cnbc--2020-01-06--Trump threatens to hit 52 Iranian targets if Tehran retaliates over top general's death

US President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after making a video call to the troops stationed worldwide at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Florida , on December 24 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to retaliate against the U.S. over the killing of the Islamic Republic 's top general , threatening to strike 52 targets if Tehran took revenge .
In a series of Twitter posts , Trump warned Iran that the U.S. has targeted 52 sites `` at a very high level and important to Iran and Iranian culture . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast and very hard '' if Iran takes revenge , Trump said .
Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened `` severe revenge '' for the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani , who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad Thursday night .
Trump ordered the airstrike which killed Soleimani , the head of a special unit of Iran 's elite Revolutionary Guard who was responsible for Iranian military strategy across much of the Middle East .
The general 's death in a U.S. airstrike has raised concern throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations between Washington and Tehran are now spiraling toward outright war .
Tens of thousands marched in Baghdad Saturday to mourn Soleimani amid shouts of `` Death to America . ''
Several rockets hit parts of the Iraqi capital , including the Green Zone where the U.S. embassy is located .
The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave Iraq immediately as the U.S. military deploys another 3,500 troops to respond to threats in the region .
The U.S. and Iranian-backed militias have engaged in a series of escalating confrontations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Iraqi military base left an American contractor dead and several U.S. service members injured in December .
In response , the U.S. launched airstrikes against the militia Kataib Hezbollah .
Supporters of the group subsequently stormed the compound of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad .
Trump held Soleimani personally responsible for the death of the U.S. contractor and the storming of the American embassy compound .

US President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after making a video call to the troops stationed worldwide at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Florida, on December 24, 2019.
President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to retaliate against the U.S. over the killing of the Islamic Republic's top general, threatening to strike 52 targets if Tehran took revenge.
In a series of Twitter posts, Trump warned Iran that the U.S. has targeted 52 sites "at a very high level and important to Iran and Iranian culture." The U.S. will strike those targets "very fast and very hard" if Iran takes revenge, Trump said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened "severe revenge" for the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad Thursday night.
Trump ordered the airstrike which killed Soleimani, the head of a special unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard who was responsible for Iranian military strategy across much of the Middle East.
The general's death in a U.S. airstrike has raised concern throughout the region and the world that already tense relations between Washington and Tehran are now spiraling toward outright war.
Tens of thousands marched in Baghdad Saturday to mourn Soleimani amid shouts of "Death to America." Several rockets hit parts of the Iraqi capital, including the Green Zone where the U.S. embassy is located.
The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave Iraq immediately as the U.S. military deploys another 3,500 troops to respond to threats in the region.
The U.S. and Iranian-backed militias have engaged in a series of escalating confrontations in recent weeks. A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base left an American contractor dead and several U.S. service members injured in December.
In response, the U.S. launched airstrikes against the militia Kataib Hezbollah. Supporters of the group subsequently stormed the compound of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Trump held Soleimani personally responsible for the death of the U.S. contractor and the storming of the American embassy compound.


cnbc--2020-01-05--Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham wants to start Trump impeachment trial within days

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham , chairman of the Judiciary Committee , called on Sunday for the Senate to change the rules set up for impeachment in order to start President Donald Trump 's trial within days , even if it means the chamber proceeds without receiving articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives .
`` If we do n't get the articles this week , then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules ... so we can start the trial , '' Graham said during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The House voted to impeach Trump on Dec. 18 for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political opponent and obstructing Congress , making him just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached .
While the Republican controlled Senate seems certain to keep Trump in office , it 's unclear when the impeachment trial will begin and how it will proceed .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent the House 's impeachment articles to the Senate or identified the case managers who will act as prosecutors during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , has argued that witnesses be allowed to testify .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky , said that the trial can not proceed until it receives the articles of impeachment and argued that the issue of witnesses should be decided later in the trial process .
`` What she 's doing is bad for the country , '' Graham said of Pelosi .
`` It 's bad for the Senate .
It keeps us from getting on with the business of the American people .
It denies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Once the House transmits the articles of impeachment , decisions about how to proceed with the trial must have 51 Senate votes .
It would require 67 votes to convict Trump on the two impeachment charges and remove him from office .

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, called on Sunday for the Senate to change the rules set up for impeachment in order to start President Donald Trump's trial within days, even if it means the chamber proceeds without receiving articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives.
"If we don't get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules ... so we can start the trial," Graham said during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures."
The House voted to impeach Trump on Dec. 18 for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political opponent and obstructing Congress, making him just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.
While the Republican controlled Senate seems certain to keep Trump in office, it's unclear when the impeachment trial will begin and how it will proceed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent the House's impeachment articles to the Senate or identified the case managers who will act as prosecutors during a Senate trial.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has argued that witnesses be allowed to testify. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, said that the trial cannot proceed until it receives the articles of impeachment and argued that the issue of witnesses should be decided later in the trial process.
"What she's doing is bad for the country," Graham said of Pelosi. "It's bad for the Senate. It keeps us from getting on with the business of the American people. It denies the president his day in court."
Once the House transmits the articles of impeachment, decisions about how to proceed with the trial must have 51 Senate votes. It would require 67 votes to convict Trump on the two impeachment charges and remove him from office.


cnbc--2020-01-03--Bernie Sanders says war punishes 'working families' as he criticizes US killing of Iranian general

Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his arguments about America being rigged against the working class into a stark Friday warning about the `` unintended consequences '' of the U.S. killing Iran 's top military commander .
The Vermont independent and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful started an Iowa campaign event by saying the strike on Gen. Qasem Soleimani was a `` dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East . ''
He argued the Trump administration 's move , like the 2003 invasion of Iraq , could wreak havoc on the least powerful Americans .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children of the billionaire class who face the agony of reckless foreign policy .
It is the children of working families , '' Sanders said , in describing meeting the the families of soldiers killed in combat when he led the Senate Veterans ' Affairs Committee .
As tensions in the Middle East rise ahead of the first Democratic primary nominating contests next month , Sanders aims to set himself apart on foreign policy issues .
Sanders on Friday highlighted his early opposition to the Iraq War and role in leading a resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict in Yemen , which President Donald Trump vetoed last year after Congress passed it .
The senator described Trump as an impulsive decision-maker who erred in pulling out of the multilateral Iran nuclear deal .
He contended the decision to kill Soleimani ran afoul of the president 's pledge to stop sustained U.S. involvement in foreign wars .
`` As we all remember , Trump promised to end endless wars .
Tragically , his actions now put us on the path to another war , potentially one that could be even worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In remarks Friday , Trump said the U.S. caught Soleimani `` in the act '' of planning `` imminent and sinister attacks '' on American diplomats and service members .
The U.S. has provided no evidence for the claim .
Trump said `` we did not take action to start a war , '' adding that his administration does not seek regime change .
However , he said the U.S. is prepared to take `` whatever action is necessary '' to respond to Iran .
Democratic contenders to face Trump in next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , have all warned the killing could set the U.S. on the path to another war .
Sanders looked to create distance between himself and his rivals Friday , in part by making the populist argument that military conflicts hurt the working class .
Sanders is running a strong second in national polling averages of the Democratic presidential candidates .
His $ 34.5 million fundraising haul in the fourth quarter easily outpaced his rivals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominating process are scheduled for next month , with the Iowa caucus kicking things off on Feb. 3 .
Sanders has argued for making sweeping change to a political and economic system he says favors the wealthy and corporations over workers .
The senator has favored tax increases on the richest Americans and a universal `` Medicare for All '' health insurance system , among other campaign priorities .
In sounding the alarm about a military escalation Friday , Sanders cited health care , homelessness , infrastructure and climate change as issues the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money it has spent on wars .
`` We must invest in the needs of the American people , not spend trillions more on endless wars , '' the senator said .
Before his 2016 election , Trump also argued for spending money on fixing infrastructure instead of military campaigns in the Middle East .
The U.S. plans to send about 3,500 more soldiers to the Middle East , NBC News reported Friday .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) speaks during a campaign event at NOAH's Events Venue on December 30, 2019 in West Des Moines, Iowa. Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his arguments about America being rigged against the working class into a stark Friday warning about the "unintended consequences" of the U.S. killing Iran's top military commander. The Vermont independent and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful started an Iowa campaign event by saying the strike on Gen. Qasem Soleimani was a "dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East." He argued the Trump administration's move, like the 2003 invasion of Iraq, could wreak havoc on the least powerful Americans. "I know that it is rarely the children of the billionaire class who face the agony of reckless foreign policy. It is the children of working families," Sanders said, in describing meeting the the families of soldiers killed in combat when he led the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. As tensions in the Middle East rise ahead of the first Democratic primary nominating contests next month, Sanders aims to set himself apart on foreign policy issues. Sanders on Friday highlighted his early opposition to the Iraq War and role in leading a resolution to end U.S. involvement in a Saudi-led conflict in Yemen, which President Donald Trump vetoed last year after Congress passed it.
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The senator described Trump as an impulsive decision-maker who erred in pulling out of the multilateral Iran nuclear deal. He contended the decision to kill Soleimani ran afoul of the president's pledge to stop sustained U.S. involvement in foreign wars. "As we all remember, Trump promised to end endless wars. Tragically, his actions now put us on the path to another war, potentially one that could be even worse than before," Sanders said. In remarks Friday, Trump said the U.S. caught Soleimani "in the act" of planning "imminent and sinister attacks" on American diplomats and service members. The U.S. has provided no evidence for the claim. Trump said "we did not take action to start a war," adding that his administration does not seek regime change. However, he said the U.S. is prepared to take "whatever action is necessary" to respond to Iran. Democratic contenders to face Trump in next year's election, including Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, have all warned the killing could set the U.S. on the path to another war. Sanders looked to create distance between himself and his rivals Friday, in part by making the populist argument that military conflicts hurt the working class. Sanders is running a strong second in national polling averages of the Democratic presidential candidates. His $34.5 million fundraising haul in the fourth quarter easily outpaced his rivals in the primary. The first contests of the nominating process are scheduled for next month, with the Iowa caucus kicking things off on Feb. 3.
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cnbc--2020-01-07--'The puppet master is dead': Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani's power, and why his death is such a big d

'The puppet master is dead': Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani's power, and why his death is such a big deal

The U.S. ' targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani has roiled global markets , hitting stock futures and energy prices as the military move reverberates throughout the Middle East and beyond .
Iran 's Supreme Leader has called for three days of mourning after the country 's most powerful general was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday night .
Thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in Iran to protest the killing , with leaders in the country and militant group Hezbollah vowing revenge against the U.S .
But who was Soleimani , and why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the region and the world ?
For the majority of his more than 20-year career at the top of Iran 's Quds Force — the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — the commander , who died at age 62 , operated largely in the shadows .
But in recent years he 's become something of a celebrity and the face of Iran 's expanded influence across the Middle East .
He was known as the mastermind behind the Islamic Republic 's vast network of proxies stretching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yemen and Afghanistan .
And the unique power Soleimani held to shape Iran 's foreign policy and carry out covert offensive acts — what the Trump administration dubs `` malign activity '' against U.S. regional interests and allies — made him unparalleled as a military and intelligence operative in the region .
`` The puppet master is dead ; the strings have been cut , '' Michael Knights , a Gulf expert at the Washington Institute with years of experience working with local military and security agencies in Iraq and the Persian Gulf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a unique figure , '' Knights elaborated .
`` We do n't have anyone like him in the U.S. , and because he was experienced , capable and had the complete trust of the supreme leader of Iran , they over-concentrated an awful lot of their capability and their prestige in one man . ''
`` And that guy just got killed .
This was always the risk . ''
To emphasize Soleimani 's significance , Roman Schweizer , managing director for aerospace and defense at the Cowen Washington Research Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To be clear , this is the equivalent of Iran killing the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and then taking credit for it . ''
Some security experts believe this killing is the most significant in U.S. history — for Charles Lister , a resident fellow at the Middle East Institute , it `` far eclipses the deaths of [ Osama ] bin Laden or [ Abu Bakr al- ] Baghdadi in terms of strategic significance and implications ... there really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this . ''
Regional analysts considered Soleimani to be the second-most-powerful leader in Iran , after only Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
And the U.S. has pursued him for decades — his operations within Iraq since 2003 killed more than 600 American personnel , the State Department revealed last year .
Thursday 's attack follows U.S. airstrikes in Iraq last week that killed 25 members of Kataeb Hezbollah , an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group responsible for rocket attacks that killed a U.S. contractor and other U.S. allies in northern Iraq in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of that militant group and others attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad , many of whom chanted `` Qasem Soleimani is our leader . ''
`` This is , I would argue , the most major decapitation strike the U.S. has ever engaged in , '' Phillip Smyth , a Shia Islamist militarism expert and senior fellow at the Washington Institute , told CNBC .
`` It is huge for the history of the Middle East . ''
The Quds Force , which Soleimani led , essentially runs the logistics , ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxy groups across the region .
He 's credited for turning the war in Syria in Assad 's favor and directing the Sept. 14 drone and missile attack on Saudi Aramco 's oil facilities , among many other operations .
`` Soleimani was a charismatic individual , '' Smyth said .
`` He was a guy with quite the ego , but he had a long history of experience being a committed ideological fighter for the revolutionary regime in Tehran , very loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei , and he has tried to execute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And we 've seen what he 's done .
Look at Syria , look at Iraq , in terms of building Iranian influence and keeping it there .
Now this is the guy who really had his finger on the button . ''
A zealous supporter of Iran 's Islamic Revolution of 1979 , Soleimani cut his teeth fighting in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war .
The brutal conflict that took close to a million lives planted the seeds of Iran 's nearly 40-year project to build a Shiite sphere of influence across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over time , Smyth said , Soleimani became a `` propaganda poster boy for Iran to demonstrate their power in the region and how effective they could be . ''
Soleimani was also `` often in leadership positions when it came down to using these groups to attack the U.S. , the Saudis , the Israelis , the Bahrainis , you name it , '' Smyth added .
`` But he was essentially at the top of that totem pole . ''
What happens now ?
The killing marks a dramatic escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. that 's been building since the U.S. withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and has intensified in the last year with attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities widely blamed on Iran .
The last year also saw Washington 's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group , Iran 's shooting down of a U.S. drone , intensifying U.S. sanctions on Tehran , and Tehran 's incremental rolling back of its commitments to the Iranian nuclear deal .
If Iran launches a major retaliatory strike against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` it would be doing so without its best general .
That could be like fighting with one arm tied behind your back for the Iranians . ''
Still , the organization is far from defanged , despite a severely contracted economy weighed down by crippling U.S. sanctions .
Analysts are predicting retaliatory strikes from proxy militant groups around the region , particularly in Iraq and against oil facilities , as well as potential cyberattacks .

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The U.S.' targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani has roiled global markets, hitting stock futures and energy prices as the military move reverberates throughout the Middle East and beyond. Iran's Supreme Leader has called for three days of mourning after the country's most powerful general was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday night. Thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in Iran to protest the killing, with leaders in the country and militant group Hezbollah vowing revenge against the U.S. But who was Soleimani, and why is his death so consequential for Iran, the region and the world?
This is the equivalent of Iran killing the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and then taking credit for it. Roman Schweizer Aerospace and defense director, Cowen Washington Research Group
For the majority of his more than 20-year career at the top of Iran's Quds Force — the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — the commander, who died at age 62, operated largely in the shadows. But in recent years he's become something of a celebrity and the face of Iran's expanded influence across the Middle East. He was known as the mastermind behind the Islamic Republic's vast network of proxies stretching from Iraq and Lebanon to Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. And the unique power Soleimani held to shape Iran's foreign policy and carry out covert offensive acts — what the Trump administration dubs "malign activity" against U.S. regional interests and allies — made him unparalleled as a military and intelligence operative in the region.
Bigger than bin Laden?
"The puppet master is dead; the strings have been cut," Michael Knights, a Gulf expert at the Washington Institute with years of experience working with local military and security agencies in Iraq and the Persian Gulf, told CNBC. "Qasem Soleimani is a unique figure," Knights elaborated. "We don't have anyone like him in the U.S., and because he was experienced, capable and had the complete trust of the supreme leader of Iran, they over-concentrated an awful lot of their capability and their prestige in one man." "And that guy just got killed. This was always the risk." To emphasize Soleimani's significance, Roman Schweizer, managing director for aerospace and defense at the Cowen Washington Research Group, wrote in an analyst note Friday: "To be clear, this is the equivalent of Iran killing the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and then taking credit for it."
watch now
Some security experts believe this killing is the most significant in U.S. history — for Charles Lister, a resident fellow at the Middle East Institute, it "far eclipses the deaths of [Osama] bin Laden or [Abu Bakr al-]Baghdadi in terms of strategic significance and implications ... there really is no underestimating the geopolitical ramifications of this." Regional analysts considered Soleimani to be the second-most-powerful leader in Iran, after only Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. And the U.S. has pursued him for decades — his operations within Iraq since 2003 killed more than 600 American personnel, the State Department revealed last year.
This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP
"Soleimani's death is a game-changer for the Middle East," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow and Iran specialist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "For over a decade, there has barely been a Middle Eastern hotspot that Soleimani didn't have a proxy or militias fighting in. He was an agent of chaos."
What made Soleimani so powerful?
Thursday's attack follows U.S. airstrikes in Iraq last week that killed 25 members of Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group responsible for rocket attacks that killed a U.S. contractor and other U.S. allies in northern Iraq in late December. The past week saw members of that militant group and others attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, many of whom chanted "Qasem Soleimani is our leader." "This is, I would argue, the most major decapitation strike the U.S. has ever engaged in," Phillip Smyth, a Shia Islamist militarism expert and senior fellow at the Washington Institute, told CNBC. "It is huge for the history of the Middle East."
Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (C) attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Tehran, Iran. Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The Quds Force, which Soleimani led, essentially runs the logistics, ideological guidance and military affairs of numerous Iranian proxy groups across the region. He's credited for turning the war in Syria in Assad's favor and directing the Sept. 14 drone and missile attack on Saudi Aramco's oil facilities, among many other operations. "Soleimani was a charismatic individual," Smyth said. "He was a guy with quite the ego, but he had a long history of experience being a committed ideological fighter for the revolutionary regime in Tehran, very loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei, and he has tried to execute his will in the region." "And we've seen what he's done. Look at Syria, look at Iraq, in terms of building Iranian influence and keeping it there. Now this is the guy who really had his finger on the button." Tweet1 A zealous supporter of Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979, Soleimani cut his teeth fighting in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. The brutal conflict that took close to a million lives planted the seeds of Iran's nearly 40-year project to build a Shiite sphere of influence across the Middle East from Tehran to Beirut. Over time, Smyth said, Soleimani became a "propaganda poster boy for Iran to demonstrate their power in the region and how effective they could be." Soleimani was also "often in leadership positions when it came down to using these groups to attack the U.S., the Saudis, the Israelis, the Bahrainis, you name it," Smyth added. "But he was essentially at the top of that totem pole."
What happens now?
The killing marks a dramatic escalation in the brewing standoff between Iran and the U.S. that's been building since the U.S. withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and has intensified in the last year with attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities widely blamed on Iran. The last year also saw Washington's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, Iran's shooting down of a U.S. drone, intensifying U.S. sanctions on Tehran, and Tehran's incremental rolling back of its commitments to the Iranian nuclear deal. If Iran launches a major retaliatory strike against the U.S., Ben Taleblu said, "it would be doing so without its best general. That could be like fighting with one arm tied behind your back for the Iranians." Still, the organization is far from defanged, despite a severely contracted economy weighed down by crippling U.S. sanctions. Analysts are predicting retaliatory strikes from proxy militant groups around the region, particularly in Iraq and against oil facilities, as well as potential cyberattacks.
watch now


cnbc--2020-01-03--Cory Booker raises $6.6 million in the fourth quarter, well behind Andrew Yang and other 2020 Dems

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) responds to a question during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas , Nevada , October 2 , 2019 .
Sen. Cory Booker in the fourth quarter pulled in $ 6.6 million , a sum that pales in comparison with what other Democratic candidates made , including political newcomer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang .
The amount represents a slight increase from what he raised in the third quarter : about $ 6 million .
Booker 's campaign in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total came from first-time donors .
`` We 're thrilled to have closed out 2019 with our best fundraising quarter yet , despite not being able to join the December debate stage due to the artificial thresholds that prevented viable candidates from participating , '' said campaign manager Addisu Demissie in an email announcing the funds .
`` But to put it bluntly , '' Demissie said , `` we 're still behind the fundraising of a field of predominantly white candidates who have been able to haul in significantly greater sums of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fund their campaigns . ''
Booker raked in less than half of what Yang said he raised .
The entrepreneur 's campaign predicted he 'd raised $ 12.5 million and ended up reporting $ 16.5 million .
Booker has consistently failed to pick up traction in national polls .
He failed to qualify for the December debate , and he has yet to qualify for the debate this month , which is set for Jan. 14 in Iowa .
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he raised more than $ 34 million , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised just under $ 23 million .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg 's campaign said Wednesday that he had raised nearly $ 25 million in the quarter .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar 's campaign said Friday she raised $ 11 million in the fourth quarter , more than doubling her previous haul .
President Donald Trump 's campaign racked up $ 46 million in donations during the fourth quarter , his campaign said Thursday .

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) responds to a question during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2, 2019.
Sen. Cory Booker in the fourth quarter pulled in $6.6 million, a sum that pales in comparison with what other Democratic candidates made, including political newcomer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
The amount represents a slight increase from what he raised in the third quarter: about $6 million.
Booker's campaign in an email said more than half of his fourth-quarter total came from first-time donors.
"We're thrilled to have closed out 2019 with our best fundraising quarter yet, despite not being able to join the December debate stage due to the artificial thresholds that prevented viable candidates from participating," said campaign manager Addisu Demissie in an email announcing the funds.
"But to put it bluntly," Demissie said, "we're still behind the fundraising of a field of predominantly white candidates who have been able to haul in significantly greater sums of money or tap into their personal fortunes to fund their campaigns."
Tweet from Booker campaign manager
Booker raked in less than half of what Yang said he raised. The entrepreneur's campaign predicted he'd raised $12.5 million and ended up reporting $16.5 million.
Booker has consistently failed to pick up traction in national polls. He failed to qualify for the December debate, and he has yet to qualify for the debate this month, which is set for Jan. 14 in Iowa.
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he raised more than $34 million, and former Vice President Joe Biden said he raised just under $23 million.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg's campaign said Wednesday that he had raised nearly $25 million in the quarter.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar's campaign said Friday she raised $11 million in the fourth quarter, more than doubling her previous haul.
President Donald Trump's campaign racked up $46 million in donations during the fourth quarter, his campaign said Thursday.
— CNBC's Brian Schwartz contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-01-03--Trump says US does not seek war or regime change in Iran, but is still ready to act if 'necessary'

President Donald Trump said Friday that America does not seek `` regime change '' in Iran , less than a day after the U.S. launched an airstrike that killed the country 's top general , Qasem Soleimani .
But the U.S. is `` ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary '' if Iran threatens American lives , Trump added .
`` We took action last night to stop a war , '' the president said in his first television address since Soleimani 's death was announced Thursday night .
`` We did not take action to start a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of innocent people his sick passion , '' Trump said from his Palm Beach , Florida , resort , Mar-a-Lago .
`` We caught him in the act and terminated him . ''
He took no questions from reporters .
On a call with reporters Friday , National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien described the U.S. strike as a `` straightforward decision . ''
O'Brien , who was with Trump during the strike , said the U.S. had credible intelligence that Iran was mounting an attack .
He did not specify what kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who led a special forces unit of Iran 's elite Revolutionary Guards , has been a key figure in Iranian and Middle East politics .
He and an aide were killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad 's international airport .
His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the U.S. , and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iran and proxy forces .
On the heels of Thursday 's attack , the Department of Defense issued a statement saying that the strike was aimed at `` deterring future Iranian attack plans '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world . ''
A senior State Department official , who was authorized to speak on condition of anonymity , told reporters Friday that Soleimani had planned attacks that targeted U.S. diplomats and military personnel in Iraq , Syria , Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East .
The latest revelations come days after Iran-backed militias attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad .
The two-day embassy assault prompted Trump to order the initial deployment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East .
On Thursday , before the U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that the U.S. may conduct preemptive strikes against Iranian-backed militias .
`` If we get word of attacks , we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces , protect American lives .
The game has changed , '' Esper said .
In the wake of the U.S. drone strike , Trump approved another deployment Friday of approximately 3,500 troops to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , he departed Mar-a-Lago en route to Miami , where he was scheduled to attend the launch of his 2020 presidential campaign 's `` Evangelicals for Trump '' coalition .
More than three dozen influential evangelical leaders are expected to attend , a Trump campaign source told CNBC .

President Donald Trump said Friday that America does not seek "regime change" in Iran, less than a day after the U.S. launched an airstrike that killed the country's top general, Qasem Soleimani.
But the U.S. is "ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary" if Iran threatens American lives, Trump added.
"We took action last night to stop a war," the president said in his first television address since Soleimani's death was announced Thursday night. "We did not take action to start a war."
Soleimani "made the death of innocent people his sick passion," Trump said from his Palm Beach, Florida, resort, Mar-a-Lago. "We caught him in the act and terminated him."
He took no questions from reporters.
On a call with reporters Friday, National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien described the U.S. strike as a "straightforward decision."
O'Brien, who was with Trump during the strike, said the U.S. had credible intelligence that Iran was mounting an attack. He did not specify what kind of intelligence the U.S. had.
Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, has been a key figure in Iranian and Middle East politics. He and an aide were killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad's international airport.
His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the U.S., and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iran and proxy forces.
On the heels of Thursday's attack, the Department of Defense issued a statement saying that the strike was aimed at "deterring future Iranian attack plans" and that the U.S. military would continue to "take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."
A senior State Department official, who was authorized to speak on condition of anonymity, told reporters Friday that Soleimani had planned attacks that targeted U.S. diplomats and military personnel in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East.
The latest revelations come days after Iran-backed militias attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The two-day embassy assault prompted Trump to order the initial deployment of approximately 750 soldiers from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.
On Thursday, before the U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that the U.S. may conduct preemptive strikes against Iranian-backed militias.
"If we get word of attacks, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives. The game has changed," Esper said.
In the wake of the U.S. drone strike, Trump approved another deployment Friday of approximately 3,500 troops to the region.
After Trump's unannounced speech, he departed Mar-a-Lago en route to Miami, where he was scheduled to attend the launch of his 2020 presidential campaign's "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition.
More than three dozen influential evangelical leaders are expected to attend, a Trump campaign source told CNBC.
— CNBC's Yelena Dzhanova contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-01-03--Trump rallies Evangelical support for his 2020 campaign after US kills top Iranian general

President Donald Trump may have set off a global firestorm , but his schedule has stayed the same .
Less than a day after the U.S. announced that it killed Iran 's top military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a surprise airstrike in Baghdad , Trump attended the previously scheduled launch of his 2020 campaign 's `` Evangelicals for Trump '' coalition .
The 5 p.m .
ET kickoff event at King Jesus International Ministry , a 100,000-square foot Miami mega-church with room for 7,000 attendees , will be aimed at boosting support from Trump 's already-loyal base of evangelical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech before his departure for the event , saying that while the U.S. does not seek regime change in Iran , it is `` ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary '' if Iran threatens American lives .
Ahead of the event , Trump took to Twitter to defend his decision to launch the airstrike that killed Soleimani , and to rail against congressional Democrats who impeached him last month and are fighting with Republicans over the rules of a Senate trial .
Trump wrote Friday morning that Soleimani `` has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over an extended period of time , and was plotting to kill many more ... but got caught ! ''
Later Friday , Trump returned his focus to impeachment , a frequent target of his ire .
House Democrats impeached Trump last month on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both related to his dealings with Ukraine .
The Democrats ' lawyers have recently hinted that more impeachment articles could be drafted , as more information trickles out and a Senate trial remains on hold .
Trump has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , Florida , resort Mar-a-Lago and the nearby Trump International Golf Club .
He reportedly visited the golf course Thursday , just a few hours before the first reports of the Iranian general 's death .
The news sent shock waves across the political and media landscape in the U.S. and abroad .
Iranian officials have vowed to take revenge on America , and the U.S. military reportedly announced an additional deployment of troops to the Middle East .
Soleimani , who led a special forces unit of Iran 's elite Revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths of hundreds of Americans .
But rather than return to Washington to address the tightening tensions in the Middle East , Trump remained in Florida to attend the Friday evening campaign event .
More than three dozen influential evangelical leaders were expected to attend , a Trump campaign source told CNBC .
Some of the event 's speakers include Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and Paula White , Trump 's so-called spiritual advisor .
Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress reportedly said he will be leading a closing prayer at the rally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ members up for the new coalition , which will place a special emphasis on recruiting Hispanic and black evangelicals , the source said .
The Miami church is `` a natural fit '' for the campaign event , Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement .
`` Moreover , Florida is a state of great importance to President Trump , as we continue to see overwhelming support for the President across the state , '' she said .
Florida , historically a swing state in presidential elections , was a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Democrat Hillary Clinton .
Many evangelical leaders have been quick to heap praise on Trump , and have not been afraid to wade into day-to-day political fights on Capitol Hill .
Franklin Graham , son of famed evangelist Billy Graham , shared a Facebook message Friday supporting the airstrike on Soleimani .
`` We need to pray that God would give President Donald J. Trump wisdom as he continues the war on terrorism .
Join me in praying that the President , his family , and our troops serving in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham said .
But while outsiders are often quick to view evangelicals as a political monolith — 80 % voted for Trump in 2016 , versus 16 % for Clinton , exit polls reportedly showed — some dissenting voices have recently cropped up .
A few days before Christmas , Christianity Today published a searing editorial arguing for Trump 's removal from office .
The author , Editor-in-Chief Mark Galli , said the magazine received a boost in subscribers .
But evangelical leaders were quick to torch the piece .
Perkins called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that his father , who founded Christianity Today and died in 2018 , `` would be very disappointed '' in the current state of the magazine .

US President Donald Trump arrives on stage for a Keep America Great Rally at Kellogg Arena December 18, 2019, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
President Donald Trump may have set off a global firestorm, but his schedule has stayed the same. Less than a day after the U.S. announced that it killed Iran's top military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a surprise airstrike in Baghdad, Trump attended the previously scheduled launch of his 2020 campaign's "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition.
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The 5 p.m. ET kickoff event at King Jesus International Ministry, a 100,000-square foot Miami mega-church with room for 7,000 attendees, will be aimed at boosting support from Trump's already-loyal base of evangelical Christians. The president made an unannounced speech before his departure for the event, saying that while the U.S. does not seek regime change in Iran, it is "ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary" if Iran threatens American lives.
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cnbc--2020-01-07--Trump backs off threat to target Iranian cultural sites: 'I like to obey the law'

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is `` okay with '' following laws that prevent him from destroying Iranian cultural sites , after previously threatening to target and attack them .
Trump originally mentioned Iran 's cultural sites as part of a threat toward Tehran , which had vowed `` harsh revenge '' against the U.S. for killing its top military leader , Gen. Qasem Soleimani , in an airstrike days earlier .
Targeting cultural sites in that way could constitute a war crime under laws of armed conflict .
In the Oval Office on Tuesday , Trump expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would follow the law .
`` They 're allowed to kill our people , they 're allowed to maim our people , they 're allowed to blow up everything that we have , and there 's nothing that stops them .
And we are , according to various laws , supposed to be very careful with their cultural heritage , '' he said .
`` And you know ?
If that 's what the law is — I like to obey the law .
But think of it , they kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , but then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions , '' Trump said .
`` But I 'm okay with it .
It 's okay with me , '' he added .

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is "okay with" following laws that prevent him from destroying Iranian cultural sites, after previously threatening to target and attack them.
Trump originally mentioned Iran's cultural sites as part of a threat toward Tehran, which had vowed "harsh revenge" against the U.S. for killing its top military leader, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in an airstrike days earlier.
Targeting cultural sites in that way could constitute a war crime under laws of armed conflict.
In the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump expressed skepticism about the rules, but nevertheless said he would follow the law.
"They're allowed to kill our people, they're allowed to maim our people, they're allowed to blow up everything that we have, and there's nothing that stops them. And we are, according to various laws, supposed to be very careful with their cultural heritage," he said.
"And you know? If that's what the law is — I like to obey the law. But think of it, they kill our people, they blow up our people, but then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions," Trump said.
"But I'm okay with it. It's okay with me," he added.


cnbc--2020-01-07--Slain Iranian general's planned attack on Americans was 'days' away, Esper says

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Tuesday that before Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike , attacks that Soleimani was planning against U.S. targets were only days away .
`` I think it 's more fair to say days , for sure , '' Esper said when asked if Soleimani 's purported attack plans — which the Trump administration says played a role in the decision to kill him — were expected to occur in days or weeks .
`` He [ Soleimani ] was clearly on the battlefield , he was conducting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a legitimate target and his time was due , '' Esper said , adding that what happens next will be dictated by Tehran .
Esper defended the `` exquisite intelligence '' the U.S. had gathered on Soleimani and reiterated that the Trump administration does not want to go to war with Iran .
`` We are not looking to start a war with Iran , but we are prepared to finish one , '' he said , adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate .
Senators are reportedly set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration officials on Wednesday .
Some reports suggest that there is some dispute about whether the available intelligence clearly shows that Soleimani posed enough of an imminent threat to justify Trump 's drastic move .
After Esper spoke , President Donald Trump said at the White House that Soleimani was planning a big attack .
He also told reporters in the Oval Office that a lot of lives were saved by killing Soleimani .
The U.S. , he said , is prepared for possible retaliation by Iran .
Earlier in the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. `` got it right '' by killing Soleimani .
`` It was the right decision .
We got it right .
The Department of Defense did excellent work .
And the president had an entirely legal , appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly , '' said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Pompeo , speaking to reporters at the State Department , also maintained that the U.S. will act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump repeatedly said that the U.S. could threaten Iranian `` cultural sites '' — a possible war crime .
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have mounted following Trump 's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration .
The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran 's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half .
In exchange for sanctions relief , Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities .
On Sunday , Iran announced it would not abide by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges .
Therefore , Iran would have no limit on its enrichment capacity , the level to which uranium could be enriched , or Iran 's nuclear research and development .
Iranian state-run broadcast said Tehran 's steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions .
In May , Iran stopped complying with some commitments in the 2015 nuclear deal after Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the agreement .
Trump also reintroduced sanctions on Tehran that had been previously lifted in accordance with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report from CNBC 's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs , New Jersey .

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Drew Angerer | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Tuesday that before Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike, attacks that Soleimani was planning against U.S. targets were only days away. "I think it's more fair to say days, for sure," Esper said when asked if Soleimani's purported attack plans — which the Trump administration says played a role in the decision to kill him — were expected to occur in days or weeks. "He [Soleimani] was clearly on the battlefield, he was conducting and preparing, planning military operations, he was a legitimate target and his time was due," Esper said, adding that what happens next will be dictated by Tehran. Esper defended the "exquisite intelligence" the U.S. had gathered on Soleimani and reiterated that the Trump administration does not want to go to war with Iran.
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"We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one," he said, adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate. Senators are reportedly set to be briefed on the airstrike by top administration officials on Wednesday. Some reports suggest that there is some dispute about whether the available intelligence clearly shows that Soleimani posed enough of an imminent threat to justify Trump's drastic move. After Esper spoke, President Donald Trump said at the White House that Soleimani was planning a big attack. He also told reporters in the Oval Office that a lot of lives were saved by killing Soleimani. The U.S., he said, is prepared for possible retaliation by Iran. Earlier in the day, the nation's top diplomat said that the U.S. "got it right" by killing Soleimani. "It was the right decision. We got it right. The Department of Defense did excellent work. And the president had an entirely legal, appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo, speaking to reporters at the State Department, also maintained that the U.S. will act in accordance with international law, after Trump repeatedly said that the U.S. could threaten Iranian "cultural sites" — a possible war crime. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have mounted following Trump's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration. The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities.
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cnbc--2020-01-07--McConnell says Trump impeachment trial rules will be passed without Democrats

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , on Tuesday said Senate Republicans are prepared to move forward on an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump without agreeing first to rules about witnesses and without any Democratic votes .
`` We have the votes once the impeachment trial has begun to pass a resolution , essentially the same , very similar to the 100-to-nothing vote '' in the impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton , McConnell told reporters in the Capitol .
By relying only on votes from his 53-member caucus , McConnell effectively rejected the demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules for a trial be negotiated and agreed upon before a trial began .
Democrats want procedures for a trial that would allow witnesses to be called , a prospect Republicans have so far shown little interest in .
Instead , McConnell said the rules would be modeled upon Clinton 's impeachment trial , which allowed the trial to begin with opening arguments without first requiring the question of witnesses and documents to be settled .
`` What 's good for President Clinton is good for President Trump . ''
McConnell described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` phase one , '' which he said would include `` arguments from the prosecution , arguments from the defense , and then a period of written questions '' from senators .
He did not , however , suggest what a timeline for a trial might look like .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has so far refused to formally send the articles of impeachment passed by the House late last year over to the Senate , a crucial next step before the upper chamber can begin proceedings .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts , the Senate is effectively frozen .
`` It 's the rule of impeachment in the Senate that we must receive the papers [ from the House ] , '' he said , `` and it continues to be my hope that the Speaker will send them on over . ''
The question of witnesses grew more pressing on Monday , when former National Security Advisor John Bolton said he would be willing to testify before the Senate if he were subpoenaed to do so .
Asked about Bolton 's willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Oval Office that `` it 'll be up to the Senate '' whether Bolton testifies .
`` He would know nothing about what we 're talking about , '' Trump said .
But according to current and former national security officials , Bolton has broad , firsthand knowledge of Trump 's interactions with Ukraine .
Fiona Hill , a former top Bolton aide , testified before the House late last year that Bolton was vehemently opposed to the plan to pressure Ukraine to launch investigations that would benefit Trump 's reelection @ @

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Tuesday said Senate Republicans are prepared to move forward on an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump without agreeing first to rules about witnesses and without any Democratic votes.
"We have the votes once the impeachment trial has begun to pass a resolution, essentially the same, very similar to the 100-to-nothing vote" in the impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton, McConnell told reporters in the Capitol.
By relying only on votes from his 53-member caucus, McConnell effectively rejected the demands by House and Senate Democrats that any rules for a trial be negotiated and agreed upon before a trial began.
Democrats want procedures for a trial that would allow witnesses to be called, a prospect Republicans have so far shown little interest in.
Instead, McConnell said the rules would be modeled upon Clinton's impeachment trial, which allowed the trial to begin with opening arguments without first requiring the question of witnesses and documents to be settled. "What's good for President Clinton is good for President Trump."
McConnell described the first part of a trial as a "phase one," which he said would include "arguments from the prosecution, arguments from the defense, and then a period of written questions" from senators.
He did not, however, suggest what a timeline for a trial might look like.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has so far refused to formally send the articles of impeachment passed by the House late last year over to the Senate, a crucial next step before the upper chamber can begin proceedings.
On Tuesday, McConnell acknowledged that, until Pelosi acts, the Senate is effectively frozen. "It's the rule of impeachment in the Senate that we must receive the papers [from the House]," he said, "and it continues to be my hope that the Speaker will send them on over."
The question of witnesses grew more pressing on Monday, when former National Security Advisor John Bolton said he would be willing to testify before the Senate if he were subpoenaed to do so.
Asked about Bolton's willingness to testify, Trump on Tuesday told reporters in the Oval Office that "it'll be up to the Senate" whether Bolton testifies. "He would know nothing about what we're talking about," Trump said.
But according to current and former national security officials, Bolton has broad, firsthand knowledge of Trump's interactions with Ukraine.
Fiona Hill, a former top Bolton aide, testified before the House late last year that Bolton was vehemently opposed to the plan to pressure Ukraine to launch investigations that would benefit Trump's reelection campaign.


cnbc--2020-01-07--Joe Biden says Trump is 'dangerously close' to starting a war with Iran

Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas , Nevada , October 2 , 2019 .
Joe Biden warned Tuesday that President Donald Trump is charging toward a crisis in Iran , as the Democratic presidential candidate cast himself as a steady hand best equipped to manage spiking tensions in the Middle East .
The former vice president has long described Trump as a reckless leader ill-equipped for foreign policy challenges .
Biden has stepped up criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday killed Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani — an action he and his Democratic rivals warn could lead to another war in the region .
`` A president who says he wants to end endless wars in the Middle East is bringing us dangerously close to starting a brand new one , '' Biden said during remarks in New York .
He pointed to Trump sending thousands more troops to the Middle East despite saying he wants to leave the region .
Biden pointed to his own experience — eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three decades in the Senate — to argue for his ability to navigate the crisis .
He said Trump opened the door to conflict by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal — an international agreement meant to stop Tehran 's development of weapons reached during the Obama administration .
Iran has stopped complying with major parts of the deal .
Biden said he has `` no illusions '' about Iran , which he said has `` sponsored terrorism and threatened our interests . ''
But he argued `` there 's a smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a `` self-defeating way . ''
The former vice president argued Trump should both rejoin the nuclear agreement and explain the `` imminent threat '' the administration cited in killing Soleimani .
He also contended Trump does not have the authority to carry out war with Iran without congressional approval .
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request to comment on Biden 's criticism .
The top contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have used the deepening crisis in Iran to illustrate their foreign policy credentials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened him up to criticism .
The former vice president voted to authorize military force against Iraq in 2002 — though he went on to harshly criticize the prolonged and destructive war .
Biden has suggested on the campaign trail that he opposed the war from the beginning , which his campaign has called a misstatement .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , one of the top contenders to face Trump next year , has criticized Biden over Iraq in recent days .
`` Joe Biden voted and helped lead the effort for the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy blunder in the modern history of this country , '' he told CNN on Monday in arguing Biden does not have the record to beat Trump .

Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2, 2019.
Joe Biden warned Tuesday that President Donald Trump is charging toward a crisis in Iran, as the Democratic presidential candidate cast himself as a steady hand best equipped to manage spiking tensions in the Middle East.
The former vice president has long described Trump as a reckless leader ill-equipped for foreign policy challenges. Biden has stepped up criticism of the president's decision-making since the U.S. on Thursday killed Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani — an action he and his Democratic rivals warn could lead to another war in the region.
"A president who says he wants to end endless wars in the Middle East is bringing us dangerously close to starting a brand new one," Biden said during remarks in New York. He pointed to Trump sending thousands more troops to the Middle East despite saying he wants to leave the region.
Biden pointed to his own experience — eight years as vice president and more than three decades in the Senate — to argue for his ability to navigate the crisis. He said Trump opened the door to conflict by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal — an international agreement meant to stop Tehran's development of weapons reached during the Obama administration.
Iran has stopped complying with major parts of the deal.
Biden said he has "no illusions" about Iran, which he said has "sponsored terrorism and threatened our interests." But he argued "there's a smart way" to counter Tehran, rather than a "self-defeating way."
The former vice president argued Trump should both rejoin the nuclear agreement and explain the "imminent threat" the administration cited in killing Soleimani. He also contended Trump does not have the authority to carry out war with Iran without congressional approval.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's request to comment on Biden's criticism.
The top contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have used the deepening crisis in Iran to illustrate their foreign policy credentials. Biden's efforts to do so have opened him up to criticism.
The former vice president voted to authorize military force against Iraq in 2002 — though he went on to harshly criticize the prolonged and destructive war. Biden has suggested on the campaign trail that he opposed the war from the beginning, which his campaign has called a misstatement.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the top contenders to face Trump next year, has criticized Biden over Iraq in recent days.
"Joe Biden voted and helped lead the effort for the war in Iraq, the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country," he told CNN on Monday in arguing Biden does not have the record to beat Trump.
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cnbc--2020-01-07--Mike Bloomberg could spend $10 million for Super Bowl ad aimed at Trump

Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is investing millions of dollars into a Super Bowl ad that will take aim at Donald @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for February 2 .
The 60-second spot will likely cost Bloomberg at least $ @ @ @ @ @ have said 30-second TV ads will be `` north of $ 5 million , '' @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for Bloomberg 's team , Michael Frazier , confirmed the ad buy to CNBC @ @ @ @ @ by The New York Times .

Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is investing millions of dollars into a Super Bowl ad that will take aim at Donald Trump.
The game is scheduled for February 2.
The 60-second spot will likely cost Bloomberg at least $10 million as Fox executives have said 30-second TV ads will be "north of $5 million," according to Variety.
A spokesman for Bloomberg's team, Michael Frazier, confirmed the ad buy to CNBC after it was first reported by The New York Times.


cnbc--2020-01-07--Confusion builds over letter on US troop withdrawal in Iraq

WASHINGTON — Iraq 's prime minister said that the U.S. military sent a letter regarding American troop withdrawal from the country , Reuters reported Tuesday , further deepening confusion over plans for troops in the region .
It 's the latest in a messy string of events sparked by a U.S. airstrike that killed Iran 's top general .
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that his country received an English and Arabic version of the letter but that they were not identical .
Therefore , Iraq requested clarifications on U.S. plans .
The news comes on the heels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter informing Iraq 's Defense Ministry that U.S.-led coalition troops would leave Iraq `` was a mistake . ''
`` A draft unsigned letter that was acquired by an Iraqi official has no import .
It has no value whatsoever , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Tuesday in an interview with CNN .
`` I will say this , the United States is not withdrawing from Iraq .
In fact , in my conversations with my counterpart , the Iraqi defense minister , I conveyed to him that we do want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue the important defeat ISIS mission , '' he added .
`` That letter is a draft , it was a mistake , it was unsigned , it should never have been released , '' Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday .
`` Poorly worded , implies withdrawal , '' Milley said .
`` That is not what 's happening , '' he continued .
Alongside Milley , Esper told reporters earlier in the day that the U.S. was `` repositioning forces throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to the letter , which I 've read once , I ca n't tell you the veracity of that letter , '' Esper said , adding that the `` letter is inconsistent of where we are right now . ''
`` There has been no decision whatsoever to leave , '' he said .
The letter to Iraq 's Defense Ministry came to light a day after Iraq 's parliament voted to expel all foreign forces from the country .
Iraq 's parliament on Sunday passed a nonbinding resolution calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign troops in the wake of a U.S. airstrike that killed Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani .

American soldiers board a US Airforce C130 at Baghdad Airport. Sebastian Meyer | Corbis | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Iraq's prime minister said that the U.S. military sent a letter regarding American troop withdrawal from the country, Reuters reported Tuesday, further deepening confusion over plans for troops in the region. It's the latest in a messy string of events sparked by a U.S. airstrike that killed Iran's top general. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that his country received an English and Arabic version of the letter but that they were not identical. Therefore, Iraq requested clarifications on U.S. plans.
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The news comes on the heels of the Pentagon's admission that the letter informing Iraq's Defense Ministry that U.S.-led coalition troops would leave Iraq "was a mistake." "A draft unsigned letter that was acquired by an Iraqi official has no import. It has no value whatsoever," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Tuesday in an interview with CNN. "I will say this, the United States is not withdrawing from Iraq. In fact, in my conversations with my counterpart, the Iraqi defense minister, I conveyed to him that we do want to stay in Iraq and we want to continue the important defeat ISIS mission," he added. "That letter is a draft, it was a mistake, it was unsigned, it should never have been released," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday. "Poorly worded, implies withdrawal," Milley said. "That is not what's happening," he continued. Alongside Milley, Esper told reporters earlier in the day that the U.S. was "repositioning forces throughout the region."
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cnbc--2020-01-07--Prosecutors want ex-Trump advisor Michael Flynn sentenced to up to 6 months in jail

Federal prosecutors urged a judge Tuesday to sentence former national security advisor Michael Flynn later this month to anywhere from zero to six months in jail for lying to federal agents about his contacts with a Russian diplomat shortly before the inauguration of President Donald Trump .
The recommendation was a sharp reversal for prosecutors , who previously had asked that Flynn get a sentence with no jail time in recognition of his extensive help with `` several ongoing investigations '' following his guilty plea in late 2017 .
In their new court filing — which comes more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dramatically aborted — prosecutors cited the `` serious nature of '' the retired Army lieutenant general 's crime and `` his apparent failure to accept responsibility '' for his actions .
They also accused him of trying to `` thwart the efforts '' of prosecutors to convict other people , even as he assisted them in other criminal cases .
The new recommendation comes after months of efforts by Flynn and his defense lawyers to effectively undo his guilty plea in the case by arguing that prosecutors had withheld evidence from him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn .
`` In light of the complete record , including actions subsequent to December 18 , 2018 , that negate the benefits of much of the defendant 's earlier cooperation , the government no longer deems the defendant 's assistance 'substantial , ' prosecutors wrote .
`` The government also does not believe the defendant should receive credit for acceptance of responsibility , '' prosecutors wrote .
`` Indeed , the government has reason to believe , through representations by the defendant 's counsel , that the defendant has retreated from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his lies to the FBI . ''
Flynn currently is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Emmet Sullivan on Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. '' The defendant is now scheduled to be sentenced almost exactly three years from the date of his primary criminal conduct – lying to the FBI – and the intervening years have included periods where the defendant has sought to assist and aid the government , and periods where the defendant has sought to thwart the efforts of the government to hold other individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal wrongdoing , '' prosecutors wrote in their filing .
Rafiekian , a former business associate of Flynn 's , was accused of unlawfully lobbying on behalf of Turkey .
Rafiekian was convicted last summer on two counts of violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act .
Flynn was supposed to testify against Rafiekian at trial , but prosecutors scrapped that plan after saying they did not necessarily believe Flynn 's account of how he came to make an inaccurate FARA filing .
Rafiekian 's conviction was overturned and the indictment against him dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was insufficient evidence to sustain the case .
Flynn 's defense lawyer , Sidney Powell , had no immediate comment about the new sentencing recommendation .
Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to FBI agents about the nature of his discussions with Russia 's ambassador to the United States in the weeks leading up to Trump 's inauguration in January 2017 .
He resigned in February 2017 after allegedly misleading Vice President Mike Pence about what he and the Russian diplomat talked about .
Flynn had falsely told Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , which led Pence to defend him in television interviews .
In fact , Flynn had discussed those sanctions .
He originally was set to be sentenced in December 2018 .
But that sentencing was cut short after Sullivan warned him he might send Flynn to jail if he did not postpone the proceeding .
`` Arguably you sold your country out , '' Sullivan said at that hearing , where he noted Flynn 's failure to disclose lobbying work for Turkey .

Federal prosecutors urged a judge Tuesday to sentence former national security advisor Michael Flynn later this month to anywhere from zero to six months in jail for lying to federal agents about his contacts with a Russian diplomat shortly before the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The recommendation was a sharp reversal for prosecutors, who previously had asked that Flynn get a sentence with no jail time in recognition of his extensive help with "several ongoing investigations" following his guilty plea in late 2017.
In their new court filing — which comes more than a year after Flynn's original sentencing hearing was dramatically aborted — prosecutors cited the "serious nature of" the retired Army lieutenant general's crime and "his apparent failure to accept responsibility" for his actions.
They also accused him of trying to "thwart the efforts" of prosecutors to convict other people, even as he assisted them in other criminal cases.
The new recommendation comes after months of efforts by Flynn and his defense lawyers to effectively undo his guilty plea in the case by arguing that prosecutors had withheld evidence from him, and that the FBI had misled Flynn.
"In light of the complete record, including actions subsequent to December 18, 2018, that negate the benefits of much of the defendant's earlier cooperation, the government no longer deems the defendant's assistance 'substantial,' prosecutors wrote.
"The government also does not believe the defendant should receive credit for acceptance of responsibility," prosecutors wrote. "Indeed, the government has reason to believe, through representations by the defendant's counsel, that the defendant has retreated from his acceptance of responsibility in this case regarding his lies to the FBI."
Flynn currently is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Emmet Sullivan on Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
"The defendant is now scheduled to be sentenced almost exactly three years from the date of his primary criminal conduct – lying to the FBI – and the intervening years have included periods where the defendant has sought to assist and aid the government, and periods where the defendant has sought to thwart the efforts of the government to hold other individuals, principally Bijan Rafiekian, accountable for criminal wrongdoing," prosecutors wrote in their filing.
Rafiekian, a former business associate of Flynn's, was accused of unlawfully lobbying on behalf of Turkey.
Rafiekian was convicted last summer on two counts of violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Flynn was supposed to testify against Rafiekian at trial, but prosecutors scrapped that plan after saying they did not necessarily believe Flynn's account of how he came to make an inaccurate FARA filing.
Rafiekian's conviction was overturned and the indictment against him dismissed in September by a federal judge who said there was insufficient evidence to sustain the case.
Flynn's defense lawyer, Sidney Powell, had no immediate comment about the new sentencing recommendation.
Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to FBI agents about the nature of his discussions with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the weeks leading up to Trump's inauguration in January 2017.
He resigned in February 2017 after allegedly misleading Vice President Mike Pence about what he and the Russian diplomat talked about.
Flynn had falsely told Pence he had not discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia, which led Pence to defend him in television interviews. In fact, Flynn had discussed those sanctions.
He originally was set to be sentenced in December 2018.
But that sentencing was cut short after Sullivan warned him he might send Flynn to jail if he did not postpone the proceeding.
"Arguably you sold your country out," Sullivan said at that hearing, where he noted Flynn's failure to disclose lobbying work for Turkey.


cnbc--2020-01-07--Senate panel passes new North American trade deal, moving it closer to ratification

Ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , left , speaks with chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on `` The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement '' on Tuesday , July 30 , 2019 .
Businesses have sought stability as Trump stirs up trade conflicts with China and other major economic partners .
The president has made replacing NAFTA and cracking down on Beijing 's trade abuses a priority in his first term in the White House and used tariffs as a negotiating tool around the world .
`` USMCA will bring much needed certainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , workers and businesses , '' Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , said Tuesday at the start of the bill markup .
USMCA backers , led by President Donald Trump , have called the deal a long-needed overhaul of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement .
The new pact makes several changes to protect auto industry workers , increases access to Canadian dairy markets for U.S. farmers and updates digital trade rules .
In a 25-3 vote , the panel sent the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the full Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
The House approved the accord last month in a bipartisan vote .
The Senate Finance Committee approved a new North American trade deal on Tuesday , moving it one step closer to ratification in the United States .
House Democrats worked with the Trump administration for more than a year to secure tweaks to boost enforcement of labor and environmental standards .
The changes got most of the party , including a trade deal skeptic in Senate Finance Committee ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , on board with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major labor organizations such as the AFL-CIO support USMCA .
But a handful of House Democrats and labor unions oppose it , arguing it did not go far enough to stop outsourcing of U.S. jobs .
Three Senate Finance Committee members voted against reporting the bill favorably Tuesday .
They were Sens .
Pat Toomey , R-Pa. , Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I. , and Bill Cassidy , R-La .
Toomey has said USMCA as revised will hamper free trade .
Whitehouse , meanwhile , contends it does not take enough steps to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also split up the 2020 Democratic presidential field .
Former Vice President Joe Biden backs it .
While Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, has indicated she will support the deal revised to include Democratic changes , Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , has opposed the pact .
Mexico has ratified the trade agreement .
Canada may not approve it until later this month .
The agreement does not take effect until all three nations ratify it .
The U.S. exports more goods to Canada and Mexico than any other countries .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to pass the deal .
After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends House-passed articles of impeachment to the Senate , the chamber will start a trial on whether to remove him from office .
The speaker has not pushed impeachment to the other side of the Capitol as Democrats pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call witnesses .
Without a trial , the Senate has more flexibility to quickly pass USMCA .
`` If it can be brought up before the impeachment vote , it 'd be very important to get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the good of the economy , the better , '' Grassley told reporters after the committee voted for USMCA .
He noted that impeachment would have to take priority over other matters if it comes before the Senate .
Speaking at the start of the bill markup Tuesday , Wyden said the Senate should take both trade and impeachment seriously in the coming weeks .
`` The new NAFTA agreement must not be used as a convenient excuse to shut down any other business before the Senate , '' he said .

Ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., left, speaks with chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on "The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement" on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.
Businesses have sought stability as Trump stirs up trade conflicts with China and other major economic partners. The president has made replacing NAFTA and cracking down on Beijing's trade abuses a priority in his first term in the White House and used tariffs as a negotiating tool around the world.
"USMCA will bring much needed certainty and real benefits to America's farmers, workers and businesses," Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Tuesday at the start of the bill markup.
USMCA backers, led by President Donald Trump, have called the deal a long-needed overhaul of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. The new pact makes several changes to protect auto industry workers, increases access to Canadian dairy markets for U.S. farmers and updates digital trade rules.
In a 25-3 vote, the panel sent the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the full Senate, which could pass the pact this month. The House approved the accord last month in a bipartisan vote.
The Senate Finance Committee approved a new North American trade deal on Tuesday, moving it one step closer to ratification in the United States.
House Democrats worked with the Trump administration for more than a year to secure tweaks to boost enforcement of labor and environmental standards. The changes got most of the party, including a trade deal skeptic in Senate Finance Committee ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on board with the deal.
Most Democrats in Congress and major labor organizations such as the AFL-CIO support USMCA. But a handful of House Democrats and labor unions oppose it, arguing it did not go far enough to stop outsourcing of U.S. jobs.
Three Senate Finance Committee members voted against reporting the bill favorably Tuesday. They were Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Bill Cassidy, R-La.
Toomey has said USMCA as revised will hamper free trade. Whitehouse, meanwhile, contends it does not take enough steps to address the climate crisis.
The agreement has also split up the 2020 Democratic presidential field. Former Vice President Joe Biden backs it. While Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has indicated she will support the deal revised to include Democratic changes, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has opposed the pact.
Mexico has ratified the trade agreement. Canada may not approve it until later this month. The agreement does not take effect until all three nations ratify it.
The U.S. exports more goods to Canada and Mexico than any other countries.
Trump's impeachment could complicate the Senate's efforts to pass the deal. After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends House-passed articles of impeachment to the Senate, the chamber will start a trial on whether to remove him from office.
The speaker has not pushed impeachment to the other side of the Capitol as Democrats pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call witnesses. Without a trial, the Senate has more flexibility to quickly pass USMCA.
"If it can be brought up before the impeachment vote, it'd be very important to get this — the sooner it gets done, for the good of the economy, the better," Grassley told reporters after the committee voted for USMCA. He noted that impeachment would have to take priority over other matters if it comes before the Senate.
Speaking at the start of the bill markup Tuesday, Wyden said the Senate should take both trade and impeachment seriously in the coming weeks.
"The new NAFTA agreement must not be used as a convenient excuse to shut down any other business before the Senate," he said.
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cnbc--2020-01-07--Judge threatens to jail Harvey Weinstein for using cellphone in court during #MeToo rape case

Harvey Weinstein uses a walker as he arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Court , on January 7 , 2020 on the second day of his criminal trial on charges of rape and sexual assault in New York City .
Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was threatened Tuesday with being jailed for contempt of court by a judge who spotted him using a cellphone in the courtroom during the first day of jury selection in his New York rape case .
`` Mr. Weinstein , I can not implore you more to not answer the following question — that means do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burke told Weinstein , according to The New York Post .
`` Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life by texting and violating a court order ? ''
Burke asked before the jury selection process began .
Burke has previously warned Weinstein against using his cellphone in Manhattan Criminal Court .
The judge has said that all electronic devices are not allowed and must be turned off in the room .
Weinstein actually surrendered two other cellphones to security when he entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But `` court staff informed the judge that Weinstein had surrendered two phones and that he had pulled out two more — one of which he was using when Judge Burke entered the room , '' BuzzFeed reported .
`` Mr. Weinstein never had any intention of upsetting the court .
The use of his phone prior to the start of the proceeding , before the judge walked in , and from the gallery , was due to the misunderstand [ ing ] of the Judge 's requirement by Mr. Weinstein 's team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided had the bailiff , who saw his attorneys handing Mr. Weinstein his phones and reported it to the judge prior to his walking in , would have simply advised him then not to use it . ''
Also Tuesday , the lead prosecutor in the case , Joan Illuzzi-Orbon , reportedly asked Burke to revoke Weinstein 's bail and jail him pending the trial 's outcome because of new sexual assault charges that were filed against him Monday by prosecutors in Los Angeles .
Weinstein is accused in the case pending in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and of forcibly performing a sexual act on another woman in 2006 .
Later , a 16-page questionnaire for prospective jurors was released .
The questions include one asking if jurors had `` seen , read or heard about the defendant , '' whose case `` has been widely publicized over the last year . ''
Upwards of 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct .
In the indictment unsealed Monday in Los Angeles , the 67-year-old film producer is charged with raping one woman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks over a two-day period in 2013 .
He has pleaded not guilty in the New York case and will be arraigned in the Los Angeles case in the future .
Weinstein has said that all sexual contact he had with women was consensual .
The Los Angeles prosecution and the New York trial come more than two years after allegations of serial sexual misdeeds by Weinstein sparked the # MeToo movement .

Harvey Weinstein uses a walker as he arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Court, on January 7, 2020 on the second day of his criminal trial on charges of rape and sexual assault in New York City.
Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was threatened Tuesday with being jailed for contempt of court by a judge who spotted him using a cellphone in the courtroom during the first day of jury selection in his New York rape case.
"Mr. Weinstein, I cannot implore you more to not answer the following question — that means don't say anything," Judge James Burke told Weinstein, according to The New York Post.
"Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life by texting and violating a court order?" Burke asked before the jury selection process began.
Tweet
Burke has previously warned Weinstein against using his cellphone in Manhattan Criminal Court. The judge has said that all electronic devices are not allowed and must be turned off in the room.
Weinstein actually surrendered two other cellphones to security when he entered the courtroom, BuzzFeed News reported.
But "court staff informed the judge that Weinstein had surrendered two phones and that he had pulled out two more — one of which he was using when Judge Burke entered the room," BuzzFeed reported.
Weinstein's spokesman, Juda Engelmayer, emailed CNBC a statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Mr. Weinstein never had any intention of upsetting the court. The use of his phone prior to the start of the proceeding, before the judge walked in, and from the gallery, was due to the misunderstand[ing] of the Judge's requirement by Mr. Weinstein's team. This whole scene could have been avoided had the bailiff, who saw his attorneys handing Mr. Weinstein his phones and reported it to the judge prior to his walking in, would have simply advised him then not to use it."
Also Tuesday, the lead prosecutor in the case, Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, reportedly asked Burke to revoke Weinstein's bail and jail him pending the trial's outcome because of new sexual assault charges that were filed against him Monday by prosecutors in Los Angeles.
Weinstein is accused in the case pending in New York of raping one woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and of forcibly performing a sexual act on another woman in 2006.
Burke declined to jail Weinstein.
Later, a 16-page questionnaire for prospective jurors was released.
The questions include one asking if jurors had "seen, read or heard about the defendant," whose case "has been widely publicized over the last year."
Upwards of 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
In the indictment unsealed Monday in Los Angeles, the 67-year-old film producer is charged with raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second one in separate attacks over a two-day period in 2013.
He has pleaded not guilty in the New York case and will be arraigned in the Los Angeles case in the future.
Weinstein has said that all sexual contact he had with women was consensual.
The Los Angeles prosecution and the New York trial come more than two years after allegations of serial sexual misdeeds by Weinstein sparked the #MeToo movement.


cnbc--2020-01-07--Pompeo says US 'got it right' by killing Soleimani as Iran vows 'harsh revenge'

WASHINGTON — The U.S. `` got it right '' by killing Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday amid questions about President Donald Trump 's decision to authorize the airstrike that killed the military leader last week .
Pompeo , speaking to reporters at the State Department , also maintained that the U.S. will act in accordance with international law , after Trump repeatedly said that the U.S. could threaten Iranian `` cultural sites '' — a possible war crime .
The Trump administration contends that Soleimani , whom the U.S. blames for the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning more attacks and posed an imminent threat .
Iran has vowed `` harsh revenge '' against the U.S. , and experts suspect that some form of retaliation from Tehran is likely .
Senators are reportedly set to be briefed on the airstrike by top administration officials on Wednesday , and some reports have already hinted of a coming dispute about whether Soleimani 's purported threats justified Trump 's drastic move .
`` If you 're looking for imminence you need to look no further than the days that led up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pompeo said Tuesday morning .
`` [ And then you have ] what we can clearly see were continuing efforts on behalf of this terrorist to build out a network of campaign activities that were going lead potentially to the death of many more Americans , '' Pompeo said .
`` It was the right decision .
We got it right .
The Department of Defense did excellent work .
And the president had an entirely legal , appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of malign activity from Iran more broadly . ''
Soleimani , who led a special forces unit of Iran 's elite Revolutionary Guards , has been a key figure in Iranian and Middle East politics .
He and an aide were killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad 's international airport .
His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the U.S. , and triggered concerns about retaliation from Iran and proxy forces .

WASHINGTON — The U.S. "got it right" by killing Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday amid questions about President Donald Trump's decision to authorize the airstrike that killed the military leader last week.
Pompeo, speaking to reporters at the State Department, also maintained that the U.S. will act in accordance with international law, after Trump repeatedly said that the U.S. could threaten Iranian "cultural sites" — a possible war crime.
The Trump administration contends that Soleimani, whom the U.S. blames for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, had been planning more attacks and posed an imminent threat. Iran has vowed "harsh revenge" against the U.S., and experts suspect that some form of retaliation from Tehran is likely.
Senators are reportedly set to be briefed on the airstrike by top administration officials on Wednesday, and some reports have already hinted of a coming dispute about whether Soleimani's purported threats justified Trump's drastic move.
"If you're looking for imminence you need to look no further than the days that led up to the strike that was taken against Solemani," Pompeo said Tuesday morning.
"[And then you have] what we can clearly see were continuing efforts on behalf of this terrorist to build out a network of campaign activities that were going lead potentially to the death of many more Americans," Pompeo said.
"It was the right decision. We got it right. The Department of Defense did excellent work. And the president had an entirely legal, appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly."
Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, has been a key figure in Iranian and Middle East politics. He and an aide were killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad's international airport.
His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the U.S., and triggered concerns about retaliation from Iran and proxy forces.