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Note to Morning Report readers: Please look for the next newsletter on Tuesday and enjoy the weekend!





The Senate opened its impeachment trial against President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE on Thursday as the chamber continues to consider taking testimony from new witnesses and wrestles with new allegations surrounding Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

The trial will not begin in earnest until Tuesday when the Senate passes a resolution to lay out the rules and procedures. According to The Hill’s Scott Wong and Cristina Marcos, the Senate will then notify the president’s defense team, which must be given at least two days’ notice, meaning opening arguments by Trump’s team and the House managers will not kick off until later in the week.

The Senate formally accepted the articles of impeachment and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE (D-Calif.), the lead manager, read the resolution that named the seven impeachment managers and the pair of articles from the well of the Senate.

Chief Justice John Roberts was escorted with ceremonial flourishes to the Senate floor on Thursday by a bipartisan group of senators and was sworn in to preside over a trial predicted to consume weeks in the Senate.

The Associated Press: Trump’s trial begins, senators vowing “impartial justice.”

While the upper chamber dealt with procedural matters on Thursday, new evidence and documents relevant to charges that Trump abused his powers emerged from Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates Giuliani criticizes NYC leadership: 'They're killing this city' MORE’s who has ties to Ukraine.

Separately on Thursday, a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) accused the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of breaking the law by withholding military aid to Ukraine in 2019. Impeachment witnesses have testified to the House that they believed the order to block the aid, which was authorized by Congress, was given by Trump, who allegedly sought to pressure Ukraine to do him a political favor.

GAO, an independent government watchdog, said the Budget Office withheld the appropriated funds last summer in order to advance Trump’s agenda, not as a programmatic delay, which violates a law governing Congress's role in setting the federal budget (The Hill).

“The timing is interesting, but the good news is we’re going to have a trial soon and I assume people will bring it up,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer Kevin John CramerOn Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package Army Corps urges DOJ to settle case with ND over M DAPL damages MORE (R-N.D.) of the report, which he noted he had not read in full.

The president and his advisers maintain the administration held up the money for a period of time because Trump worried about corruption in Ukraine. Others accuse Trump of using the foreign aid as a pry bar to get Ukraine to dig up dirt about a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Biden says Ginsburg successor should be picked by candidate who wins on Nov. 3 MORE.

Parnas accused the president of being in the know from the start about Giuliani’s pressure campaign with the Ukrainians. It allegedly included an effort to remove then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch Marie YovanovitchGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Strzok: Trump behaving like an authoritarian Powell backs Biden at convention as Democrats rip Trump on security MORE and nudge Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce investigations into Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Asked about Parnas during an appearance in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he doesn’t “know him at all.” Parnas was interviewed on Wednesday during an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Rachel Anne MaddowMichael Cohen: Trump hates Obama because he's everything he 'wants to be' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump floats 0M+ in personal spending for reelection bid Feehery: Unconventionally debunking the latest political conventional wisdom MORE (The Hill).

“I don't even know who this man is, other than I guess he attended fundraisers so I take a picture with him,” Trump told reporters. “I take thousands and thousands of pictures with people all the time. Thousands during the course of a year.”

“I don't know him at all,” Trump repeated. “Don't know what he's about. Don't know where he comes from. Know nothing about him. I can only tell you this thing is a big hoax.”

Among documents released was a message from Trump’s attorney Jay Sekulow Jay Alan SekulowNow, we need the election monitors Judge denies Trump's request for a stay on subpoena for tax records Judge throws out Trump effort to block subpoena for tax returns MORE to a former Trump attorney, John Dowd, saying the president consented to allowing Dowd to represent Parnas.

The Hill: New allegations, watchdog report complicate GOP position on impeachment trial.

Dan Balz: The Senate trial will shape the president’s legacy and also that of his Republican Party.

The Hill: Vice President Pence denies Parnas allegations: “I don't know the guy.”

The Senate has not voted on whether to call additional witnesses during its impeachment trial. Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies MORE (R-Maine), who is running for reelection, said on Thursday she is “likely” to support witnesses following the first phase of the trial. She has not made decisions about which individuals should be questioned (The Hill).

Senate Democrats are looking for a few Republican colleagues to buck Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Ky.), who faces the voters in his state this year and says he wants a quick trial before what he expects will be Trump’s acquittal. Democrats particularly want to hear from former White House national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonDiplomacy with China is good for America The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE, who has signaled he would cooperate if subpoenaed. The president has sought to block all top advisers from providing depositions, arguing it would violate executive privilege.

The Hill: GOP threatens to weaponize impeachment witnesses amid standoff.

The Hill: Trump trial poses toughest test yet for Roberts.

The Hill: Collins displaced McConnell as the most unpopular U.S. senator, according to Morning Consult poll.

Senate Republicans appear to be coalescing around a fallback idea floated by Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week Renewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death MORE (R-Texas) for witness reciprocity. If Democrats want to call Bolton, for example, Republicans say they would seek to call Hunter Biden as a witness.

“I think it’s a pretty reasonable approach,” Cramer said. “Clearly, we don’t want this to be what the House was. We want to demonstrate the seriousness that it deserves. We want it to be fair and look fair. It makes some sense, but not every witness is equal either.”

Trump has done little to assertively defend his actions after it was disclosed last year that he sought a favor from Zelensky at the same time that U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine was held up. The president, who last year released notes from a July phone call with Ukraine’s president, on Thursday repeated his view that their conversation was routine. He has said his suspicions about Biden and his son are warranted and that the House impeachment was a “hoax” and the Senate trial is a sham.

“I JUST GOT IMPEACHED FOR MAKING A PERFECT PHONE CALL!” Trump tweeted on Thursday afternoon as senators took oaths to render impartial justice in the third Senate trial of a president in American history.







LEADING THE DAY





CONGRESS: Trade: The Senate, by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 89-10, approved a hemispheric trade pact negotiated by the Trump administration, working in a rush on Thursday before the Senate impeachment trial got underway (The Hill). The accord, described as a new and improved version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), now heads to the president’s desk but must still be approved by Canada (Reuters).

Among the Democrats and one independent who opposed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) were Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg Ginsburg in statement before her death said she wished not to be replaced until next president is sworn in Democrats call for NRA Foundation to be prohibited from receiving donations from federal employees MORE (N.Y.); Independent presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security MORE (Vt.); Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSuburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida MORE (N.Y.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.) and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump and Biden vie for Minnesota | Early voting begins in four states | Blue state GOP governors back Susan Collins Kamala Harris: Black Americans have been 'disproportionately harmed' by Trump Biden town hall draws 3.3 million viewers for CNN MORE (Calif.), who sought the presidency and dropped out; plus Sens. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeyDemocratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy McConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Massachusetts town clerk resigns after delays to primary vote count MORE (Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse Sheldon WhitehouseLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise Restaurant owner defends calamari as 'bipartisan' after Democratic convention appearance Warren calls on McConnell to bring Senate back to address Postal Service MORE (R.I.), Jack Reed John (Jack) Francis ReedWhen 'Buy American' and common sense collide Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (R.I.), and Brian Schatz Brian Emanuel SchatzPolls show trust in scientific, political institutions eroding Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senate Democrats map out climate change strategy | Green groups challenge Trump plan to open 82 percent of Alaska reserve to drilling | 87 lawmakers ask EPA to reverse course after rescinding methane regulations MORE (Hawaii). Also voting against the deal was Republican Sen. Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (Pa.) (The Hill).

> Intelligence: Worried that annual testimony about global threats before Congress could spark Trump’s wrath, as it did last year, intelligence officials have quietly approached lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff members about putting the information-sharing behind closed doors (CNN). Schiff requested on Wednesday that acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Joseph Maguire Joseph MaguireCongressional Democrats request FBI briefing on foreign election interference efforts Wells Fargo told employees to delete TikTok from work phones Hillicon Valley: Pompeo floats TikTok ban | Civil rights groups slam Facebook after call | Election security funding included in proposal MORE appear before the panel next month, but Maguire has not responded (The Hill). During public questioning at last year's hearing, top intelligence chiefs appeared to counter several of Trump’s claims about his foreign policy. The president the next day blasted his top intelligence advisers, complaining they were soft on Iran.

> Facebook: Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Ginsburg successor must uphold commitment to 'equality, opportunity and justice for all' Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (D-Calif.), whose misgivings about Facebook are unstinting, on Thursday called the global tech behemoth “irresponsible” and accused the California-based company of purposely misleading its billions of users (The Hill).

“The Facebook business model is strictly to make money,” she said at a news conference. “They don't care about the impact on children, they don't care about truth, they don't care about where this is all coming from, and they have said even if they know it's not true they will print it.”

Pelosi last year was the victim of a manipulated video (known as a deepfake) created by a conservative prankster. It went viral on social media platforms and Pelosi immediately called on Facebook to remove the clip, which was altered to make the Speaker’s words appear slurred. Facebook refused, saying its rules do not require content on the platform to be true. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Mark Elliot ZuckerbergHillicon Valley: Trump's ban on TikTok, WeChat in spotlight | NASA targeted by foreign hackers | Instagram accused of spying in lawsuit The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine, masks Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll MORE also told Congress last year that political advertising on Facebook does not have to be truthful or accurate.

“I think they have been very abusive of the great opportunity that technology has given them,” Pelosi added (The Hill).

IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





CAMPAIGNS & POLITICS: Biden allies say the squabble between Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenBiden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon MORE (D-Mass.) and Sanders could help them as the race for the Democratic nomination inches closer to the Iowa caucuses, which are just over two weeks away.

According Amie Parnes’s latest report, Biden supporters argue that while the Vermont independent has been ascending in the polls and remains formidable financially, the ongoing brouhaha with Warren could hamper his support levels with women as they may see the battle as petty and sexist.

“This proves that once again, even on our side, he's above all the pettiness that we see in politics today,” said one longtime ally who has spoken to the former vice president in recent days. “And he doesn't have to do a thing. He just needs to kick back and let them prove his point.

Despite going out of their way not to attack each other throughout the campaign, the two progressive leaders have butted heads repeatedly in recent weeks, with the most explosive back-and-forth coming after Tuesday’s Democratic debate when they accused one another of lying about the contents of a meeting in December 2018., Warren claims that Sanders said during the meeting that a woman couldn’t be elected president.

The New York Times editorial board: The Joe Biden interview. (The Times’s endorsement in the Democractic primary will be announced on Sunday).

The Washington Post: Sanders-Warren rift highlights liberal divide: purity versus pragmatism.

The Hill: Sanders and Warren haven’t spoken since debate clash on sexism allegation.

The Washington Post: Impeachment trial will test Democratic senators with higher ambitions.

The Hill: Democrats plan major investments in state legislative races.

> Bloomberg on Capitol Hill: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE appeared on Capitol Hill on Thursday as he looked to gain support from lawmakers as he continues his unprecedented bid to nab the Democratic nomination.

Bloomberg met with Democrats across the spectrum during his appearance, sitting down with members from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Blue Dogs, New Democrats and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus throughout the day.

Bloomberg’s visit comes as he continues to ramp up his operation, which includes more than 1,000 staffers across the country. His operation is aimed at defeating Trump in key battleground states. Recently, he earned his first endorsements from members of Congress as Reps. Max Rose Max RoseLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Navy cancels training flight over NYC on 9/11 after criticism MORE (D-N.Y.) and Stephanie Murphy Stephanie MurphyDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Bank lobbying group launches ad backing Collins reelection bid House Democrats call on State Department for information on Uighur prisoner Ekpar Asat MORE (D-Fla.) threw their support behind the former mayor (Politico). Rep. Harley Rouda Harley Edwin RoudaUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Watchdog to weigh probe of Trump advancements on Pebble Mine | Interior finalizes public lands HQ move out West over congressional objections | EPA to issue methane rollback: report Watchdog to weigh probe of Trump administration advancements of Pebble Mine MORE (D-Calif.) followed suit this morning.

Following his appearance in Washington, Bloomberg is slated to campaign in California, Utah and Oklahoma in the coming days as he continues to court voters outside of the four early voting states and spend big dollars on television ads.

The Wall Street Journal: The Bloomberg Effect: Huge spending transforms 2020 campaign dynamics.

The Hill: Rep. Liz Cheney Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups | Kudlow: 'No sector worse hurt than energy' during pandemic | Trump pledges 'no politics' in Pebble Mine review Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups Press: The big no-show at the RNC MORE (R-Wyo.) decides against Senate bid.

The Associated Press: New rules could muddle results of Iowa caucuses

The Hill: House GOP campaign chief: Members “need to get their act together and raise more money.”

The Morning Report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want to hear from you! Email: asimendinger@thehill.com and aweaver@thehill.com. We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE!

OPINION





Half a cheer for Trump's China trade deal, by Desmond Lachman, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2FYMZ56

Expect the unexpected from Iran, by Cynthia E. Ayers, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2TsPgO5





WHERE AND WHEN





Hill.TV’s “Rising” program features Rep. Ro Khanna Rohit (Ro) KhannaThe Hill Interview: Jerry Brown on climate disasters, COVID-19 and Biden's 'Rooseveltian moment' Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery DeJoy defends Postal Service changes at combative House hearing MORE (D-Calif.) on the day’s events and the 2020 race; Jim Carroll, Office of National Drug Control Policy director, on U.S. drug problems; Misty Rebik, the Iowa State director for the Sanders’s presidential campaign; and Bob Cusack Robert (Bob) CusackThe Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Big 10 votes to resume football season MORE, editor-in-chief of The Hill, with his weekly DeBrief segment. Coverage starts at 9 a.m. ET at http://thehill.com/hilltv or on YouTube at 10 a.m. at Rising on YouTube.

The House meets at 10:30 a.m.

The Senate convenes on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to begin the Trump impeachment trial.

The president, joined by Vice President Pence at 11 a.m., will welcome to the White House East Room the 2019 College Football National Champions, the Louisiana State University Tigers. Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpThe 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 New Melania Trump statue replaces one that burned to the ground in Slovenia MORE depart the White House at 2:30 p.m. to spend the weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. At 6:30 p.m., the president speaks with donors at a Palm Beach political roundtable event. At 7 p.m., Trump speaks to a joint GOP finance committee fundraising dinner.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoHouse panel halts contempt proceedings against Pompeo after documents turned over Outgoing ambassador to China slams Beijing over coronavirus: 'Could have been contained in Wuhan' Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers MORE meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at 8:30 a.m. at the State Department. The secretary speaks at the Organization of American States at 11 a.m. Pompeo will officiate at 3 p.m. back at the department at the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun.

The Hill on Tuesday hosts an event, “Mayors Matter: Deepening the Generational Compact in Communities,” in Washington from 2 to 4 p.m. with influential mayors from Michigan, Kansas and Florida and community leaders who describe contributions of older adults and the societal benefits of intergenerational bonds. Find information HERE.





ELSEWHERE





➔ Puerto Rico: Subsisting in tent shelters, families in Puerto Rico are reckoning with uninhabitable homes in the U.S. territory after damages caused by a major earthquake and more than 1,000 aftershocks this month. The temblors keep children out of school and nerves on edge, and Puerto Rico's Office of Emergency Management estimates that more than 8,000 people have sought refuge in outdoor shelters. Fewer than half are in government-run shelters; the rest are in informal shelters or in shelters run by non-governmental organizations (NBC News). Trump on Thursday approved a federal disaster declaration that unlocks more aid for the island, which has a population of more than 3 million people (The Hill).

➔ Ukraine: Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk submitted his resignation today after audio surfaced in Ukraine in which he is heard criticizing Zelensky’s understanding of economics. Honcharuk said the damaging audio was a compilation of “fragments of recorded government meetings” and he blamed unidentified “influential groups” for the disclosure (The Associated Press).

➔ MLK Jr. events: The National Park Service waives entrance fees at 110 park sites for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the first of five fee-free days at national parks this year (USA Today). From Everglades National Park in Florida, to Acadia National Park in Maine and Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, the savings and enjoyment are out there! Check the list HERE. … On a more somber note, civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis John LewisPelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg Kamala Harris: Black Americans have been 'disproportionately harmed' by Trump LWCF modernization: Restoring the promise MORE (D-Ga.), who first met Martin Luther King Jr. as a teen and is now battling pancreatic cancer, was to be the keynote speaker for a Monday speech with the MLK Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, but Lewis, who will be 80 next month, is limiting his travel (WILX.com). Speaking in his place will be a roster of officials, including Michigan Democratic Sens. Gary Peters Gary Charles PetersBiden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Postal service changes delayed 7 percent of nation's first-class mail: Democratic report GOP votes to authorize subpoenas, depositions in Obama-era probe MORE and Debbie Stabenow Deborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump rollbacks could add 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 15 years: analysis | Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts | Experts warn wildfire smoke could worsen COVID-19 GAO report finds brokers offered false info on coverage for pre-existing conditions Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts MORE, and Rep. Elissa Slotkin Elissa SlotkinWray: Racially motivated violent extremism makes up most of FBI's domestic terrorism cases Overnight Defense: House chair announces contempt proceeding against Pompeo | Top general says military has no role in election disputes | Appeal court rejects due process rights for Gitmo detainees Top general: Military will play no role in resolving any electoral dispute MORE, a Democrat (The Hill).

➔ Mets: Carlos Beltrán’s 10-week tenure as New York Mets manager ended Thursday before he spent a single game on the bench, the latest fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball. The Mets announced the decision in a news release, saying Beltrán and the team “agreed to mutually part ways.” Beltrán was the only Astros player mentioned on Monday when MLB issued its findings from an investigation into the club’s conduct. The report said Beltrán was among the group involved in the team’s illicit use of electronics to pilfer signs used by opposing catchers with pitchers. The scheme was to help batters during Houston’s run to the 2017 World Series championship (The Associated Press). Another pressing matter for baseball is how technology continues to affect the sport in the wake of this scandal, examined by The Associated Press.





THE CLOSER





And finally … Kudos to the winners of this week’s Morning Report Quiz!

These baseball experts (and perhaps smart Googlers) aced the trivia puzzle about the history of high-profile Major League Baseball suspensions: Patrick Kavanagh, Donna Nackers, Allyson Foster, Barry Reich, Margaret Gainer, BJ Ford, Michael Palermo, Elizabeth Murphy, William Chittam, Luther Berg, Mike Roberts, Phil Kirstein and John Donato.

In 1990, George Steinbrenner was the MLB owner who was permanently banned (although eventually reinstated) after hiring a gambler to dig up dirt on future Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

In the summer of 1989, Bart Giamatti was the MLB commissioner who permanently banned Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose for betting on baseball.

In 1921, eight members of the Chicago White Sox — dubbed the “Black Sox” — were banned from baseball for life for allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series. Decades later, the suspended players were the subjects of two movies: “Eight Men Out” and “Field of Dreams.”

Less than five months after he appeared before Congress in March 2005 to declare, “I have never used steroids, period,” Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for an anabolic steroid and was suspended for 10 days.