Welcome to the lead, im jake tapper. In our world lead, an unprecedented decision by israel after an unprecedented and normbusting message from President Trump. Israel announced today it is blocking two sitting duly elected members of the house of representatives from entering that country. The announcement came less than an hour after President Trump tweeted, quote it would show great weakness if israel allowed representative omar and tlaib to visit. Minnesota and michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace, unquote. The congresswomen have called for the economic boycott of israel. They strongly dispute the president s characterization of their views. Either way, we know of no time in this nations history when an american president urged a foreign country to ban american lawmakers from entering. The move by viewing has been criticized by even staunch israelsupporting organization suv an apack and the Simon Weisenthal center. Congresswoman omar issue
From where President Trump has his maralago holiday every year this time of year. He was at this videoconference with troops he was asked several questions from my colleagues in the press corps including about impeachment. The president says he believes hes into good position even with negotiations in the senate about a holiday hiatus. Democrats are in one corner, republicans in the other. And nothing weve seen in the last 24 hours, even as weve heard from all of the key players involved, has done anything, it seems, to move the needle on these negotiations. Now, check back with me in a week and a half, lets talk on january 1st, 2nd, after the new year, when senators and congresspeople get back from their holiday break. Its not whether there be a senate trial but rather when the is that the trial will start. The timing as it relates to the 2020 campaign, every week that senate trial goes later in january or start date is later in january, initially they were talking maybe january 6 7th