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DECEMBER 04, 2019

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Skimm'd while adding to our holiday cart


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"I think he was at a basketball game" – Laura Dern on whether she's seen Baby Yoda. Never know, the world will.

EXTRA, EXTRA

The Story

Read all about it: The 300-page impeachment inquiry report is now public.

That's a lot of pages.

That's why we're here. Reminder: This all started over a July phone call between President Trump and Ukraine's president. Trump seemed to urge Ukraine to investigate former VP Joe Biden and his son for corruption – all while withholding nearly $400 million in aid. Cue a whistleblower wondering out loud whether this violated any laws. And a weeks-long investigation (think: hearings) by the Democratic-led House Intelligence Committee. Yesterday, it released a report on its findings.

And those would be...?

That Trump abused his power as president, and that evidence of his misconduct was "overwhelming." That he'd sought election interference from a foreign government, both personally and through proxies. And that this compromised national security. The report also accuses Trump of obstructing Congress's impeachment inquiry by doing things like not handing over requested documents and seeming to direct potential witnesses not to cooperate.

Did we learn anything new?

Yes. Turns out, the Dems had call records. They're saying the calls seem to indicate that a pressure campaign on Ukraine started as early as April.

And Republicans on the committee are saying...?

That they're not seeing any impeachable offenses here. And that this investigation is basically an "obsession with re-litigating the results" of the 2016 election.

So what's next?

The House Judiciary Committee will review the report. Today, it's also holding its own hearing in the impeachment inquiry, where four legal experts will be discussing the constitutional grounds for impeachment. The Judiciary Committee could also hold more hearings in the coming weeks. Depending on what it decides, it may draft articles of impeachment and send them to the House for a vote.

theSkimm

The Trump admin still claims this has "utterly failed to produce any evidence of wrongdoing" by the president. But the report marks the end of the first phase of the impeachment inquiry, and moves House Dems one step closer to possibly impeaching Trump.


Skimm More: Confused by the impeachment process? We have a step-by-step guide.

AND ALSO...THIS

What's counting down to Christmas...

North Korea. Yesterday, its state media warned the US of a possible "Christmas gift" if it doesn't meet an end-of-year deadline. The two countries have been trying to figure out a deal in which the US would offer concessions on sanctions and North Korea would end its nuclear weapons program. But talks have hit a stalemate since October. And North Korea is accusing the Trump admin of dragging its feet and stringing North Korea along to score a foreign policy win for the 2020 race. Now, North Korea's saying 'clock's ticking.' But President Trump doesn't seem to be worried. And says he has confidence North Korea will denuclearize.

  • Regifting: This isn't the first time North Korea's went with "gift" language. In 2017, North Korea first tested its intercontinental ballistic missiles, calling them a "package of gifts" to the US on July Fourth. And Kim Jong Un called on his officials to keep sending "big and small gift packages" to the US.

...Oh and speaking of gifts, Kim Jong Un unveiled a new city yesterday to North Korean citizens, complete with ribbon-cutting and fireworks.


Who's packing up their desks...

Google's co-founders. Yesterday, Larry Page and Sergey Brin said they were stepping down from their respective positions as CEO and president of Google's parent company, Alphabet. They say the time has come to let the company 'run free my child.' But some reportedly see the move as abandoning ship amid extra scrutiny (see: an antitrust investigation, employee walkouts). It also means a fancy new title for Google CEO Sundar Pichai.


Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). Yesterday, the once-leading Democratic candidate dropped out of the 2020 race for president. Harris said her campaign doesn't have the funds to keep going. Her departure also comes after months of low polling numbers and staff shake-ups.


Skimm More: We broke down who's still in the running for 2020.


PS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a minority investor in theSkimm.


What's making news out of NATO…

This video. It appears to show a few world leaders engaged in gossip.


Who's closing out the decade on a high note…

Drake. He won the top spot as Spotify's most-streamed artist of the decade – showcasing he's more than an '8 Out Of 10.'


When you're afraid of black widows...

Marvel at them instead.

THING TO KNOW

7%

The average amount that first-time homebuyers put as a down payment. If you're thinking 'but I heard it had to be 20%', you're not alone. Luckily, the truth is a lot less daunting. In fact, it can be (drumroll please) as low as 3.5% for some buyers.


Enter REALTORS®️, members of the National Association of REALTORS®️. They can help you understand your mortgage options and then guide you through the entire home-buying process. Learn more.

SKIMM PICKS

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For when cold weather is drying out your hair…

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For when you aren't sure what to get your grandparents…

The search is over. This company lets you use your own photos to make cards, calendars, mugs, blankets...you get the picture. Pun intended. PS: Skimm'rs get 61% off from now until December 7th. Go go go.*


For when your Dad's sick of getting ties every year…

Might we suggest...something a little more useful. Like a razor from this brand. Their heated razor gets hot in less than a second and is completely waterproof. Done and done.*

*PS This is a sponsored post.

SKIMM'RS

Preheat the oven for...Max L (IL). They landed a job at an artisan bakery after months of searching. We're in tiers.


Up With theSkimm with...Jessica Siskin. She's a food artist and the founder of Misterkrisp. She molds Rice Krispies treats into just about anything. And gave us insights into how to run a small business all on your own. Watch here.


(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Minhee Kim (NY), Aileen Schruth (NY), Tricia Culligan (NY), Lauren Kobren (PA), Lisa Rome (CT), Nicole Chung (DC), Michele Salpietra (NC), Niki Harris (AL), Ann Robbins (VA), Gabriella Ward (PA), Taylor Rhodes (OH), Jenna Byland (LA), Gabriella Ward (DE), Alexandra McColgan (CA)


*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.