Iran admits it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane

Plus, a picture begins to emerge on when Trump’s senate trial will start and how long it will last [View in browser]( [Image]( January 11, 2020 Recent headlines: - Iran has [admitted it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane]( hours after the country had launched ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops. Officials blamed "human error" for taking down the jet and killing all 176 people aboard. "Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Twitter. Based on a preliminary conclusion by the armed forces, "human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted, seemingly attempting to lay some blame for the incident on the U.S. Read more from [NBC's Ali Arouzi and Phil Helsel](. - President Donald Trump’s description of the “imminent threat” that led to the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani [keeps evolving](, at times appearing to contradict what his administration has shared with Congress and the public about what prompted his decision. On Friday, Trump said that he decided to order the strike on Soleimani on Iraqi soil because the senior Iranian official was “probably” planning attacks on four U.S. embassies, including the one in Baghdad. “None of the facts presented at the classified briefing supported that claim [that Soleimani was planning an attack on the embassy in Baghdad], and so, now you have them saying they can't provide this kind of information to senators in a highly classified setting, but the president is going to say that to the country,” [Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said on MSNBC’s "Andrea Mitchell Reports."]( “It just shows how they're making this up as they go. - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a [letter to Democratic lawmakers]( on Friday that she will consult with them Tuesday as she announced steps to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. The speaker's letter suggested that the House could name its managers, who will act as the prosecutors for the Senate trial, and transmit the two articles of impeachment against the president as soon as next week. [Frank Thorp V and Hallie Jackson]( offer this reporting on timing, as the picture begins to take shape: The developments on Friday could put the start date of arguments in the Senate trial of President Donald Trump around Tuesday Jan. 21st, after the Martin Luther King holiday the day before. And that raises the possibility that the trial may not be over before the real kickoff of the 2020 presidential primary on Monday Feb. 3 at the Iowa caucuses. [Watch a recap on this coverage]( on MSNBC primetime. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: VIDEOS [Image]( [Is Trump trying to silence his former National Security Adviser?]( President Trump is signaling he’ll block impeachment testimony from John Bolton if he’s subpoenaed by the Senate. (11th Hour) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Image]( [Facebook's new decision to allow lies in political ads would benefit Trump]( Facebook announced this week that it would not take down ads with lies put up by politicians. Ben Collins weighs in on why this could put a thumb on the scale for Donald Trump. (All In) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Image]( [Michael Moore: Bolton may be GOP's turning point]( Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker Michael Moore tells Ali Velshi why he believes the turning point for Republican senators could come if Former National Security Adviser John Bolton testifies. (The Last Word) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( MORE VIDEOS Bloomberg to keep funding campaign to defeat Trump even if he's not the nominee ([Stephanie Ruhle]() Bernie Sanders leads in latest Iowa poll, weeks before caucuses ([Hardball]() Steyer spending suggests explanation for surprise polls in NV, SC ([Rachel Maddow]() Gaetz, two other Republicans break rank to vote with Democrats on war powers ([Deadline: White House]() Trump trial nightmare? Senate hears Giuliani's Ukraine trip 'baggage' ([The Beat with Ari Melber]() Another vindication for Clinton as probe reportedly hits dead end ([Rachel Maddow]() How racism in Britain contributed to 'Megxit’ ([Hardball]() 'My faith is in people,' says 'Two Popes' co-star Jonathan Pryce ([Morning Joe]() QUOTE OF THE DAY [“You really don't know what to believe out of this administration... There's not a lot of reliable narrators.”]( —The Washington Post's Ashley Parker, on President Trump now saying Soleimani was targeting four embassies and the changing justifications on the strike that killed the Iranian general ([Video]() YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED MSNBC Daily Reader Bill Parke asks: Why won’t someone ask a congressman or woman why the House doesn't call up [John] Bolton to testify now that he’s said he would? What keeps the House from adding more witness testimony since Pelosi hasn’t yet sent the impeachment papers to the Senate? MSNBC Correspondent Garrett Haake: Hey Bill, technically speaking there's nothing preventing the Intel committee in the House from subpoenaing Bolton right now. A few days ago, Adam Schiff told reporters that he hadn't ruled that out, but that he thought the most effective place for Bolton to testify would be in the Senate. That's true for two reasons. First, Bolton said he would testify in the Senate, since impeachment is technically their constitutional prerogative now. It doesn't matter that the House hasn't sent the articles, they're done with them. Bolton would therefore fight the subpoena in the House. Secondly, an appearance by Bolton at a Senate trial probably carries more weight than another House hearing. The House hearings have been tarnished by their partisan appearance. On the senate floor, expect the proceedings to have a bit more serious air. So while nothing is *technically* stopping the House from calling Bolton, it just doesn't make the most sense right now. Next week, NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst Maya Wiley will be guest editing the newsletter. She is currently a professor at the New School, former government lawyer and longtime racial justice advocate. Do you have questions for Maya? [Send us an e-mail](mailto:msnbc.digital.editors@nbcuni.com?subject=Questions for Maya Wiley). COMING UP ON MSNBC [Image] This Sunday, as renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran unfolds, Ayman Mohyeldin and Yasmin Vossoughian break down the history and impact of U.S. foreign policy in the region, from involvement in the 1953 Iranian coup, to the Iran hostage crisis, and the regional conflicts that exist today. Watch Iran Crisis this Sunday at 9p.m. ET on MSNBC. This edition of the newsletter was prepared for you by Sam Go. Were you forwarded this email from a friend? [Subscribe here](. We love to hear from you. Do you have questions about the news? [Send us an e-mail.](mailto:msnbc.digital.editors@nbcuni.com?subject=MSNBC Daily) [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_daily) Follow MSNBC [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [LinkedIn]( Check out the MSNBC channel on Apple News Download the NBC News Mobile App and watch MSNBC [Check out our primetime recap "The Day That Was"]( [Image] [Image] [Privacy]( [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_daily)