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Trump: Feinstein released dossier transcript in a "possibly illegal way"

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the latest target of Trump's tweets. "The fact that Sneaky Dianne Feinstein ... would release testimony in such an underhanded and possibly illegal way, totally without authorization, is a disgrace. Must have tough Primary!" he wrote.

Our thought bubble: Feinstein is expected to face a primary challenge from Kevin de León, who is mounting a campaign as a more progressive alternative. Ironically, Trump's attacks on Feinstein could actually help position her as a stronger opponent to the president, which is what de León and progressives have been pressuring her to be.

The backdrop: Sen. Feinstein unilaterally released the controversial transcript of Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson about his firm's findings on Russia's interference in the 2016 election, as well as damning (but unsubstantiated) information on Trump's campaign. This could further strain her relationship with the top Republican member on the committee (Sen. Chuck Grassley), who previously declined to release this transcript.

Go deeper: Read excerpts from the transcript of Simpson's testimony.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer
19 mins ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protests outside fortified capitols draw only small groups

Armed members of the far-right extremist group the Boogaloo Bois near the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Jan. 17. Security has been heightened across the U.S. Photo: Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Small groups of protesters rallied outside fortified statehouses over the weekend ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday.

The big picture: Some protests attracted armed members of far-right extremist groups but there were no reports of clashes, as had been feared. The National Guard and law enforcement outnumbered demonstrators, as officials took security steps to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection, per AP.

See photos (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations before leaving office

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump plans to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: This is a continuation of the president's controversial December spree that saw full pardons granted to more than two dozen people — including former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort, longtime associate Roger Stone and Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

  • The pardons set to be issued before Trump exits the White House will be a mix of criminal justice ones and pardons for people connected to the president, the sources said.
  • CNN first reported this news.

Go deeper: Convicts turn to D.C. fixers for Trump pardons

Stef W. Kight, Kadia Goba
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Schumer's m(aj)ority checklist

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Capitalizing on the Georgia runoffs, achieving a 50-50 Senate and launching an impeachment trial are weighty to-dos for getting Joe Biden's administration up and running on Day One.

What to watch: A blend of ceremonies, hearings and legal timelines will come into play on Tuesday and Wednesday so Chuck Schumer can actually claim the Senate majority and propel the new president's agenda.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow

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