The Vince Coglianese Show

INTERVIEW — MARK MORGAN –  acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Update on what’s happening on the southwest border: big progress on the wall (86 total miles) and huge seizure numbers of hard narcotics.

Customs and Border Protection reports a decrease in illegal border crossings

Courts block Trump administration plan to use military funds for border wall

INTERVIEW – NIKKI GOESER – author of new book “Stalked and Defenseless” – In studio

WIDOW SAYS GUN LAWS PREVENTED HER FROM PROTECTING HER HUSBAND FROM HER STALKER

“Stalked And Defenseless: How Gun Control Helped My Stalker Murder My Husband in Front of Me” by Nikki Goeser / For Nikki Goeser it was a day like any other … with one exception. Her husband, Ben, had only 16 hours to live. On that fateful day in Tennessee, the man she loved would be murdered by a demented and evil coward who was stalking her. In compliance with state law, Nikki had left her legal firearm locked in the car. With the help of legislatively created pistol free zones, one evil man gunned down Nikki’s husband as she was forced to look on, alone, defenseless and disarmed by an ill-conceived law designed to protect her. Read this inspiring story of courage through remorse, as one woman struggles to seek justice for the man she loves. Follow Nikki Goeser as she fights to ensure that others are never held victim to the same terrible fate. https://www.amazon.com/Stalked-Defenseless-Control-Stalker-Husband/dp/1709192208

INTERVIEW – LARRY MICHAEL – Voice of The Redskins

2019 Redskins Game Preview: Redskins/Eagles, Week 15. After a two-game road trip, the Redskins are back at FedExField to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

STORYLINES/THINGS TO WATCH:

Washington hoping to avoid sixth straight loss to Philly — In each of the past two seasons, the Eagles have swept the season series with the Redskins. Now, after defeating the burgundy and gold 32-27 in Week 1, they’ll look to extend that streak to three with a win at FedexField this Sunday.

Eagles receivers battling injuries — Even before star wideout Alshon Jeffery went down with a foot injury against the New York Giants on Monday night, the Eagles had depth issues at wide receiver, dressing just three healthy players at the position. Now, with Jeffery out for the season and Nelson Agholor’s status for Sunday still in doubt, the Eagles have some serious question marks on the outside.

Adrian Peterson chasing history — Peterson scored his 109th-career rushing touchdown against the Green Bay Packers last weekend, leaving him one touchdown shy from tying Walter Payton for fourth all-time. Peterson scored a touchdown during the Redskins’ opener in Philadelphia.

Mornings on the Mall

Friday, December 13, 2019

Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

Larry Michael, Nikki Goeser, Mark Morgan and Christian Toto joined WMAL on Friday!

5am – A/B/CWhat Reforms Need to Happen To The FBI And The Government Following The IG Report And The Impeachment Push?

 

5am – D/E     2020 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES:

DNC Announces Four More Democrat Primary Debates. (Breitbart News) - The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced on Thursday four more Democrat primary debates slated for the new year, one in each key early primary state – Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina – ahead of their respective elections. Four more debates have been scheduled in the new year. The first will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 14, 2020 – less than a month before the Iowa caucuses. CNN will partner with a local newspaper to host the debate, the Hollywood Reporter writes.

Will Trump Debate a Democrat in 2020? He’s Not So Sure.  (NY Times) -  The president’s concern is not so much whom he will be debating but the commission that runs the debates. President Trump is said to have expressed a desire to possibly not participate in 2020 presidential debates.

 

6am – A         BREXIT ELECTION:

UK Prime Minister Johnson's Conservative Party wins majority of seats in Britain's Parliament. Johnson's Conservative Party victory should allow him to fulfill his plan to take the U.K. out of the European Union next month.

Trump congratulates UK's Johnson after historic wins, hints at new trade deal. President Trump took to Twitter on Friday to congratulate U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Johnson and his Conservative Party won easily in the country’s general election, which was seen as a clear mandate to deliver on Brexit. Trump also expressed optimism about ‘massive new trade deal’ after Brexit.

 

6am – B/C     Ring security camera hacks see homeowners subjected to racial abuse, ransom demands. A spate of incidents has seen homeowners in four states fall victim to hackers.  (ABC News) -- Multiple U.S. families have reported incidents of Ring camera systems being hacked in recent days, raising questions as to whether the systems are allowing hackers access to people's homes, without ever having to set foot inside. Owners of Ring security cameras in Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and Texas have reported incidents where hackers tormented families with racial slurs, encouraged children into destructive behavior and demanded a ransom in Bitcoin. "I can't even put into words how violated I feel. It really is like my worst nightmare," Mississippi mom Ashley Lemay told ABC's "Good Morning America." Lemay installed a Ring camera in her daughters' room to keep an eye on them while she worked overnight shifts as a nurse.  Only four days after installing it, her 8-year-old daughter, Alyssa, heard music and a banging noise coming from the room where the camera was installed. Alyssa says that when she began looking for the source of the noise, she heard a voice saying, "I'm Santa Claus, don't you want to be my best friend?" Lemay says the voice taunted Alyssa and encouraged her to mess up her room and break her TV before her dad came into the room and shut the camera off.

 

6am – D         Republicans erupt near midnight as Nadler suddenly postpones impeachment vote until Friday morning. (Fox News) -- Astounded Republicans fumed late Thursday as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., abruptly wrapped up a marathon hearing on the adoption of two articles of impeachment against President Trump by delaying planned votes on the matter until Friday morning. "It is now very late at night," Nadler said shortly before midnight in Washington. "I want the members on both sides of the aisle to think about what has happened over these last two days, and to search their consciences before we cast their final votes. Therefore, the committee will now stand in recess until tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., at which point I will move to divide the question so that each of us may have the opportunity to cast up-or-down votes on each of the articles of impeachment, and let history be our judge." Ranking Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., raised an immediate objection as Nadler began leaving, complaining that he was not consulted, calling the proceedings a "kangaroo court" and saying it was "the most bush-league stunt” he had ever seen. There is no more time remaining for actual debate on the articles of impeachment under the 41-member Judiciary Committee's rules. On Friday morning, Fox News expects the panel to vote to adopt each article of impeachment on a party-line vote after a hearing that could last between 45 minutes and two hours. Then, the articles will likely head to the Rules Committee, which controls access to the House floor and sets the parameters of debate there, before the full House votes on whether to impeach the president. That final vote is expected next Wednesday or Thursday. House leaders reportedly expect to lose as many as a half-dozen votes from moderate Democrats representing swing districts or those that backed President Trump in 2016 when the full House votes on impeachment next week.

 

6am – E         INTERVIEW - LARRY MICHAEL - Voice of The Redskins

2019 Redskins Game Preview: Redskins/Eagles, Week 15. After a two-game road trip, the Redskins are back at FedExField to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

STORYLINES/THINGS TO WATCH:

Washington hoping to avoid sixth straight loss to Philly -- In each of the past two seasons, the Eagles have swept the season series with the Redskins. Now, after defeating the burgundy and gold 32-27 in Week 1, they'll look to extend that streak to three with a win at FedexField this Sunday.

Eagles receivers battling injuries -- Even before star wideout Alshon Jeffery went down with a foot injury against the New York Giants on Monday night, the Eagles had depth issues at wide receiver, dressing just three healthy players at the position. Now, with Jeffery out for the season and Nelson Agholor’s status for Sunday still in doubt, the Eagles have some serious question marks on the outside.

Adrian Peterson chasing history -- Peterson scored his 109th-career rushing touchdown against the Green Bay Packers last weekend, leaving him one touchdown shy from tying Walter Payton for fourth all-time. Peterson scored a touchdown during the Redskins' opener in Philadelphia.

 

6am – F         Metro’s mobile fare payment system coming in 2020. Metro’s long awaited and eagerly anticipated mobile payment system is coming online in 2020, the transit agency said Thursday. Sometime next year, riders will be able to use a virtual SmarTrip card stored in their Apple Wallet to tap in at fare gates. Riders also will be able to load value through their phones. The feature will initially only be available for iPhones, but an Android version is being developed, officials said.

 

7am – A/B/C INTERVIEW - NIKKI GOESER - author of new book “Stalked and Defenseless” – In studio

WIDOW SAYS GUN LAWS PREVENTED HER FROM PROTECTING HER HUSBAND FROM HER STALKER

"Stalked And Defenseless: How Gun Control Helped My Stalker Murder My Husband in Front of Me" by Nikki Goeser / For Nikki Goeser it was a day like any other ... with one exception. Her husband, Ben, had only 16 hours to live. On that fateful day in Tennessee, the man she loved would be murdered by a demented and evil coward who was stalking her. In compliance with state law, Nikki had left her legal firearm locked in the car. With the help of legislatively created pistol free zones, one evil man gunned down Nikki’s husband as she was forced to look on, alone, defenseless and disarmed by an ill-conceived law designed to protect her. Read this inspiring story of courage through remorse, as one woman struggles to seek justice for the man she loves. Follow Nikki Goeser as she fights to ensure that others are never held victim to the same terrible fate. https://www.amazon.com/Stalked-Defenseless-Control-Stalker-Husband/dp/1709192208           

 

7am – D/E     IMPEACHMENT VOTE POSTPONED

The House Judiciary Committee delayed action Thursday night on what would be an historic vote on articles of impeachment against President Trump. Chairman Jerry Nadler postponed voting until this morning. The panel met for more than 14 hours on Thursday.

Nadler postpones vote last night and Doug Collins and Louie Gohmert jump in exasperated with Nadler. Rep. Jerry Nadler: "The committee will now stand in recess..." …Rep. Doug Collins: "This is the kangaroo court that we're talking about." .. Rep. Louie Gohmert: "Stalinesque."

Furious Republicans unload on Nadler after 'bush league,' 'Stalinesque' impeachment

Pelosi says I’m “not a lawyer,” when confronted on not including bribery in impeachment articles after she made the accusation

Dem Congressman Cedric Richmond appears to be watching golf on laptop during impeachment debate Hank Johnson Ponders Trump Kidnapping Foreign Leaders’ Daughter. White House Fires Back. Johnson made the remarks while attempting to push back on the notion that President Zelensky was weak, saying, “Well, I’ll tell you that brings to mind the picture of President Trump and President Zelensky meeting in New York in September at the U.N. and a big chair for President Trump, little chair for President Zelensky.” “Big, six-foot-four President Trump, five-foot-eleven President Zelensky. And they’re standing there, President Trump is holding court, and he says, ‘Oh, by the way, no pressure,'” Johnson continued. “And you saw President Zelensky shaking his head as if his daughter was downstairs in the basement, duct-taped.

Rep. Matt Gaetz introduces amendment, mentioning Hunter Biden's substance abuse history.

 

8am – A         INTERVIEW -- MARK MORGAN -  acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Update on what’s happening on the southwest border: big progress on the wall (86 total miles) and huge seizure numbers of hard narcotics.

Customs and Border Protection reports a decrease in illegal border crossings

Courts block Trump administration plan to use military funds for border wall

 

8am – B/C     Republicans erupt near midnight as Nadler suddenly postpones impeachment vote until Friday morning. Astounded Republicans fumed late Thursday as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., abruptly wrapped up a marathon hearing on the adoption of two articles of impeachment against President Trump by delaying planned votes on the matter until Friday morning.

 

8am – D         INTERVIEW -- CHRISTIAN TOTO - Film Critic, HollywoodInToto.com and Host of "The Hollywood in Toto" podcast  (available on iTunes) @HollywoodInToto – discussed the media’s criticism of Clint Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ film.

ABOUT THE FILM: Richard Jewell / R 2019 Drama 2h 11m / During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, security guard Richard Jewell discovers a suspicious backpack under a bench in Centennial Park. With little time to spare, he helps to evacuate the area until the incendiary device inside the bag explodes. Hailed as a hero who saved lives, Jewell's own life starts to unravel when the FBI names him the prime suspect in the bombing. Release date: December 13, 2019 (USA)

TOTO: ‘Richard Jewell’ Crucifies Fake News, Honors the Heartland  https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/richard-jewell-review/

8am – E         Taylor Swift Blasts George Soros For Exploiting Her Music Without Her ‘Consent’ (Daily Wire) - Famed singer Taylor Swift, who uses her fame to promote left-wing activism and Democratic politicians, took a shot at billionaire Democrat mega-donor George Soros this week while accepting an award, saying that he was behind an effort to take the intellectual property rights to essentially everything she has created in her professional career. Swift’s attack comes as she battles music executive Scooter Braun, who she says was bankrolled by Soros and others when Braun bought the rights to her music. “In November, Braun blocked the singer from performing a medley of her hits at the American Music Awards,” The Washington Free Beacon reported. “Like Soros, Braun is a major Democratic donor with a history of backing liberal causes. Braun and actor George Clooney backed the ostensibly student-led 2018 March For Our Lives rally for gun control in Washington, D.C.” “We now find ourselves fully immersed in a vast frontier that wasn’t around last decade and that is the streaming world,” Swift said as she accepted the Woman of the Decade award during Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music event. “I’ve spoken out in the past about the future of revenue flow for creators and the songwriters and producers who are being left behind due to these rapid shifts and changes.” “I still don’t think that record contracts or producers agreements have fully caught up and I hope that in the next decade we can keep searching for the right solution for producers, songwriters, and creators, don’t you?” Swift continued. “Lately there’s been a new shift that has affected me personally and that I feel is a potentially harmful force in our industry and as your resident loud person I feel the need to bring it up and that is the unregulated world of private equity coming in and buying up our music as if it is real estate, as if it’s an app or a shoe line.” Swift continued, “This just happened to me without my approval, consultation, or consent. after I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright, my entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in a deal that I’m told was funded by the Soros family, 23 Capital, and The Carlyle Group.”

 

 

 

Mornings on the Mall Podcast - 2019-12-13

[00:00:00] 5:00 am - Mornings on the Mall

[01:00:15] 6:00 am - Mornings on the Mall

[02:00:25] 7:00 am - Mornings on the Mall

[03:00:35] 8:00 am - Mornings on the Mall

INTERVIEW – ADAM TUSS — Transportation Reporter/Anchor NBC Washington – discussed a new D.C. tourism ad promoting people to stand on the LEFT while going up an escalator and he talked about how the orange lines will be impacted in Virginia this summer.

A new ad promoting “staycations” urges DC residents to imitate tourists and stand on the left side of Metro escalators. A new ad promoting “staycations” urges D.C. residents to imitate tourists and stand on the left side of Metro escalators. “Stay left, stay relaxed, stay local, DC,” the ad says.

Metro to close 3 Orange Line stations in Virginia next summer. Adam Tuss @AdamTuss 11 hours ago Adam Tuss Retweeted Metro BREAK – Virginia gets another summer Metro shutdown – this time on the Orange Line. Vienna, Dunn Loring, East Falls Church will close between Memorial Day and Labor Day. West Falls Church has an extra platform so will be open but mainly to turn trains around @nbcwashington #wmata

INTERVIEW - JOHN SOLOMON - Investigative reporter / His website is: JohnSolomonReports.com – analyzed the IG report, IG hearing and the impeachment push.

John Solomon ‏@jsolomonReports: Reporters got too much wrong on Russia. There was no collusion. Carter Page wasn’t a Russian spy. Steele dossier wasn’t credible nor confirmed. Surveillance was illegal. FBI wasn’t vindicated. Time for a new type of news outlet. Stay tuned for big announcement next month.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog sharpened his criticism of the FBI on Wednesday, telling lawmakers he was alarmed that "so many basic and fundamental errors" occurred in the early months of the FBI's probe into potential Trump-Russia collusion. But DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz also told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the FBI was justified when it launched the Russia probe in July 2016, and that he had seen no evidence that senior FBI officials were motivated by political bias against then-candidate Donald Trump.

Impeachment markup begins as Dems invoke MLK, Nadler says 'we cannot rely on an election' to oust Trump. The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday night began the first phase of a fiery "markup" process for the two articles of impeachment against President Trump it has settled on, barreling toward a final floor vote even as moderate Democrats in GOP-leaning districts have floated the idea of backing down in favor of a censure resolution. The late-night markup session Wednesday consisted almost entirely of opening statements. The markup of the impeachment articles will resume in earnest at 9 a.m. ET Thursday

INTERVIEW – CAROL MALONEY – Host of The Carol Maloney Show on ESPN 630

Anthony Rendon agrees to seven-year, $245 million deal with Los Angeles Angels, leaving World Series champion Washington Nationals. (Washington Post) – SAN DIEGO — Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a seven-year, $245 million deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, a move that sends the Washington Nationals into next season without a foundational piece of their World Series team. Rendon’s deal includes a full no-trade clause, no opt-outs and no options, according to a person with knowledge of the terms, and has zero payment deferrals. Payment deferrals proved to be a road block during negotiations with the Nationals and ultimately led Rendon into a contract that will pay him $35 million a season through his 36th birthday. Rendon, 29, was in the Nationals’ plans until he hit the free agent market this offseason. The sides couldn’t agree upon a deal during this past year, despite multiple rounds of negotiations, and that left the Angels to sign one of the best third baseman in baseball. Rendon finished third in MVP voting last season and, across seven years in Washington, established himself as one of the league’s most consistent hitters. He departs for Anaheim just two days after the Nationals signed right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the other key free agent off their championship club, also to a seven-year deal worth $245 million.

TUESDAY: Nationals officially announce the Howie Kendrick and Yan Gomes signings, which now brings their 40-man roster up to 33.

FLASHBACK: MONDAY: World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg has agreed to a seven year $245 million contract and will stay with the Washington Nationals. Its highest salary paid for an MLB pitcher, maxing out David Price’s $217 seven-year 2016 deal with Boston Red Sox.  Strasberg will make about $35 million/year.

INTERVIEW – ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS – is a member of the European Parliament and a rising star of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party. She is a former Nigel Farage’s chief of staff for more than a decade and is a former BBC journalist.

All eyes on UK’s ‘Brexit Election.’ The United Kingdom’s 46 million voters are choosing 650 new lawmakers Thursday in elections for Parliament’s lower House of Commons. The national election will bring a new Parliament to power and may lead to a change at the top if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party does not fare well with voters. On the last day of the campaign Wednesday, political leaders dashed around the U.K. trying to win over millions of undecided voters who will likely determine the outcome. Opinion polls suggested Johnson’s Conservatives had a lead over the main opposition Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. But all the parties are nervous about the verdict of a volatile electorate fed up after years of Brexit wrangling. Britain’s first December vote since 1923 has been dubbed the “Brexit Election.” It is being held more than two years early in hopes of breaking Britain’s political deadlock over the country’s stalled departure from the European Union. Johnson has focused relentlessly on Brexit throughout the campaign, endlessly repeating his slogan “Get Brexit done.”  He says that if he wins a majority, he will get Parliament to ratify his “oven-ready” divorce deal with the EU and take Britain out of the bloc as scheduled on Jan. 31.

Britain votes in a snap election that will likely decide the fate of Brexit. (Foreign Policy) — Britain Votes—But Will It Break Brexit Deadlock? British voters go to the polls today in a monumental election that will most likely determine the fate of Brexit, after years of deadlock. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the snap election to break the political logjam over Britain’s departure from the European Union. He is hoping to win a large majority with a mandate to “get Brexit done.” Meanwhile, leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour is doing everything he can to avoid talking about Brexit at all. As Anand Menon argues in Foreign Policy, “Corbyn is banking on Brexit fatigue and betting that voters will prioritize bread-and-butter issues such as jobs, investment, and health care.” While the Labour party has promised to negotiate a new Brexit deal with the EU and put it to a referendum, Corbyn is focused on making today’s vote about concrete social issues rather than “abstract promises of a post-Brexit future.”

INTERVIEW – KT MCFARLAND – Former Deputy National Security Adviser for President Trump and author of upcoming book “Revolution: Trump, Washington and “We the People” (Hardcover – February 25, 2020)

KT shared her thoughts on the IG report, IG hearing and the continued impeachment push.

DOJ watchdog Horowitz rips FBI ‘failure’ in Russia probe, says nobody vindicated by report. (Fox News) – Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in testimony Wednesday stressed that his newly released report on the FBI’s initial Trump-Russia investigation does not “vindicate” anyone as he cited “failure” by the entire “chain of command” in the probe. Horowitz called out “basic and fundamental errors” during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The tone of the testimony ran counter to much of the media coverage surrounding the report’s release that zeroed in on a core finding that investigators found no evidence of political bias and were indeed justified in launching the 2016 probe.

The Judiciary Cmte begins day two of the impeachment markup at 9 am Thursday. The committee will be in session most of the day – as members debate and vote on proposed amendments to the two articles of impeachment put forth by Democrats.

Mornings on the Mall

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

KT McFarland, Brexit MEP Alexandra Phillips, John Solomon and NBC Washington’s Adam Tuss joined WMAL on Thursday!

 

5am – A/B/C/D         IG HEARING:

DOJ watchdog Horowitz rips FBI 'failure' in Russia probe, says nobody vindicated by report. (Fox News) - Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in testimony Wednesday stressed that his newly released report on the FBI's initial Trump-Russia investigation does not "vindicate" anyone as he cited "failure" by the entire “chain of command" in the probe. Horowitz called out “basic and fundamental errors” during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The tone of the testimony ran counter to much of the media coverage surrounding the report's release that zeroed in on a core finding that investigators found no evidence of political bias and were indeed justified in launching the 2016 probe. Horowitz reaffirmed that finding, touted by congressional Democrats eager to defend the probe, at Wednesday's hearing. But his testimony as a whole was tough on the FBI's actions -- and clarified that his two-year review of the Russia probe's origins and use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants to surveil a Trump campaign aide did not close the book on the bias question either. Under questioning, Horowitz said he could not outright determine whether political bias was involved in the process of applying for a FISA warrant against former Trump adviser Carter Page.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog sharpened his criticism of the FBI on Wednesday, telling lawmakers he was alarmed that "so many basic and fundamental errors" occurred in the early months of the FBI's probe into potential Trump-Russia collusion. But DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz also told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the FBI was justified when it launched the Russia probe in July 2016, and that he had seen no evidence that senior FBI officials were motivated by political bias against then-candidate Donald Trump.

 

5am – E         JERSEY SHOOTING:

Jersey City shooters linked to earlier killing, 'sophisticated' pipe bomb found at market, investigators say. (Fox News) - Authorities have identified the victims from Tuesday's deadly shooting that rocked Jersey City, N.J., and left a police officer dead along with five others, including three civilians and two suspected shooters. Jersey City police Detective Joseph Seals, 39, a married father of five, was on duty when he was fatally shot at the Bay View Cemetery before the suspects, identified as David N. Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50, made their way to the JC Kosher Supermarket where an hours-long gun battle ensued. Officials identified the bystanders killed inside the market as Mindy Ferencz, 31; Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, 49; and 24-year-old Moshe Deutsch. Another person was shot and survived. Ferencz, 31, was the co-owner of the grocery store with her husband. They had three children, ages 11, 7 and 4. The couple had moved to Jersey City about three years ago to be part of a small Orthodox Jewish community in the area.

JERSEY CITY SHOOTERS IDENTIFIED: (NBC New York) -- David Anderson was a one-time follower of the Black Hebrew Israelites, a group whose members believe they are ancient Israelites' true descendants. Francine Graham met him -- and then turned into a 'dark person,' her neighbor says

Joy Behar Implies New Jersey Shooters Were ‘White Nationalists’ … There’s Just One Problem. “The View” co-host Joy Behar implied Wednesday that two shooters who killed three civilians and a police officer in a Jersey City, New Jersey, shootout on Tuesday were “white nationalists.” The two shooters, one male and one female, were both African-American. The male shooter, 47-year-old David Anderson, reportedly posted anti-police and anti-Semitic rhetoric on his social media page and was once a follower of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, according to the New York Times. Members of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, per CNN, believe “blacks are the true descendants of biblical Jews.” Both Anderson and Francine Graham were killed during Tuesday’s shootout.

 

 

6am – A/B/C Stand on Left Side of Escalator, DC Tourism Campaign Says

"Be an Escaleftor." (NBC Washington) -- Does it drive you crazy when someone stands on the left side of an escalator? Maybe you just need to "live a little." A new ad promoting "staycations" urges D.C. residents to imitate tourists and stand on the left side of Metro escalators. "Stay left, stay relaxed, stay local, DC," the ad says. The 30-second video published Tuesday morning on Destination DC's Twitter account starts with an agitated voice. "Could you move to the side? Move on the side so people can go?" a man says. We see a man standing on a Metro escalator, happily chatting with a woman on his right. Behind him is the agitated man. Behind the woman is an older man who stands directly behind her, also waiting but silent. "Escaleftor. Person who rides on the left side of the Metro escalator in Washington, DC," text on the screen says.

 

6am – D         INTERVIEW - KT MCFARLAND - Former Deputy National Security Adviser for President Trump and author of upcoming book "Revolution: Trump, Washington and “We the People” (Hardcover – February 25, 2020)

KT shared her thoughts on the IG report, IG hearing and the continued impeachment push.

DOJ watchdog Horowitz rips FBI 'failure' in Russia probe, says nobody vindicated by report. (Fox News) - Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in testimony Wednesday stressed that his newly released report on the FBI's initial Trump-Russia investigation does not "vindicate" anyone as he cited "failure" by the entire “chain of command" in the probe. Horowitz called out “basic and fundamental errors” during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The tone of the testimony ran counter to much of the media coverage surrounding the report's release that zeroed in on a core finding that investigators found no evidence of political bias and were indeed justified in launching the 2016 probe.

The Judiciary Cmte begins day two of the impeachment markup at 9 am Thursday. The committee will be in session most of the day – as members debate and vote on proposed amendments to the two articles of impeachment put forth by Democrats.

 

6am – E         Maryland uses surveillance, data to track motorists, traffic. An electronic toll gantry on Route 200, the InterCounty Connector. (Capital News Service) Motorists in Maryland may be aware of the cameras that enforce speed and red-light violations, but the state’s tracking practices include other layers to assist in law enforcement efforts, and for traffic and planning purposes. Through the different practices, Maryland collects both anonymous and identifiable information — depending on the method — about driving patterns, raising concerns for privacy advocates. “I don’t think it’s really an issue of whether you have privacy in a particular moment in time,” said Dave Maass, senior investigative researcher at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that defends civil liberties in the digital age. “But rather whether the government — and companies — should be tracking you over time and space, and then storing and selling that information.” The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center assists “federal, state, local and private-sector partners in the collection, analysis and dissemination of criminal and homeland security within Maryland,” according to its mission statement. Pursuant to that mission, the center oversees the state’s license plate reader program.

 

6am – F         Maryland real estate firm surprises all employees with cash bonus based on tenure. St. John Properties says all of its 198 employees will share a $10 million bonus. (WUSA9) -- FREDERICK, Md. — A Maryland real estate firm with offices in Frederick, Fulton, Glen Bernie, Windsor Mill and Baltimore is celebrating the theme of giving this holiday season, and it doesn't come at a small price. The company surprised all of its employees with a cash bonus at its annual holiday party this year. St. John Properties said all of its 198 employees will share a $10 million bonus.  The company said on average, employees will receive about $50,000, which is based solely on the number of years of service. Some will receive upward of $250,000, reported CBS-affiliate KUTV. The bonus was given in celebration of the company achieving its goal of developing 20 million sq. feet of office, retail and warehouse space in eight states, the company said on its website. The company shared a video of the announcement being made at the party, with employees reacting in shock. According to St. John, only five employees knew about the bonus in advance of the surprise announcement. "To celebrate the achievement of our goal, we wanted to reward our employees in a big way that would make a significant impact on their lives," company founder Edward St. John said. "I am thankful for every one of our employees, for their hard work and dedication. I couldn’t think of a better way to show it." This bonus will be paid out in addition to the company’s annual year-end bonus.

 

7am – A         INTERVIEW - ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS - is a member of the European Parliament and a rising star of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party. She is a former Nigel Farage's chief of staff for more than a decade and is a former BBC journalist.

All eyes on UK's 'Brexit Election.’ The United Kingdom's 46 million voters are choosing 650 new lawmakers Thursday in elections for Parliament’s lower House of Commons. The national election will bring a new Parliament to power and may lead to a change at the top if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party does not fare well with voters. On the last day of the campaign Wednesday, political leaders dashed around the U.K. trying to win over millions of undecided voters who will likely determine the outcome. Opinion polls suggested Johnson’s Conservatives had a lead over the main opposition Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. But all the parties are nervous about the verdict of a volatile electorate fed up after years of Brexit wrangling. Britain's first December vote since 1923 has been dubbed the "Brexit Election." It is being held more than two years early in hopes of breaking Britain’s political deadlock over the country’s stalled departure from the European Union. Johnson has focused relentlessly on Brexit throughout the campaign, endlessly repeating his slogan “Get Brexit done.”  He says that if he wins a majority, he will get Parliament to ratify his “oven-ready” divorce deal with the EU and take Britain out of the bloc as scheduled on Jan. 31.

Britain votes in a snap election that will likely decide the fate of Brexit. (Foreign Policy) -- Britain Votes—But Will It Break Brexit Deadlock? British voters go to the polls today in a monumental election that will most likely determine the fate of Brexit, after years of deadlock. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the snap election to break the political logjam over Britain’s departure from the European Union. He is hoping to win a large majority with a mandate to “get Brexit done.” Meanwhile, leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour is doing everything he can to avoid talking about Brexit at all. As Anand Menon argues in Foreign Policy, “Corbyn is banking on Brexit fatigue and betting that voters will prioritize bread-and-butter issues such as jobs, investment, and health care.” While the Labour party has promised to negotiate a new Brexit deal with the EU and put it to a referendum, Corbyn is focused on making today’s vote about concrete social issues rather than “abstract promises of a post-Brexit future.”

What do the polls say—and do they matter? The Conservatives are polling ahead of Labour, but all are wary of the predictions: Millions of undecided voters will likely sway the result. The polls do show that the race has narrowed considerably over the last two weeks, putting Johnson’s chances of winning an outright majority in doubt. “We absolutely cannot rule out the 2019 election producing a hung parliament—nor can we rule out a larger Conservative majority,” Anthony Wells, the head of political research at YouGov, told Reuters. On Wednesday, party leaders campaigned down to the last minute.

Will Boris Johnson lose his seat? In 2017, Johnson won his own West London district by just over 5,000 votes—the narrowest constituency majority for any prime minister in more than 50 years, FP’s C.K. Hickey writes. Today, Johnson faces a challenge from Labour’s Ali Milani, a 25-year-old who came to the U.K. from Iran when he was five. The race is within the margin of error and an upset is possible, Stephen Paduano reports for FP. If Milani succeeds, he would be the first person to win the seat of a serving prime minister.

What’s happening in Scotland? In 2017, the Conservatives won 13 seats—taking back many constituencies that the Scottish National Party had won in 2015. But the Scottish Conservatives have lost their popular and moderate leader, Ruth Davidson, and Johnson is extremely unpopular. The SNP is targeting all the Conservative-held seats and stands a good chance of winning many of them back, including the bellwether district of Stirling, Jamie Maxwell reports for FP.

 

7am – B/C     ONE TERM JOE BIDEN?

Biden signals to aides that he would serve only a single term. Advisers weigh the merits of a one-term pledge by the 77-year-old former vice president. (Politico/Ryan Lizza) - Former Vice President Joe Biden’s top advisers and prominent Democrats outside the Biden campaign have recently revived a long-running debate whether Biden should publicly pledge to serve only one term, with Biden himself signaling to aides that he would serve only a single term. While the option of making a public pledge remains available, Biden has for now settled on an alternative strategy: quietly indicating that he will almost certainly not run for a second term while declining to make a promise that he and his advisers fear could turn him into a lame duck and sap him of his political capital. According to four people who regularly talk to Biden, all of whom asked for anonymity to discuss internal campaign matters, it is virtually inconceivable that he will run for reelection in 2024, when he would be the first octogenarian president. “If Biden is elected,” a prominent adviser to the campaign said, “he’s going to be 82 years old in four years and he won’t be running for reelection.” The adviser argued that public acknowledgment of that reality could help Biden mollify younger voters, especially on the left, who are unexcited by his candidacy and fear that his nomination would serve as an eight-year roadblock to the next generation of Democrats.

Joe Biden denies he is mulling a one-term pledge if elected president. A senior adviser for Biden's campaign has also pushed back. Former Vice President Joe Biden denied discussing with his campaign advisers whether he would only seek one term in office if elected president-- claims that were first published by POLITICO Wednesday. The report cited anonymous advisers to Biden who said there have been internal conversations about recent signals from the 77-year-old former vice president would only seek one term if elected in 2020. “No, I never have,” Biden said when asked by a reporter on Wednesday if those discussions were taking place. “I don’t have any plans on one term.” A senior adviser for Biden's campaign has also pushed back on the report, calling it “just not true.” “Maybe there's an alternative Biden campaign where these things are being discussed,” the adviser told ABC News. “You’ve heard him say how presumptuous it is to speculate about a VP. How much more presumptuous is it to say you’re only going to serve one term?” they added.

 

7am – D         Impeachment markup begins as Dems invoke MLK, Nadler says 'we cannot rely on an election' to oust Trump. The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday night began the first phase of a fiery "markup" process for the two articles of impeachment against President Trump it has settled on, barreling toward a final floor vote even as moderate Democrats in GOP-leaning districts have floated the idea of backing down in favor of a censure resolution. Almost immediately, the evening proceedings broke out into heated disagreement. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., declared it would be unsafe to wait until after the 2020 election to remove Trump, and another Democrat claimed Trump's actions were an "affront to the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr." Meanwhile, the ranking Republican, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, slammed Democrats for attacking Ukraine's leader because he had undercut their case against Trump. The late-night markup session Wednesday consisted almost entirely of opening statements. The markup of the impeachment articles will resume in earnest at 9 a.m. ET Thursday.

 

7am – E         INTERVIEW - CAROL MALONEY - Host of The Carol Maloney Show on ESPN 630

Anthony Rendon agrees to seven-year, $245 million deal with Los Angeles Angels, leaving World Series champion Washington Nationals. (Washington Post) - SAN DIEGO — Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a seven-year, $245 million deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, a move that sends the Washington Nationals into next season without a foundational piece of their World Series team. Rendon’s deal includes a full no-trade clause, no opt-outs and no options, according to a person with knowledge of the terms, and has zero payment deferrals. Payment deferrals proved to be a road block during negotiations with the Nationals and ultimately led Rendon into a contract that will pay him $35 million a season through his 36th birthday. Rendon, 29, was in the Nationals’ plans until he hit the free agent market this offseason. The sides couldn’t agree upon a deal during this past year, despite multiple rounds of negotiations, and that left the Angels to sign one of the best third baseman in baseball. Rendon finished third in MVP voting last season and, across seven years in Washington, established himself as one of the league’s most consistent hitters. He departs for Anaheim just two days after the Nationals signed right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the other key free agent off their championship club, also to a seven-year deal worth $245 million.

TUESDAY: Nationals officially announce the Howie Kendrick and Yan Gomes signings, which now brings their 40-man roster up to 33.

FLASHBACK: MONDAY: World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg has agreed to a seven year $245 million contract and will stay with the Washington Nationals. Its highest salary paid for an MLB pitcher, maxing out David Price’s $217 seven-year 2016 deal with Boston Red Sox.  Strasberg will make about $35 million/year.

 

8am – A/B/C INTERVIEW - JOHN SOLOMON - Investigative reporter / His website is: JohnSolomonReports.com – analyzed the IG report, IG hearing and the impeachment push.

John Solomon ‏@jsolomonReports: Reporters got too much wrong on Russia. There was no collusion. Carter Page wasn’t a Russian spy. Steele dossier wasn’t credible nor confirmed. Surveillance was illegal. FBI wasn’t vindicated. Time for a new type of news outlet. Stay tuned for big announcement next month.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog sharpened his criticism of the FBI on Wednesday, telling lawmakers he was alarmed that "so many basic and fundamental errors" occurred in the early months of the FBI's probe into potential Trump-Russia collusion. But DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz also told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the FBI was justified when it launched the Russia probe in July 2016, and that he had seen no evidence that senior FBI officials were motivated by political bias against then-candidate Donald Trump.

Impeachment markup begins as Dems invoke MLK, Nadler says 'we cannot rely on an election' to oust Trump. The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday night began the first phase of a fiery "markup" process for the two articles of impeachment against President Trump it has settled on, barreling toward a final floor vote even as moderate Democrats in GOP-leaning districts have floated the idea of backing down in favor of a censure resolution. The late-night markup session Wednesday consisted almost entirely of opening statements. The markup of the impeachment articles will resume in earnest at 9 a.m. ET Thursday

 

8am – D         INTERVIEW - ADAM TUSS -- Transportation Reporter/Anchor NBC Washington – discussed a new D.C. tourism ad promoting people to stand on the LEFT while going up an escalator and he talked about how the orange lines will be impacted in Virginia this summer.

A new ad promoting "staycations" urges DC residents to imitate tourists and stand on the left side of Metro escalators. A new ad promoting "staycations" urges D.C. residents to imitate tourists and stand on the left side of Metro escalators. "Stay left, stay relaxed, stay local, DC," the ad says.

Metro to close 3 Orange Line stations in Virginia next summer. Adam Tuss @AdamTuss 11 hours ago Adam Tuss Retweeted Metro BREAK - Virginia gets another summer Metro shutdown - this time on the Orange Line. Vienna, Dunn Loring, East Falls Church will close between Memorial Day and Labor Day. West Falls Church has an extra platform so will be open but mainly to turn trains around @nbcwashington #wmata

 

8am – E         Eric Holder, once Obama’s ‘wingman,’ now calling out Barr for loyalty to Trump. (Fox News) - Eric Holder, who headed the U.S. Justice Department under former President Barack Obama, penned a column late Wednesday in which he calls Attorney General William Barr an unfit successor due to "nakedly partisan" actions and loyalty to President Trump. Barr has been a favorite target of Trump critics since becoming attorney general in February following the departure of Jeff Sessions. Barr's detractors see him as a high-ranking enabler of the president who may use the department to serve Trump's personal and political interests. In an interview with Fox News earlier this year, Barr said he was ready for the criticism. His supporters, however, see Barr as a major player in determining the origins of what became the Russia investigation. The White House and Republicans in Congress say they want to know more about why the FBI decided to investigate the Trump's 2016 campaign's possible ties to Moscow — what Trump has often called a partisan “witch hunt.” Writing in The Washington Post, Holder's criticism of Barr is wide-ranging. He points to a comment Barr made last month at a Federalist Society event, asserting that Barr made the "outlandish suggestion that Congress cannot entrust anyone but the president himself to execute the law." "This is a stunning declaration not merely of ideology but of loyalty: to the president and his interests," Holder writes. "It is also revealing of Barr's own intent: to serve not at a careful remove from politics, as his office demands, but as an instrument of politics — under the direct 'control' of President Trump." Attorneys general and their relationship with presidents have long been closely watched. Kris Olson, a former U.S. attorney in Oregon, wrote about the close relationships that usually hang in the balance. A president can remove his attorney general at will, but the person is "also intrinsically tied with the politics of the administration."

==================================

Mornings on the Mall Podcast - 2019-12-12

[00:00:00] 4:59 am - Mornings on the Mall

[01:00:15] 5:59 am - Mornings on the Mall

[01:47:12] 6:49 am - Mornings on the Mall

[02:47:29] 7:49 am - Mornings on the Mall

[03:47:39] 8:49 am - Mornings on the Mall