Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. Happy Tuesday! Our newsletter gets you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Alexis Simendinger is off eating turkey and celebrating the pilgrims; Al Weaver is The Hill’s up-early journalist in charge this week. Find him at @alweaver22 on Twitter and CLICK HERE to subscribe!





A federal judge ruled Monday evening that former White House counsel Don McGahn must comply with a subpoena from Congressional investigators as part of the ongoing impeachment effort, handing Democrats a big victory as they move forward with their inquiry.

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U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of Washington, an Obama appointee, said in her ruling that “no one is above the law,” that top administration advisers may not ignore Congressional subpoenas for information and that there is no basis for the White House’s claim that McGahn is “absolutely immune from compelled congressional testimony” (The Washington Post).

The latest development sets up a high-powered clash between the White House and House Democrats, who are trying to overcome the White House’s continued stonewalling of the investigation. Democrats celebrated Jackson’s ruling. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-N.Y.) said that the White House has “no grounds” to withhold testimony from McGahn and other witnesses investigators hope to hear from in their ongoing inquiry and that the former White House counsel should “promptly appear” before the committee.

The ultimate significance of the ruling remains to be seen as the Department of Justice is expected to appeal the ruling, with the White House vowing to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, meaning testimony from McGahn and others, including former national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonJudge appears skeptical of Bolton's defense of publishing book without White House approval Maximum pressure is keeping US troops in Iraq and Syria Woodward book trails Bolton, Mary Trump in first-week sales MORE, is likely not imminent (The Hill).

While he lost at the federal level, President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE got a key court win elsewhere as the Supreme Court blocked a House subpoena directing his accounting firm to turn over financial documents. According to the court, the subpoena will remain on hold until Trump’s lawyers file their appeal by the Dec. 5 deadline the court handed down. As NBC’s Pete Williams writes, if the court agrees to hear the appeal, the stay would remain in effect for several more months (The Hill).

As both sides wait on the final rulings from the courts, eyes are turning to next week, when the House Intelligence Committee is expected to send its report to the House Judiciary Committee as the ball continues to roll along on the impeachment front.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE (D-Calif.) said in a letter to his Democratic colleagues that the panels overseeing the impeachment inquiry are preparing a report for the House Judiciary Committee that they hope to send “soon after” the week-long Thanksgiving recess.

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Schiff said the committees will continue to investigate the president’s actions regarding Ukraine and declined to rule out additional hearings or depositions. However, he said that investigators do not want to allow the administration to delay the probe through the courts.

“Even as we draft our report, we are open to the possibility that further evidence will come to light, whether in the form of witnesses who provide testimony or documents that become available,” Schiff wrote. “If other witnesses seek to show the same patriotism and courage of their colleagues and deputies and decide to obey their duty to the country over fealty to the President, we are prepared to hear from them. We will follow up on any additional evidence, even as we proceed with the preparation of our report.”

“But the evidence of wrongdoing and misconduct by the President that we have gathered to date is clear and hardly in dispute,” Schiff added (The Hill).

The Hill: Republicans preview impeachment defense strategy.

Across the Capitol, Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamLincoln Project mocks Lindsey Graham's fundraising lag with Sarah McLachlan-themed video The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, continued his calls for a probe into former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son Hunter Biden. Speaking to reporters in South Carolina, Graham said that he still wants the former vice president to release his calls with the former Ukrainian president as part of an investigation into his son’s connection with the Burisma Holdings, an Ukrainian energy company.

“My conscience is clear. I love Joe Biden as a person, he is a really decent man, he's had a lot of tragedy in his life, but I have a conscience very clear right now. And I have a duty, if the House is going to shut it down the Senate is going to pick it up,” Graham said on Monday.

Graham added that Hunter Biden’s connection to Burisma “doesn’t pass the smell test” (The Hill).

Reuters: Trump says he still has confidence in acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyOn The Money: House panel pulls Powell into partisan battles | New York considers hiking taxes on the rich | Treasury: Trump's payroll tax deferral won't hurt Social Security Blockchain trade group names Mick Mulvaney to board Mick Mulvaney to start hedge fund MORE.

The Hill: Trump makes his mark on courts amid impeachment storm.

The Washington Post: The Devin Nunes Devin Gerald NunesOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Trump nominates former Nunes aide to serve as intel community inspector general Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election MORE-Ukraine allegations, explained.







LEADING THE DAY





POLITICS AND CAMPAIGNS: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Bloomberg pays fines for 32,000 felons in Florida so they can vote MORE made his first appearance on the campaign trail on Monday, appearing in Norfolk, Va., where he pitched himself as the one who can defeat the president next fall and highlighted his massive spending on key issues throughout the years, including to combat gun control and climate change (The New York Times).

While he kicked off his bid, some of his rivals for the Democratic nod continued to knock his challenge. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) made a rare personal attack against a fellow Democratic opponent, ripping Bloomberg for wanting to “buy the nomination.”

"I am here on day two of Michael Bloomberg's $37 million ad buy," Warren said at a community conversation in Ankeny, Iowa, on Monday afternoon. "Michael Bloomberg is making a bet about democracy in 2020. He doesn't need people. He only needs bags and bags of money. I think Michael Bloomberg is wrong and that's what we need to prove in this election" (CNN).

However, Bloomberg’s campaign chief, Kevin Sheekey, defended his boss’s entrance in the race during an appearance on CNN and argued that the president is “winning” in the key battleground states. He said that the election comes down to six states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona.

“That’s the whole general election. And right now, Donald Trump is winning. He is winning that election. It’s very tough for people who don't live in New York or California to understand that, but that is what’s happening,” Sheekey said. “Mike is getting in this race because he thinks that Donald Trump is an existential crisis and he thinks he’s on a path to victory and he’s getting in to alter that dynamic.”

Politico: Bloomberg bid haunted by GOP skeletons.

The New York Times: Did New Hampshire fall out of love with Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.)?

> Senate map: Senate Republicans say they expect to be outspent by Democrats in the battle for the upper chamber next year, in part because the ongoing impeachment push has fired up Democratic donors and given them a renewed push to flip the Senate.

As Alexander Bolton reports, Sen. Todd Young Todd Christopher YoungSenate GOP eyes early exit Why the US should rely more on strategy, not sanctions Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Ind.), the chairman of the Senate GOP campaign arm, met with colleagues last week to urge them to open up their campaign coffers to help vulnerable Senate Republicans who are being outraised by their Democratic challengers. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE (R-Ky.), a major GOP fundraiser, is preoccupied by his own race, which now looks more serious in the wake of Democrats winning the Kentucky governor's mansion.

NBC News: Democrats dream about defeating McConnell. Can they do it?





IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





ADMINISTRATION/INTERNATIONAL: The situation continued to simmer within the Trump administration on Monday as Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight 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 Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE said that the president ordered the Pentagon not to remove a Navy SEAL who is in the middle of a war crimes case.

The Navy wanted to oust Chief Petty Officer Eddie Gallagher, who was convicted of posing for photos with the body of a teenage ISIS fighter the U.S. had captured. However, Trump and Esper fired former Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, whom the Defense secretary accused of trying to cut a deal regarding Gallagher by going around him and right to the president, adding that he was “flabbergasted” that Spencer did so.

Spencer admitted in an interview with CBS News on Monday night that he did not talk to Esper about it but only because the Defense secretary was out of the country, adding that he talked to Esper’s chief of staff about it instead (The New York Times).

During the CBS News interview, Spencer, whose last day at as Naval secretary was Monday, criticized the president for meddling in the situation involving Gallagher, adding that he doesn’t think Trump "really understands the full definition of a warfighter."

"Uh, well, right now, we're not going to do [the review process], is what Secretary Esper says. What message does that send to the troops?" Spencer asked. "That you can get away with things. We have to have good order and discipline. It's the backbone of what we do, and the Trident review process with the senior enlisted reviewing fellow senior enlisted is critical. The senior enlisted of our military are the backbone of our military. They are the girder of good order and discipline. They can handle this. They can handle this in each one of their communities.”

The Associated Press: Trump’s actions raise concern about role in military justice.

> Syria: Nearly two months after the president’s withdrawal of troops from Northern Syria, U.S. troops resumed large-scale counterterrorism missions against ISIS in the region that led to a battle between Turkish and Kurdish forces along the border of Turkey. According to military officials, U.S. troops are returning to the initial goal of battling ISIS fighters in the previously vacated region after Trump’s initial withdrawal and subsequent narrowing of the mission to protect Syria’s oil fields.

“Over the next days and weeks, the pace will pick back up against remnants of ISIS,” said Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the commander of the military’s Central Command. According to McKenzie, about 500 troops — about half of what was in the region prior to Trump’s initial order — will remain. On Friday, the U.S. and Syrian Kurds conducted a large-scale mission to kill and capture ISIS fighters in Deir al-Zour province, about 120 miles south of the Turkish border (The New York Times).

The Associated Press: Iran Revolutionary Guard threatens U.S., allies over protests.

Gerald F. Seib: Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Former intelligence agency director Robert Cardillo speaks out against 'erratic' Trump Kremlin: Putin calls for reset between US and Russia on cyber relations before elections MORE’s good year keeps getting better.





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





How Democrats can build a better case to impeach President Trump, by Jonathan Turley, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/35ACa49

Trump's monumental decision on Hong Kong, by Joseph Bosco, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2Dhl0fG





WHERE AND WHEN





Hill.TV’s “Rising” program features Murtaza Hussain, national security reporter for The Intercept, to discuss her recent story, “Leaked Iranian Intelligence Reports Expose Tehran’s Vast Web of Influence in Iraq”; Michael Tracey, journalist, on the latest impeachment news and the McGahn ruling’; and Zaid Jilani, a freelance journalist, on Bloomberg’s 2020 chances. 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 2 p.m. for a pro forma session.

The Senate convenes for a pro forma session at 7 a.m. and is out of session otherwise.

The president has lunch with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE at 12:45 p.m. Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE take part in the annual turkey pardoning ceremony at 2 p.m. before departing the White House at 3:40 p.m. He will hold one of his signature campaign rallies at 7:10 p.m. in Sunrise, Fla., before departing for West Palm Beach, Fla., where he will spend Thanksgiving.

The first lady will speak at the B’More Youth Summit at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County about opioids.





ELSEWHERE





➔ Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up an appeal involving Michael Mann, a prominent climate scientist, who sued National Review and the Competitive Enterprise Institute for defamation. The conservative magazine and libertarian think tank had asked the court to intervene in the suit. The case, which pits climate scientists against the free speech rights of global warming skeptics, drew interest from lawmakers, interest groups, academics and media (The Hill).

➔ State Watch: McDonald’s agreed to a $26 million settlement in a lengthy class-action lawsuit over wages and work conditions at corporate-run locations in California. The two parties announced the agreement on Monday, which will affect nearly 38,000 individuals and will require the approval of a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The seven-year-old suit against McDonald’s Restaurants of California Inc. made a number of claims, including failure to pay minimum wage or overtime wages and provide mandatory meal and rest breaks (The Associated Press).

➔ In The Know: It was a day of welcoming for the White House. In a surprise, Trump brought Conan, the military dog known for playing a key role in the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former ISIS leader, into the Rose Garden for a hero’s welcome and heaped praise on the Very Good Boy. Conan, a Belgian Malinois Trump labeled the “world’s most famous dog,” was given a medal and a plaque for his heroics (The Associated Press). Additionally, the first lady welcomed the White House Christmas tree. Larry Snyder, of Pennsylvania, won the annual contest held by the National Christmas Tree Association to present his 22-foot Douglas fir. The tree is expected to be part of the holiday display in the Blue Room (The Hill).







THE CLOSER





And finally … Bread and Butter — that’s what on the menu at the White House later today as the president holds the annual turkey pardon in the Rose Garden. Just as they have in recent years, the turkeys were pampered prior to their arrival at the White House today, having arrived Sunday at the Williard Hotel to dabble in luxury.

On Monday, the White House released the tale of the tape on the two birds. Bread, who measures 32 inches and 45 pounds, is a big college basketball fan and is aiming to master aerial yoga. Butter, checking in at 31 inches and 47 pounds, enjoys some sweet potato fries and is pushing for a personal best in the turkey trot.

Following their day in the sun, Bread and Butter will go to "Gobbler’s Rest," an agricultural education facility at Virginia Tech University (The Hill).