| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Welcome to Wednesday. Day 2 — The intrigue — and the outrage — keeps mounting in the aftermath of the unprecedented search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate by FBI agents. What's new — Some additional details have been emerged, including that roughly a dozen boxes of material were taken from the Palm Beach location. It has already been reported that the search centered on possible violations surrounding classified information and the Presidential Records Act. Still unknown — OK, but we still don't know what the search warrant says and so far the exact contents of that warrant have not been released by either authorities or by those in Trump's legal or political team. This of course leads to speculation and posturing by Trump's detractors and defenders alike. Why was this done? — One argument from legal observers is that it must have been something significant for a judge — as well as top officials in the Justice Department — to sign off on the warrant. Dave Aronberg, the Palm Beach County prosecutor (and yes, who is a Democrat) told POLITICO that magistrate judge Bruce Reinhart is "meticulous" and "he's not going to make a snap judgment." Temperatures rising — But while this mystery goes on, the angry comments keep rising from Trump supporters. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, in a television interview, compared the search to the Gestapo, a comment that brought a forceful denunciation from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish. In an email to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, she called it "repulsive" to compare the serving of a warrant to the actions of the Nazi secret police that led people to be sent to concentration camps. Arrests coming? — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — who is caught in an increasingly competitive race for reelection — went on Fox News on Tuesday night and compared the actions of the Biden administration to Latin American dictators. He then basically predicted that law enforcement is on the verge of arresting either the former president or his backers. Rubio told Fox's Sean Hannity that "they are now going to begin to say, 'oh these Trump supporters, these Republicans, they're very upset. They're saying very angry things. We think they might be a threat and we think they're radical extremists. Let's start arresting them.'" Still more — Rubio then contended — with no proof — that "I don't think they went in looking for documents." Instead Rubio, who is an attorney, said that "I think they went in there looking to see whatever they could find." What is clear — The FBI search has galvanized support for a 2024 Trump candidacy, as some outlets have reported backers suggesting he should kick-start as soon as possible. Check out what Shiree Verdone, co-chair of both of Trump's Arizona campaigns, told POLITICO's Matt Dixon: "I had gotten calls from people last night that were getting kind of tired of Trump, not so much they wanted to move on from him, but more that they were sick of the drama. Well, that's over. Just talking to people now, they are irate, and they are ready to support Trump." — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today . | | | | | |  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | LOOKING FOR CLUES — " Mar-a-Lago search appears focused on whether Trump, aides withheld items ," by Washington Post's Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey, Rosalind S. Helderman, Jacqueline Alemany and Spencer S. Hsu: "In the months before the FBI's dramatic move to execute a search warrant at former president Donald Trump's Florida home and open his safe to look for items, federal authorities grew increasingly concerned that Trump or his lawyers and aides had not, in fact, returned all the documents and other material that were government property, according to people familiar with the discussions." — " F.B.I. search of Trump's home pushes long conflict into public view ," by The New York Times' Maggie Haberman, Ben Protess, Michael S. Schmidt, Luke Broadwater and William K. Rashbaum ALL FOR ONE — Trump's 2024 GOP rivals rally behind him after FBI search , by POLITICO's Matt Berg, Marissa Martinez and Matt Dixon: Governors like South Dakota's Kristi Noem and Virginia's Glenn Youngkin called the FBI's actions "unprecedented" and "stunning." Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said the search was "next-level Nixonian … to target a former president and political rival." Florida Sen. Rick Scott said the Biden administration had a "history of going after parents & other political opponents." Not all on board — The criticism of the FBI and the Biden administration's handling of the situation wasn't unanimous: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told SiriusXM's Julie Mason in an interview that the search of Trump's safe and other areas in Mar-a-Lago was "fair game" if the "factual underpinnings" that led to the FBI's search checked out. And Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) told CBS This Morning that Americans need to let the situation "play out" and see what happens, though he also said it will raise questions about political motivation for the FBI's action. | 
Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower, late Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in New York. | Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo |
BREAKING IT DOWN — Why the Trump search warrant is nothing like Hillary's emails , by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney: The Justice Department official who oversaw the investigation of Hillary Clinton's handling of classified records says there's simply no comparing the search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence to the case against the former secretary of State. "People sling these cases around to suit their political agenda but every case has to stand on its own circumstances," said David Laufman, who led the Justice Department's counterintelligence section until 2018 and is now a partner at the firm Wiggin and Dana. ... "For the department to pursue a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago tells me that the quantum and quality of the evidence they were reciting — in a search warrant and affidavit that an FBI agent swore to — was likely so pulverizing in its force as to eviscerate any notion that the search warrant and this investigation is politically motivated," he said.
— Judge who approved FBI's Mar-a-Lago search represented clients linked to Jeffrey Epstein , by POLITICO's Gary Fineout WHAT'S GOING ON? — " What kind of criminal case is the Justice Department building against Donald Trump ?" by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver and McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner: "Legal experts, including former federal prosecutors, say that the Justice Department and FBI would never have obtained a search warrant and launched such an unprecedented raid on a former president's home Monday unless [former President Donald] Trump was suspected of committing a crime or possibly letting classified documents on national security circulate at Mar-a-Lago. 'There is no question in mind that they used a search warrant because the government was not getting the information they were requesting from Donald Trump,' said longtime Miami attorney Mark Schnapp, who had worked as a federal prosecutor on public corruption and financial fraud cases." MEANWHILE — House panel can demand Trump's tax returns, appeals court rules , by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney: A federal appeals court panel on Tuesday rejected Donald Trump's effort to block a House committee from obtaining several years of his tax returns. In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the Ways and Means Committee's request complied with the law, that it was made in support of potential legislation on matters like the Presidential Audit Program and that the request did not violate the separation of powers — particularly given Trump's status as a former president. — " Mar-a-Lago search just part of one of several Trump probes ," by The Associated Press' Lindsay Whitehurst and Alanna Durkin Richer — " After Mar-a-Lago search, users on pro-Trump forums agitate for 'civil war' — including a Jan. 6 rioter ," by NBC News' Ben Collins and Ryan J. Reilly — " Donald Trump knows what FBI agents took from Mar-a-Lago and why they took it, experts say ," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave — " Rick Scott on FBI's raid at Mar-a-Lago: Feds are like Nazi Germany's Gestapo, " by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Anthony Man — Biden had no advance notice on Mar-a-Lago search, White House says , by POLITICO's Oliva Olander — " FBI raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago forces a reluctant Palm Beach into spotlight once more ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Susannah Bryan and Shira Moolten — " Nikki Fried calls out Ron DeSantis for saying FBI 'weaponized' over Trump raid ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " How a former Florida political operative broke the Mar-a-Lago story ," by Washington Post's Elahe Izadi
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ON OFFENSE — Pritzker uses 'terrible' DeSantis as foil in national campaign on abortion rights , by POLITICO's Shia Kapos: Perhaps the biggest target on his list is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is popular in conservative circles and seen as a major presidential contender in 2024. For Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who is up for reelection this fall and is viewed as a potential future presidential candidate himself, it's another chance to build his political profile outside of his state — and set himself up as a bulwark against some of the Democratic base's least favorite Republicans. Will help after primary — DeSantis "is a terrible anti-choice governor," Pritzker said in an interview, adding that Florida is among "the places where I'm trying to make a difference." Pritzker isn't weighing in on Florida's Democratic primary for governor, where Rep. Charlie Crist and state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried are battling in a caustic rivalry. Instead, he's committed to backing the victor of the Aug. 23 contest. | 
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a transgender support rally at Federal Building Plaza on April 27, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. | Scott Olson/Getty Images |
BIG CHECK FOR CRIST — The American Federation of Teachers is contributing $500,000 to help Rep. Charlie Crist's bid for governor. The Crist campaign says this is its largest single contribution and refutes suggestions that he would not be able to attract significant support if he is the Democratic nominee. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has contended that national groups will not help out if Crist defeats her in the Aug. 23 primary. "It is deeply meaningful that our campaign's single largest donation comes from the teachers who are working so hard to give our kids a bright future," Crist said in a statement.
THE NIKKI WAVE? — Fried's campaign late Tuesday circulated a memo that said a new Public Policy Poll showed Fried remains in a position to win the primary. The poll has Crist with 42 percent and Fried with 35 percent, but 23 percent were undecided. The poll, done earlier this week, has a margin of effort of plus/minus 3.8 percent. Campaign manager Matthew Van Name contended that with Fried's advertising just starting "we believe our campaign is poised to pull even with Crist by this weekend." The memo also states that Fried is beating Crist in places such as Jacksonville and Tallahassee, although it has spin about losing in key areas such as Orlando and Tampa by saying there's "plenty of room for favorable growth." This news comes with less than two weeks left in the primary campaign and nearly 400,000 Democrats have already voted. CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Former President Barack Obama has not endorsed a candidate in Florida's Democratic primary for governor. But Crist's campaign is out with an ad that includes footage of the time Obama hugged Crist back in 2008 when Crist was a Republican and governor of Florida. … … Crist picked up a significant endorsement on Tuesday as Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava threw her support to Crist for governor. "Charlie Crist has been an absolute fighter for Floridians throughout his years in public service, and especially for those that call Miami-Dade home," Levine Cava said. … … EMILY'S List announced on Wednesday that the group is backing "21 pro choice champions" who are running for the Florida Legislature this year. EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler said the candidates would "tirelessly advocate" against efforts to "push abortion out of reach." The list includes eight running for state Senate — including Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, who is in bitter primary, and Tracie Davis , a state House member who is also in a competitive primary battle. The group is supporting 13 House candidates a well, including some who have primary opponents such as Reps. Angie Nixon, Michele Rayner, Kelly Skidmore and Dotie Joseph. The organization also endorsed Ashley Gantt , who is challenging incumbent Rep. James Bush. … United for Progress PAC, a Puerto Rican and Latino political action committee, announced a slate of candidates its backing, including Maxwell Alejandro Frost in Florida's 10th Congressional District and Robert Asencio in Florida's 28th and Aramis Ayala for attorney general. … Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis for reelection. … Former Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober has endorsed former Secretary of State Laurel Lee's campaign for Florida's 15th Congressional District. … Florida Home Builders PAC endorsed Attorney General Ashley Moody for reelection.
| | | | INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY . | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SNAPPING BACK — Biden administration doubles down in legal fight with Fried over guns and pot , by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Democrat Nikki Fried's legal fight with the Biden administration over guns and weed is heating up. On Monday, the Biden Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss an April lawsuit filed by Fried, Florida's elected Agriculture Commissioner and a candidate for governor, over a federal law that prohibits legal users of medical marijuana to buy firearms or obtain concealed-carry permits. HOW IT STARTED — " How a Canadian influencer targeted this Florida bar for its drag shows ," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "The 'public outrage' over a Miami drag show can be traced back to a well-known Canadian conservative influencer, who in early July received a Twitter message from a tipster who wanted her to 'draw attention' to it. 'They were sharing it with me specifically so I could draw attention to it because they, like I am sure most of you, were horrified by what happened,' Lauren Chen said in a July 4 video posted on her YouTube channel, which has half a million followers." — " State agency says Miami drag show violated 'lewdness' laws. Could anyone be arrested ?" by Miami Herald's David Ovalle and Ana Ceballos — " Professors in Florida are feeling the chill from DeSantis education legislation ," by Miami Herald's Anna Wilder
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TRENDING UPWARD — Florida rations limited supply of monkeypox vaccines as infections go up , by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida has nearly doubled its count of people infected by the monkeypox virus in the past week, prompting state health officials to stretch vaccine supplies by only administering the first of two shots. The Florida Department of Health counted 985 people infected by the monkeypox virus as of Tuesday, marking a jump from the 525 infections reported by Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo one week ago. The agency also ordered the full 72,000 vaccine doses allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will be delivered in installments through October. ASK THE VOTERS — " Divided Orange County Commission puts measure to cap rent increase on ballot ," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak : "A sharply divided Orange County commission decided 4-3 Tuesday to let voters say if rent increases should be capped. Commissioners Emily Bonilla, Maribel Gomez Cordero, Mayra Uribe and Nicole Wilson agreed to move the rent stabilization ordinance proposed by Bonilla in April to the fall ballot. Mayor Jerry Demings and commissioners Christine Moore and Victoria Siplin voted no. About 60 people made personal appeals to the board during a four-hour session as concerned landlords argued that rent controls don't work and rent-stressed tenants pleaded for help to stay in their homes." — "Uhurus ramped up their tactics in 2017. Was it related to July FBI raid ?" by Tampa Bay Times' Tracey McManus — " Feds seizing vintage Scott Maddox cars to help pay judgment in public corruption case ," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | SAIL AWAY — " Norwegian Cruise Line joins others relaxing COVID restrictions ," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou: "Norwegian Cruise Line and its sister lines Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are rolling back COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements next month, the latest cruise line to relax rules enacted during the pandemic. The three cruise lines, all under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, LTD, will adjust their protocols as of Sept. 3, under which vaccinated guests 12 and older will no longer be required to do any pre-cruise testing ahead of sailing, and unvaccinated guests will be allowed to sail. Unvaccinated guests will still need to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of disembarkation." | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring … Bay News 9's Phil Willette | | | | 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 | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment