The Lead With Jake Tapper

Vindman's lawyer: He was asked to leave "for telling the truth" because Trump "decided to exact revenge"; Sanders hits Buttigieg for donations from billionaires; 2020 Dems face critical test in New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco; Bloomberg touts endorsements from ex-Trump Navy Secretary & Dems that flipped GOP seats; Bill Taylor on being subject of Trump's attacks: "It's a little weird"; Taylor responds to Pompeo saying Americans don't care about Ukraine; Taylor: 14,000 Ukrainians have died fighting Russia; Taylor: Giuliani attacks on Yovanovitch "unconscionable"; Taylor: Pompeo wants to support State Dept employees, but he's under pressure from "other parts" of the govt; Taylor: Bothers me to see Vindman, Yovanovitch unfairly attacked; Taylor: I don't resent Bolton for not testifying; Outrage grows over China's response despite Trump's praise of Chinese President; Royal Caribbean announces list of new travel restrictio

Trump: Pelosi & Schiff "vicious, horrible" people; Trump slams Pelosi, Romney at National Prayer Breakfast; Trump: Romney used his religion as a "crutch" for guilty vote; GOP Senators suggest Trump has learned a lesson, as he takes victory lap & slams Democrats; Trump attacks Romney, calls Pelosi "horrible" in ranting speech; Buttigieg & Sanders in virtual tie in Iowa, Sanders dismisses Buttigieg lead as "meaningless"; DNC Chair calls for recanvass of Iowa caucuses; Sen. Bernie Sanders raised $25 million in month of January; Candidates battle it out in NH as Iowa keeps counting; New poll: Sanders leading in NH, Buttigieg in second; Fmr VP reflects on struggle with stuttering at CNN Town Hall;Biden slams Buttigieg's lack of experience as a "risk," Buttigieg responds by touting Iowa results; Inside the digital campaign to spin headlines to favor Trump; Atlantic writer: Conspiracy theories and lies from pro-Trump groups flooded my Facebook timeli

Romney only Republican to vote to convict Trump via Knit

Former WH Chief of Staff John Kelly: "I believe John Bolton";  Kushner on impeachment: The President has been totally vindicated; Sekulow alludes to Bolton's book: This trial is not "a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts"; Graham: "Totally support" Senators reviewing Bolton book; Witness fight reignited in wake of Bolton revelations; Trump defense team finishes opening arguments; Joe Biden says Ernst "spilled the beans" suggesting Trump using trial to hurt him; Biden: Ernst "spilled the beans", says Trump afraid of him; Trump's trial defense rests as he releases mideast peace plan; Palestinian leader: Trump's plan is the "slap of the century"; Trump praises Pompeo for "doing a good job" with NPR reporter; Jared Kushner to CNN: Palestinian leaders have "perfect track record of blowing every opportunity" they've had; Helicopter pilot requested to fly under special rules, in weather conditions worse than norma

New CNN poll: 51% think Trump should be convicted & removed; More women say Trump should be removed than men; 86% of African American voters favor Trump's removal; Majority of voters under age 45 support Trump's removal; 69% want witnesses at president Trump's trial; 48% of republicans want witnesses at the trial; 58% say Trump abused power of the presidency; 57% believe Pres Trump obstructed congress; Pres Trump's approval rating at 43%; 45% say impeachment won't affect Trump's 2020 chances; Swing state voters split on removing Trump from office; WH legal team: impeachment articles "fail to allege any crime", appropriate for Trump to bring up Biden's & Burisma with Ukraine president; Source: fight over Trump trial could play out in open session; Sen. Doug Jones on looming impeachment trial; Trump visits Martin Luther King Jr memorial in DC; Sanders slams Biden's Social Security record ahead of Iowa; Biden: a Warren, Sanders nomination may hurt down-b

Sources: House Republicans no longer expected to defend Trump in impeachment trial; Sources: Trial expected to start with contentious day with Democrats trying to force witnesses; Pompeo says State Department will investigate possible surveillance of ex-U.S. Ambassador; Indicted Giuliani associate says he watched Trump order aide to fire U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine in 2018; Eleven troops being treated for concussion symptoms, transported from Iraq to Germany and Kuwait; Defense Official to CNN: Symptoms emerged days after the attack; Iran's Supreme Leader says U.S. was slapped in the face; Trump: Impeachment trial is "rigging the election again against Bernie Sanders"; Trump knocks Bloomberg campaign Ads as "vanity project"; Biden to NYT Editorial Board: "Not true" I hinted willingness to serve only one term; FBI arrests three alleged white supremacists ahead of gun rights rally in Virginia; New book: Trump "dressed down" top military officials in 2017 meeting, call

House managers formally present articles to Senate; Senate expected to vote on whether to call trial witnesses; John Dean: I'd be astounded if Senate doesn't call witnesses; Senate impeachment starts as Giuliani associate implicates Trump; Ukraine's FM: I don't trust a word Parnas is saying; Ukraine launches investigation after text messages suggest surveillance on former U.S. Ambassador; Lawyer releases video showing Trump with Parnas at Mar-a-Lago; GAO: Trump Admin broke law by withholding Ukraine aid; Trump (again) insists he doesn't know Parnas after explosive claims implicate him in Ukraine scandal; Trump claims no knowledge of Rudy Giuliani letter to Zelensky; Giuliani associates says Ukraine scheme "all about 2020"; Trump still faces GOP challengers for the presidency despite many states cancelling GOP primaries; Buttigieg blitzes Iowa as impeachment trial takes four Senate Democrats off campaign trail; Impeachment trial takes four 2020 Dems off campaign trail; Sander

Rep. Amash reacts to Pelosi's picks for impeachment managers; Yovanovitch wants investigation into "disturbing" surveillance; New letters: Giuliani had Trump's "knowledge and consent" to request meeting with Ukraine president; Klobuchar: there's a double standard for women in politics, but I can win presidency; Warren-Sanders feud takes center stage at CNN debate; Biden & Sanders spar over Iraq war vote during CNN debate; Candidates make final cases to Iowa voters during CNN debate; WH undecided on including Trump defenders in trial; Trump signs first phase of trade deal with China on the same day house delivers impeachment articles; Dow closes about 29k for first time as Trump signs phase one of trade deal with China; Any moment: Pelosi to sign article of impeachment; via Knit

Some GOP Senators open to impeachment process; Sen. Paul: GOP may have to call Hunter Biden in trial; Trump supposed to be in Davos during start of impeachment trial; McConnell slams Pelosi for delaying impeachment trial; McConnell: Impeachment trial to start on Tuesday; Sen. Paul: If witnesses are allowed, I'll call for Hunter Biden; McCarthy: By holding articles, Pelosi helps Biden's 2020 bid; Sanders attacks Biden's Iraq war vote ahead of CNN Debate; Biden touts electability against Trump in new Ad; DNC Chair defends process over concerns about diversity; Warren aide: Not looking for a fight with Sanders tonight; New Biden Ad: Trump has Joe Biden on the mind; Barr & Pompeo shift justification for Iran strike; Trump on imminent threat: "It doesn't really matter"; Russia accused of hacking company at center of impeachment; Burisma hack seems to mimic Russia's 2016 election interference; Cyber firm: Russia began hack at height of Trump's impeachment; Schiff: Russia

Trump: WH has been consistent on threats from Iran; Trump officials struggle to defend claims of embassy plots; Esper: I saw no evidence of threats against four embassies; Iran accused of shooting protesters demonstrating against regime; Protesters in Iran call for regime's top leaders to step down; Pompeo: U.S. Strike on Iran's top general was part of a "bigger strategy"; Trump shares photoshopped image of Pelosi & Schumer wearing traditional Islamic clothing in front of Iran flag; Pelosi preps to hand over articles as reps still in dark over impeachment manager selection, Pelosi accusing McConnell of a "cover up"; McConnell blasts Pelosi for "weak impeachment case, says he's glad Pelosi realized she never had any "leverage"; GOP senator asks Trump to "not infect" trial with house reps; White House wants senate to be able to dismiss Trump charges; Pelosi: Senate must call witnesses or "pay a price"; Sen Collins and small group of GOP

Trump now claims at least 4 embassies were potential targets; Pompeo claims Congress briefed on Soleimani embassy threats but several lawmakers say they weren't; Pompeo on attack: Didn't know when or where, but threat imminent; Pompeo won't define "imminent" on threat from Iran; Surveillance video captures moment of Ukraine plane crash; Pompeo: U.S. believes Iran "likely" shot down passenger plane killing 176 on board; Newly weds, young children among 176 victims of plane crash; Russian ship comes dangerously close to U.S. Navy destroyer; ignoring repeated warnings; Russian ship nearly collides with Navy destroyer in Arabian sea; DOD: Video shows Russian aggression towards U.S. Navy ship; Pelosi reveals she's ready to send articles of impeachment to Senate next week; Trump: Pelosi should have sent impeachment articles to Senate long time ago; GOP Sources: Republicans want Trump acquitted by State of the Union on Feb 4; Sanders raises more money in fourth quarter than an

CNN obtains video that purports to show missile striking object in sky over Tehran; Iran State Media: U.S. invited to be present for plane crash investigation; Iran Officials: Black box of crashed Ukraine flight is "damaged"; Iran Official: May need outside help reading data on black box; Report: Ukrainian plane changed directions before crashing; UK Prime Minister: "Body of information" plane was mistakenly shot down by Iranian missile; Trump defends Iran strike, claims Iran was looking to blow up embassy; Pelosi: Cavalier attitude of President Trump is "stunning"; Pence: No doubt Iran was trying to kill Americans in revenge strike; GOP Rep Collins, Nikki Haley falsely claim Dems are mourning death of Iran's General; Iranian commander vows "harsher revenge" still to come; Iranian commander contradicts leaders, says strike is part of larger operation against U.S.; Pelosi defends decision to hold impeachment articles: I'll send when I'm ready, probably soo

U.S. officials still concerned about threats from Iran's proxies; Trump: Iranian general should have been killed years ago; White House releases new photos of Trump consulting advisers last night in situation room; Trump opts not to use "big, powerful, accurate" missiles in retaliation for Iran strike; Iraqi military: two rockets land in Baghdad green zone, no casualties reported; Iran's supreme leader calls retaliation "a slap in the face" to U.S.; Satellite photos appear to show damage from Iran strikes; Gabbard: Trump admin failed to provide evidence of imminent threat; GOP Senator Lee: way this played out is "un-American" and "completely unacceptable" ; GOP senator calls Iran briefing "worst briefing I've had on a military issue in nine years"; Soleimani's tactics forced U.S. to change its strategy in Iraq via Knit

Esper: U.S. not looking to start a war but "prepared to finish one"; Now: WH Officials briefing top Dem, GOP leaders on Iran strike; Trump on threat to hit Iranian cultural sites: "I like to obey the law"; Defense Secy Esper: Soleimani was planning to carry out attack within "days"; U.S. Intel shows Iran moving military equipment, including drones and missiles, over last few days; McConnell has the votes to set impeachment trial rules, could mean no witnesses testify; Sources: Bolton's statement on testifying sent WH scrambling; Sources: Pelosi hasn't told close allies her impeachment plan; McConnell has the votes to start impeachment trial without witnesses, despite Bolton's willingness to talk; GOP Senator: Dems should be careful about wanting witnesses; McConnell has the votes to start impeachment trial without witnesses, despite Bolton's willingness to talk; Sen. Roberts: No reason Bolton can't say something right now; Biden hits Trump in Foreign Poli

Pres. Trump & Iran's leaders trade threats after deadly strike; Official: U.S. Expected to deploy B-52 Bombers for Iran contingency ops; U.S. Official: Military notifies Iraq of troop movement; Pentagon: No plans for U.S. to leave Iraq now; Iran vows to retaliate against U.S. for killing of top general; Trump again warns U.S. may attack Iranian cultural sites; U.S. General: Letter about U.S. troop movement was released by mistake; Bolton willing to testify impeachment trial if subpoenaed; GOP Senate aides on Bolton: Witnesses aren't happening... zero pressure to listen to Dems demands; Fury & threats as Iranians mourn top general Soleimani; Hundreds of thousands in Iran mourn top general as Iran's leaders vow retribution; New Iranian top general: We'll kick the U.S. out of Mideast;  via Knit

Trump: "We do not seek Regime change" in Iran; Trump: We took action to "stop a war"; Top U.S. Gen: Soleimani planning "significant campaign of violence"; Iran's top General killed in strike ordered by Trump; Secretary of State: Deadly strike needed to stop "imminent attack" & save American lives; Trump: Iranian Gen was planning "sinister attack" on Americans; U.S. to deploy thousands of additional troops to Kuwait;  via Knit

N. Korea, Iran threaten Pres Trump as impeachment trial looms; Defense Secy Esper: Iran will regret additional provocations; Kim Jong Un threatens to test new strategic weapon; Iran: We are not afraid of war & can "break" the United States; Sanders & Buttigieg out raise Biden in 4th quarter fundraising weeks before Iowa caucuses; 4th quarter fundraising: Sanders $34.5M, Buttigieg $24.7M, Biden $22.7M, Yang $17.5M, Gabbard $3.4M; Trump raises $46 million in 4th quarter; Biden lands first congressional endorsement from Iowa; Julian Castro ends his 2020 presidential bid; Biden pulls in his biggest fundraising haul with $22.7M in 4th quarter; CNN: Sen. McConnell expected to speak tomorrow on impeachment; Pelosi responds to new Ukraine docs: Why won't Trump & McConnell allow a fair trial?; Report: Uredacted White House emails reveal Pentagon's concern over Ukraine aid freeze; Wait and seethe: Trump fumes during impeachment limbo; NY orders more patrols & security after wave of v

Protesters smash windows, scale walls at U.S. compound in Baghdad; U.S. dispatches helicopters, Marines to protect Baghdad embassy; Trump blames Iran for protests at U.S. Embassy in Iraq, vows to hold regime responsible; Protesters storm U.S. Embassy compound after American airstrikes on Iran-backed militia; GOP Sen. Collins open to witnesses testifying in Senate trial; GOP Sen. Collins : "Inappropriate" for Senators in either party to prejudge trial evidence; Schumer cites NYT report to argue for trial witness; Stabbing witness: A "Hanukkah miracle" attack was not worse; Federal hate crime charges filed against Hanukkah attack suspect; Rabbi's son was hit in head with machete by attacker; Rep. Lowey pens NY Times Op-Ed on response to anti-Semitic attacks; Rep. Lowey: Problem is "an epidemic" and root causes need to be addressed; Rep. Lowey calls for action in new Op-Ed: "This is unacceptable. It is not our America"; Pelosi's impeachment delay stretching into

NYT: Bolton, Pompeo, Esper tried to convince Trump to release Ukraine aid in August meeting; NYT: top aide warned Mulvaney to "expect congress to become unhinged" if Ukraine money frozen; White House confirms Trump spoke to Putin Sunday; NY man charged with stabbing 5 people at Hanukkah celebration; Prosecutors: anti-Semitic writings found in suspect's home; Fed hate crime charges filed against accused Hanukkah attacker; Stabbing survivor used table to fend off attacker; At least 9 anti-Semitic incidents reported in the last week in NY; Church member stops church gunman in six seconds; Biden responds to Buttigieg: I put my foreign policy record against anybody's; Biden open to republican running mate, but "can't think of one right now"; In last days as mayor, Buttigieg puts focus on 2020; U.S. military strikes Iran-backed forces in Iraq and Syria; Iran threatens attack after U.S. strikes; "Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice" premiere Jan 1 at 9p via Knit

McConnell, Schumer talks stall over rules for Senate trial; NYT: Dem officials see Sanders as "underestimated" in Iowa; Biden to visit Iowa in first campaign trip of 2020; Democratic candidates get personal on the campaign trail; Trump jokes movie will "never be the same" after his cameo cut from "Home Alone 2" in Canada; Fox News blames "Trump Derangement Syndrome" for movie edit despite clip being removed in 2014; Source: WH working on list of possible Pompeo replacements; via Knit