Today’s edition of quick hits:
* In federal court: “Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his investigation into Russian election interference.”
* Houston: “Five Houston police officers were injured during a firefight at a residence Monday, police said. The violence broke out when a group of narcotics and patrol officers attempted to serve a search warrant around 5 p.m. local time (6 p.m. E.T.) at a residence where heroin was allegedly being sold, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters at a press conference.”
* Venezuela: “President Donald Trump is leaving open the possibility of a U.S. military intervention to protect opposition leader Juan Guaidó, members of the nation’s assembly and American diplomatic personnel, national security adviser John Bolton said Monday.”
* In related news: “The Trump administration is warning U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela as Washington tries to pressure the regime of Nicolás Maduro to give up power.”
* This should never happen in the United States: “A 27-year-old comedian traveling home to Oregon after a performance in Washington state was ordered off a Greyhound bus by immigration agents and detained — even though he is in the country legally.”
* The former RNC finance chairman: “Wynn Resorts Ltd. executives turned a blind eye as Steve Wynn over more than a decade was accused of sexually assaulting or harassing cocktail servers, salon workers and flight attendants employed by his casino empire, according to allegations contained in a regulator’s report that the company agreed largely matches its own findings.” * Trump’s EPA: “The Trump administration will not set a drinking water limit for two toxic chemicals that are contaminating millions of Americans’ tap water, two sources familiar with the forthcoming decision told POLITICO.” * I’d recommend keeping a very close eye on this: “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he would be open to a bipartisan proposal that would put an end to government shutdowns.” Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
