January 1, We Won’t See Trump’s Tax Returns, for Now

This Day in History | 1871

The Great Chicago Fire starts. It would kill between 200-300 people and destroy more than 15,000 buildings. 

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Good Morning Middle Americans!

While the impeachment issue continues to simmer President Trump got some temporary relief from another legal battle he’s facing in New York City. We won’t see his tax returns, at least not yet. But the federal judge in his over his tax returns also had a stern warning for the commander in chief.  Also today, Energy Secretary says he’s not resigning after revealing that he was the one who urged President Trump to call Ukraine’s president. 

Controversial Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is getting a divorce, but he’s also facing scrutiny for paying her paramour more than $200,000 in political consulting fees. And finally the Dallas police department is investigating the murder of a key witness from the trial of the cop who shot and killed her neighbor. 

Read all about it 

– Fraser Dixon 

Trump Granted Reprieve on Tax Return Case After Federal Judge Issues Blistering Ruling

(Fox News) – President Trump was granted at least a brief reprieve Monday after a federal judge issued a scathing order allowing the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to subpoena his tax returns from accounting firm Mazars USA.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals put the subpoena on hold after Trump’s attorneys filed an emergency appeal.

“We are very pleased that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has issued a stay of the subpoena issued by New York County District Attorney Cy Vance,” Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said.

Read more from about the reprieve from Fox News here

Energy Secretary Rick Perry Denies He Is Planning to Resign

(The Hill) – Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Monday denied reports that he will leave the Trump administration in November.

“No. I’m here, I’m serving,” he said when asked about a recent Politico report at a news conference in Lithuania.

“They’ve been writing the story for at least nine months now. One of these days they will probably get it right, but it’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, it’s not next month,” he added.

The Department of Energy has also denied reports of Perry’s departure.

Read more about Rick Perry’s plans to stay in government from The Hill

Rep. Ilhan Omar Files for Divorce from Husband Amid Affair Allegations

(NY Post) – Rep. Ilhan Omar has filed for divorce from the father of her three kids, claiming the marriage is “irretrievable” — amid allegations that she had an affair with DC-based political consultant Tim Mynett.

The freshman congresswoman filed to split from husband Ahmed Hirsi on Friday in Minnesota, the state she represents, The Post has learned.

Omar filed on her 37th birthday, according to the US House of Representatives’ archives.

Learn more about the Rep. Ilhan Omar’s divorce

Dallas Police Investigate Death of Witness in Ex-cop’s Trial

(AP) – The mayor of Dallas is urging people to avoid speculation after a key witness in a Dallas police officer’s murder trial was shot to death days after the officer’s conviction.
 
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said on Twitter that he trusts Dallas police will conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Joshua Brown and that until then, people should “refrain from speculation.”
 
Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall said Sunday that police have no suspects or motives in the Friday killing of Brown, who had lived in the same apartment complex as Dallas police officer Amber Guyger and Botham Jean.
 
A jury convicted Guyger of murder last week for fatally shooting Jean inside his own apartment. Police say the shooting that killed Brown happened at another apartment complex.

Read more from the Associated Press here