January 1, Bolton Book Busts Trump on Ukraine

This Day in History | 1973

The United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and the North Vietnamese sign the Paris Peace Accords, ending the Vietnam War.

Good Morning Middle Americans, 

Conincidence? We think not. A manuscript from former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s book has leaked right as the White House was prepping to conclude it’s defense presentation at the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.  In his forthcoming book, Bolton claims the delay in military aide was directly tied to a pending investigation of Joe Biden and his son Hunter’s role in a Ukrainian gas company called Burisma.  Bolton is blaming the White House for the leak. Trump says the allegations are false, and designed to sell books. But the long lasting impact may be the effect it has on whether witnesses will be called or not. It’s clear that Bolton wants to testify. It’s also clear that the White House won’t let it happen. But this new manuscript potentially changes everything. 

Also, the FAA and the NTSB continue to investigate the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other people in Calabasas California. Whatever the specific cause, this tragedy has united the country in way that only the loss of a truly generational cultural talent can.  

Meanwhile in Iraq, things continue to deteriorate.  Multiple rockets hit the US Embassy in Baghdad. Once again, this attack is most likely backed by the IRGC. How will the US respond now? 

Finally, the CDC has now confirmed the fifth case of the coronavirus here in the United States. This, while there’s still no real indication that the Chinese have been able to contain the rapidly spreading virus in China. The Communist party has all but completely canceled the massive lunar new year holiday festivities, while keeping the country on lockdown. 

Read all about it!

Fraser Dixon

Bolton’s Manuscript Leaks as Pre-Orders begin; Trump Fires Back

(Fox News) – Former national security advisor John Bolton’s team was under fire from the White House and conservative commentators Sunday night, after a report in The New York Times revealed a bombshell excerpt from Bolton’s forthcoming book that could prove pivotal in President Trump’s impeachment trial — just as the Amazon product page for the book went live.

The drama began earlier Sunday when the Times exclusively reported that Bolton’s manuscript included a claim that Trump explicitly linked a hold on Ukraine aid to an investigation of Joe and Hunter Biden. Trump told Bolton in August, according to a transcript of Bolton’s forthcoming book reviewed by the Times, “that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials there helped with investigations into Democrats including the Bidens.”

Read more here 

Fed Search For Clues in Kobe Bryant’s Fatal Chopper Crash 

(LA Times) – Kobe Bryant, 41, the legendary basketball star who spent 20 years with the Lakers, was killed Sunday morning when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas.

His daughter Gianna, 13, was also on board, NBA authorities confirmed.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people were on the copter — a pilot and eight passengers. He would not confirm who had died until all the next of kin have been notified, he said. The L.A. County coroner’s office said Sunday night that the recovery effort is expected to take several days because of the condition of the crash site and its remote location. Officials have shut down roads leading to the site because of a throng of visitors trying to get there.

Learn more about the investigation here

Three Rockets Hit US Embassy in Baghdad 

(AFP) – Three rockets slammed into the US embassy in Iraq’s capital on Sunday in the first direct hit reported after months of close calls, as thousands of protesters kept up anti-government sit-ins across the country.

The attack marked a dangerous escalation in the spree of rocket attacks in recent months that have targeted the embassy or Iraqi military bases where American troops are deployed.

None of the attacks has been claimed but Washington has repeatedly blamed Iran-backed military factions in Iraq.

On Sunday, one rocket hit an embassy cafeteria at dinner time while two others landed nearby, a security source told AFP.

A senior Iraqi official told AFP at least one person was wounded, but it was not immediately clear how serious the injuries were and whether the person was an American national or an Iraqi staff member working at the mission.

The US embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Find out more here

CDC Confirms 5th Case of Chinese Coronavirus in U.S.

(NBC News) – The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the United States has risen to five, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday.

The five patients — all people who’d traveled recently to Wuhan, China — are in isolation at hospitals. Three cases were confirmed Sunday: one in Maricopa County, Arizona; one in Los Angeles County, California; and one in Orange County, California.

Two others were previously reported: one in Everett, Washington, and another in Chicago. All of the patients will be evaluated case by case before they’re released.

Learn more here