The Morning Briefing: Khashoggi in the Headlines and Much, Much More

Good Wednesday morning.

Here is what’s on the president’s agenda today:

The president meets with workers on “Cutting the Red Tape, Unleashing Economic Freedom”
President Trump hosts a cabinet meeting
The president presents the Medal of Honor

I have a condensed version of the Briefing for you this morning. I’ve been traveling this week.

The Saudi Arabia/Khashoggi mystery

This story continues to lead news coverage with the media wagging their finger at President Trump, sneering that he needs to dump/sanction/cancel arms sales/start a war with the Sauds. Despite all the moral posturing, we have no evidence of anything — NONE — and yet an entire scenario has been constructed and floated around. But there is no evidence and there are no admissions, only convenient allegations from the enemies (Turkey, Qatar, Iran) of a Saudi, Israeli, U.S. alliance. If the U.S. turns on the Saudis, cui bono? Here are a few good pieces on what’s really going on here:

What the media isn’t telling you about the Jamal Khashoggi affair

The Ugly Terror Truth About Jamal Khashoggi

Trump defends Saudi Arabia as accusations mount over journalist disappearance

Trump says allegations against Saudis are example of “guilty until proven innocent”

Your daily WTF:

Police Investigating Claim Human Remains Were Baked into Cookies Eaten by California Students

Historical picture of the day:

Captain Jacques Cousteau, left, welcomes Andre Laban, chief aboard the submarine house, Oct. 17, 1965, in Monaco Harbor. Cousteau’s crew of oceanauts had just left the decompression chamber where they spent three days after the final phase of Precontinent III submarine survival. (AP Photo/Rene Maestri)

Other morsels:

EEK! YouTube went down worldwide, causing massive confusion

Melania’s Spokeswoman Calls Out T.I. Over ‘Disrespectful And Disgusting’ Video Depicting First Lady As Exotic Dancer

CDC: ‘Mystery illness’ leaving dozens of children paralyzed

62 cases of AFM, the polio-like illness, confirmed across 22 states: CDC

State Department spokeswoman Nauert in the mix for U.N. ambassador

Rabid raccoon attacks 3 people near Washington D.C.

Nearly 130 guns found in home of police ambush suspect, officials say

Recreational marijuana is now legal in Canada

Joe Biden says age a ‘totally legitimate’ question if he were to run for office again

WHOOPS Hillary Clinton’s Van Crashes Upon Arrival at Menendez Fundraiser

Person claimed ricin was in letter sent to Senator Collins home