Earlier today President Donald Trump attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. [Video and Transcript Below]

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[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, thank you very much. I’m working very hard for you, I will tell you. (Laughter.) And sometimes you don’t make it easy, and I certainly don’t make it easy on you. (Laughter.) And I will continue that tradition, if I might, this morning. And, Arthur, I don’t know if I agree with you. (Laughter.) But I don’t know if Arthur is going to like what I’m going to say. (Laughter.) But I love listening to you. It’s really great. Thank you very much.
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In the spring of 2018 a group of congressional reps led by Devin Nunes, Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Louie Gohmert, Lee Zeldin and Bob Goodlatte, asked President Trump to declassify a series of documents so the public could see how former officials in the DOJ & FBI abused their offices and conducted political surveillance.
In September of 2018, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein asked President Trump not to declassify those same documents until after the Mueller probe was complete. Rosenstein informed the President (confirmed in later POTUS interviews) that declassifying the material could be interpreted as impeding the Mueller investigation.
Two months later, in November 2018, the mid-term election took place. Republicans lost the House and their committee chairs. Many people suspectthe mid-term election was the real motive for the Sept. 2018 request from Rosenstein. Four months after the mid-term, March 2019, the Mueller investigation of President Trump ended.
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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP

Stephanie Grisham Twitter @StephGrisham45

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

A member of President Trump’s legislative defense team, Jim Jordan, appears with Lou Dobbs to discuss the Senate impeachment acquittal and other DC business.
Additionally, Mr. Jordan also had the opportunity to question FBI Director Chris Wray earlier today, and provides his perspectives on the very serious issues with the FBI.

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Immediately after the impeachment acquittal vote, senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson send a letter [pdf link here] to the Director of the Secret Service, James Murray, seeking travel records for Hunter Biden.
It appears the senators are looking into the background of Biden surrounding business dealings with China and Ukraine: ““We write to request information about whether Hunter Biden used government-sponsored travel to help conduct private business, to include his work for Rosemont Seneca and related entities in China and Ukraine.”…

What makes this approach interesting is the questioning earlier today by House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler toward FBI Director Chris Wray.  Nadler asked several pointed questions to Wray about whether any FBI investigation of the Bidens was requested by the White House or Congress….  Perhaps Nadler expected some inquiries to start.
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At 4:00pm today the U.S. Senate returns to trial phase.  Supreme court Chief Justice John Roberts will return to the Senate, and the chamber will be voting on two articles of impeachment.  The Each senator will be called individually and will cast their vote guilty or not guilty accordingly.
UPDATE:

♦ Article One ‘Abuse of Power’:  Guilty 48 / Not Guilty 52
♦ Article Two ‘Obstruction of Congress’:  Guilty 47 / Not Guilty 53

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FBI Director Chris Wray is testifying to the House Judiciary Committee today and will likely receive questions about the FISA abuse issue.  Chairman Nadler scheduled the hearing today in a transparent effort to avoid publicity on the content.
Fox News Livestream Link – House Judiciary Link

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The House Managers and President Trump defense team have presented their case and defense of impeachment.  Closing arguments are complete.  Today the Senate will finish floor speeches under regular quorum and then re-enter impeachment trial for 4pm vote.
The regular floor speeches are pure partisan politics. Each of the remaining senators is allowed ten minutes for remarks today prior to the impeachment vote at 4:00pm.

• Wednesday: 9:30am Floor speeches resume (regular senate rules). At 4:00pm the Senate re-enters trial phase to vote on two articles of impeachment.

CSPAN Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream 1 – Alternate Livestream 2

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Rush Limbaugh is going to attempt to broadcast tomorrow (Thursday).  I would strongly urge all those who have listened and learned from El Rushbo to tune in.  Given the rapid nature of the cancer diagnosis our time with Rush is short. As a beacon when needed most, Rush Limbaugh has guided minds, inspired hearts and touched the lives of many.
Last night President Trump honored Mr. Limbaugh for his years of excellence in broadcasting, his unwavering love of country and his numerous charitable efforts.  Presenting Mr. Limbaugh with the Medal of Freedom was a very special moment in recognition of a very special man.

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