The Note: Trump earns chance to reset his narrative
The TAKE with Rick Klein
It was a signature moment for a president. And President Donald Trump put his handwriting all over it.
Trump's colorful account of the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi included familiar triggers for his political enemies: boasts about himself and belittling of his predecessors, suggestions that Democrats would have jeopardized lives with leaks, and even a special thanks to Russia.
But just because Trump celebrated his own leadership at the expense of others doesn't mean he doesn't deserve his due. This is the kind of event that has the potential to register beyond the president's base.
A victory over terrorism has the immediate effect of quieting his Democratic critics -- most 2020 candidates are celebrating the American forces, though not the commander-in-chief -- and assuaging at least some of the concerns of Republicans who have been skeptical of his foreign policy.
The operation came at a perilous time for Trump's presidency. Those dangers remain -- both in terms of impeachment and GOP worries about a Syria policy filled with confusion and contradictions that remain even after the death of ISIS' founder and commander.
Will this be an inflection point or a blip in an overloaded news cycle? The moment, at least, belongs to Trump.
The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks
Sunday marked the one year anniversary of the deadly attack against Jewish Americans, when 11 men and women were killed by a shooter at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue.
Law enforcement officials and anti-hate groups have documented several plots in the last 12 months to attack other Jewish houses of worship as well and -- according to the Anti-Defamation League -- this year could set a record high for anti-Semitic incidents. In the first six months alone, according to the group, there were 780 anti-Semitic incidents across the nation.
In a statement over the weekend to mark the anniversary of the shooting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi specifically pointed a finger at Trump.
"Sadly, since Day One, the Trump Administration has engaged in shameful, divisive rhetoric that continues to fuel the forces of hatred and white supremacism and betrays our values of diversity, inclusion and equality," she said in the statement.
"As we take this opportunity to remember those we lost in Pittsburgh, we must rededicate ourselves to ending the scourge of white supremacism, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism wherever and whenever they are found," she added.
The TIP with Molly Nagle
As the second oldest candidate in the 2020 race, the question of former Vice President Joe Biden's age comes up a lot. He would be 78 on inauguration day if elected, the oldest president in American history. But even so, Biden isn't shutting the door on the possibility of a second term if elected—at least not right now.
"I feel good and all I can say is, watch me, you'll see," Biden told the Associated Press during an interview in South Carolina this weekend. "It doesn't mean I would run a second term. I'm not going to make that judgment at this moment."
Biden was asked about serving as president in his 80s during the last debate, and argued that with his age comes "experience" and "wisdom." That message seemed to resonate with some undecided voters at a recent Biden event in Lee County, Iowa.
"I don't think it's a concern, as long as he's sharp. I'm not too far off from that, and with that age comes maturity and wisdom," Hugh Vandegriff of Fort Madison, Iowa, told ABC News.
ONE MORE THING
Following allegations of inappropriate sexual relations with a congressional staffer, Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., announced her resignation from Congress Sunday night. She said she's leaving office so that no one else who supported her will be hurt by the ongoing scandal.
THE PLAYLIST
ABC News' "Start Here" Podcast. Monday morning's episode features ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz who breaks down the U.S. military operation that ended with the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Then, ABC News' Alex Stone reports on Northern California's fight against massive wildfires. http://apple.co/2HPocUL
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY
Download the ABC News app and select "The Note" as an item of interest to receive the day's sharpest political analysis.
The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the key political moments of the day ahead. Please check back tomorrow for the latest.