Happening Today: NYC Bombing, Donald Trump, Ed Lee, Ryan Lizza, Mario Batali, NFL Network

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Democratic Lawmakers Ask House to Investigate Trump Sexual Misconduct Claims

More than 50 Democratic lawmakers asked the House oversight committee to investigate sexual misconduct allegations made against President Trump. In a letter to committee chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., and ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the Democratic Women’s Working Group wrote the country deserves "a full inquiry into the truth of these allegations." “At least 17 women have publicly accused the President of sexual misconduct,” the letter, which was signed by 56 lawmakers, said. “We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations.” The letter added that Trump should be allowed to present evidence in his own defense.

Bombing Suspect Picked Passage Because of Holiday Poster, Officials Say

The man who authorities said had designs of carrying out an ISIS-inspired suicide attack detonated a rudimentary, makeshift bomb strapped to his chest with Velcro and zip ties in one of the New York City subway's busiest underground corridors allegedly told police he carried out the attack because he was upset over U.S. bombings in territories controlled by the group. Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi national who has lived in Brooklyn since immigrating to the states on a family visa in 2011, allegedly told police he picked the passageway to intentionally detonate the device because he noticed a holiday poster in a corridor nearby and was inspired by ISIS-style threats around Christmas, according to two law enforcement officials. He was the only one was who seriously inujred in the blast.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee Is Dead, His Office Says

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has died at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, his office announced. He was 65 years old. The office didn't immediately explain what Lee died of but said "family, friends and colleagues were at his side." San Francisco Board of Supervisors President London Breed became acting mayor of the city, per the city charter. A second media availability with Acting Mayor Breed and other city officials will hold a media availability at City Hall. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Anita, his two daughters, Brianna and Tania, and his family," the office wrote in its news release.

New Yorker Fires Reporter for Sexual Misconduct

The New Yorker magazine said it has cut ties with well-known political reporter Ryan Lizza for alleged sexual misconduct. The magazine recently learned Lizza had "engaged in what we believe was improper sexual conduct," a spokeswoman said. After reviewing the matter, it cut ties with the reporter. Lizza is also a contributor on CNN. A spokeswoman for the cable news network said he will not appear on air while it looks into the matter. Lizza called the New Yorker's decision a "terrible mistake" made without a full investigation. He apologized to "friends, workplace colleagues, and loved ones for any embarrassment this episode may cause." A lawyer representing the woman making the allegations against Lizza, however, disputed his description of the relationship.

Mario Batali Takes Leave From Businesses After Misconduct Allegations

Celebrity chef Mario Batali stepped away from his restaurant empire and cooking show "The Chew" as he said reports of sexual misconduct "match up" to his behavior. Food news website Eater New York published an article that said four women accused the chef of inappropriate touching. One of the women said Batali groped her chest after wine spilled on her shirt. Another said he grabbed her from behind and held her tightly against his body. Eater said the four women, three of whom worked for Batali, asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. The sexual misconduct allegations are the latest to come against powerful men in entertainment, politics and other industries. Batali, who has appeared on "The Chew" since its debut six years ago, oversees several restaurants in a handful of cities. Batali apologized in a statement Monday, and said that "much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted."

NFL Network Suspends Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, Two Others Amid Harassment Allegations

The NFL Network has suspended Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and two other former NFL players turned analysts after they and a former network executive were alleged to have sexually harassed a female colleague. Faulk and fellow on-air analysts Ike Taylor and Heath Evans, along with former executive producer Eric Weinberger and former network analysts Donovan McNabb, Warren Sapp, and Eric Davis, were named in an updated lawsuit against NFL Enterprises by Jami Cantor, a former wardrobe stylist for the network. The lawsuit was originally filed in October in Los Angeles Superior Court and alleged inappropriate actions by 50 people identified only as John Does 1-50. The amended complaint accuses Faulk and Evans of having groped Cantor while she was at the network, while it accuses Taylor and McNabb of having sent her sexually inappropriate communications.