promoearn: 'Evidence of the President’s misconduct is overwhelming'

Tuesday, December 3

'Evidence of the President's misconduct is overwhelming'

House Dems conclude Trump sought foreign interference. North Korea promises a 'Christmas gift' for the US. It's Tuesday's news.

A bombshell Trump impeachment report is released. A once-considered-top-tier presidential candidate drops out of the race. And North Korea has a creepy "Christmas gift" in mind for America.

It's Ashley. Here's the news to know Tuesday.

But first, stop what you're doing and watch these: Here are the most cringeworthy celebrity moments of 2019.

The Short List newsletter is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here!

House Dems conclude Trump sought foreign interference

Three House committees investigating the potential impeachment of President Donald Trump uncovered an effort "to use the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference on his behalf in the 2020 election," according to their draft report released Tuesday. Honestly, read that sentence again. It's big news . "The evidence of the President's misconduct is overwhelming, and so too is the evidence of his obstruction of Congress," the 300-page report said. The three panels spent weeks taking testimony from witnesses who described Trump withholding a White House meeting and then military aid from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky unless he announced investigations of Trump's political rival, Vice President Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter.

TL;DR: The people investigating Trump say he committed impeachable offenses (soliciting foreign help in the election) – but they didn't outright say it. They're leaving that to the Judiciary Committee, who will review the report next and decide whether to draft articles of impeachment.

Republicans are calling foul: House Republicans drafted a report to counter Democratic arguments, writing that the evidence doesn't support accusations that Trump tried to cover up his conversation with Zelensky.

Meanwhile in Britain: Trump and first lady Melania attended a glitzy reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for NATO leaders. Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla of Cornwall were there, too, but Prince Andrew sure wasn't.

Speaking of NATO: Trump lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday as the two leaders met for talks on the sidelines of NATO meetings.

Britain's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, right, pose for a photo with US President Donald Trump and wife Melania, at Clarence House as NATO leaders gather in London.

Victoria Jones, AP

Kamala Harris is throwing in the towel

Sen. Kamala Harris will end her presidential campaign, closing the chapter on a candidacy that began with high expectations but failed to capitalize on a viral debate performance this summer and struggled with reported tumult among the campaign's staff. In less than 48 hours over Sunday evening and Tuesday afternoon, Harris, once considered among the top tier of candidates, former Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock all dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination. And with just two months until the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, the 2020 Democratic presidential field may finally be narrowing in a significant way.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during a gun safety forum Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, in Las Vegas.

John Locher, AP

What everyone's talking about

•	You just lived through the warmest decade on record – and it's only going to get hotter.
•	A soldier stationed in Afghanistan raised thousands to bring home his buddy, Sully the cat.
•	After being married for 68 years, Minnesota sweethearts died a day apart.
•	Oreo revealed its mystery flavor for 2019: It's churro.
•	The season's first major winter storm dumped at least a foot of snow across 25 states.

North Korea has a nasty 'Christmas gift' waiting for America

North Korea warned the U.S. on Tuesday that if nuclear arms talks are not resumed before the end of the year, it may not be happy with the "Christmas gift" delivered by leader Kim Jong Un. Perhaps it's coal? Or a framed photo of North Korea's leader riding a horse up a mountain? In a statement, the regime expressed frustration at the lack of progress in nuclear talks, saying the negotiations appeared to be a "foolish trick" aimed at stalling North Korean progress. The regime has used the "gift" metaphor before: After it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2017, Kim called it a "package of gifts" for the Fourth of July.

Let it all out, Brad Pitt, let it out

Pitt is getting real about his feelings and we're here for it. Pitt – along with Anthony Hopkins – opened up about everything from crying to alcohol to moving on from mistakes, in a conversation published by Interview magazine Monday. At one point during their conversation, the two got personal about their emotions, with Pitt revealing he hasn't been one to cry easily – until now.

Brad Pitt opens up about crying, alcohol struggles and moving on.

USA TODAY

Real quick

•	An armed student and a school resource officer were injured in the second shooting incident at a Wisconsin high school in two days.
•	The Carolina Panthers fired head coach Ron Rivera, abruptly ending his nearly nine-year tenure with the team.
•	Trump signaled that the White House's trade war with China could drag on until after the 2020 presidential election.
•	Hundreds of Harvard University graduate student workers picketed at Harvard Yard, as thousands went on strike seeking higher pay and other demands.
•	Bowl projections: Oklahoma moves into fourth College Football Playoff spot.

Give 'em all of your money (records)

Trump's longtime lender, Deutsche Bank, must turn over financial records to Congress, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. Two House committees issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank seeking about a decade of financial records related to Trump, the Trump Organization and his three oldest children (Trump's tax returns are among the documents that fall under the subpoenas). The ruling blocks yet another effort by the president to keep his finances private. But he's likely to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court, as he has other rulings.

A break from the news

•	People are obsessed with this very "Big Blanket" – here's why.
•	Binge-watching Netflix, Disney Plus? You may have to pay extra for all of that Baby Yoda.
•	There are two kinds of people during the holidays. 🎅🎄