Today’s edition of quick hits:
* That sounds about right: “Had President Donald Trump been left to his own devices, the findings in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report released Thursday would have likely been far more damning for him.”
* The opposition: “Congressional Democrats on Thursday highlighted portions of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 campaign that appeared to contradict President Donald Trump’s assertion that it represents ‘total exoneration,’ pointing to examples within the document that they said demonstrate that the president had obstructed justice.”
* We don’t yet know if Mueller will accept the invitation: “House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., called on special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before his committee ‘no later than May 23.’”
* AMI sold Trump’s favorite tabloid for $100 million: “The National Enquirer, the supermarket tabloid linked closely to President Donald Trump, has been sold to newspaper retailer James Cohen, both sides announced Thursday.”
* Rick Perry’s future: “The Department of Energy on Wednesday night denied a report that Rick Perry is planning to leave his position as secretary of the agency.” * NAFTA 2.0: “President Trump’s new North American trade deal will have an almost imperceptible effect on the U.S. economy, boosting the $20 trillion economy by just 0.35 percent and giving an even smaller jolt to the labor market, according to an independent expert analysis by the International Trade Commission.” * Christopher Steele: “The frenzied anticipation around special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report has overshadowed another Justice Department report on the Russia probe that could land as soon as next month, and which will likely take direct aim at the former British spy behind an infamous ‘dossier’ on President Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.” 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
