Today’s edition of quick hits:
* EPA: “The Trump administration announced on Friday a plan designed to make it easier for coal-fired power plants, after nearly a decade of restrictions, to release into the atmosphere more mercury and other pollutants linked to developmental disorders and respiratory illnesses.”
* I guess this was inevitable? “Feeling betrayed by the United States, its Kurdish allies in Syria asked the Syrian government on Friday to protect them from possible attack by Turkey.”
* Trump’s trip didn’t exactly go as planned: “Iraqi leaders are demanding U.S. troops leave the country after President Trump’s surprise visit to Iraq, which lawmakers characterized as an arrogant affront to the nation’s sovereignty.”
* An obvious position: “Incoming House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Friday that Democrats next week will not seat a North Carolina Republican amid allegations of election fraud in the state’s 9th Congressional District.”
* On a related note: “The dissolution of North Carolina’s elections board Friday injected further uncertainty into a still-undecided congressional race as the Democratic governor sought an interim panel to investigate ballot fraud allegations while Republicans argued he doesn’t have the power to do so.” * A story to keep an eye on: “Members of President Donald Trump’s own party are urging his administration to change course and allow the sale of new flood insurance policies during the partial government shutdown.” * A provocative choice of words: “Outgoing Republican Rep. Mark Sanford cautioned his constituents on the rise of a ‘Hitler-like character’ in a parting address on Wednesday.” 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
