NYT: Cohen investigated for bank fraud

New from the New York Times today:

Cohen, Trump’s Ex-Lawyer, Investigated for Bank Fraud in Excess of $20 Million

Manafort trial done for today. Deliberations start tomorrow.

From Zoe Tillman on Twitter:

"We are done for the day. I'll have more soon on closing arguments by proseucotrs and the defense. The jury instructions took more than an hour and a half. The judge then excused the four alternates, and said the jury would begin deliberating first thing tomorrow"

FYI, Avenatti on Maddow tonight to talk about the immigration scandal

Looking forward to joining @maddow tonight at 9 ET to discuss the disclosure of new evidence relating to the draconian border policy. We will continue to bring evidence to the American public and speak truth to power. #Basta
6:16 PM - 25 Jun 2018

MSNBC has GOT to cover other stories!

Jesus Christ! Three straight days of nothing but wall to wall coverage of the immigration story! This is disgusting.

Yes I know the immigration story is very important. Maybe it even requires 30 minutes per hour. But THEY ARE NOT COVERING ANY OTHER STORY!

The freaks in the White House are doing 100 terrible things every day and no one is covering it.

MSNBC: Move on to other stories already!

CNN: Those North Korea explosions for the press may have been meaningless

Washington (CNN) - What first appeared to be a gesture indicating North Korea might be willing to dismantle its nuclear weapons program appears to have been little more than a propaganda effort for the world's cameras.

Trump Asked Sessions to Retain Control of Russia Inquiry After His Recusal

This looks interesting:

Mr. Trump, who had told aides that he needed a loyalist overseeing the inquiry, berated Mr. Sessions and told him he should reverse his decision, an unusual and potentially inappropriate request.

Mr. Sessions refused.

The confrontation, which has not been previously reported, is being investigated by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, as are the president’s public and private attacks on Mr. Sessions and efforts to get him to resign.

Giuliani got booed at the Yankees game. LOL.

Here is a little something to make you smile:

https://twitter.com/amieparnes/status/1001171562664513536

@amieparnes Giuliani gets booed at the Yankees game when announced that today is his birthday.

Assange's refuge in Ecuadorian embassy 'in jeopardy'

This could be sweet!

Washington (CNN) - Julian Assange's nearly six-year refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London is in danger, opening the WikiLeaks founder to arrest by British authorities and potential extradition to the US, multiple sources with knowledge tell CNN.

While Assange has in the past claimed his position in the embassy was under threat, sources say his current situation is "unusually bad" and that he could leave the embassy "any day now," either because he will be forced out or made to feel so restricted that he might choose to leave on his own. His position there is "in jeopardy," one source familiar with the matter said.

White House agrees to bipartisan FBI meeting.....after the Republican one

Well chalk this one up to making no sense:

The White House is planning a separate meeting for bipartisan House and Senate leaders to receive classified information related to the Russia investigation, bowing to pressure over a decision to exclude Democrats from a highly anticipated Thursday briefing.

White House spokesman Raj Shah said the group, known as the Gang of Eight, will huddle with officials representing the Justice Department, law enforcement and intelligence “following the Memorial Day recess.”

Shah said in a statement that Thursday’s planned meeting with House Republicans “will proceed as previously scheduled.”

Novartis top lawyer quits over Cohen payments

Another employee "retires" due to Cohen payments:

The top lawyer at Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis stepped down on Wednesday following revelations that the company made payments to President Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen.

Novartis (NVS) said its general counsel, Felix Ehrat, had decided to retire from his position in the "context of discussions" surrounding the payments to Cohen.