTrump tells GSA that Biden transition can begin Hillicon Valley: Leadership changes at top cyber agency raise national security concerns | Snapchat launches in-app video platform 'Spotlight' | Uber, Lyft awarded federal transportation contract Democrats accuse GSA of undermining national security by not certifying Biden win MORE (D-Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which is investigating Russia’s election interference, agrees:
"Congress and the American people deserve to judge the facts for themselves. The Special Counsel's report must be provided to Congress immediately, and the Attorney General should swiftly prepare a declassified version of the report for the public. Nothing short of that will suffice. It is also critical that all documents related to the Special Counsel's investigation be preserved and made available to the appropriate Congressional committees,” Warner said.
Is Trump out of the woods, legally?
The president’s business activities are under investigation by New York State Attorney General Letitia James and by Justice Department prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. Legal analysts say Trump’s legal troubles are not over (The Washington Post).
What about Russia’s threat to U.S. elections?
How and why Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election and favored Trump’s election is a large part of what Mueller investigated, and his findings are a significant part of his report to the Justice Department.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFeinstein to step down as top Democrat on Judiciary Committee Voters want a strong economy and leadership, Democrats should listen On The Money: Biden to nominate Yellen for Treasury secretary | 'COVID cliff' looms | Democrats face pressure to back smaller stimulus MORE (R-Ky.), in a written statement on Sunday, focused on that topic, signaling that other Republicans will follow suit and that Congress could find actionable information in the special counsel’s findings. However, Russia’s role in the election is a topic Trump repeatedly sidelines.
“Russia’s ongoing efforts to interfere with our democracy are dangerous and disturbing, and I welcome the Special Counsel's contributions to our efforts to understand better Russia's activities in this regard. And I look forward to the continuing work of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the threats posed to our democratic institutions by foreign interference.” — McConnell
More than two dozen people charged by Mueller are Russians and are unlikely to be brought to the United States to stand trial.
The special counsel brought criminal charges against a total of 34 people, including six former Trump associates and advisers. Five people close to the president pleaded guilty: Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort
Paul John ManafortHow to combat Putin's financial aggression Like it or not, a Trump self-pardon may be coming soon DOJ veteran says he's quitting over Barr's 'slavish obedience' to Trump MORE, former deputy campaign manager Rick Gates, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former personal attorney Michael Cohen
Michael Dean CohenBiden faces politically thorny decision on Trump prosecutions New York expands Trump tax fraud investigations to include write-offs: report Juan Williams: Defeated Trump is in legal peril MORE and former campaign adviser George PapadopoulosGeorge Demetrios PapadopoulosNot treason, not a crime — but definitely a gross abuse of power Tale of two FBI cases: Clinton got warned, Trump got investigated Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation MORE. Roger Stone
Roger Jason StoneWashington braces for unpredictable post-election period Like it or not, a Trump self-pardon may be coming soon This election is headed to the courts, but Democrats have lawyers too MORE, a longtime friend of Trump’s, was indicted in January and accused of lying to Congress. Stone has pleaded not guilty.
The Hill: A timeline of Mueller’s investigation from start to finish.
Perspectives and Analysis:
Neal K. Katyal: The many problems with the Barr letter.
Jonathan Turley: A conclusion on collusion, but confusion on obstruction.
The Washington Post editorial board: Trump did not collude with Russia. But he’s wrong to say Mueller exonerated him.
The Washington Examiner editorial board: The collusion delusion.
Blake Hounshell: Trump didn’t collude with Russia. So why does he love Putin so much?
Electronic Privacy Information Center watchdog: Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeks report’s public release.
Peter Baker: A cloud is lifted over Trump’s presidency.
LEADING THE DAY
CONGRESS: McConnell is expected to schedule a vote midweek on the Green New Deal, a top priority of progressives that has gained traction and appeal thanks to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezBiden names John Kerry as 'climate czar' in new administration Maloney vows to overhaul a House Democratic campaign machine 'stuck in the past' Ocasio-Cortez defends Harry Styles wearing dress on Vogue cover: 'It looks wonderful' MORE (D-N.Y.). McConnell’s belief is that this vote could split Democrats, including those bidding for the party’s 2020 nomination.
As Alexander Bolton writes, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerUS national security policy in the 117th Congress and a new administration Voters say Biden should make coronavirus vaccine a priority: poll New York City subway service could be slashed 40 percent, officials warn MORE (D-N.Y.) is facing a major test to keep his caucus unified as he urges Senate Democrats to vote “present” in unison. However, many of those running in 2020 have endorsed the plan, meaning something has to give.
Ocasio-Cortez dismissed the vote, calling it a “bluff vote” on Saturday.
On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyWhoopi Goldberg blasts Republicans not speaking against Trump: 'This is an attempted coup' GSA offers to brief Congress next week on presidential transition Democrats brush off calls for Biden to play hardball on Cabinet picks MORE (R-Utah) has taken a leading role on climate change within the GOP conference and is at the center of private discussions about coming up with a response to the issue.
“There’s no question that we’re experiencing climate change and that humans are a significant contributor to that. In my view the course forward is going to require innovation and technology breakthrough because nothing I’ve seen is going to reverse the warming trend other than that," Romney told The Hill.
> Over in the House, lawmakers are expected to vote Tuesday in an attempt to override Trump’s veto of legislation that would end his national emergency to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. With a two-thirds majority needed to override his veto, the vote is expected to fail as only 13 House Republicans supported blocking the president’s declaration (Reuters).
IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES
CAMPAIGN & POLITICS: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten GillibrandDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry Social media responds to Harris making history: 'I feel like our ancestors are rejoicing' Ocasio-Cortez says she doesn't plan on 'staying in the House forever' MORE (D-N.Y.) delivered her campaign's "kickoff" speech early Sunday afternoon while flanked by Trump International Hotel & Tower in Manhattan. The speech — which included multiple barbs at the president, including calling him a "coward" and panning the hotel as a "a shrine to greed, division and vanity” — was an attempt by the New York senator to break through the crowded Democratic primary field, something at which she has been unsuccessful.
> In polls taken nationally, as well as in Iowa and New Hampshire, Gillibrand has struggled to pull more than 1 percent support as others, including Sen. Kamala Harris
Kamala HarrisFive House Democrats who could join Biden Cabinet GOP senator: No indication of widespread voting irregularities, window for Trump challenges is 'closing' Biden pledges to work with mayors MORE (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'RourkeMexico emerging as foreign policy challenge for Biden Beyoncé sports pro-Biden mask on Instagram Harris to travel to Texas Friday after polls show tie between Trump, Biden MORE (D-Texas) have been able to break into double digits. Unfortunately for Gillibrand, the speech wrapped up just before 2 p.m. — less than two hours before Barr's letter was released, leaving much to be desired timing-wise.
The New York Times: At Democratic Campaign Events, Mueller Report is Barely Mentioned
The Hill: South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg surges to third place in new Iowa poll
Buttigieg (D) surged into third place in a poll of the Iowa caucus released Sunday. Eleven percent of likely Democratic Iowa caucus-goers surveyed by Emerson Polling said they would pick Buttigieg to be their 2020 presidential nominee.
Overall, Buttigieg placed third behind Former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenBiden team wants to understand Trump effort to 'hollow out government agencies' Overnight Defense: Trump transgender ban 'inflicts concrete harms,' study says | China objects to US admiral's Taiwan visit Protect our world: How the Biden administration can save lives and economies worldwide MORE, at 25 percent, and Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersFive House Democrats who could join Biden Cabinet Biden names John Kerry as 'climate czar' in new administration In the final chapter of 2020, we must recommit to repairing our democracy MORE (I-Vt.), at 24 percent. The only other candidate to receive double-digit support was Harris, who was the choice for 10 percent of respondents.
Emerson surveyed 249 likely Iowa Democratic caucus-goers between March 21 and 24. The margin of error for the sample is 6.2 percentage points.
Associated Press: Medicare for all legislation has thorny issues
More on the 2020 front ... Sanders spent the weekend in California, where he visited an Islamic center in Los Angeles ... Harris took her campaign to southern states, headlined by Texas and Georgia, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenOn The Money: Biden to nominate Yellen for Treasury secretary | 'COVID cliff' looms | Democrats face pressure to back smaller stimulus Biden to nominate Janet Yellen as Treasury secretary: report Bottom line MORE (D-Mass.) (CNN) and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper both spent time in New Hampshire (WMUR.com).
The Morning Report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want to hear from you! Email: asimendinger@thehill.com and aweaver@thehill.com. We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE!
OPINION
Stephen Moore would be a loyalist, not an expert, at the Fed, by Binyamin Appelbaum, The New York Times. https://nyti.ms/2JCGsC0
How to stand out in a crowd: Gillibrand needs to find her niche, by Brad Bannon, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2USVTXX
WHERE AND WHEN
The House meets at noon.
The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. and resumes consideration of Bridget S. Bade to be a judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
The president holds meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At 3 p.m., Trump hosts a photo opportunity at the White House with the Washington Capitals, the 2018 Stanley Cup champions.
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ELSEWHERE
➔ Brexit: At one of the most important pivot points for the United Kingdom since World War II, politics are at a fever pitch as Parliament prepares this week to take control of next steps in a rocky divorce from the European Union (Reuters). Prime Minister Theresa May’s grip on power has weakened as some lawmakers call on her to announce an exit from government. Hundreds of thousands of people marched through London on Saturday demanding a new referendum on Brexit (Reuters).
➔ Middle East: Israel’s Netanyahu, in power for a decade, visits Washington today ahead of a close election in two weeks but will cut his visit short after a rocket attack near Tel Aviv (Reuters). Facing possible indictment in three corruption cases and denying any wrongdoing, the prime minister is highlighting at home his strong ties with the United States (Reuters).
➔ Immigration: A caravan of some 1,200 migrants from Central America and Cuba began moving towards the U.S. border from southern Mexico this weekend (Reuters).
➔ Tech: Today begins Apple Inc.’s reinvention as a services company. CEO Tim Cook is expected to unveil streaming video and news subscriptions, key parts of Apple’s push to transition to a leading digital services provider. The company may also discuss a monthly video games subscription (Bloomberg).
THE CLOSER
And finally … Over the weekend, the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and news outlets pointed observers skyward in the Northeast with predictions they might witness the northern lights, or aurora borealis. But conditions were not as favorable as hoped, and many said they were disappointed.
Nevertheless, stargazers and sky watchers in multiple U.S. locations posted photos on social media to show colorful, ghostly night skies. Take a look!
