🥁 Axios PM: McConnell's red lines

Plus: Historic Supreme | Thursday, April 07, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Emergent BioSolutions   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Apr 07, 2022 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 586 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: McConnell's red lines Photo: Chuck Kennedy for Axios   Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said during an Axios NewsShapers interview with Jonathan Swan today that he has "an obligation" to support former President Trump if he's the Republican nominee in 2024. Asked where he draws his moral red lines, McConnell said, "I'm very comfortable with my moral red line." (Watch a 3-minute clip.) Why it matters: This was the first time McConnell was pressed on the contradiction between his Senate floor comments in February 2021 saying Trump was "morally responsible" for Jan. 6 — followed two weeks later by saying he'd "absolutely" support Trump if he were the party's 2024 nominee. Between the lines: Through half an hour of persistent questioning, McConnell again and again showed his absolute loyalty to the party. "I don't get to pick the Republican nominee," McConnell said. McConnell also stood by Justice Clarence Thomas' decision not to recuse himself despite the drive by his wife, Ginni Thomas, to overturn the 2020 election, Axios' Andrew Solender writes in a recap of the interview. McConnell would not commit to Supreme Court hearings for Biden nominees if the GOP takes the majority in November. "I choose not to answer the question," he said. (Watch a 2-minute clip.) 👀 Watch a 2-min. clip: McConnell on why some people hate him.     Part 2: McConnell on winning the majority Photo: Chuck Kennedy for Axios   During this morning's interview with Swan, McConnell made it clear his approach to supporting Republican Senate candidates is centered on electability. Herschel Walker: McConnell stood his endorsement of the former football star — and likely GOP Senate nominee from Georgia — who has faced allegations of threatening his wife with a gun. McConnell said Walker has "admitted he has some troubles in his life," but lately has "been an exemplary citizen." Eric Greitens: McConnell declined to condemn or comment on the Missouri Senate candidate (and former governor), whose ex-wife accuses him of abuse. McConnell said the state's voters would take all that into account. Asked about the GOP agenda if the party wins Senate control in the midterms, McConnell said he'd focus on inflation, the border and crime. In the most specific comment he's made about 2023 plans, McConnell said the party would "do everything" to press President Biden to ramp up domestic energy production. (Watch a 3-minute clip.) 👀 Watch the full interview.     A message from Emergent BioSolutions We Go to create a world that's prepared and protected     Emergent maintains a critical role in the ongoing opioid crisis. We're developing emergency rescue medications that can help reverse an opioid overdose. It's just one of the ways we defend people from things we hope will never happen. Learn more about Emergent's protections.     3. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson joined President Biden in the Roosevelt Room at the White House today to watch the results of her Senate confirmation vote. The big picture: Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman vice president, presided over the 53-47 vote that made Jackson the first Black woman Supreme Court justice, Axios' Sam Baker and Oriana Gonzalez report. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images     4. Catch up quick Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images   🏌🏿‍♂️Tiger Woods reacted to his tee shot on hole 4 at today's opening round of The Masters. Woods was even par through 14 holes. ⚡️ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic. Go deeper. 🏈 Two more coaches joined a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. Go deeper. 🥵 Monthly average CO2 levels are very likely to hit 420 parts per million this month, the highest level in recorded human history.     5. 📷 Parting shot: You could hike here someday Castner Range. Photo: Mark Clune/Courtesy of The Frontera Land Alliance Advocates want the Biden administration to declare 7,000 acres outside rapidly growing El Paso a national monument, allowing the federal government to assess the area and design trails. The big picture: Some of the range is currently off-limits to hikers due to unexploded ordnances from a former U.S. Army training facility, Axios' Russell Contreras reports. Share this story.     A message from Emergent BioSolutions We Go to create a world that's prepared and protected     Emergent maintains a critical role in the ongoing opioid crisis. We're developing emergency rescue medications that can help reverse an opioid overdose. It's just one of the ways we defend people from things we hope will never happen. Learn more about Emergent's protections.   Like this email style and format? It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 200 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? 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