House leaves for holidays without sending articles to Senate; Pelosi invites Trump to deliver State of the Union Feb 4; Can Trump argue he hasn't been impeached if articles not sent?; Wash Post: Trump got Ukraine election conspiracy from Putin; Sources: Trump distressed Senate trial might be delayed; 25 Jewish members of Congress call for Trump adviser Stephen Miller to resign; Vulnerable Senate Dems risk re-election with impeachment vote; Rivals take on Buttigieg in final debate of the year; Biden: I am best to beat Trump and unite country; Trump attacks evangelical magazine after editor says he's "morally lost" & "should be removed"; WA State lawmaker accused of "domestic terrorism" uses Trump impeachment as defense;

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Sources: Dems privately preparing for Senate trial; CNN: Trump's Florida holiday raises concern among WH aides; Facing tough re-election, Sen. Jones talks impeachment vote; Biden: I've tried to focus 

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

News

The prosecution and defense sparred in opening statements during Donald Trump's hush money scheme. Did Trump violate a gag order? Crisis on college campuses; are Jewish students safe at School? Calls increase for Columbia University's President to resign over handling of antisemitism. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to decide if cities can punish people who are homeless, and a U.S. animation studio's work has been found on a North Korean server.
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The First Witness Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Case

A horrific scene outside of Trump’s New York City courthouse after a man lit himself on fire while inside the courthouse there was a major development in the hush money trial. How long can the prosecution hold out and keep its witness list outside of the hands of Donald Trump and his defense team? Also, in an extraordinary move, some 165 House Democrats came to the aid of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, drawing the ire of hard-line Republicans. 
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Full jury panel selected for Trump trial

The shocking actions that leads to two jurors in the Trump hush money case suddenly being dismissed in an unusual occurrence. Plus, name calling and fresh threats for House Speaker Mike Johnson by hard-right Republicans demanding he keep his hands off the rule which, as of now, allows just one member of Congress to force a vote to remove him as speaker. 
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Judge removes two Trump trial jurors

House Speaker Mike Johnson finds a way to allow votes on aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan but it’s his path forward that has his party in an uproar. Speaker Johnson joins to answer if he needs helps from Democrats. Plus, a brand new filing from the hush money case includes a line of questioning the prosecution may take if Trump takes the stand. 
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Senate votes to end Mayorkas impeachment trail

A deep divide in the U.S. Supreme Court is on display today as justices challenge whether prosecutors have been overzealous using obstruction charges against rioters. Plus, a valedictorian’s speech is canceled, the criticism about the muslim student that lead to objections on the campus of the University of Southern California. 
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Sources: Dems privately preparing for Senate trial; CNN: Trump's Florida holiday raises concern among WH aides; Facing tough re-election, Sen. Jones talks impeachment vote; Biden: I've tried to focus

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