| | | | | |  | | By Tara Palmeri, Rachael Bade, Ryan Lizza and Eugene Daniels | Presented by |  | | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | REPUBLICANS ARE UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE to acquit DONALD TRUMP — whether they think he committed an impeachable offense or not. At this point, it's all about self-preservation. When MITCH MCCONNELL signaled the trial vote would be one of conscience for members — and that he wouldn't be whipping the issue — he was, some would argue, giving Republicans room to break with the ex-president. But Senate sources tell us activists and typical Republican primary voters are pushing them in the opposite direction. Some donors fear if more than a handful of Republicans vote to convict, there is a real threat of a third-party MAGA uprising. Which is to say: This is not an easy vote even for Republicans who want Trump gone for good. CASE IN POINT: During a GOP Conference call last week, Sen. KEVIN CRAMER (R-N.D.) was among several senators who said he was flooded with calls from constituents demanding he acquit Trump. He also said he was hearing from donors — including at least one from the McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund super PAC — who wanted the GOP to do more to defend Trump, according to a person on the call. Other GOP senators on the line — including RON JOHNSON (Wis.), JOHN KENNEDY (La.), RICK SCOTT (Fla.) and JAMES RISCH (Idaho) — complained that they were even holding an impeachment trial. They peppered McConnell with questions about their options for getting out of it, including possibly appealing to the Supreme Court to throw out the case. McConnell's staff explained to the senators that the chamber would not likely have standing to stop this in court. And McConnell made clear he did not view it as his job to help Trump with his strategy. Talk to Trump ally LINDSEY GRAHAM if you have advice, the Republican leader told senators floating ideas to assist Trump. One potential early test: A single Republican could attempt to force a vote to dismiss the case, putting the conference on record whether they support even having a trial. The AP has more on the GOP's move toward acquittal. Privately, even pro-Trump Republicans say they can't defend Trump's conduct on Jan. 6. Doing so would only further alienate voters who accuse them of pandering to the former president. That's why they've been focusing their pushback on process, arguing that the move to oust Trump is unconstitutional because he is no longer president. Sen. RAND PAUL (R-Ky.) declared as much in The Hill on Sunday. But notice that Republicans aren't calling this a "witch hunt" like they did the first impeachment. Meanwhile, Trump allies aren't being shy about warning fellow Republicans that they'll pay if they vote to convict — possibly with their careers. Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) is heading to Wyoming on Tuesday to denounce House Republican Conference Chair LIZ CHENEY in her own state for her vote to impeach. STEVE BANNON promoted the candidacy of TOM NORTON — a primary challenger to newly elected Rep. PETER MEIJER (R-Mich.) — on his podcast. Is time on Trump's side? Most Republicans in Washington say each day that puts separation between them and the horrors of Jan. 6 makes GOP senators more comfortable with acquitting Trump. But one Trump confidant told us he's not sure that the two weeks until the trial starts benefit Trump: Yes, he has more time to prepare, but it also gives prosecutors time to further investigate Trump's conduct leading up to the riot. The drip drip drip of news can't help either. FINALLY: WaPo reports that the intra-GOP debate over Trump's fate was a hot topic of discussion among RNC members over the weekend. A majority has his back. | | A message from Google: Free digital coaching for Black and Latino small businesses. Grow with Google Digital Coaches provide digital skills training and coaching to help Black and Latino small businesses reach customers, thrive online, and grow. Offerings include digital skills workshops, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to learn from successful local businesses. Learn more. | | | ALL OVER BUT THE YELLEN: The House is out this week, but the Senate will be a flurry of activity as it moves to confirm Biden nominees. Senators will vote on JANET YELLEN'S nomination to become Treasury secretary at 5:30 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m., House impeachment managers will make the ceremonial walk to the other chamber to deliver the article of impeachment. ANTONY BLINKEN, the nominee for secretary of State, could get a vote as early as Tuesday. Democrats are hoping they'll get a few others approved this week, too, including ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS at Homeland, PETE BUTTIGIEG at Transportation, MERRICK GARLAND at Justice and XAVIER BECERRA at HHS. 'THIS ISN'T MONOPOLY MONEY' — It's not the type of bipartisanship JOE BIDEN was hoping for: A group of 16 moderate-minded Senate Republicans and Democrats on Sunday told Biden officials that the president's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package is too costly. In a 75-minute phone call — in the middle of the Buccaneers-Packers game, no less — the group argued that Biden's plan provides too much money to high-income Americans, our Laura Barrón-López and Burgess Everett scooped. Other nuggets from the story: — Sen. SUSAN COLLINS (R-Maine) "pressed the Biden officials on why families making $300,000 would be eligible and urged a focus on lower-income workers." Democrats agreed the proposal should be more targeted. "This isn't monopoly money," Sen. ANGUS KING (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, told our colleagues of the overall price tag. — There was a "consensus" on a need to pass something quickly to facilitate vaccine distribution — and that those ideas need to take precedence over things like the $15 minimum wage proposed in the plan, which Republicans oppose. The bipartisan resistance is significant. Democrats have been working on a Plan B to use "reconciliation" to try to jam Biden's plan through on a party-line vote should the GOP refuse to compromise. But the call readout suggests that CHUCK SCHUMER might have some wrangling to do with his own rank-and-file should he go in that direction — at least for Biden's opening salvo. In a 50-50 Senate, he can't lose a single one of them if Republicans unite in opposition. | | | | A message from Google:   Small businesses can receive hands-on coaching from Digital Coaches in free Grow with Google workshops. They'll learn how to connect with customers and more. Explore. | | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Former Transportation Secretary ELAINE CHAO is rejoining the Hudson Institute as a distinguished fellow. She'll head a public policy program focused on labor and transportation policy — the two Cabinet departments she's led — and economic leadership. BIDEN'S MONDAY — The president and VP KAMALA HARRIS will receive the President's Daily Brief at 9:30 a.m., and meet with the Defense secretary and Joint Chiefs of Staff chair at 11:30 a.m. in the Oval Office. Harris will swear in LLOYD AUSTIN as Defense secretary at 12:30 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room. At 3:45 p.m., Biden will speak about American manufacturing and sign an executive order at the South Court Auditorium, with Harris in attendance. — Press secretary JEN PSAKI will brief at 1 p.m. | | | | TRACK THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: A new president occupies the White House and he is already making changes. What are some of the key moments from Biden's first week in office? Find out in Transition Playbook, our scoop-filled newsletter tracking the appointments, people, and emerging power centers of the first 100 days of the new administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | | 
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Hunter Biden and President Joe Biden leave after attending Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown on Sunday, Jan. 24. | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | CORONAVIRUS THE TRACKER: The U.S. reported 1,940 Covid-19 deaths and 143,000 new coronavirus cases Sunday. That's the lowest new case number since Dec. 1, excepting Christmas (when reporting was wonky), per the Covid Tracking Project. ANOTHER TRAVEL BAN: "Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant - CDC," Reuters: "Biden on Monday is also reimposing an entry ban on nearly all non-U.S. travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders. … Then-President Donald Trump directed on Jan. 18 those restrictions on Brazil and Europe be lifted effective Tuesday but Biden's proclamation will rescind that decision. … "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director (CDC) head Rochelle Walensky will sign a separate order Monday requiring masks on all airplanes, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share vehicles for all travelers two and older, officials said. The new requirements are set to take effect in the coming days … On Tuesday, new CDC rules take effect requiring all international air travelers 2 and older to present a negative coronavirus test taken within three calendar days of travel or proof of recovery from COVID-19 to enter the United States." FAUCI SPEAKS: "Fauci on What Working for Trump Was Really Like," NYT: "'He would take just as seriously their opinion — based on no data, just anecdote — that something might really be important. It wasn't just hydroxychloroquine, it was a variety of alternative-medicine-type approaches. It was always, "A guy called me up, a friend of mine from blah, blah, blah." That's when my anxiety started to escalate.' … "'After a TV interview or a story in a major newspaper, someone senior, like MARK MEADOWS, would call me up expressing concern that I was going out of my way to contradict the president. … PETER NAVARRO, for some strange reason, had a thing about me.'" RELATED READ: "Why Vaccines Alone Will Not End the Pandemic," NYT THE WHITE HOUSE DE-TRUMPIFICATION: "Biden expected to repeal Trump's transgender military ban as soon as Monday," CBS: "[A] senior Defense official told CBS News the repeal will be through executive order signed by President Joe Biden. The announcement is expected to take place at a ceremony with newly-confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin … The new order will direct the branches of the military to outline an implementation plan." SOME TRUMP APPOINTEES STAY: "Biden is firing some top Trump holdovers, but in some cases, his hands may be tied," WaPo: "The Biden team, showing a willingness to cut tenures short, moved quickly last week to dump several high-profile, Senate-confirmed Trump appointees whose terms extended beyond Inauguration Day — in some cases by several years. … "But other, lower-profile Trump loyalists, some of whom helped carry out his administration's most controversial policies, are scattered throughout Biden's government in permanent, senior positions. And identifying them, let alone dislodging them, could be difficult for the new leadership." | | A message from Google: Over 58,000 small businesses are being helped by Google's Digital Coaches program. Grow with Google Digital Coaches provide Black and Latino small business owners with digital skills workshops, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to learn from other successful businesses. The program now reaches 20 cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, with more to come. Learn more. | | | CONGRESS MORE CALLS TO REMOVE CHENEY: The Washington Examiner writes about the pressure campaign some House Republicans are mounting to oust LIZ CHENEY from their leadership. The story notes Gaetz's trip to Wyoming, then quotes a Cheney spox with this spicy rejoinder: 'Rep. Gaetz can leave his beauty bag at home. In Wyoming, the men don't wear make-up.'" Gaetz, whose Twitter feed has been filled with anti-Cheney content all weekend, responded by noting that Cheney has previously supported a primary challenge to a fellow House GOP incumbent: | 
| LAWMAKERS TARGETED — "AP source: Lawmakers threatened ahead of impeachment trial": "Federal law enforcement officials are examining a number of threats aimed at members of Congress as the second trial of former President Donald Trump nears, including ominous chatter about killing legislators or attacking them outside of the U.S. Capitol, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. "The threats, and concerns that armed protesters could return to sack the Capitol anew, have prompted the U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement to insist thousands of National Guard troops remain in Washington as the Senate moves forward with plans for Trump's trial, the official said." JAN. 6 HAWLEY: THE TEENAGE YEARS — "'Bamboozled.' Hawley mentors stunned by conduct, but early warning signs were there," Kansas City Star: "Josh Hawley was a precocious 15-year-old in 1995, writing a regular column for his hometown paper, The Lexington News … Hawley warned against depicting all militia members as domestic terrorists after the Oklahoma City bombing … "Since the Capitol rampage, Hawley's mentors have disavowed him. Donors have demanded refunds. Colleagues have called for his resignation or expulsion. And those who helped guide his career are asking themselves if they missed something essential about their former mentee. … But the Lexington columns suggest that Hawley's ideology took root long before he entered public life, and that his passage from Roosevelt scholar to Trump's ideological heir was not entirely unforeseen." THE LAW ENFORCEMENT-FAR RIGHT NEXUS — "After Capitol riot, police chiefs work to root out officers with ties to extremist groups," WaPo: "[T]he selfie photos that off-duty officers took inside the Capitol during the violent siege, which left one police officer dead and dozens of others injured, [were] a wake-up call for many who have long denied the extent of the problem within policing. … "Law enforcement leaders across the nation are talking to cadets and veteran officers about the need to report colleagues who have aligned themselves with white supremacists or far-right militants. The leaders are considering policies that would expressly prohibit officers from affiliating with such groups. They are also discussing ways to conduct deeper background checks on recruits." KNOWING THE INSURRECTIONISTS — "Judge says 'Zip Tie Guy' to stay in custody, transported to D.C.," WSMV ABROAD TOP-ED — "The Biden administration's Saudi problem," by WaPo's David Ignatius: "As the Biden administration seeks a better pathway in the U.S.-Saudi relationship, one obstacle is the case of two young Saudis imprisoned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to pressure their father, a former top Saudi intelligence official." SPACE RACE — "How Space Became the Next 'Great Power' Contest Between the U.S. and China," NYT: "Beijing's rush for antisatellite arms began 15 years ago. Now, it can threaten the orbital fleets that give the United States military its technological edge. Advanced weapons at China's military bases can fire warheads that smash satellites and can shoot laser beams that have a potential to blind arrays of delicate sensors. "And China's cyberattacks can, at least in theory, cut off the Pentagon from contact with fleets of satellites that track enemy movements, relay communications among troops and provide information for the precise targeting of smart weapons." — "China Overtakes U.S. as World's Leading Destination for Foreign Direct Investment," WSJ: "China overtook the U.S. as the world's top destination for new foreign direct investment last year, as the Covid-19 pandemic amplifies an eastward shift in the center of gravity of the global economy. "New investments by overseas businesses into the U.S., which for decades held the No. 1 spot, fell 49% in 2020, according to U.N. figures released Sunday, as the country struggled to curb the spread of the new coronavirus and economic output slumped." | | | | GET THE SCOOP ON CONGRESS IN 2021 : Get the inside scoop on the Schumer/McConnell dynamic, the new Senate Bipartisan Group, and what is really happening inside the House Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference. From Schumer to Pelosi, McConnell to McCarthy and everyone in between, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings the latest from Capitol Hill with assists from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the indispensable guide to Congress. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK: A source close to Trump told us that the deplatformed ex-president spent the weekend in Palm Beach huddling with advisers and discussing which tech platform he'll use to spread his message. Many in the MAGA diaspora booted off of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have fled to Telegram and Parler. Trump, according to the source, is looking at "products on the market and products not yet introduced." FWIW, we're told Telegram is not being considered. No word on whether Cameo is in the mix. BUT MAYBE HE'LL GET BACK ON FACEBOOK: Ben Smith looks at the creepy global council that will decide Trump's fate. NYT FIRST FAMILIES ARE JUST LIKE US (HUNGRY): After his first church service as commander-in-chief, Biden's family stopped by Call Your Mother, the D.C. bagelry with consistently long lines at all three locations (and co-owned by Biden Covid czar Jeff Zients ). According to the pool report, the Biden motorcade idled outside the Georgetown location while Hunter Biden hopped out to grab some food. In response, Call Your Mother tweeted: "Thrilled to have an admin again who will love all that DC has to offer — starting with sesame bagels." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Lee Satterfield will be the new president and COO of the Meridian International Center, heading daily operations, partnerships and strategic initiatives/planning. She has been with Meridian since 2015, most recently as EVP and COO. She also is an Obama State Department alum and former deputy chief of protocol of the U.S. — Retired Army Lt. Gen. Doug Lute will join BGR Group as chair of its international and defense practices. He previously was U.S. ambassador to NATO in the Obama administration. STAFFING UP — Martha Gimbel is now senior adviser at the Council of Economic Advisers. She most recently was senior manager of economic research at Schmidt Futures. … Aviva Aron-Dine is now executive associate director at OMB. She previously was VP for health policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. … Danny Yagan is now chief economist at OMB. He's on leave from UC Berkeley. … … Tyler Cherry is now press secretary and spokesperson for the Interior Department. He previously was director of rapid response for the Biden-Harris Arizona coordinated campaign. … Meaghan Lynch is now press secretary at HUD. She previously was deputy comms director for Kamala Harris in the Senate. WHITE HOUSE DEPARTURE LOUNGE — Jalen Drummond is now media relations manager at Leidos. He most recently was an assistant press secretary in the Trump White House. TRANSITIONS — Lucinda Guinn is joining Ralston Lapp as a partner to form Ralston Lapp Guinn. She most recently was executive director of the DCCC. … Charli Huddleston is now comms director for Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas). She most recently was associate director of media affairs for the Trump campaign, and is a House Oversight alum. … Steve Abbott is returning to Sen. Susan Collins' (R-Maine) office as chief of staff, after most recently managing her reelect … Oh, yeah, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for governor of Arkansas. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Andy Harris (R-Md.) … NYT's Jeremy Peters … WaPo's Michael Scherer … NBC's Emily Passer … Nancy Gibbs … Joe Conason … Ken Davis … Ashley Jones of White House legislative affairs … Luke Graeter, legislative assistant for Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) … Tina Tchen, president and CEO of Time's Up … POLITICO's Alessandro Sclapari and Chris Parisi … Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky … Alicia Keys Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Do you know what Biden's second legislative priority will be? Drop us a line at politicoplaybook@politico.com or individually: Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza, Tara Palmeri, Rachael Bade. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler and producers Allie Bice, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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