“Republicans have advised the president against” the pardon, “arguing that Mr. Blagojevich’s crime *epitomizes the corruption* that Mr. Trump” claimed “he wanted to tackle as president.”https://t.co/xiUmSTVWny

— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) February 18, 2020

Trump pardons war criminals and convicts to normalize the coming pardons of his political hacks and co-conspirators.

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 18, 2020

Maddow Blog: Trump insisted his actions in the Ukraine scandal were motivated by his concerns about corruption.

With Trump's new pardons and commutations, "the whole idea of Trump as some kind of corruption-fighter has become a punch-line to a sad joke."https://t.co/wy9AigYxtB

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 18, 2020

Today is like when Bane let the inmates out of the Blackgate Penitentiary in the third Dark Knight movie. Just real life.

— Julian Zelizer (@julianzelizer) February 18, 2020

NEW — The son of one of Trump’s pardon recipients gave $85k to Trump victory this August. His wife gave $50k that same month. On top of that, they made an in-kind contribution for $75k in air travel. https://t.co/M585LiH6Bu

— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 18, 2020

It's no coincidence Donald Trump uses his power to pardon those accused of the same crimes he and his cronies are accused of.

Don't let him normalize abuse and fraud.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 18, 2020

"I know who it is. I can't tell you that, but I know who it is. I know who some of the leakers are. I know a lot about Anonymous."@realDonaldTrump says he knows who "Anonymous" is. pic.twitter.com/oFh828MMGj

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 18, 2020

Is there something else going on today that Trump doesn't want us to see? Are the pardons he did today meant as a distraction? pic.twitter.com/PMqHTNVm5v

— Trial Lawyer Richard (@TrialLawyerRich) February 18, 2020

Dark Towers review: Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump and a must-read mystery https://t.co/i8dTmL2yiu

— The Guardian (@guardian) February 16, 2020

The coronavirus has now killed more than 2,000 people across the globe and sickened more than 75,000. Follow live updates:https://t.co/SSICFjv7aY pic.twitter.com/SEvVrdyueb

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 18, 2020

WHO reports at least 92 cases of human-to-human coronavirus cases outside China, but officials said it doesn’t have the data to make comparisons with China https://t.co/P3qjvq56eK pic.twitter.com/dT81D8ZGNG

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 18, 2020

Schools in Shanghai are to remain closed indefinitely and will offer online classes from March to ensure the safety of students and teachers during the novel #coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, #education authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday. https://t.co/Nv0ZrSrpzZ

— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) February 18, 2020

The billion dollar question: Is the financial fallout from coronavirus a short-term problem or a longer-term trend?https://t.co/6V7GNJEE0o

— CNN International (@cnni) February 18, 2020

Immigration bill:
– EU ID cards not acceptable at borders
– new migrants from EU and RoW have to speak English
– have to have a job offer
– have to get salary of £25.6k unless PhD or in skills shortage
– no change for Irish
Biggest reform for 40 yearshttps://t.co/J85NpS3Jj1

— Lisa O'Carroll (@lisaocarroll) February 18, 2020

This is could be a pile of national demands. Elgin Marbles for Greece, Gibraltar for Spain & Luxembourg wants back that fiver it lent the UK on a night out in France in the early 80s… https://t.co/lj7QootH6Z

— Aodhán Michael Connolly (@MichaelAodhan) February 18, 2020

Heaping more embarrassment on the UK, Johnson briefs his negotiators to do everything in their power to demean each+every EU🇪🇺 suggestion to remain closely tied economically+on security to the benefit of both sides. Embarrassing & undignified 🧐. https://t.co/wNbW8CwQsj

— mike roberts-millar 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 NHS🌈❤️HopeNotHate (@wisheart12) February 18, 2020

Johnson: “The UK wishes for a Canada style trade deal with the EU”

Michel Barnier: “That is not possible due to the UK’s geographical location”

Johnson: “So what you’re telling me, is that Brexit actually means Brexit”

Michel Barnier: “Yes”

— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) February 18, 2020

After years of insisting otherwise, the UK govt says that it actually wants no-deal Brexit.
No economic assessment has been produced. Which regions and industry sectors are winners/losers? Which worker, environment and human rights will be protected?https://t.co/4QXjzXGK8c

— Prem Sikka (@premnsikka) February 18, 2020