| | | | | President Donald Trump visits the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters Wednesday with first lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Credit: Yuri Gripas/Pool/Getty Images | | | Kim K Got it Done: Alice Marie Johnson is free
You Aren't Listening: An Eagles player's message
Dennis Rodman Is Considering Going to Trump-Kim Summit: Because of course he is | | | | Kate Bennett is off. Her section will return next week. | | What Washington Is Talking About:
House Republicans have a two-hour immigration debate today, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez, a New York Democrat, is calling for a 9/11-style commission to investigate the death toll from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Also, reactions to President Donald Trump's "lengthy" call with Sen. Bob Corker over his proposed legislation to curtail presidential tariff powers.
What America Is Talking About:
IHOP says it's changing its name to IHOb, a spokesman for CrossFit has been fired after saying LGBT pride is a "sin," and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost a third straight game to the Golden State Warriors, but LeBron James still managed to break Michael Jordan's record for most 30-point games in NBA playoff history.
Poll of the Day:
Most Americans approve of Trump's upcoming summit with Kim Jong Un, but they're not optimistic about the express purpose of the conference: Kim giving up nukes. That's according to a Quinnipiac poll that found 72% of American voters, including half of all Democratic voters, approve of the meeting, but only 20% think North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons. | | Credit: CNN
More Republicans Break With Trump Over ~Spygate~ Conspiracy Theory:
House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr both said Wednesday they agree with Rep. Trey Gowdy that the FBI acted appropriately in its handling of a confidential source. Trump said in May -- without offering any evidence -- that his 2016 campaign was illegally spied on, but Gowdy later told Fox News he believes the "FBI did exactly what my fellow citizens would want them to do."
Kim K Got it Done:
Alice Marie Johnson is free. Trump granted Johnson a commutation Wednesday. In a statement, the White House said the administration "believes that those who have paid their debt to society and worked hard to better themselves while in prison deserve a second chance." If you haven't seen the footage of Johnson running across the road to hug her family after her release, watch it here. | | Credit: @WVTM13/Twitter
Johnson told CNN her first meal would be Red Lobster (she's been craving seafood), she already has a job lined up, and she plans to work on criminal justice reform. "My plan is also to work hard on helping to change some of these laws," she said. "Something has to happen and I believe that what is already begun is a good first step with prison reform, so I'm happy to see that moving forward."
Johnson said she wanted to make Trump proud of giving her a second chance and "not disappoint the American public or the world that has so much faith in me."
Kim Hopes to Continue Work on Criminal Justice Reform:
Kim Kardashian West tweeted her thanks to Trump, Jared Kushner and "everyone who has showed compassion & contributed countless hours to this important moment" for Johnson. The reality TV star said she hopes to continue working on criminal justice reform. | | Credit: @KimKardashian/Twitter
She will sit down for an interview with CNN's Van Jones, with the first part airing at 10 ET tonight.
'You Aren't Listening':
At the Philadelphia Eagles' practice Wednesday, everyone wanted to know what the team thought about Trump after he disinvited the Super Bowl champs from the White House. Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins didn't answer reporters' questions but instead held up signs as a reminder about the reasons behind the National Anthem protests in the first place. Jenkins' first sign read, "You Aren't Listening." | | Credit: via WPVI
He held up a series of signs that read: - "More than 60% of people in prison are people of color."
- "Nearly 200,000 juveniles enter the adult criminal system each year, most for non-violent crimes #stopschoolpipelinetoprison."
- "In 2018, 439 people shot and killed by police (thus far), In U.S. Pop -> 8%= African-American males, Shot by Police -> 25% = African-American males."
- "Any given night 500,000 sit in jail. Convicted? No. Too Poor? Yes. #EndCashBail."
- "True Patriots," with the names of players who have advocated on issues such as police brutality and criminal justice reform.
- "Ben Watson and Demario Davis helped push through La. House Bill 265 restoring voting rights for returning citizens."
Stormy Daniels Files New Suit:
The adult film star filed a lawsuit Wednesday in California against Trump attorney Michael Cohen and her former attorney Keith Davidson, accusing them of collusion to "manipulate" her and help Trump. Her suit includes alleged texts between the men. An attorney for Cohen called the lawsuit a publicity stunt with "no merit whatsoever," and a spokesman for Davidson said it's a "desperate attempt by Michael Avenatti to continue his 'publicity tour.' "
Dennis Rodman Is Considering Going to the Trump-Kim Summit:
Because of course he is. Rodman's agent Darren Prince said they don't have plans or a flight to Singapore yet.
Samantha Bee Apologizes on Air for Ivanka Attack:
In her first episode since calling Ivanka Trump a vulgar term, the late-night TV host said she was sorry for "breaking America." "I never intended it to hurt anyone, except Ted Cruz," she said.
HBD Veep:
Today is Vice President Mike Pence's 59th birthday. To celebrate, please listen to this jingle intro to Pence's old radio show, unearthed by our KFile.
Street Art Sighting:
Trump and Kim's summit is being used to sell some kimchi and beef. This sign with the two leaders was spotted Wednesday outside the restaurant Harmony Nasi Lemak in Singapore. | | Credit: Ore Huiying/Getty Images
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE.
P.S.:
Wednesday night was the opening for Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, Wales. There were two parallel catwalks that jutted out from the main stage, a "vertical orchestra," images of Bey and Jay holding two babies (their rep said it's not their twins), and a setlist that included more than 40 songs | | | | | | |
