Today’s edition of quick hits:
* If you didn’t watch it, take the time: “Former president Barack Obama gave a searing eulogy for John Lewis, urging Americans to honor the legacy of a civil rights giant by engaging in the ‘good trouble’ that leads to a more perfect democracy in the face of powerful institutions that seek to oppress.”
* I imagine he’ll have a lot to say: “Michael Cohen is free to speak to the media and write a tell-all book about President Donald Trump while under home confinement, according to an agreement he reached with federal authorities filed in court Thursday.”
* Another case we’ve been following: “A federal appeals court in Washington agreed Thursday to reconsider whether the judge handling the Michael Flynn case must dismiss the criminal charges against him, keeping Flynn’s legal future in limbo.”
* RBG: “Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was admitted to a hospital Wednesday to undergo a routine nonsurgical procedure to correct a bile stent, a court spokesperson told NBC News.”
* Ohio’s corruption scandal: “The Ohio House of Representatives has voted unanimously to remove Larry Householder as Ohio House speaker a little more than one week following his arrest on federal corruption allegations. Members approved the measure swiftly without debate in a Thursday morning session. The vote was 90-0, with 9 members, including Householder, absent.”
* On the Hill: “The confirmation hearing for Anthony Tata, a controversial nominee for a top Pentagon job, was canceled Thursday shortly before it was scheduled to start as it became clear he might not have the votes to make it through the committee.”
* Speaking of Congress, Attorney General Bill Barr’s House testimony was littered this week with claims that were plainly untrue. * Another worthwhile measure for Mitch McConnell to ignore: “The House adopted by voice vote an amendment to the fiscal 2021 Defense appropriations bill Thursday that would effectively bring an end to the Trump administration’s severe restrictions on transgender people serving openly in the U.S. military.” * The late John Lewis wrote a New York Times op-ed to be published on the day of his funeral. Please read it: “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.” See you tomorrow.
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."
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