January 1, Inspector General Says Russia Probe Valid, Despite Flaws

This Day in History | 1950

President Harry Truman enacts a total ban of exports to communist China. 

Good Morning Middle Americans. 

The much-anticipated inspector general’s report drops today and you can expect there’s going to to be lots of disappointment.  The president’s camp was hoping that the report and investigation would clear the president and cast a damaging light on the Department of Justice.  But the report is underwhelming from that stand point. 

Also this week. Democrats will continue to hold public impeachment hearings, with a vote on articles of impeachment expect as soon as Thursday. U.S. Lawmakers continue to scrutinize a program that trains foreign military on American bases, after a Saudi airman shot three people, killing three of them in Pensacola. Finally, to raise our spirits, NFL star Khalil Mack is doing a great thing for 300 people in his hometown, just in time for Christmas. 

Read all about it. 

– Fraser Dixon 

IG’s Report: Russia Probe Valid, Despite Flaws

(AP) — The Justice Department’s internal watchdog will release a highly anticipated report Monday that is expected to reject President Donald Trump’s claims that the Russia investigation was illegitimate and tainted by political bias from FBI leaders. But it is also expected to document errors during the investigation that may animate Trump supporters.

The report, as described by people familiar with its findings, is expected to conclude there was an adequate basis for opening one of the most politically sensitive investigations in FBI history and one that Trump has denounced as a witch hunt. It began in secret during Trump’s 2016 presidential run and was ultimately taken over by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Read more about the Inspector General’s report here

Democrats Focus on Articles of Impeachment This Week 

(Reuters) – Democratic lawmakers could vote this week on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, the House Judiciary Committee chairman said on Sunday as lawmakers sharpened their focus on charges of wrongdoing in his dealings with Ukraine.

U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler said the panel will not decide on the specific articles until after a hearing on Monday to consider evidence gathered by the House Intelligence Committee in its investigation of the Republican leader.

“There are possible drafts that various people are writing,” Nadler told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But the fact is we’re not going to make any decision as to how broad the articles should be – as to what they contain, what the wording is – until after the hearing tomorrow.”

The Democratic-led House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry focuses on Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election.

Nadler told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that articles of impeachment would be brought to the panel later in the week. Asked on CNN if lawmakers could vote this week, he said, “It’s possible.”

Learn more about the Democrats next steps in the impeachment process here

US Lawmakers Scrutinize Saudi Military Training After Base Attack

(Military Times) – Military leaders on Saturday said it is too early to label the deadly shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida as a terrorist attack, and said they hope the incident doesn’t overshadow the importance of working with foreign military allies for U.S. national security.

“That’s an advantage we bring as a military,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein at the Reagan National Defense Forum. “We have allies and partners, and often our adversaries don’t.

“My biggest concern would be that we would walk away from those key relationships, folks we know that we need when we go into combat.”

On Friday, a Saudi Arabian military student shot and killed three and injured eight more with a handgun before being killed by local law enforcement officials. Military investigators said they do not yet have a clear motive for the attack.

Read more here from the Military Times

NFL’s Khalil Mack Pays off 300 Layaway Accounts at His Local Walmart

(NBC Sports) – Khalil Mack is doing good in his hometown during the holiday season.

Mack paid off more than 300 layaway accounts at a Walmart in his hometown of Fort Pierce, Fla. Mack paid through the Khalil Mack Foundation.

The Fort Pierce Walmart announced his good deed on their Facebook page:

“We have some wonderful news! If you have an active Holiday Layaway account at your local Ft. Pierce Wal-Mart, you account has been paid off!

“We here at Walmart would like to thank the Khalil Mack Foundation for your generosity, and for making so many families happy for the holidays!”

Mack has been a big play player for the Bears defense since joining the team last year. Here is an example of a big play off the field from Mack.

Learn more about Khalil Mack’s good deed here