Below are the top political news stories of the day: ¯\_(?)_/¯
- Iran vows revenge for U.S. killing of top commander as Trump sends more troops - SF Chronicle | Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was a towering figure as Iran projected power across the Middle East
- US-Iran tensions thrust foreign policy into Democrats' race - AP | Democratic presidential candidates are lambasting President Donald Trump's decision to kill Iran's top general in an airstrike.
- Oil prices surge, stocks fall after US kills Iranian general - AP | The selling, which lost some momentum toward the end of the day, ended a five-week winning streak for the S&P
- McConnell lauds Iranian general's killing as Schumer decries lack of consultation with Congress - MCO | McConnell confirmed the Trump administration would brief Capitol Hill staffers Friday.
- Trump Portrays Himself as Defender of Faith for Evangelicals - AP | Thousands of the faithful lifted their hands and prayed over Trump as he began speaking and portrayed himself as a defender of faith.
- Illinois presidential primary filing ends with Donald Trump facing two little known opponents — neither of them Joe Walsh - Chicago Tribune | Democratic delegate slates show split between establishment and progressive candidates.
- Trump's Iran move puts 2020 Democrats in a political bind - NBC News | Bernie ripped the president outright, while other top hopefuls tempered their criticism with condemnation of the Iranian commander who was killed.
- Wag the dog? Not yet. Democrats so far keep Trump’s Iran attack out of impeachment debate - L.A. Times | As lawmakers return to Washington next week, the political debate around both issues will only grow more feverish.
- Pelosi says Trump carried out strike on Iranian commander without authorization and she wants details - NBC News | Pelosi - "risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence."
- McConnell and Pelosi Give No Signs of Budging on Impeachment - AP | Congress opened the new year with the Senate deadlocked over President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
- An Eye on Impeachment, Judges Weigh House-Trump Disputes - AP | With an eye to impeachment, federal appellate judges struggled with whether to grant House Democrats' demands for testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn
- Judge: Indicted Giuliani Associate May Give Records to House - AP | Associate of Rudy Giuliani facing campaign finance charges may turn over documents to Congress.
- Trump just made his most consequential decision as president - Politico | DONALD TRUMP that could color the remainder of his presidency, shake up the 2020 campaign and reshape the Middle East for decades.
