Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. Happy Monday! Our newsletter gets you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Co-creators are Jonathan Easley and Alexis Simendinger ( CLICK HERE to subscribe! ). On Twitter, you can find us at @joneasley and @asimendinger.

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Democrats will dramatically escalate their investigations into President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE this week, provoking new chatter about how far off impeachment proceedings might be in the House.

A half-dozen congressional committees are investigating the president and his associates, effectively strangling the administration and Trump Organization with requests for testimony and documents into the president’s policies, business interests and campaign.

On the menu this week…

> Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) will request documents from 60 people and entities tied to the president as part of broad investigation into allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice.

Reuters : House panel launches probe into possible obstruction by Trump.

Nadler’s aggressive investigation is notable because his committee would conduct a potential impeachment hearing.

"Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen.” — Nadler

"I think Congressman Nadler decided to impeach the president the day the president won the election." — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy's Democratic challenger to launch first TV ad highlighting Air Force service as single mother Trump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE (R-Calif.)

> Also on Monday, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.) has set a deadline for the White House to respond to a voluntary request for documentation about the administration’s security clearance practices.

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner Jared Corey KushnerAbraham Accords: New hope for peace in Middle East Tenants in Kushner building file lawsuit alleging dangerous living conditions Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing MORE will be in focus here, following a report in The New York Times that Trump overrode a decision by his former chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE, who recommended Kushner’s security clearance be denied over conflicts of interest.

The Hill : Dems ramp up scrutiny of Kushner’s security clearance.

> On Wednesday, Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen will return for a fourth day of testimony on Capitol Hill before he reports to prison in May.

Cohen, whose public testimony last week sent the Democratic investigative machine into overdrive, will appear for a second time to give private testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, which is led by Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffChris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-Calif.), one of Trump’s chief antagonists on Capitol Hill.

Schiff is conducting an investigation that spans Trump’s 2016 campaign, the Trump Organization’s pursuit of a real estate deal in Moscow and the president’s business dealings with Deutsche Bank, among many other things.

The Washington Post : House, Senate Intelligence panels explore Cohen’s knowledge of discussions about potential pardons.

Trump business associate Felix Sater will give public testimony before the committee next week.

The president blasted back at “little shifty Schiff” during a two-hour speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday. Trump continued to defend himself on Sunday on Twitter, declaring, “I am an innocent man being persecuted by some very bad, conflicted & corrupt people in a Witch Hunt that is illegal & should never have been allowed to start.”

“All of a sudden they’re trying to take you out with bullshit.” — Trump at CPAC

Schiff has ruled out a 2020 challenge to Trump.

The Associated Press : Looking beyond Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE, Dems cast investigative nets.

The Associated Press : House Democrats expand Russia probe.

Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare House lawmakers reach deal to avert shutdown Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill MORE (D-Calif.) is working to tamp down talk about impeachment.

The crush of new investigations underscores the anxiety and enthusiasm Democrats feel as they consider pursuing impeachment.

The Hill : Dems feel growing pressure on impeachment.

NBC News : The Democratic dilemma over impeachment.

Would Democrats dare to tackle that thorny and divisive issue during an election year when the president will be on the ballot? Are Democrats misreading the public’s interest in the Russia investigation? Can they make the case that allegations of corruption rise to the level for impeachment?

These are the questions the party will wrestle with in the coming days and weeks.

“The longer term trend is, the country sort of said they … decided what they think about Russia, and until there’s a heck of a lot more fact, this country is nowhere near where it needs to be to think you can impeach a president.” — GOP pollster Bill McInturff on NBC’s “Meet the Press”

LEADING THE DAY





POLITICS: It’s been a tough stretch for Trump, from the flood of new investigations to the disappointing outcome at the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.



The Memo : Trump World faces sea of troubles.



But there is plenty of debate over just how bad things are for the president as the 2020 campaign cycle heats up.



A new NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll casts Trump’s reelection bid as an “uphill” climb, with only 41 percent saying they’d vote to reelect him next year and a strong majority viewing the president as dishonest.



But the same poll found Trump’s approval rating tick up to 46 percent, which is about where former Presidents Clinton and Obama stood ahead of their successful reelection bids.



If CPAC taught us anything, it’s that there’s been no erosion in the ferocity of support for the president among his base.



Over the course of a two-hour speech, the president basked in the adulation of his supporters and secured his grasp on a base of voters that are certain to turn out for him in 2020.



Bloomberg : Trump’s base clings tight.

The Washington Post : Republicans rally around Trump as threats mount.

Meanwhile, the number of candidates lining up for the chance to take Trump on in 2020 will grow bigger this week.



Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to announce on Thursday , following another governor, Washington’s Jay Inslee, into the race.



The Associated Press : Dem governors look to break through.

Will former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE be next up after Hickenlooper?



Amie Parnes reported last week that Biden has arranged a campaign-in-waiting that is ready to switch into action. This week, Parnes reports that Biden is fishing around for major donors to fund his campaign ( The Hill ).



Scott Wong asked conservatives at CPAC which Democratic candidate they fear the most in a contest against Trump. Republicans there viewed Biden as the most formidable challenger ( The Hill ).



More on campaigns and politics … New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s case for 2020 ( The Atlantic ) … Democratic states are moving to bypass the Electoral College ( The Hill ) … Few candidates seek Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonChelsea Clinton: Trump isn't building public confidence in a vaccine Hillary Clinton launching podcast this month GOP brushes back charges of hypocrisy in Supreme Court fight MORE’s 2020 advice ( The Associated Press ) … Pennsylvania Democrats wonder how far is too far left for 2020 ( The New York Times ).





IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





CONGRESS: Just at the moment when political analysts said Trump is comforted by the unflagging support of his base, Senate Republicans on Sunday strung together enough votes to block the president’s emergency declaration to build more miles of border wall.

Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (Ky.) became the fourth Republican to publicly announce his opposition to the president’s executive maneuver, and there are more Senate Republicans in the wings, reluctantly weighing a move to challenge Trump on the floor within the next week or so, if pressed to choose ( The Hill ). The math means Trump could be forced into the first veto of his presidency by his own party, if some other solution is not found.

Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Utah) is crafting legislation to make it easier for Congress to cancel national emergencies, while other Republicans want the president to back down and withdraw his declaration ( The Hill ).

They are increasingly uncomfortable politically that they may have to cast a vote on principle that rebukes the president ( The Associated Press ).

One compromise under discussion: Locate additional appropriations that could be reprogrammed for barrier construction with backing from both parties and Trump, if he agrees to rescind his declaration.

A Republican congressman who opposes Trump’s declaration of a border emergency said Sunday he believes Trump "is violating our constitutional system" ( CNN ). Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashCentrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill On The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president History is on Edward Snowden's side: Now it's time to give him a full pardon MORE (Mich.), who declined to rule out a bid for the White House in 2020 as a Libertarian, says the hyper-partisanship means one thing: “Congress is totally broken” ( Politico ).

The clashes inside the Capitol worry lawmakers just as they begin to face a new showdown over the national debt and lifting the Treasury’s borrowing authority. The countdown began on Saturday to reach a bipartisan agreement by late summer ( The Hill ).

Democrats in charge of the House are mounting assaults against Trump and Republicans while at the same time bickering in the open within their own ranks. It’s a malady they cannot seem to cure and one the GOP is working with gusto to exploit.

Centrist Democrats are pushing back against a liberal surge experienced in Washington and nationwide ( The Washington Post ).

In the House, the lawmaker who embodies a loud, leftward tilt in the Democratic Party is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse passes bill to avert shutdown Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' The Memo: Dems face balancing act on SCOTUS fight MORE (D-N.Y.), who recently rebuked centrist colleagues for their votes on gun control ( The Hill ).

John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster, summed up his frustration with the 29-year-old democratic socialist:

Meanwhile, intraparty Democratic frictions go well beyond tactics and strategy to challenge foreign policy as well as beliefs about tolerance.

Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.), who is Muslim, continues to agitate fellow Democrats with remarks they perceive as misguided slams against Israel and pro-Israel groups.

On Sunday, she tussled on Twitter with veteran Rep. Nita Lowey Nita Sue LoweyTop House Democrats call for watchdog probe into Pompeo's Jerusalem speech With Biden, advocates sense momentum for lifting abortion funding ban Progressives look to flex their muscle in next Congress after primary wins MORE (D-N.Y.), who has risen to Omar’s defense while also challenging some rhetoric as hurtful and a mischaracterization of support in the Jewish community for Israel ( The Hill ).

Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel Eliot Lance EngelHouse panel halts contempt proceedings against Pompeo after documents turned over Engel subpoenas US global media chief Michael Pack The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-N.Y.) called some of Omar’s remarks last week anti-Semitic ( The Hill ).

“It’s unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views, including support for the U.S.-Israel relationship,” he said of Omar’s remarks at a bookstore event in Washington ( The New York Times) .





The Morning Report is created by journalists Jonathan Easley & Alexis Simendinger. We want to hear from you! @ jeasley@thehill.com and @ asimendinger@thehill.com . We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE !





OPINION





We really need to worry about climate change – and act, by Lehigh University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences staff, The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call. http://bit.ly/2NJdU8k

We must denounce the idea of speech as violence, by Jonathan Zimmerman, The San Francisco Chronicle. http://bit.ly/2EsrdWq





WHERE AND WHEN





The House meets at 11:30 a.m.

The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. and resumes consideration of the nomination of Allison Jones Rushing to be a judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.

The president will host the North Dakota State Bison football team at the White House at 11:30 a.m. He’ll have lunch with Vice President Pence at 12:30 p.m. Two hours later, Trump plans to sign an executive order about the transition of active-duty service members and military veterans into the Merchant Marine. At 4:25 p.m., the president speaks to the National Association of Attorneys General at the White House, joined by the vice president.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE, who is from Kansas and recently said he would not run for a Senate seat in 2020, will pull out the diplomatic stops in Iowa today. He will meet with the Des Moines Partnership at 10 a.m. He’ll speak to the Future Farmers of America and Johnston High School students at midday. At 2 p.m., Pompeo visits the Corteva research facility in Des Moines and participates in a trade discussion there. The secretary talks with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) at 4 p.m., and an hour later speaks to the Iowa Farm Bureau at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines.

First lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpMelania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now Warning label added to Trump tweet over potential mail-in voting disinformation MORE takes her “Be Best” initiative on the road today and Tuesday with events scheduled in Tulsa, Okla., Seattle and Las Vegas.

YOU’RE INVITED to upcoming newsmaker events with The Hill:

ELSEWHERE





➔ International: China and the United States are drawing closer to a trade deal, the contours of which are emerging ( The New York Times ) and a Trump summit with President Xi Jinping is expected around March 27 ( Reuters ) ... The Islamic State is making a final stand in Syria as U.S. fighters close in ( Reuters ) ... There was finally a lull in tensions over the weekend between nuclear powers Pakistan and India over the disputed Kashmir region ( The Associated Press ) … Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a fresh approach to governance, but now he’s embroiled in scandal and fighting for his political life ( The New York Times ).

➔ Marijuana: Follow the money … Former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank (D) joins a local Boston marijuana group, Beantown Greentown ( The Boston Globe ), following in the cannabis-promotion stampede that includes former Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE (R-Ohio) and former Massachusetts Republican Gov. William Weld, who is formally exploring a GOP primary challenge to Trump ( The Boston Globe ); plus lifestyle-marketer Martha Stewart ( The New York Times ).

➔ Media: Top executives at Time Warner and HBO have departed after AT&T’s acquisition, raising questions about whether the new media behemoth can continue to produce high-quality creative content ( The Wall Street Journal ). Some are worried that the takeover will lead to the “Netflixification” of HBO, with a focus on quantity, rather than quality ( The Week ). Joe Nocera takes a look at the future of the new media conglomerate ( Bloomberg ).





THE CLOSER





And finally … NASA and SpaceX made some big bets with Crew Dragon and a Boeing-built capsule called Starliner. Saturday’s successful launch of a test mission and Sunday’s seamless docking of an unmanned capsule with the International Space Station are big news.

NASA wants to start flying U.S. astronauts later this year and end the United States' years-long reliance on Russia to ferry crew to and from the space station ( CNN ).

Why the big excitement? Because NASA and the United States are poised for a new era in human spaceflight ( The New York Times ).





