Monday morning news: December 9, 2019

Investigators still working to determine motive for Naval Air Base shooting » Investigators are still working to determine what drove a Saudi student to fatally shoot three U.S. sailors at a Naval Air Base. But the FBI is treating it as an act of terrorism. 

Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas told reporters Sunday… 

ROJAS: Our main goal right now is to confirm whether he acted alone or was he a part of a larger network. 

The suspect reportedly hosted a dinner party earlier in the week where he and three others watched videos of mass shootings. 

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said authorities detained multiple people, who he described as friends of the shooter.  

ESPER: And I was also was told that someone or two was filming it. What’s unclear is were they filming it before it began or is it something where they picked up their phones and filmed it once they saw it unfolding. 

The suspect opened fire inside a classroom at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, killing three and wounding 10 others before a sheriff’s deputy killed him. 

He was a 21-year-old Second Lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Pentagon has long had a military training program for Saudis and other allied nations. Currently, more than 850 Saudis are in the United States for training.

President Trump said his administration will review policies that govern foreign military training in the United States.

Chinese-American scholar freed in prisoner swap with Iran » A Princeton scholar imprisoned for three years in Iran is back home today after a prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran. 

Chinese-American graduate student Xiyue Wang walked to freedom across the tarmac of a Swiss airport on Saturday, boarding a U.S. State Department jet. 

In exchange, U.S. officials freed scientist Massoud Soleimani. He was facing a federal trial in Georgia over charges he violated sanctions by trying to have biological material brought to Iran.

Iranian officials had arrested Wang in 2016. Princton said he was conducting research for his doctorate studies. But Iran accused him of being a spy. The U.S. government said the charges were fabricated. 

Democrats speeding toward impeachment with “sense of urgency” » Democrats are speeding toward impeachment with a “sense of urgency.” That’s the word from House Judiciary Chairman Jarold Nadler. He said they have to act fast to keep President Trump from trying to—quote—“rig the next election.”

He added that members of his committee will see articles of impeachment later this week. And the full House will vote shortly thereafter.

Nadler told CNN…

NADLER: We have a very rock solid case. I think the case we have, if presented to a jury, would be a guilty verdict in about 3 minutes flat.

But Republicans say that’s the furthest thing from the truth. And Texas Senator Ted Cruz said even if Democrats in the House hold the line and approve articles of impeachment, they’ll be dead on arrival in the Senate. 

CRUZ: They’re going to impeach, not because they have the evidence, but because they hate the president, want to do the election. But it’s going to go to the Senate. It’s going to go nowhere. I think the American people know this is a waste of time. 

The House Judiciary Committee will hold another impeachment hearing today. Members will hear presentations from counsels to the Judiciary and Intelligence panels. 

DOJ internal watchdog to release report on FBI’s handling of Russia probe » Meantime, the Justice Department’s internal watchdog will release a highly anticipated report today about the FBI’s handling of the Russia probe. 

The Associated Press, citing sources familiar with the inspector general’s findings says it’s expected to be critical of the FBI, but also conclude there was an adequate basis for launching the probe. 

The bureau began the investigation in secret during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential run. Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein eventually appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to finish it once Trump was in office. 

Frozen II continues global box office dominance » At the weekend box office, Disney’s Frozen II continues to freeze out the competition. 

TRAILER: Elsa get out of there! You can’t just follow me into fire. Then don’t run into fire!

The animated sequel took in another $35 million. Worldwide, it’s already approaching a billion dollars in ticket sales. 

You can find WORLD’s review of Frozen II and other current films—along with ratings and content information—at WNG.org–slash–movies.

(U.S. Embassy Switzerland via AP) This photo provided by U.S. Embassy Switzerland, Edward McMullen greets Xiyue Wang in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. 

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