1 House Dems Plot Next Steps, As Trump Official Will Testify
House Democrats are plotting the next steps toward the possible impeachment of President Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that the House will take a vote tomorrow that "establishes the procedure" in the ongoing impeachment inquiry – which would be the road to public hearings. In a letter to House Dems, Pelosi said it will set the stage for open hearings and the release of transcripts from closed witness depositions. The vote will also authorize formal transmission of evidence to the House Judiciary Committee. As the missive notes: “It authorizes the disclosure of deposition transcripts, outlines procedures to transfer evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment, and sets forth due process rights for the President and his Counsel.” On a related note, a current White House national security official is planning to tell lawmakers about his concerns with President Trump's July phone call with Ukraine's president. Army Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Vindman is the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council and will testify today. According to reports, Vindman's opening remarks will include him saying he didn't think it was appropriate to "demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen." He was also worried about the "implications for the U.S. government's support of Ukraine." The statement also shows he reported his concerns to a superior.
2 CA Burning: Kincade Fire Grows To 73,000+Acres, 15% Contained
California Governor Gavin Newsom is declaring a statewide emergency as strong winds fan wildfires in the northern and southern parts of the state. In Northern California's wine country, the Kincade Fire has consumed more than 73-thousand acres and destroyed 94 structures. The Tick Fire, burning north of Los Angeles, has destroyed at least 22 structures, but is more than 80% contained. And now there’s the Getty Fire to contend with. The Kincade Fire in Sonoma County's wine country has spread to over 73-thousand acres with nearly 70 homes damaged. Up to 200-thousand have been forced to take shelter. The good news is containment is now at 15-percent. The Getty Fire in Southern California is now over 600 acres in size. So far, eight structures are destroyed on the grassy hillsides in west Los Angeles – but 10-thousand homes and businesses are in danger.
3 Esper: Al-Baghdadi Death Is Devastating Blow To ISIS
Defense Secretary Mark Esper calls the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi a “devastating blow” to the terrorist organization. Talking with reporters at the Pentagon yesterday, Esper praised U.S. forces who carried out the raid that ended when al-Baghdadi blew himself up in a tunnel. He said al-Baghdadi's death in Syria will not rid the world of terrorism but provides a warning to terrorists "who think they can hide." Speaking of not hiding, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley said al-Baghdadi's remains were confirmed through forensic DNA testing. General Milley said the remains have been "disposed of appropriately." What’s that mean? Milley confirmed that al-Baghdadi has been buried at sea with religious rites under Islamic custom. Al-Baghdadi’s burial is similar to what the military said was done with the body of Osama bin Laden after he was killed in a 2011 raid. Officials decided to put the body in the ocean to keep a grave from becoming a shrine to the world's top terrorist.