Trump sends a couple of bigoted pastors to the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem, prepares for his meeting with Kim Jong Un, and stands by a White House staffer who joked about John McCain’s brain cancer. Then Michael Avenatti talks to Jon Favreau about his view that Michael Cohen will get indicted and flip on President Trump.

Show Notes:

Israel:

• Washington Post: What everyone’s getting wrong about the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem
• New York Times: Israel Kills Dozens at Gaza Border as U.S. Embassy Opens in Jerusalem
• Time: Jared Kushner Says Palestinian Protestors Are ‘Part of the Problem’
• CNN: Controversial US pastors take part in Jerusalem embassy opening
• Washington Post: A look at Robert Jeffress, the controversial figure giving the prayer at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem today
• The Atlantic: The Real Dispute Driving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

North Korea:

• Washington Post: Is Mike Pompeo backing off Trump’s demand that North Korea get rid of its nukes?
• Vox: The past 72 hours in surprising North Korea news, explained
• Wall Street Journal: Behind Trump’s Diverging Attitudes on North Korea and Iran
• The Guardian: Mike Pompeo offers aid to North Korea in exchange for forfeiting nukes

China

• New York Times: In About-Face on Trade, Trump Vows to Protect ZTE Jobs in China
• Politico: Trump says he’ll help Chinese company that violated U.S. sanctions
• NPR: President Trump Puts ‘America First’ On Hold To Save Chinese Jobs
• New York Times: Trump Promises Lower Drug Prices, but Drops Populist Solutions
• Los Angeles Times: Trump is pushing hard to reach NAFTA agreement, both with trading partners and with Congress
• New York Magazine: White House Admits Trump’s Infrastructure Promise Isn’t Happening

White House Cruelty:

• Vox: The White House’s John McCain death joke controversy, explained
• Axios: Inside the room: White House flare-up over McCain leak
• Daily Beast: White House Aide’s Plan to Stop Leaks: Spy on His Co-Workers
• NPR: John Kelly On Trump, The Russia Investigation And Separating Immigrant Families
• New York Times: Kirstjen Nielsen, Chief of Homeland Security, Almost Resigned After Trump Tirade
• Vox: Cruelty is the defining characteristic of Donald Trump’s politics and policy

Michael Avenatti:

• Mother Jones: The Firm That Paid Michael Cohen $500,000 Is Deeply Tied to a Russian Oligarch, Records Show
• The Hill: Michael Avenatti has appeared on CNN and MSNBC 108 times since March 7, says Free Beacon
• Newsweek: Michael Avenatti Says Robert Mueller Should Investigate Michael Cohen-linked law firm
• The Daily Beast: Michael Avenatti Threatens to Sue Daily Caller for ‘Defamation’

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!