Donald Trump should probably stop talking now

That's an exaggeration, but not much of one. Trump held court twice on Thursday -- once at a photo availability with the Finnish President and once in a more formal press briefing -- and then worked the media rope line outside the White House for more than 20 minutes Friday morning before heading to Walter Reed hospital.

The President talking to the media is a good thing! For the media and the American public! But man oh man, is it a bad thing for this President -- especially as he tries to downplay the potential damage the ongoing impeachment inquiry in the House could do him.

Why? Because Trump has a habit of saying the quiet part out loud. Like on Thursday, when he said this about his desire for the Ukrainians to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter:

"Well I would think that if they were honest about it, they'd start a major investigation into the Bidens. It's a very simple answer. They should investigate the Bidens. Likewise, China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine. So, I would say that President Zelensky, if it were me, I would recommend that they start an investigation into the Bidens."

(Sidebar: Trump almost certainly added China into that quote because he was aware of a story, first reported by CNN, that he had raised Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in a June phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.)

Trump's open urging that foreign countries open investigations into his primary rival for the presidency in 2020 led the New Yorker's Susan Glasser to wonder "Did Donald Trump just Self-Impeach?"

Trump's loquacity is born of two interconnected realities: 1) he believes himself to be his own best advocate and messenger and 2) when he feels back into a corner or in peril, his natural tendency is to unleash a series of verbal onslaughts at all available targets.

The problem for Trump here is that the more he talks, the more fodder he gives Democrats in their ongoing impeachment inquiry. It's not all that different from Trump's repeated public attempts to get in the way of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe -- moves that led Mueller to make clear in his final report that he could not rule out the idea Trump had purposely obstructed the probe.

The Point: Trump has never understood that silence can be golden. And he won't suddenly realize it now. But the more he talks, the more trouble he courts.

Monday

Freewheeling Trump was often unprepared for foreign leader calls, had to be coached by staffTrump pressed Australian Prime Minister to help with Justice review of Russia probe originsCNN Poll: Support for impeaching Trump rises among independents and RepublicansUkrainians named in whistleblower report say Trump's lawyer was clear about his hunt for dirt on BidensTrump is using Facebook to run thousands of ads about impeachmentMcConnell: Senate would 'have no choice but to' take up House's impeachment of TrumpTrump circulates quote invoking 'civil war-like fracture' if he's removed from office

Tuesday

Federal judge blocks California law requiring Trump to release tax returns to appear on ballotFBI investigating alleged hacking attempt into mobile voting app during 2018 midtermsNew York Times: Trump suggested shooting migrants in the legsDeposition for House impeachment investigation delayedFederal judge blocks Georgia's controversial abortion banRudy Giuliani hires Watergate prosecutor as attorney in impeachment inquiryJustice Department told to produce 500 pages of interview memos from Mueller investigationRobert Mueller returns to private law firm Pompeo accuses House Democrats of intimidation and bullying over Ukraine

Wednesday

Trump sought to use new allies in debunking Russia investigationKurt Volker: Diplomat never 'fully on the Trump train' set to appear as as first witness in Ukraine probeTrump's private fury over impeachment spills into the publicWhistleblower went to Intelligence Committee for guidance before filing complaintJustice Department tells White House to preserve notes of Trump's calls with foreign leadersDemocrats plan to subpoena White House for Ukraine documentsBernie Sanders off campaign trail 'until further notice' after being treated for artery blockagePutin jokes that Russia will meddle in 2020 US elections

Thursday

Trump says he has 'absolute right' to ask 'other Countries' to investigate corruptionNew York Times: Trump envoys pressed Ukraine to commit to Investigate US political rivalsWashington Post: IRS whistleblower report involves Treasury political appointee trying to interfere with presidential tax auditSource: Bias cited by intel watchdog was that whistleblower is a registered DemocratMitch McConnell raises money vowing to stop impeachmentTrump spends official event attacking Democrats and floating a conspiracyBernie Sanders to take part in next debate and plans to leave hospital in coming days, campaign saysTrump now says both China and Ukraine should investigate BidensTwitter removes Trump's Nickelback video after copyright complaint

Friday

Treasury Inspector General launches probe into how Treasury handled request for tax information Iranian hackers targeted presidential campaign and US government officialsVolker: Trump said Ukraine 'tried to take me down' and was influenced by negative information from Giuliani Supreme Court says it will consider Louisiana abortion access lawTrump promised Xi US silence on Hong Kong democracy protests as trade talks stalledUkraine will review probe into gas company linked to Biden's son

And that was the week in 39 headlines.