Today’s edition of quick hits:
* For an isolated dictator, Kim has become quite chatty: “Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for talks Thursday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying the summit should help plan joint efforts to resolve a standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear program.”
* The list of Trump administration ethics troubles gets a little shorter: “A Pentagon report released Thursday cleared Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan of preferential treatment of Boeing while he was deputy secretary of defense, meaning he is now likely to be nominated as defense secretary.”
* Really? “A federal magistrate has agreed to the pre-trial release of a Coast Guard lieutenant accused of being a domestic terrorist. U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Day noted on Thursday that 50-year-old Christopher Hasson hasn’t been charged with any terrorism related offenses. Hasson was arrested Feb. 15 and is awaiting trial on firearms and drug charges. Prosecutors say he created a hit list of prominent Democrats, two Supreme Court justices, network TV journalists and social media company executives.”
* An important delay at Interior: “The Trump administration’s proposal to vastly expand offshore oil and gas drilling has been sidelined indefinitely as the Interior Department grapples with a recent court decision that blocks Arctic drilling, according to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.”
* A case worth watching: “An anti-gun-violence organization founded by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Federal Election Commission for failing to take action against the National Rifle Association for alleged campaign finance violations.”
* The Democratic mayor probably shouldn’t make any long-term plans: “Federal law enforcement agents fanned out Thursday across Baltimore, raiding City Hall, the home of embattled Mayor Catherine Pugh and several other locations as the investigation into the mayor’s business dealings widened.”
* Keeping an eye on Stephen Moore: “Conservative commentator Stephen Moore said he was hopeful about his chances of being nominated and confirmed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors but would bow out of the process if he became a political liability for the Trump administration or Senate Republicans.” * A predictable 5-4 ruling: “A split Supreme Court delivered a win to business owners Tuesday, saying that workers cannot band together in arbitration proceedings unless their employment contracts specifically allow it.” * Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, addressing Donald Trump during an interview, said this week, “Try the language of respect… It won’t kill you, believe me.” 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
