Obama Heads to Japan, Marco Rubio Intros Lie and Try, and Jim Acosta Calls Out WH

If you were one of the people watching Trump’s short-lived campaign advisor Sam Nunberg’s cable TV meltdown last night, don’t worry. We, too, fully expected at any moment for the characters on screen to stop and look into the camera and shout, “Live from New York It’s Saturday night!” Never happened. In a dramatic blast of accusations, insults and non-sequiturs, Nunberg vowed to defy a grand jury subpoena and dared Special Counsel Robert Mueller, only to change his mind hours later. The president’s response? Nothing yet. Just a bunch of tweets about the Oscars, Barack Obama, and veiled threats to North Korea. Congress’ response? Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is inviting Nunberg to testify before the House Intel Committee. Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans are trying to persuade Donald Trump to back off his pledge to impose tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum imports, with Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) warning the president of the economic dangers of entering a trade war, as well as the political backlash that could crush Republicans in the midterms. In the upper chamber, Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) announced Monday that he will resign from the Senate on April 1st, ending a four-decade congressional career. And Texas kicks off the first primary in the country today with a pool of candidates who want to make their way to DC. We break it down below. Alexa, who else wants to come to the Beltway? Amazon! Evidence is piling up that Amazon is seriously looking at the nation's capital for its HQ2. And who wants to go to Philly? Me! Beyoncé's official Facebook page announced that she and JAY-Z will embark on a second On the Run tour together, beginning July 30th in Philadelphia. Then moments later, the tour dates were gone. Why Bey? Why? Moving on. Have you seen the papers? No, not the newspapers. The rolling papers. A pro-marijuana legalization group is selling rolling papers that display AG Jeff Sessions' face. True story. Google it. And when you do, note that today’s Google Doodle honors Gabriel García Márquez, the Colombian novelist, screenwriter, & journalist who was one of the most significant writers of the 20th century. Okay, we’re kicking off Tuesday with this...

  • Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) part of bipartisan group introducing gun safety legislation.
  • CBC members call foul for sleeping in Capitol Hill offices. 
  • Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) questions loans to Kushner Cos.
  • Straight outta Compton, straight into Congress? Compton mayor may challenge Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA).
  • Former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala jumps into race to replace retiring Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
  • Hawaii Democratic Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa intro bill to research flower power.
  • HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson reportedly nearly left the agency over budget frustrations.
  • Florida Republican state Representative Julio González announces congressional bid.
  • Texas kicks off country’s first 2018 primary today.
  • PowerPAC Georgia infuses cash in bid for state’s first Black female governor.
  • Castro brothers and Latino Victory Fund team up for new initiative.
  • There’s a new Business and Economics Editor for the NYT’s Op-Ed section.
  • CNN WH Correspondent Jim Acosta calls out WH Press Secretary.
  • The Constitutional Accountability Center names a new COO.
  • NYC names new public schools Chancellor. Again.
  • Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) among lawmakers questioning HUD’s now-canceled furniture order.
  • Donald Trump to headline The Latino Coalition’s Legislative Summit.
  • Today in Blogs: a new report shows 2018 could be big for Black women in elected office, and meet the first double EGOT winner! 
  • And don't forget to catch Tiffany D. Cross today, and every Tuesday, onKeepin' It Real with Rev. Al Sharpton at 1:20P ET. Tune in!
Brenda Arredondo