Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Breaking news out of Kentucky: “A federal judge has once again struck down Gov. Matt Bevin’s tougher eligibility rules for people receiving health coverage through Kentucky’s Medicaid program. The new rules were set to take effect next Monday.”
* Hmm: “Robert Mueller’s federal grand jury is continuing its work even though the special counsel has submitted his final report to Attorney General William Barr, a government prosecutor said Wednesday.”
* They too often think the rules don’t apply to them: “Seven former senior Trump aides, including the White House’s top ethics official, may have violated federal law by failing to disclose their future employment on financial reports, according to records obtained by POLITICO.”
* Brexit; “British Prime Minister Theresa May told members of her party on Wednesday evening that she was prepared to step down if they voted to support her contentious Brexit deal. Her offer to resign came after months of chaos in Parliament and speculation that she would be forced out.”
* Remember when we were told investments like these wouldn’t happen? “With the Trump administration again taking aim at the Affordable Care Act, Centene will spend more than $15 billion on rival WellCare Health Plans, both big players in the ACA market.”
* Facebook: “Facebook is banning white nationalism and white supremacy from its social network following criticism that it had not done enough to eliminate hate speech on its platform.”
* I guess they think the threat has passed: “Emmet Flood, who since last summer has served as the top lawyer representing the White House in the special counsel investigation, is expected to leave his post in the coming months now that the probe has been completed, according to people familiar with the matter.”
* Another notable court ruling: “North Carolina’s ban on women having abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy is unconstitutional, a federal court ruled Monday.” * This, too: “A second Wisconsin judge on Tuesday blocked key portions of laws that Republicans passed in a lame-duck session limiting Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s powers, handing Democrats another legal victory in their battle against the legislation in less than a week.” * I imagine Newt Gingrich will be delighted: “President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order directing federal agencies to identify the threats posed by potential electromagnetic pulses (EMP), which are believed to be potentially dangerous to critical infrastructure like the electric grid, and find ways to guard against them.” 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
