Today’s edition of quick hits:
* That was quick: “People familiar with the process said Tuesday that the FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh could wrap up very soon, well ahead of the end-of-week deadline.”
* In related news: “The FBI has not returned calls from lawyers for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford — and she’s not included in its current list of potential witnesses to interview, two sources told NBC News.”
* Will it leak? “The FBI’s final report from its misconduct inquiry into Brett Kavanaugh will be available to senators only, not the public, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday.”
* Ricin: “Two suspicious envelopes at a Department of Defense mail processing center suspected of containing the deadly toxin ricin were mailed to the Pentagon addressed to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the chief of naval operations, Adm. John Richardson, a source familiar with the incident told NBC News.”
* If there’s a defense for this, I can’t think of it: “President Donald Trump’s administration began denying visas to the unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomats and officials and employees of the United Nations this week — making marriage a requirement to be eligible for a visa…. It comes despite the fact that the majority of countries do not recognize same-sex marriage and many same-sex couples face prosecution in their own countries.”
* Good move: “Amazon announced Tuesday it will pay all its U.S. workers at least $15 an hour from next month, amid criticism of conditions for employees.”
* Charlottesville, a year later: “Four California men, all alleged members of an organized hate group, were arrested Tuesday and charged with violating a federal rioting law in connection with the violent, 2017 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, authorities said.” * An approach that may encourage crime: “The IRS pursues fewer cases of tax evasion than it did less than 10 years ago. Provided you’re not a close associate of President Donald Trump, there may never be a better time to be a tax cheat.” * Imagine that: “Stricter Trump administration immigration policies have stymied Pentagon plans to restart a program that allowed thousands of people with critical medical or Asian and African language skills to join the military and become American citizens, according to several U.S. officials.” 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
