Trump’s own lawyer compares him to a mob boss, McConnell helps open the door for Trump to fire Mueller, Beto O’Rourke closes in on Ted Cruz, and Mike Pompeo meets Kim Jong Un. Then activist Ady Barkan joins Jon and Dan to talk about the special election in Arizona and his new project, beaherofund.com.

Show notes:

McConnell and Mueller:

• Fox News: Legislation to protect Mueller ‘not necessary,’ McConnell says
• WaPo: Senate leader appears to kill special counsel protection bill’s chances
• CNN: Grassley on special counsel bill: McConnell’s views ‘do not govern’ his committee
• Politico: ‘Spare me’: Tillis draws GOP fire with pro-Mueller push
• Politico: Handful of House Republicans mobilize to protect Mueller
• WaPo: As GOP balks, McConnell shuts down bill to protect Mueller
• Daily Beast: Senate Committee to Move Ahead on Mueller Protection Bill Despite McConnell’s Rejection
• WaPo: Trump suggests he is not rushing to fire Mueller, Rosenstein

The Senate:

• The Atlantic: Why Sexual-Harassment Legislation Stalled in the Senate
• Texas Tribune: New poll finds race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke “too close to call”
• 538 – Democrats’ Chances Of Winning The Senate Are Looking Stronger
• CNN – Op-ed: The powerful pattern Democrats must break to win the Senate
• WaPo: Republicans fear political risk in Senate races as House moves to extend tax cuts
• Trump’s legal troubles:
• NYT: New York Attorney General Seeks Power to Bypass Presidential Pardons

Pompeo:

• WaPo – CIA Director Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Easter weekend
• WaPo –  Pompeo’s North Korea trip set the table for Trump’s planned meeting with Kim Jong Un
• NYT – Secret mission to North Korea shows Trump’s trust in Pompeo
• NYT – Treaty to formally end Korean War is being discussed, South confirms
• The Atlantic – Pompeo’s Secret Visit Shows Trump Wants to Go Big on North Korea
• AP – Sen. Ben Cardin joins Democrats in opposing Mike Pompeo as Trump’s new secretary of state
• CNN: Donald Trump calls out Rand Paul for his opposition to Mike Pompeo’s nomination
• The Atlantic  – The Humbling of Mike Pompeo – By Russell Berman
• Politico: Dems hedge on Pompeo’s fate
• Vox: Mike Pompeo, your likely new — and Trump-friendly — secretary of state
• Politico: Corker: Trump ‘perfectly fine’ with scrapping Iran deal absent a fix
• Axios: GOP groups use Pompeo’s North Korea visit to expedite confirmation

The Russia Stuff:

• WaPo – Trump puts the brakes on new Russian sanctions, reversing Haley’s announcement
• WaPo – Trump, a reluctant hawk, has battled his top aides on Russia and lost
• Politico: Haley sets a red line for Trump
• NYT: Sanctions Flap Erupts Into Open Conflict Between Haley and White House
• WaPo: The Nikki Haley mess and what it says about the Trump-Kim Jong Un summit
• NYT: Mattis Wanted Congressional Approval Before Striking Syria. He Was Overruled

Pod Save America is a no-bullshit conversation about politics hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor that breaks down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how to help. New episodes out every MONDAY and THURSDAY. Check out more Pod Save America episodes!