WAITING
The [Chauvin] jurors deliberated about four hours before retiring for the night to the hotel where they are being sequestered for this final phase of the trial. They were due to resume Tuesday morning. (Associated Press)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Post-verdict violence is possible, but the level of law enforcement preparation is likely unprecedented in the Twin Cities and nationwide; could be today; might not be today.
SCOLDING
The judge in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial slammed Rep. Maxine Waters’ call for protesters to “get confrontational” if the ex-cop is cleared in the death of George Floyd on Monday — saying it could lead to the whole case “being overturned.” (New York Post)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Speaker Pelosi is trying to downplay this publicly, but Waters’ remarks have struck a Democratic chord.
REMEMBERING
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: He changed the power of the vice presidency, yes, but he also proved nice guys can finish first (or, at least, second).
CLAIMING
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday his country will not pursue hegemony regardless of how powerful it becomes and called for a “more fair and equitable” global governance. (CNBC)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: China continues to play a long game that creates asymmetrical advantages that are easier to perceive than counter. (Note: Only use this one if your Zoom is highfalutin.)
MASSING
Few Western analysts believe the Kremlin is planning an invasion of eastern Ukraine, given the likely backlash at home and abroad. But with a large-scale Russian troop buildup on land and sea on Ukraine’s doorstep, the view is spreading among officials and wide swathes of the Ukrainian public that Moscow is signaling more bluntly than ever before that it is prepared to openly enter the conflict. (New York Times)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Putin might or Putin might not, but it looks like Putin can.
NEGOTIATING (?)
President Biden and a bipartisan group of lawmakers discussed alternative ways to pay for infrastructure spending, including a smaller increase in the corporate tax rate…Biden indicated that he hoped to see a counteroffer from Republicans by mid-May. (Wall Street Journal)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: This period is either going to be an historical blip not worthy of a footnote…or the turning point of the Biden presidency.
WATCHING
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: It’s all about the questions, in many ways.
CORRECTING
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said President Biden misspoke when he said there’s a crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing the US-Mexico border.
Biden said Saturday that “young people” arriving “on the border” was a “crisis.” But Psaki said at her daily press briefing that Biden actually doesn’t believe that. (New York Post)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Tuesday is not the day the Biden administration will solve the border challenge/crisis.
REVISING
Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick suffered two strokes and died of natural causes a day after he confronted rioters at the Jan. 6 insurrection, the District’s chief medical examiner has ruled.
The ruling, released Monday, will make it difficult for prosecutors to pursue homicide charges in the officer’s death. Two men are accused of assaulting Sicknick by spraying a powerful chemical irritant at him during the siege, but prosecutors have not tied that exposure to Sicknick’s death.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Francisco J. Diaz, the medical examiner, said the autopsy found no evidence the 42-year-old officer suffered an allergic reaction to chemical irritants, which Diaz said would have caused Sicknick’s throat to quickly seize. Diaz also said there was no evidence of internal or external injuries. (Washington Post)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Exhibit 208,890 that in these polarized times, everything is partisan.
PLACEHOLDING
Former President Donald Trump said he is “seriously” considering another White House bid during an interview that aired Monday night.
Trump teased the idea of a 2024 presidential run, but again declined to fully commit, during a sit-down interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity
“So I say this, I am looking at it very seriously, beyond seriously,” Trump said.
“From a legal standpoint, I don’t want to really talk about it yet, it’s a little too soon,” he added. (New York Post)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Trump might or Trump might not, but it looks to the Establishment like Trump won’t.
INVESTIGATING
The New York State attorney general has opened an investigation into Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s use of state resources as he wrote and promoted his recent pandemic memoir, the latest inquiry to engulf the embattled three-term Democrat. (New York Times)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: “Everybody” in Albany says he is not going anywhere until he is forced to leave.
TUMULTING
The pitched battle to pursue, or prevent, a breakaway European soccer superleague started to take shape on Monday, hours after the stunning announcement late Sunday night by 12 of the sport’s richest and most popular teams that they were forming one.
The plan threatens to redraw the European soccer economy, from rich clubs in the Premier League to tiny ones in every corner of the continent, and funnel billions of dollars toward a handful of wealthy elite teams. It would represent one of the biggest wealth transfers in sports history, imperil the future of marquee events like the Champions League and threaten the existence of the domestic leagues and the smaller clubs that were left behind. (New York Times)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: I’ll believe it when I see it on the pitch.
COMPLICATING
New York City’s influential teachers’ union endorsed the city comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, in the race for mayor on Monday, providing a much-needed boost to a campaign that has struggled to gain momentum thus far, despite Mr. Stringer’s deep experience in city politics. (New York Times)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: When it comes to this Gotham City mayoral donnybrook, nobody knows nothing about nothing.
INNOVATING
A new collaboration between McDonald’s and the Korean music sensations BTS will bring unique sauces to the fast-food giant’s menu for the first time.
Beginning on May 26, U.S. customers can order BTS’ signature order from McDonalds: A 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, medium Coke and for the first time ever in the U.S., Sweet Chili and Cajun dipping sauces inspired by popular recipes from McDonald’s South Korea. (MLIVE)
WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: Sounds revoltingly perfect…or is it perfectly revolving?
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WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR MORNING ZOOM: You need to unmute.