Trump sticks embattled health chief with coronavirus response

Trump sticks embattled health chief with coronavirus response-politico: In the span of a day, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar suddenly became the face of the Trump White House’s public response to the Wuhan coronavirus. He could just as easily become the fall guy if the president grows unhappy with the speed or nature of the virus’ transmission, or the increasingly intense media coverage surrounding the administration’s actions.

McConnell, Romney vie for influence over Trump's trial

McConnell, Romney vie for influence over Trump's trial-thehill: The fight over calling additional witnesses at President Trump's impeachment trial has turned into a struggle for influence between Mitch McConnell and Mitt Romney.

GOP scrambles to sidestep messy witness fight

GOP scrambles to sidestep messy witness fight-thehill: Republicans are scrambling to prevent a protracted, messy fight as they try to dismiss renewed talk of calling witnesses during President Trump's impeachment trial.

McConnell struggles to maintain GOP unity post-Bolton

McConnell struggles to maintain GOP unity post-Bolton-thehill: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is struggling to maintain control of President Trump’s impeachment trial following news of former national security adviser John Bolton’s bombshell manuscript. McConnell deflected growing calls, including from fellow GOP senators, to allow testimony from Bolton and other potential witnesses, which could prolong the trial and deal a massive blow to Trump and Republicans.

How record-high turnout in Iowa could upend the 2020 race

How record-high turnout in Iowa could upend the 2020 race-politico: It might not be enough to blunt the momentum swinging nationally to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. But for Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, high turnout in the Iowa caucuses may be their only chance.

What to watch for on day 4 of the Senate impeachment trial

What to watch for on day 4 of the Senate impeachment trial-thehill: House Democrats get their final shot on Friday to make their case to the Senate and the American public that President Trump’s actions warrant conviction and removal from office. Democrats are expected to use the fourth day of the trial, which marks their third day for opening arguments, to explore the second article of impeachment adopted by the House last month: obstruction of Congress.

White House prepared short list to shake up HHS leadership

White House prepared short list to shake up HHS leadership-politico: White House officials drew up a short list of potential replacements for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Medicare chief Seema Verma at the height of their contentious feud in case either was forced out late last year, three people with knowledge of the exercise told Politico.