PERRY STICKING AROUND?: Energy Secretary Rick PerryJames (Rick) Richard PerryOvernight Energy: Perry denies he is planning to resign | Workers sue over Trump rule on pork inspections | Video shows cacti at national monument being bulldozed for border wall Perry denies he is planning to resign Trump associates pressured Ukraine over gas firm in order to benefit allies: report MORE on Monday denied reports that he will leave the Trump administration in November.

“No. I’m here, I’m serving,” he said when asked about a recent Politico report at a news conference in Lithuania.

“They’ve been writing the story for at least nine months now. One of these days they will probably get it right, but it’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, it’s not next month,” he added.

The Department of Energy has also denied reports of Perry’s departure.

Ukraine controversy: Politico cited three sources close to Perry saying he would announce his departure next month.

The report came just days after the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent questions to Perry related to his travel to Ukraine amid scrutiny of the Trump administration’s dealings with that country.

Perry traveled to Ukraine in May for the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose contacts with President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump campaign slams Minneapolis mayor, Target Center for ‘attempting to extort’ them with rally security fees Susan Rice calls Trump decision to pull troops from Syria ‘batshit crazy’ Ex-Trump officials met with Zelensky campaign aides at Trump hotel earlier this year: report MORE are now at the center of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.

Perry said on Monday that he “absolutely” requested that Trump call Zelensky to discuss energy, but not former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenA dozen House Democrats call on EU ambassador to resign amid Ukraine scandal Ex-Trump officials met with Zelensky campaign aides at Trump hotel earlier this year: report Overnight Health Care — Presented by Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing — Buttigieg unveils aggressive plan to lower drug prices | Supreme Court abortion case poses major test for Trump picks | Trump takes heat from right over vaping crackdown MORE or his son Hunter. That July 25 call between Trump and Zelensky has become the focal point of the impeachment inquiry.

“I asked the president multiple times, ‘Mr. president, we think it is in the United States’ and in Ukraine’s best interest that you and the president of Ukraine have conversations, that you discuss the options that are there,'” Perry said at the news conference.

Perry’s travels: Perry traveled to Lithuania on Sunday with Energy Department officials for meetings on “regional energy cooperation in nuclear, renewables and fossil fuels,” according to his Twitter account. He described the meeting as a way to work with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonian allies to “chart their energy future.”

The meeting for the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation included a meeting between Perry and Ukraine Energy Minister Oleksii Orzhel.

“The United States strongly supports Ukraine and Poland’s effort to enhance regional energy security,” Perry tweeted. “Opening greater access to Ukraine’s storage will allow increased commercial activity to leverage the increased supplies and seasonal spreads in European gas markets. Enhancing interconnectors could mean that one day Ukraine can supply its neighbors with new domestic production.”

Read more here. 

 

It’s Monday. Welcome to Overnight Energy, The Hill’s roundup of the latest energy and environment news. 

Please send tips and comments to Miranda Green, mgreen@thehill.com and Rebecca Beitsch, rbeitsch@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @mirandacgreen, @rebeccabeitsch and @thehill.

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CACTI CASUALTIES: New video shows protected saguaro cacti at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona being destroyed by bulldozers preparing the site for construction of President Trump’s border wall.

Kevin Dahl, the senior program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) in Arizona, shot footage of the iconic saguaro cacti — known for growing more than three arms — being moved by bulldozers.

Dahl told news site Earther that the construction crews were knocking down desert plants and collecting them into piles when he visited the park last week.

He described feeling “outrage” over witnessing the destruction. 

“We love these saguaros,” Dahl told the site. “The Tohomo O’odham [tribe], in their taxonomy of life saguaros are very close to humans. And you know, they have a majestic presence, they are the iconic symbol of this part of the world. You know you’re someplace different when you’re in a saguaro forest.”

The species in the park are protected by federal law, so crews are moving saguaros technically within a 60-foot strip of land called the Roosevelt Reservation that the government has access to for border protection, according to Earther. 

The Army Corps of Engineers released a video last month saying that the saguaros and other types of cacti were being relocated to another area considered part of their natural habitat.

Read more here. 

 

SUIT OVER SOW: Workers are suing over a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that allows pork processing plants to speed up production lines, something their union says could endanger employees. 

The USDA rule, announced in September, would remove a cap on the speed that inspection lines can run and also reduce the number of food inspectors who look over pork products.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), which filed the suit on behalf of 30,000 pork plant workers nationwide, noted that meatpacking workers are injured more than twice the average for all private industries.

“Thousands of our members work hard every day in America’s pork plants to help families across the country put food on the table. Increasing pork plant line speeds not only is a reckless giveaway to giant corporations, it will put thousands of workers in harm’s way,” said Marc Perrone, president of UFCW. “This new rule also would dramatically weaken critical protections that Americans depend on to be able to select safe, healthy food to feed their families every day.”

The USDA rule would give plants more power in overseeing the inspection of meat. The agency said reducing the number of USDA inspectors would save them $8.7 million. 

“This regulatory change allows us to ensure food safety while eliminating outdated rules and allowing for companies to innovate,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny PerdueGeorge (Sonny) Ervin PerdueOvernight Energy: Perry denies he is planning to resign | Workers sue over Trump rule on pork inspections | Video shows cacti at national monument being bulldozed for border wall Workers sue over Trump administration rule that speeds inspection of pork products GOP Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville says Trump has ‘put a noose’ around farmers’ necks with trade war MORE said in a release when the rule was announced, calling it a modernization of a 50-year-old process.

USDA did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Read about the lawsuit here. 

 

ELECTRICITY OR WILDFIRES: Utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) warned Monday that it may shut off power across much of California later this week to prevent power lines and equipment from sparking wildfires.

The shutoff watch, which precedes a warning of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, covers 28 counties, including almost all of the Bay Area and northern parts of the Central Valley.

PG&E has cut power to thousands of customers multiple times this year amid dry and windy conditions that increase the risks of a wildfire.

Power was generally restored within 24 to 48 hours of those shutoffs.

The warning points toward PG&E taking more extreme caution following last year’s Camp Fire.

The company agreed to pay $11 billion to insurance companies for the devastation that resulted from the blaze in Paradise, Calif., and other Northern California cities and counties in 2017 and 2018 after Cal Fire found PG&E equipment at fault for the fire.

Under California law, a utility can be held liable for fires its equipment causes even if the equipment is properly maintained.

PG&E had already filed for bankruptcy in January in an attempt to protect itself from the liabilities related to the California wildfires.

Read it here. 

 

OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY: 

States issue new warnings of ‘zombie’ deer disease, we report.

Supreme Court justices reject pipeline, wildfire cases, E&E News reports. 

Pope urges bold action to protect the Amazon amid fires, the Associated Press reports.

 

ICYMI: Stories from Monday and the weekend

Company behind Dove and Ben & Jerry’s plans to cut use of plastic in half by 2025

Video shows cacti being bulldozed at national monument during border wall construction

PG&E may shut off power in large portions of California to prevent wildfires

Workers sue over Trump administration rule that speeds inspection of pork products

Perry denies he is planning to resign

Trump associates pressured Ukraine over gas firm in order to benefit allies: report

Spokeswoman: Perry encouraged Trump to focus on energy, economy in Ukraine call

Klobuchar blasts Trump ethanol proposal as ‘too little too late’

1. Tensions sizzled not fizzled

It’s been a rough few years for keen spectators of the Reds- Waratahs rivalry, particularly those north of the border. This Suncorp Stadium stoush was one of the best of recent times and certainly one of the best performances by Queensland in the past three years. As well as the closest scoreline in three seasons, it was handbags at 20 paces for a lot of the game. There was nothing of long-term note but constant tension cut a swathe through the match, something few fans would be sad about.

2. Ant-man Fainga’a

He’s slipped back into the Reds team with little fanfare, but Anthony Fainga’a has added some superhuman force into the Queensland side. The inside centre attacked every ruck with ferocity and forced the Waratahs on to the back foot. His execution might lack at times, but he has the power of a man four times his size, at least.

3. Go for the kill

We’ve said it before and hopefully we don’t have to say it again – The Reds need to build a bit of Chuck Norris about them and go for the kill when they have the chance. They’ve been in winning positions every week for the past three matches and again at Suncorp they just let their opposition off in critical moments. A team can only go through so many honourable losses before harder questions have to be asked. Pull out the knife and put it to your opponents’ throats, Queensland (metaphorically, not literally, of course).

4. Cry for the Tahs without their Argentinian

It’s going to be a long, hard road ahead for the Waratahs scrum.Set piece coach Mario Ledesma joined the Wallabies this season and veteran prop Sekope Kepu departed. Those absences hurt them more than anticipated. That it started poorly early in the year might have been put down to an adjustment period but five weeks, including a bye, of being beaten in the set piece is unforgivable.

5. Phipps the everywhere man

A divisive halfback in some circles, Nick Phipps is still one of the most effective NSW players. The Wallabies back up scrumhalf is involved in almost everything across the field and held up two Reds players on the try line on Sunday, ultimately game-deciding acts. The 26-year-old finished with 13 tackles for the game, the most of any player on the field.

We’ve taken a look at the recent history between this weekend’s Super Rugby combatants.

ACT Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs

May 1, 2015 – Brumbies 10 – Waratahs 13

The Waratahs took the honours in the second match of the season between two of Australia’s bitter rivals, in a bruising contest in Canberra. The win put them right in contention to take the Australian conference lead after a low scoring affair. Joe Tomane and Adam Ashley-Cooper were the try scorers in the tight encounter.

March 22, 2015  – Waratahs 28 – Brumbies 13

Israel Folau broke a four-game scoring drought when he clinched the sealer for the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium. A rare Sunday afternoon game provided plenty of entertainment for fans, with the home side scoring three tries to one to take the win. The match was probably more remembered for the conversation that played out afterwards, with Brumbies flanker David Pocock addressing referee Craig Joubert twice in the final 15 minutes over the Waratahs’ use of homophobic slurs

Super Rugby semi final – July 26,2014 Waratahs 26 – Brumbies 8

The Waratahs clinched Super Rugby final hosting rights with this win over the Brumbies. While NSW added three tries to their incredible 2014 tally, it was their defence that clinched the victory, holding the Brumbies out for most of the night. Halfback Nick Phipps showed his defensive capabilities particularly with two try-saving tackles, on Tevita Kuridrani and Robbie Coleman.

Queensland Reds vs Western Force

May 30, 2015 –  Reds 32 – Force 10

It was a Quade Cooper clinic in Perth, with the flyhalf taking a brace of tries and 12 points off the boot in a big win. Outside back Lachie turner collected two for the Reds as well, one of those set up by a trademark Cooper flick pass. The win helped the Reds move out of wooden spoon contention, midway through the year.

February 21, 2015 – Reds 18 – Force 6

In a match that was very nearly called off due to cyclonic conditions, the Reds claimed one of their most significant victories. The match came after a tumultuous week for the club and lost back James O’Connor to injury before kick off. Lachie Turner stepped up to the plate for Queensland, with a try and eight points off his boot to add to a penalty try.

July 5, 2014 – Force 30 – Reds 20

The Force kept themselves in contention for a 2014 finals spot with this victory over the Reds in perth. In Nick Cummins’s last match before his first stint in Japan, they Force had plenty of motivation to eke out a win. Cummins scored a try in his last hitout, one of three Force tries to the Reds’ two.

Rebels vs Bulls

June 6, 2015 – Rebels 21 – Bulls 20

The Rebels knocked the Bulls out of Super Rugby finals contention with a one-point win at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Leading by three at halftime the Rebels held off the Bulls, with a 58th minute Lopeti Timani try the final score of the day. The result was particularly pleasing for coach Tony McGahan coming off the back of a three-week road trip.

July 11, 2014 – Bulls 40 – Rebels 7

A second half lapse saw the Rebels go down to the Bulls in Pretoria in their only 2014 clash. The Rebels trailed by just one score at half time before the Bulls piled on 28 unanswered points to take a dominant win. Jack Debreczeni scored his first Super Rugby try in the match after replacing an injured Bryce Hegarty in the lineup. Co-Captain Scott Fuglistaller was handed a yellow card in the game for repeated infringements.

May 4, 2012 – Rebels 35 – Bulls 41

The Bulls took a narrow win over the Rebels in Melbourne. In a spectator-friendly affair with 10 tries scored between the two sides, a 72nd minute Morne Steyn penalty goal proved the final difference. Cooper Vuna scored the last try for the Rebels in the 64th minute, before Steyn sealed the game.

Brumbies hooker Josh Mann-Rea will find out on Monday whether a late brain snap against the Stormers will cost him any Super Rugby time.

Mann-Rea was red carded in the 63rd minute after throwing a number of punches in a scuffle with Oli Kebble when the Brumbies trailed by five points.

The send-off arguably took the game out of the Brumbies’ reach, with the Stormers running in a penalty and two more tries

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said there was no excuse for Mann-Rea’s actions and that the hooker was “bitterly disappointed”.

“It doesn’t matter what sparked the incident, he shouldn’t have thrown a punch,” he said.

“He’s bitterly disappointed that he threw a punch because it’s pretty black and white in the law book. You throw a punch you’re off the field.”

Larkham lamented the impact the card had on the final stages of the game. .

“The red card really hurt us in terms of our set piece and there was one less number around the paddock to defend with,” he said.

“Up until that point it was anyone’s game.

“I think if we had 15 on the paddock at the end it would’ve been obviously a lot tighter.”

Larkham said at first glance the on-field punishment for Mann-Rea seemed harsh.

“We’ll obviously have a judicial hearing on Monday,” he said.

“For mine I’ll have a look at it again, I don’t think it should have been a red card so we’ll have a look on Monday

Larkham was more circumspect over a decision late in the match to award a try to Dillyn Leads, though the winger looked to drop the ball over the line.

“We’d probably be arguing it for the same way if we’d scored a try like that,” he said.

“You could probably say that the ball was in contact all the way down so it is what it is.

“They got over the line whether he dropped it or put it down, the fact is he got it over the line and it’s something we’ll look at.”

The Brumbies have minimal injury concerns coming out of the match, with facial bruising to Henry Speight the only concern out of the Stormers game.

Late withdrawal, Jarrad Butler, will fly home on Sunday, set to miss at least a month with a medial injury, while the rest of the squad stays on to play the Cheetahs in Bloemfoentein next Saturday.

He’s played just 176 minutes of rugby this season and has been left out altogether this week but the Queensland Reds say it wasn’t a mistake to recruit Ayumu Goromaru.

The Japanese Test star was brought over to Ballymore amid some of the greatest preseason hype of any recruit but has been barely used since the season started.

Goromaru has dropped off the bench, replaced by Junior Laloifi for the Reds’ clash against the Crusaders but Reds co-coach Matt O’Connor said his signing wasn’t a mistake.

“I wouldn’t say it was a mistake,” he said.

“It’s about making sure we had a quality goal kicker in the squad given the losses of Quade (Cooper) and James O’Connor last year.

“Thankfully Jake’s (McIntyre) stepped up and done that for us.

“We brought him in to give us a quality body to kick goals and thankfully the way the season’s gone and K’s (Hunt) playing very well at fullback and Jake’s kicking his goals.

“He understood that when he came in. He’s working hard on his game to play better and it’s one game.” 

Boom youngster Campbell Magnay will have a baptism of fire in the absence of Samu Kerevi (hand) but scrumhalf Nick Frisby said the side backed the youngster to step up.

“Big shoes to fill,” he said.

“We’ve got every confidence in Campbell that he’ll do the job.

“He’s been a standout for the 20s. He’s got a big body, brings a lot of enthusiasm, loves the physicality so I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Queensland will have the added bulk of returning winger Chris Feauai-Sautia to add some reassurance for Magnay as well, though Frisby doesn’t think he’ll need it.

“Don’t think he’ll be nervous, knowing Campbell. He’s a typical young kid – non-fussed about everything so he’ll be going about his business as usual,” he sad.

Frisby will notch up his 50th match against the Crusaders, in what is set to be one of the toughest challenges of the year.

“It’s been a long time coming for me,” he said.

“In my fifth season now. I Remember the first one like it was yesterday so to now play 50 for Queensland is a massive honour and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Reds haven’t won in Christchurch since 1999 and travel to face a team that has the depth to keep five All Blacks on its bench.

The Blues are at the centre of a Europe-wide striker trade-off, with two of their own players heavily involved

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has reached an agreement to join Atletico Madrid on loan for the rest of the season, but the Spanish giants now must raise funds before completing the deal.

Goal understands Atletico have reached an agreement that would see them pay €3 million (£2.6m/$3.4m) to bring in Morata for the remainder of the campaign, with the option to pay a further €40m (£35.2m/$45.6m) to buy the Spain international at the end of the season.

Atletico are still in negotiations with Chelsea regarding the percentage of Morata’s wages they will pay, with the Liga outfit hopeful of only forking out for 50% of his £120,000 per week salary before entering talks regarding a reduced contract with the player should he make the move permanent.

Atleti, however, are not currently in a position to sign off on the deal with Chelsea as they try to offload two summer signings of their own in a bid to clear space on their wage bill .

Forward Nikola Kalinic arrived from AC Milan in the summer but has struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone’s style of play, scoring just four goals in 18 matches.

The Rojiblancos are also trying to sell winger Gelson Martins, who signed a six-year deal after joining on a free transfer from Sporting having cancelled his contract with the Portuguese giants.

The hold-up in offloading Morata is having an effect on Chelsea’s signing of Gonzalo Higuain from AC Milan, which is effectively complete.

Chelsea are keen to get Morata off their wage bill before bringing in Higuain, while Milan themselves must find a replacement for the Argentina international, with Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek their primary target and likely to cost around €40m (£35.2m/$45.6m).

Higuain has an arrangement to join Chelsea on a six-month loan which can either be extended for a further year or turned into a permanent move in the summer, though that would lead to fresh contract negotiations for the 31-year-old.

The former Real Madrid forward will reunite with Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who worked with Higuain at Napoli and played a key role in the striker matching the record for the most goals in a single Serie A season with 36 in 2015-16.

Higuain and Morata are not the only strikers with Chelsea links on the move in January, with Michy Batshuayi’s departure from Stamford Bridge adding further complications to a busy month in west London.

With his loan spell at Valencia having been cut short, Chelsea are hopeful of being able to sell the 25-year-old for around €45m (£40m/$51.3m).

This has stalled Batshuayi’s agreed loan move to Monaco , and with the Ligue 1 strugglers now looking into the possibility of signing Kalinic, the Belgium international’s reunion with Thierry Henry could now be off.

Everton have also shown an interest in the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Marseille forward but their valuation falls well short of what Chelsea are looking for.

He could yet be used as part of the deal to sign Higuain if Milan struggle to find a viable replacement elsewhere while Crystal Palace are also reportedly keen.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also in talks with Zenit’s Leandro Paredes over a move for around €30m (£27m/$34m), though the Russian club value him at €40m (£36m/$46m).

There is hope that Chelsea can complete all their January business ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham next Thursday, but their match with Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday is set to come too soon for the likes of Higuain.

Additional reporting from Ruben Uria and Romeo Agresti.

A whistleblower allegation about possible misconduct in the IRS presidential tax-return audit program is receiving new attention amid House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into President TrumpDonald John TrumpWhite House says Turkey will soon launch Syria operation Trump associates pressured Ukraine over gas firm in order to benefit allies: report Trump praises Woodward, slams other journalists over ‘Face the Nation’ segment MORE.

House Democrats are focused on a separate whistleblower complaint that President Trump allegedly urged Ukraine to investigate his political rival, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump associates pressured Ukraine over gas firm in order to benefit allies: report Trump praises Woodward, slams other journalists over ‘Face the Nation’ segment Why Elizabeth Warren will fail to shine in her moment on the trail MORE. But progressive groups are also banging the drum over the tax complaint, urging leaders to disclose more information and arguing it could be crucial to Democrats’ oversight.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with scandal and secrecy with Trump’s presidency the entire time,” said Maura Quint, executive director of the progressive group Tax March. “I think now we’ve got the Democrats trying to hone in on what’s been going on, and I think the common link that we’ve been seeing is that since before he took office, he’s been trying to hide his tax returns.”

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In an already politically charged Washington, the tax complaint bears the makings of a new political football.

“Obtaining Trump’s tax returns remains vital to determining whether he has manipulated our tax code as much as he has sought to manipulate our democracy,” said Rep. Lloyd DoggettLloyd Alton DoggettTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight Is Congress too afraid to fight Big Pharma? Overnight Health Care: Dem seeks changes to Pelosi drug pricing bill | Trump officials shift family planning funds from Planned Parenthood | CVS halts sales of Zantac over cancer concerns MORE (D-Texas) in a statement Friday. “Whistleblowers regarding possible improper political interference are important to both inquiries.”

The whistleblower complaint though is largely shrouded in mystery, with few public details.

Its existence was first revealed by the Democratic-led House Ways and Means Committee in court documents in August in its lawsuit for Trump’s tax returns. In an Aug. 8 letter to Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight The Hill’s Morning Report — Trump takes aim at whistleblower Hillicon Valley: Treasury sanctions Russians over 2018 election meddling | How Facebook fought back on FTC fine | WeWork calls off IPO | Elon Musk unveils Mars rocket MORE included in a filing, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard NealRichard Edmund NealTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight Treasury IG agrees to probe handling of Trump tax returns request On The Money: Economy adds 136K jobs in September | Jobless rate at 50-year low | Treasury IG to probe handling of Trump tax returns request | House presses Zuckerberg to testify on digital currency MORE (D-Mass.) said his panel received information from a federal employee on July 29 that included credible allegations of “inappropriate efforts to influence” the IRS mandatory program of auditing presidents and vice presidents.

It’s IRS internal policy, but not law, to conduct annual audits of the president’s and vice president’s tax returns.

A Ways and Means Committee spokeswoman said Friday that the panel can’t discuss the contents of the complaint because of taxpayer privacy laws.

The Washington Post reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter, that the whistleblower is an IRS employee who said he was told that at least one Treasury Department political appointee tried to interfere with an audit of Trump or Vice President Pence’s tax returns.

The whistleblower spoke with the Post and wouldn’t say anything about the substance of his complaint but confirmed that he sent it to Neal, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight GOP Sen. Joni Ernst: ‘Whistleblowers should be protected’ House Republicans voice concerns about White House’s impeachment messaging MORE (R-Iowa) and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). 

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The Trump administration and the president’s personal lawyers argued in a court filing last week that the Ways and Means Committee hasn’t explained how the whistleblower allegations are related to its demands for the president’s tax returns.

Trump lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the Ways and Means Committee’s lawsuit, and a hearing on the motion is scheduled for Nov. 6.

Neal has said he’s seeking Trump’s tax returns because of his panel’s interest in oversight and legislative proposals related to the IRS’s audits of presidents.

While the whistleblower complaint’s existence was made public weeks ago, the media coverage of the allegations has intensified after Democrats initiated an impeachment inquiry over the Ukraine complaint.

The allegations about the IRS audit program also came up in a congressional hearing on Sept. 26, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) impeachment inquiry announcement. 

During a hearing held by a House Appropriations subcommittee, Rep. Mike QuigleyMichael (Mike) Bruce QuigleyTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight Democrats warn GOP, Trump putting whistleblower safety at risk Democratic lawmaker: Trump responsible for ‘greatest crime a president has committed in my lifetime’ MORE (D-Ill.) asked if TIGTA is investigating any allegations of possible misconduct in the IRS mandatory audit program. The tax administration inspector general, J. Russell George, said TIGTA isn’t conducting any investigation. But deputy inspector general James Jackson acknowledged media reports of a whistleblower, adding “we can’t confirm or deny that we may or may not be doing anything.”

A different Treasury inspector general announced Friday that it is investigating Treasury’s handling of Neal’s request for Trump’s tax returns, in response to a request from the chairman.

The growing interest in the IRS-audit complaint has led to new pressure on Neal. The committee chairman has acted cautiously when it comes to efforts to obtain Trump’s tax returns, at times frustrating progressives.

Ryan Thomas, spokesman for the progressive group Stand Up America, said that “if this whistleblower complaint shows that Donald Trump has unduly influenced the IRS, then Chairman Neal has a duty to expose this blatant act of corruption.”

The campaign for Neal’s Democratic primary challenger, Holyoke, Mass., Mayor Alex Morse, criticized Neal’s handling of the whistleblower complaint.

“The bungled handling of the tax whistleblower is yet another example of Congressman Neal failing to lead on critical opportunities to hold the president accountable,” Morse campaign spokeswoman Gina Christo said in a statement.

Neal’s campaign responded by arguing that Morse wants to distract voters from his mayoral record.

Neal told reporters in late September that whether he releases the whistleblower complaint is “subject to what counsel advises.” He told reporters in Massachusetts last week that his lawyers are trying to interview the whistleblower.

The chairman has also faced criticism from Republicans. Grassley criticized Neal for revealing that the complaint exists before lawyers followed up with whistleblower.

“Whistleblowers face tremendous risk in making their complaints and they need to be reassured that their complaints will be handled seriously and with care,” Grassley said in a statement. “Anyone who receives a whistleblower complaint should also make some effort to evaluate the facts as alleged before going public with such a complaint.”

After the Post reported that Grassley received the complaint in addition to Neal, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenTax-return whistleblower in spotlight amid impeachment fight Iran-linked group targeted email accounts for US presidential campaign, government officials FBI chief calls Facebook’s encryption plans a ‘dream come true’ for child predators MORE (D-Ore.) called for Grassley to launch a bipartisan effort to investigate the whistleblower’s allegations.

“It would be negligent for the Finance Committee to fail to investigate a whistleblower’s allegations of political interference in the presidential and vice-presidential audit process,” Wyden said on Twitter. “A bipartisan committee effort to get to the bottom of this should have been started months ago.”

How to handle the complaint poses a challenge for Neal.

Legal experts said that one way Neal could release the whistleblower complaint if he wanted would be by reading the complaint’s contents aloud during a committee hearing or on the House floor. That would allow Neal to have protection from liability under the Constitution’s speech or debate clause, the experts said.

But some who support Democrats’ efforts to obtain Trump’s tax returns say there may be good reasons why Neal shouldn’t make the complaint public.

Seth Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said that the public doesn’t know enough about the complaint to know whether the complaint’s contents would identify the whistleblower “and therefore whether it would be prudent to release more information.”

Steve Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said whether Neal “accomplishes anything from releasing more information is unclear.”

Rosenthal said the complaint may not have provided much detail, so Ways and Means Committee staff should talk to the whistleblower before sharing more information. He said it’s unclear why committee staff are moving slowly in conducting the interview.

Hanging over the complaint and its allegations is Neal’s court fight to obtain Trump’s tax returns. Rosenthal added that releasing the complaint might undercut Neal in court.

“I think if Neal simply releases the letter publicly, Neal might look like he’s more interested in publicizing the information than pursuing the information,” Rosenthal said.

“At least that’s what Trump’s lawyers would allege.”

The former Reds defender speaks exclusively to Goal ahead of the Eagles’ crunch Premier League clash with the table-toppers on Merseyside

There will be plenty of reunions when Crystal Palace visit Anfield this weekend.

From the dugout, where former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson – yes, it really did happen – will look to plot the Reds’ downfall, to the field, where one-time Kopites Mamadou Sakho and Christian Benteke will play key roles in the visitors’ gameplan. Even Zaf Iqbal, the Eagles club doctor, spent four-and-a-half years on Merseyside.

However, with 17 years’ service in a red shirt, Martin Kelly can top that. The versatile defender made 62 appearances at Anfield between 2008 and 2014, and was part of the squad which delivered Liverpool’s last major trophy, the 2012 League Cup.

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He can also boast, if that is the right word, the shortest ever senior England career, his one friendly appearance totalling just two minutes.

This weekend, he will seek to bring down his former club. Kelly played when Palace won at Anfield in April 2017. Of the 31 home league games since, Liverpool have won 22 and drawn nine. It is the third-longest unbeaten home run in their history.

“It’s always nice to go back home,” says Kelly, speaking exclusively to Goal. “And especially with the new stand. It’s always a nice fixture in terms of the stadium.”

Palace are not only the last visiting team to win a league game at Anfield. They were also, in November 2015, the first side to inflict defeat on Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League.

Of course, it was Palace who famously ended the title hopes of Brendan Rodgers’ side at the tail end of the 2013-14 campaign. ‘Crystanbul’, they called it.

They’ve been upsetting the big boys this season too. Draws with Manchester United and Arsenal were admirable, but it was their victory over Manchester City at the Etihad, three days before Christmas, which blew the title race open.

Liverpool’s lofty position in the table owes plenty to the Londoners.

“We all get excited playing the big teams,” says Kelly. “You go to the best stadiums and it’s exciting.

“But we will take it as another Premier League game and will go with the game plan that has been set by the manager and the staff.

“We know that we’ve got great ability in our squad and we can hurt any team in the league. We’ve shown that by getting a result against Manchester City, the draws with Arsenal and Manchester United this season, so all we can do is stick to our game plan and see what happens.”

Kelly, like the rest of the country, has been watching events at the top of the table with interest. Liverpool can extend their lead over Manchester City, who play at Huddersfield on Sunday, to seven points with a victory over Palace this weekend.

“I don’t think they will be thinking about that,” says Kelly. “They are professional athletes and all you think about is the next game and your next opponent – you don’t try to think too far ahead.

“I can see the title race going right down to the wire. Liverpool are in the driving seat at the minute, but Manchester City, with the way they play, will be right there. It’ll be exciting for every Premier League fan.”

As for Kelly, he is able to reflect on his time at Anfield with fondness. Injuries denied him the chance to truly establish himself at his boyhood club, but not many Academy graduates can match his achievements.

Indeed, until Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emergence, no home-grown player had played more than Kelly’s 62 games for Liverpool since Steven Gerrard.

“I think it’s vital for the club and the fans to see home-grown players come through,” he says. “With Trent, it seems that he has everything in his grasp to become a world-class player. Watching him play, he’s got all the attributes.

“He’s still young so he probably needs the experience wrapped around him like I did. Having Jamie Carragher helped me, and Trent has the likes of Virgil van Dijk around him, so if he keeps his feet on the ground, he can go a long way.”

Kelly is also ideally placed to judge the progress of another supremely gifted young English full-back.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s development at Palace this season has been to the detriment of Kelly’s first-team prospects, in truth, but the England under-21 international is already catching the eye of the Premier League big boys with his performances.

Sadio Mane will have a testing afternoon against the 21-year-old, for sure.

“Playing alongside Aaron, you forget how young he is,” Kelly says. “He’s a player that only broke into the first team last season but playing with him, it’s like he’s played 10 seasons.

“He plays with experience, he’s always in the right position, he knows when to go forward and when to stay. He’s coming on leaps and bounds.

“He must be made up with the progression he’s making, and a player of Aaron’s ability he’ll probably want to start adding more assists to his game.

“He helps the team massively defensively, and you can leave him more or less one-on-one with any attacker knowing that he is going to do his job.

“He’s a great player to have on the team.”

Liverpool, you have been warned…

The manager said he had sympathy for supporters who simply don’t want his team to win the title, though he understands resentment from Manchester

Jurgen Klopp says he has sympathy for fans who are rooting against Liverpool to win their first top-flight title in 29 years.

The Reds sit top of the table in the Premier League, four points above reigning champions Manchester City heading into this weekend.

While a dominant force in the old England first division, Liverpool have never taken home the Premier League title after its inception in the 1992-93 season.

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The last league title for the Reds came in 1989-90, with the club’s supporters enduring an agonising wait that has now spanned almost a full three decades.

But while the Reds could find themselves ending that drought this season, many fans across England are actively rooting against the club and hoping that, instead, it’s City who win the league.

And though that might be seen as a source of motivation, Klopp does not think of it in those terms, instead having sympathy for fans who are expending a lot of energy rooting against his squad.

“I never thought about that,” Klopp said of creating an “us against the world” mentality. “I love winning because of winning and not because someone else has to lose.

“I cannot take a personal boost from winning and thinking they lost. I am not like that.

“If people think like that and gain something out of the fact that we will not win the league, I feel for them. I cannot use them for motivation because they are not people I am interested in, to be honest.

“It is a waste of time for me to think of anybody losing something. If you win it, you win it, and you deserve to. ‘Congratulations. Carry on.’ That is how I see it.”

Klopp admitted he is not aware of anyone personally who wants his team to lose, noting even Everton fans he’s met would enjoy the city winning the crown, so long as the Toffees are not in the title mix.

However, he doesn’t find it shocking that Manchester, given the presence of both Man United and Man City, might have it out for his side.

“I don’t know who thinks like that about us, but probably in Manchester there are not a lot of Liverpool supporters,” Klopp said.

“Unfortunately I don’t know enough people in England and the people I do know – even if they are Evertonians and know me personally – they think ‘if not us, then you can win it’. It is still Liverpool [the city].

“But it is not a surprise that people in Manchester might not want us to win it!”

Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoTrump defense head says US has stepped up attacks on Taliban since talks broke down Defense chief on Ukraine: ‘My aim is to keep the department apolitical’ Trump rails against whistleblower, impeachment inquiry MORE said Saturday that there is still significant work to be done as the U.S. and North Korea begin renewed nuclear talks this weekend in Sweden.

“We are mindful this will be the first time that we’ve had a chance to have a discussion in quite some time and that there remains to be a lot of work that will have to be done by the two teams,” Pompeo said, according to Reuters.

“But we hope these initial meetings can set the course for a set of dialogues that can take place in the coming weeks and months that will really deliver on the commitments that were made in Singapore,” he added.

Pompeo made the remarks at a press conference in Athens, Greece, during his tour of southern Europe, Reuters noted.

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U.S. and North Korean negotiators are meeting this weekend on the outskirts of Stockholm to discuss Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

The meeting is the first working discussion between the two countries about nuclear weapons since President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump criticizes supposed second whistleblower North Korea missile test raises fears of new capabilities Window narrows for Trump trade deals MORE and North Korean leader Kim Jong UnKim Jong UnNorth Korea missile test raises fears of new capabilities U.S., North Korea break off nuclear talks: report Pompeo says ‘a lot of work’ ahead for North Korea, US nuke talks MORE agreed to restart negotiations at a meeting in June.

The U.S. delegation is reportedly led by U.S. special representative to North Korea Stephen Biegun, who was expected to meet with Kim Myong Gil, North Korea’s chief negotiator.

Despite coming to the table for talks, North Korea on Thursday fired a short- to medium-range ballistic missile from its southern Wonsan Bay that landed in the Sea of Japan.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman, at the time, called the missile launch “unnecessarily provocative and not helpful in an effort to get the North Koreans back on a diplomatic path.”

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