News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BELICHICK dumps TRUMP — WALSH to deliver STATE of the CITY

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BELICHICK dumps TRUMP — WALSH to deliver STATE of the CITY — NO THREATS to STATE HOUSE, officials say

Jan 12, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

BELICHICK TO TRUMP: THANKS, BUT NO THANKS — President Donald Trump offered Bill Belichick the highest civilian honor in the country. The New England Patriots head coach turned him down.

Trump had planned to give Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday as part of a last-minute flurry of presidential actions. But at the same time, congressional leaders are preparing the president's second impeachment after Trump's role in inciting last week's Capitol riot, and the FBI is warning of more political violence ahead of Inauguration Day.

Belichick announced his decision last night in a carefully worded statement, saying he was "flattered" and had "respect for what the honor represents" but would not accept.

"Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award," Belichick's statement reads. "One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award."

For those who called on Belichick not to take the medal, the decision appeared to be a no-brainer. The ceremony would have been held amid an insurrection and impeachment marking the chaotic end of the Trump presidency. Plus, the Patriots held weekly social justice meetings all season, which doesn't square with the action of a mob that paraded a Confederate flag into the Capitol. Some of Belichick's own players opted not to visit the White House after the team's 2017 Super Bowl win because they opposed Trump, and the team skipped the visit altogether in 2019, citing scheduling conflicts.

Still, this is a big deal. The president has fielded an avalanche of resignations since the insurrection at the Capitol last week. And he's particularly fond of Belichick, one of his most visible and well-respected friends in New England. Trump is also close with Patriots owner Bob Kraft, and former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Belichick has been a quiet ally of the president for years, even penning him a letter on the eve of the 2016 election lauding Trump as an "amazing" leader. And for his part, Trump said he'd ask Belichick for military advice if he were ever headed into battle. The president also appointed Belichick to his Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

Among the officials who called on Belichick to skip the trip to D.C. were Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Jim McGovern, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Attorney General Maura Healey. The Boston Globe published two separate columns cautioning Belichick not to bend to his own "stubbornness" and "personal pride" by going to the White House. (Both columns were updated to praise his decision).

And here's an interesting stat: The president has awarded more than half of his Presidential Medals of Freedom to sports figures, including Tiger Woods, Bob Cousy and Babe Ruth.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.

TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivers his State of the City address. The Greater Boston Chamber hosts a conversation with Eric Rosengren, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is a guest on GBH's "All Things Considered."

A NEW YEAR, A NEW CONGRESS, A NEW HUDDLE: It was an ugly and heartbreaking week inside the Capitol, particularly for all of those who work on the Hill. How are lawmakers planning to move forward? How will security change? How will a new Senate majority impact the legislative agenda? With so much at stake, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings you the most important news and critical insight from Capitol Hill with help from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the essential guide to understanding Congress. It has never been more important. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 4,239 new COVID cases, 54 deaths on Monday," by Noah R. Bombard, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts health officials reported 4,239 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, updating the total estimated active cases in the state to 92,405. In addition, 54 more COVID-19 deaths were reported. This brings the total of confirmed COVID deaths in Massachusetts to 12,929 since the pandemic began."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Despite worries nationally, authorities say no specific threats to capitol in Boston," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Federal officials in Boston said Monday they have no evidence that armed demonstrators intend to target the Massachusetts State House or other nearby state capitols in the coming days, even as the FBI warns of the potential of protests nationwide ."

– "Zoning measure would require municipalities to allow higher-density housing near MBTA stations," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "For years, housing advocates have argued that one of the smartest ways to tackle Greater Boston's housing crisis is to make cities and towns that are served by the MBTA build more housing near subway and train stations. Last week, their wish was granted. At least for now."

– "Turnout numbers highlight wealth, racial disparities," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "In the wealthy towns of Dover, Sudbury, and Carlisle, more than 90 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the November election. In the poorer cities of Springfield, Lawrence, and New Bedford, 55 percent of voters or fewer turned out. While the presidential election drew record turnout in Massachusetts, voter turnout statistics highlight yet another measure of a tale of two commonwealths, according to a report released Monday by MassVOTE, a nonprofit that seeks to increase voter participation."

WHAT CITY HALL IS READING

– "What will Walsh say during annual State of the City address?" by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The rhetoric is often soaring, the pledges copious, and the hailing of accomplishments extensive. Controversies and shortcomings of Boston and City Hall are either ignored, glossed over, or framed as things that either have already been overcome or surely will be at some point in the future."

– "In Marty Walsh, Boston elected a labor leader and ended up with a business-friendly mayor," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Some business leaders were wary when Marty Walsh was elected mayor: It was an open question how his bona fides as a prominent labor leader and state legislator would translate into policies and practices at City Hall. Flash forward seven-plus years. As Walsh packs his bags for Washington to join Joe Biden's Cabinet as labor secretary, any skepticism in the corporate community is long gone."

FROM THE HUB

– "Prisoner's lawyer details attempted suicide," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "An attorney representing an inmate at a maximum security state prison in Shirley says her client told a correction officer on January 2 that he was contemplating suicide and was told, 'Go ahead, kill yourself.' The attorney, Patty DeJuneas, said her client, Carl Larocque, had been in medical isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 on December 31."

– "New timeline outlines Boston students' tentative returns to the classroom," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "For Boston families hoping to see their children return to school in person this year, the district now has a plan for bringing all kids back, starting with the highest-needs and youngest students, with high school students headed back last."

– "Scientists Hope To Find New Coronavirus Variant In Mass. Before It Spreads Too Far," by Angus Chen, WBUR: "The new SARS-CoV-2 variant, known as B.1.1.7, is probably already in Massachusetts, says Dr. Eric Rosenberg, an infectious disease doctor and director of the clinical microbiology lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. If it's not, he says, it very soon will be."

– "Check Your Mail: The City Is Pulling a Switcheroo on Your Electricity Provider," by Colman M. Herman, Boston Magazine: "Imagine if the City of Boston negotiated a deal with T-Mobile on behalf of all residents and businesses. And instead of offering it as an option to everyone, the city notified you by letter that unless you objected by January 11, your cell service was going to be automatically switched to T-Mobile. That is exactly what the city is doing with respect to your current electricity provider."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Gross would face hurdles, opportunity in mayoral run," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "If William Gross jumps into the race for mayor of Boston, one thing is clear: He'll do so at a time when issues he oversees as the city's top police official are receiving tremendous attention and scrutiny. Whether that would play more to his benefit or detriment is the big question he may be weighing."

– "Top elections official backs plan to skip special election for Boston mayor," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Secretary of State William Galvin said Monday that he backs an effort to nix the requirement for a special city election if Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh leaves office early, pointing to the confusion and challenges voters would face with multiple elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

– "Um, on third thought, Marty Walsh isn't seeking that third term." by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe: "At that time, Walsh told some of his advisers that he was not seeking the post, nor had anyone from the Biden transition team reached out to him to gauge his interest. That all changed two weeks ago, according to some Walsh advisers, when the transition team did, in fact, reach out ."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "How the MBTA is using the money from the recent COVID-19 relief package," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "The MBTA expects to get several hundred million dollars from the federal COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress last month. However, officials still plan to move forward with the majority — though not all — of their recently approved service cuts."

– "MBTA ferry cuts to start Jan. 23 amid reduced ridership," by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "The MBTA will run a reduced Hingham and Hull ferry schedule starting Jan. 23. The temporary cuts, approved last month, were made to contend with reduced ridership and fare revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The MBTA will make cuts across all of its modes of public transit as it aims to close a fiscal year 2022 budget gap that last month was estimated to be nearly $600 million."

– "Edit averts fight over Allston project," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Massachusetts Department of Transportation board avoided a potentially divisive fight on Monday between several of the state's top transportation officials by watering down a resolution on how to fund the Allston I-90 interchange project."

DAY IN COURT

– "Judge tosses remainder of Peabody man's mask lawsuit," by Julie Manganis, The Salem News: "A judge has rejected a Peabody HVAC contractor's claims that Gov. Charlie Baker's orders limiting capacity inside buildings and requiring face masks were infringing on people's rights."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Sen. Ed Markey: 'There Has To Be Accountability' After Capitol Riots," by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "Senator Ed Markey told Boston Public Radio on Monday he supports new impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump for his responsibility in inciting people to storm the Capitol Building. ' To my colleagues who say we must turn the page, I respectfully disagree,' said Markey."

THE PRESSLEY PARTY

– "Rep. Ayanna Pressley: 'Trump is a threat to the American people, clear and present'" Yahoo! News: "Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joins the Reidout to talk about the Capitol Hill insurrection and the question of impeachment: 'This was an attack led and coordinated by white supremacists. It was a violent mob, an attempted coup, to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power ... Donald Trump is a threat to the American people, clear and present.'"

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Keating back drive to impeach Trump again," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: "A growing number of Democrats who represent Southern New England in Congress are lining up behind the push to impeach President Trump for a second time in light of last week's violent attack on the Capitol by his supporters. … 'In all my experience I'll never have a more clear-cut vote,' Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating, whose district includes New Bedford, told 12 News."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

– "Yes, Anyone Can Be Fired For Taking Part In A Violent Mob," by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "UMass Memorial Health Care employee Therese Duke lost her job this week after a viral video appeared to show her assaulting a police officer during last Wednesday's riot at the U.S. Capitol."

– "No money for GOP lawmakers who tried to undermine election, say GE, Blue Cross, State Street," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "The New England companies rethinking donations include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boston Scientific, CVS Health, General Electric, Liberty Mutual, Raytheon Technologies, and State Street. They join companies such as American Express, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Comcast, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Marriott, according to multiple reports."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "TAKING A PASS," "DOWN THE DRAIN," — Globe: "Push for impeachment accelerates," "Three ways to look at Covid increase in Mass.," "Belichick, a Patriot first, rejects offer of medal from Trump."

FROM THE 413

– "Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi enters mayoral race, calls for 'building bridges,'" by Dennis Hohenberger, MassLive.com: "City Councilor Rebecca Lisi launched her mayoral campaign Monday outside the Holyoke Public Library in a speech that focused on unity and building bridges."

– "'We'll go to The Berkshires': New Yorkers share stories of relocating amid pandemic," by Olivia Simonds, Berkshire Eagle: "Over the past 10 months, The Berkshires has shifted from a weekend cultural hub to a full-time abode for many urbanites; pinned as the ultimate socially-distanced haven amid the novel coronavirus pandemic."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Worcester launches COVID vaccination hub for first responders at senior center with 288 doses expected on first day," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "Dr. Michael Hirsh had difficulty sleeping Sunday night. Worcester's medical director and UMass Memorial Health Care's director of trauma services and surgeon-in-chief of the Children's Medical Center felt the excitement of Monday morning when the city began administering COVID vaccines to first responders in Worcester."

– "Mayor Daniel Rivera steps down after 7 years," by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: "After seven years in office, Mayor Daniel Rivera is preparing to say goodbye to City Hall. Friday marks Rivera's final day as the mayor of Lawrence before he moves on to a new role at the state level, as president and CEO of MassDevelopment. As Rivera transfers power to acting mayor Kendrys Vasquez, he is confident his time in office was fruitful."

– "Embattled Methuen police Chief Solomon announces retirement," by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: "Police Chief Joseph Solomon is retiring, he said in a letter to Mayor Neil Perry on Friday. 'I am writing to inform you of my intent to retire from the Methuen Police Department as I turn 60 this month,' he wrote in the letter, which he made available to The Eagle-Tribune."

– "'He's brought it on himself': Falmouth protesters call for Trump's removal," by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: "In recent years, the Village Green has been the site of continuous protest in support of removing President Donald Trump from office. Organizers had called an end to the protesting following Trump's general election defeat to President-Elect Joseph Biden in November. But on Sunday, days following last week's attack on the U.S. Capito, protesters returned to the green on West Main Street with renewed vigor, resuming their calls for the president's removal."

– "Misconduct probes may be constrained if city loses lawsuit," by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: "If cities and towns are not allowed to withhold from the public the internal affairs records of officers being sued, they might not thoroughly investigate complaints of police wrongdoing, Worcester's head litigator suggested in court Monday."

TRANSITIONS – Mike Cummings, a Kennedy alum, joins California Rep. Linda Sanchez's office as press secretary.

– Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins was elected president of the Massachusetts Sheriff's Association, and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was elected vice president. Link.

ENGAGED – Tom Hunt, risk manager at Custom House Risk Advisors, recently proposed to Sarah Hennessey, an opera singer. The couple met in Boston when she was in her gap school and he was in law school. Pic.

REMEMBERING NANCY BUSH ELLIS … via NYT: "Nancy Bush Ellis, the sister of one president and aunt of another, who for a time devoted herself to Democratic causes despite her family dynasty's Republican lineage, died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Concord, Mass. She was 94." Link.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

KEEP UP WITH THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WITH TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: It was a dark week in American history, and a new administration will have to pick up the pieces. Transition Playbook brings you inside the last days of this crucial transfer of power, tracking the latest from President-elect Biden and his growing administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today.