“In his testimony before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday, Michael Cohen will accuse his former client, President Trump, of knowing that his adviser Roger Stone was reaching out to WikiLeaks concerning the publication of stolen Democratic National Committee emails. But Cohen apparently will not claim Trump directed those communications, and Cohen will specifically assert that he lacks direct evidence of improper collusion by the Trump campaign with Russia — a significant admission, given Cohen’s longtime status as the president’s former top lawyer and fixer.” (Fox News)

“The House of Representatives passed a resolution late Tuesday afternoon that would terminate President Trump’s national emergency proclamation, which is also being challenged in court by a multistate lawsuit. The final vote of 245 to 182 fell largely along party lines, but 13 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure. The bill now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate, which must vote on the measure within 18 days. Mr. Trump has vowed to veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.” (CBS News)

“President Trump shook hands and smiled with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday evening in Vietnam, opening two days of talks about Kim’s nuclear weapons program. … Trump and Kim … will have preliminary talks and a ‘social dinner.’ The total engagement will last about two hours before additional talks Thursday.” (Washington Examiner)

“On Wednesday, for the first time in a generation, the U.S. House is poised to pass new gun control legislation. … Democratic leaders say they have the votes to pass a bill requiring background checks on all commercial gun sales, including those at gun shows and over the internet. The bill also has five Republican co-sponsors, led by New York Rep. Peter King, who had tried — and failed — for several years to advance the bill while his party controlled the chamber. … Since the bill faces a steep uphill fight in the Republican-run Senate, House leadership arranged a separate vote — a day later on Thursday — on a more modest measure that may be able to attract greater bipartisan support.” (NBC News)

“The Senate on Tuesday confirmed President Trump’s nominee to be a judge on the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a party-line vote — and, in a historic snub, the White House ignored the input of the judge’s two Democratic home-state senators in the process. The aggressive and unprecedented move to bypass the traditional ‘blue slip’ consultation process and plow ahead with the confirmation comes as the Trump administration seeks to systematically erode left-wing dominance on the key appellate court, which Trump has called ‘disgraceful’ and politically biased.” (Fox News)

“Confidence in the media has hit rock bottom, with many news consumers believing that reporters file their reports before knowing the facts and 60 percent are under the impression that sources pay for stories, according to a depressing new survey of American journalism. The Columbia Journalism Review poll also confirmed the pending death of print newspapers and magazines and a remarkable shift to social and online media as sources of news.” (Washington Examiner)

“The United Methodist Church (UMC) voted Tuesday to maintain its traditional stance against same-sex marriage and non-celibate gay clergy, bolstered by a growing conservative contingent from Africa. The plan passed, with 438 votes in favor and 384 against (53% to 47%), in the final hours of a special UMC conference held this week in St. Louis to address the issue of human sexuality. The decision leaves a sizable, vocal opposition, ensuring the exit of many progressive pastors and churches in the largest mainstream Protestant body in the US.” (Christianity Today)

“The Pentagon has spent nearly $8 million to treat more than 1,500 transgender troops since 2016, including 161 surgical procedures… As of Feb. 1, 1,071 service members have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Public Health Service on active duty and in the reserve force. Most of them are senior enlisted personnel, but there are 20 senior officers — majors and lieutenant commanders and higher — as well.” (USA Today)

“Amazon could be facing a New York-style backlash in response to its plans for a massive second headquarters in Virginia. Inspired in part by the success of community activists and elected officials like New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a group of advocates calling themselves ‘For Us, Not Amazon’ is demanding that Northern Virginia reject the tech giant’s plans for a second headquarters in Arlington. … A December poll showed 68 percent of Virginians approve of the Amazon deal, while 30 percent disapprove.” (Fox News)

“The federal government on Tuesday lost its second court challenge to AT&T’s $85.4 billion merger with Time Warner, a blockbuster deal that has already begun to reshape much of the media industry. … The Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, could chose to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. But the agency is unlikely to take that step… AT&T can now proceed with its plan to transform WarnerMedia into a streaming-video business in its version of the television industry’s go-to strategy.” (The New York Times)

Humor: Experts find leading symptom of privilege is constant griping about privilege (The Babylon Bee)

Policy: “President Trump should proceed carefully during his second meeting with Kim Jong-un, review any North Korean offer with pragmatic skepticism, and not offer any additional unilateral concessions. The Administration has already sacrificed much-needed leverage on the nuclear and human rights issues.” (The Heritage Foundation)

Policy: “President Donald Trump last fall floated the idea of ending universal birthright citizenship by way of executive order. … Ending universal birthright citizenship would help deter illegal immigration and provide substantial relief to American taxpayers. Let’s hope the president moves forward with his executive order.” (The Daily Signal)