OnPolitics Today: Doggone it, top Democrats don't like him

with Josh Hafner

Senator Al Franken tales a break during the Neil Gorsuch

"Senator Franken will be making an announcement tomorrow. More details to come."

That tweet from Al Franken's account on Wednesday spelled peril for the Minnesota Democrat. Franken, facing at least six accusations of sexual misconduct, had seemed ready to trudge through the controversy.

So what happened? A new accuser spoke up to Politico, and then dozens of Senate Democrats called for him to go. (Rep. John Conyers, another accused Democrat, chose to "retire" on Tuesday.)

"I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments, but he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately," said Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat.

In other words: Franken's good enough. He's smart enough. But doggone it, that's not enough for him to stay.

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Government shutdown 'could happen' this week, Trump says

A shutdown could be coming, President Trump said. And you'll never guess whom he blamed. Oh, did you say Democrats? Then yeah, you're right. "The Democrats may ... want to shut down the country because they want people flowing into our country," Trump said Wednesday, referring to Democrats wanting to reinstate a policy that blocks the deportation of children who parents came into the U.S. illegally. Lawmakers must agree by Friday to extend a deadline if they want to keep the federal government open after this week.

Trump's capital idea: Potentially upend the Middle East

The United States will now consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel, Trump announced Wednesday, choosing to move the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv and signaling to Palestinians that they should cede in peace talks . Israel calls Jersualem its capital, but Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of its future state. To stay neutral, every country - except, soon, the U.S. - has its embassy in Tel Aviv. Trump's move could roil the region, sparking violence and extremism. But no worries, everyone: Jared Kushner is on it.

Republicans call the FBI biased

Special counsel Robert Mueller demoted a top agent for sending anti-Trump text messages, and now House conservatives claim that incident proves a bias that should derail the Russia inquiry tied to Trump. Fat chance, legal experts say. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said Wednesday blamed the FBI for allowing "people who hate the president to participate in the investigations against him." Hate's a strong word, and analysts say the immediate demotion means their claim will hold little water in Congress.

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