| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Post-script — “I’ve never seen love in the streets like that,” proclaimed former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night, hours after he was arraigned in federal court and entered a plea of not guilty to 37 counts that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. On the town — Well, it was quite a scene in Miami, including Trump holding an impromptu visit to Versailles, the Cuban restaurant and bakery in Little Havana that is a must-do stop for many Republican politicians when they swing through the area. There was also breathless television coverage of his motorcade leaving Doral and heading downtown. A calm spectacle — And while the visuals from Miami were quite colorful — including a guy walking around with a pig’s head on a stick — the crowd was nowhere as large as authorities had suggested and more importantly, there was no violence or incidents of an unruly mob taking on law enforcement. What’s next — Of course, now that the spectacle is over, the dry minutiae of the legal proceeding now comes into play, something that could stretch out months as lawyers quibble over discovery and evidence. And Trump also faces potential legal peril in other ongoing investigations as well. Pushing back — But for Trump the path seems clear: He will rail at the administration of President Joe Biden and appeal to Republican voters that he was wrongly persecuted and that grievances against him represent grievances against them. During his remarks in New Jersey, he called it a “political prosecution straight out of a fascist and communist nation” and labeled the prosecutors “thugs.” Frontrunner — The question, as always, is whether the ongoing legal travails of Trump will cause him any political damage, or as it has been in the past, lead to large factions of the Republican base rallying to his side. The scene, and the blanket coverage from the news media, was a reminder to other GOP candidates — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — that it continues to be an uphill climb to wrest the nomination from Trump. “What did the other candidates do today? We know where Trump was. He was going to Cafe Versailles, giving a speech here tonight, and there was no other oxygen for other candidates,” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. Ron 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 | | DECLARATION — Trump goes on offensive after indictment, pledging to investigate Biden, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw and Kelly Garrity: Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night promised to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the Biden family only hours after his arraignment on 37 federal felony charges in Florida. Trump’s vow prompted cheers and chants of “lock him up!” from the audience. The idea followed Trump’s own proclamation that he was facing “political persecution like something out of a fascist or communist nation.”
|  Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks outside the clubhouse at the Trump National Golf Club on June 13, 2023 in Bedminster, New Jersey. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | THE COVERAGE — Trump pleads not guilty in classified documents case, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney, Josh Gerstein and Andrew Atterbury; “Trump arraigned on documents and obstruction charges,” by The New York Times’ Glenn Thrush, Nicholas Nehamas and Eileen Sullivan; Trump sits silently in Miami courtroom, pleads not guilty in historic case,” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver, Grethel Aquila, Aaron Leibowitz and Michael Wilner THE SCENE — ‘We want Trump’: Hundreds of former president’s supporters gather at Miami courthouse, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury; “Food for everyone.’ Trump detours to Versailles to court Hispanic voters after arraignment,” by Miami Herald’s Michelle Marchante, Ana Ceballos, Linda Robertson and Jimena Tavel
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Outside the courthouse where Trump is set to be arraigned, one man draped in an American flag also walked around with a pig's head impaled on a stick. | Win McNamee/Getty Images | WORDS ARE VERY UNNECESSARY — Biden orders DNC and reelect to remain silent about Trump’s indictment, by POLITICO’s Jonathan Lemire: President Joe Biden and his top aides have taken a vow of silence on the federal indictment of his predecessor, Donald Trump — and have explicitly ordered the national Democratic Party and his reelection campaign to do the same. That directive was issued in recent days after Trump was hit with federal charges for his handling of classified documents after he left the White House, according to three people familiar with the instructions. But that decision has some Democrats and allies worried that Biden could miss a chance to underscore the seriousness of the national moment as well as deliver a political blow to his top White House rival. ‘THE CHARGES ARE SERIOUS’ — “In earlier Espionage Act cases, warning signs for Trump,” by The New York Times’ Michael D. Shear and Adam Goldman: “Like former President Donald J. Trump, Lt. Col. Robert Birchum was accused in Florida of mishandling classified documents. Like the former president, he was charged with violating the Espionage Act. But unlike Mr. Trump, Mr. Birchum, 55, a highly decorated Air Force intelligence officer, took full responsibility. His lawyer said he expressed ‘true remorse.’ He even cooperated with investigators, providing information about how he kept hundreds of secret papers for almost a decade in his home, an overseas office and a storage pod. Despite all that, Mr. Birchum still got three years in prison when he was sentenced this month.” — Prosecutor in Trump documents case has history pursuing prominent politicians, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein PREDICTION — “Rubio: Next GOP president will be under ‘tremendous pressure’ to indict Biden,” by The Hill’s Lauren Sforza: “Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Tuesday that the next Republican president will be faced with 'tremendous pressure' to indict President Biden. ‘You think this ends here? The next Republican president is going to be under tremendous pressure to bring charges and indict Joe Biden, his family, his crackhead son, whoever,’ Rubio said Tuesday on Fox News. ‘The pressure is going to be extraordinary.’” — Judge lets E. Jean Carroll add Trump’s post-verdict remarks to original defamation case, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity — “In the MAGA mirror, Trump’s legal peril looks like a personal threat,” by The Washington Post’s Jesus Rodrigúez — “Orlando MAGA supporters take bus to Miami to support ‘daddy’ Trump,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher — The Senate GOP’s quiet but mighty Trump skeptics, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett
| | DESANTISLAND | | WATCH THIS SPACE — DeSantis asks court to toss migrant flights ruling in records case, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Lawyers representing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday urged an appeals court to overturn a ruling that found the DeSantis administration improperly withheld records connected to the September flights of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. … Attorneys for DeSantis, appearing before a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeals, contended there were good faith reasons the administration could not quickly hand over the records last fall, including that the timing of the initial request came two days before Hurricane Ian made landfall. The office responsible for handling record requests also had a small staff and already had a sizable backlog of records it was processing. From the bench — Some of the judges on the panel sounded open to the arguments from DeSantis’ legal team. “I think the argument is, no party has a right to demand that their public records request take precedence over other core functions of government,” said Judge Brad Thomas, who was appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush. Thomas also argued the records were “pretty complex.” Response — But Andrea Mogensen, a Sarasota attorney representing the group that works with journalists and other groups to obtain government records, argued that state officials have a constitutional obligation to hand over records. She said the administration allowing a backlog of record requests to build up over a two-year period should not be an excuse. “It’s their constitutional and statutory responsibility to deliver those records to the public in a timely fashion,” Mogensen said. OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT — “DeSantis keeps low profile as Trump indictment in Miami looms,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen: "As the nation’s eyes focused on Florida for former President Donald Trump’s indictment appearance on Tuesday, the state’s governor kept a low profile. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a presidential candidate and rival to Trump for the GOP nomination, appeared to take a pause from a busy campaigning schedule for the day. He held no news conferences. He made a judicial appointment, signed five bills and had meetings with staff members, according to his public schedule. Early in the day, his campaign Twitter account posted a video of his wife and son at a rodeo, as well as posts sharing some policy platforms and touting an endorsement." — “Crowd boos loudly when MAGA star Kari Lake mentions DeSantis in West Palm Beach speech,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat and Antonio Fins — No Labels likely to back off third party bid if DeSantis emerges as GOP nominee, by POLITICO’s Shia Kapos — “Ron DeSantis nears ‘all-time low’ in Morning Consult poll,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “The DeSantis plan to wage war on ‘weaponized’ DOJ,” by Real Clear Politics’ Philip Wegmann — “DeSantis calls early push for presidency a success, drawing ‘converts’ in fundraising call with donors,” by New York Post’s Selim Algar
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | MORE TIME — “U.S. extends temporary protected status for more than 330,000 immigrants,” by The Washington Post’s Maria Sacchetti: “The Biden administration said Tuesday that it will allow thousands of immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal living in the United States on temporary status to renew their work permits for 18 months, reversing a Trump-era directive that sought to revoke the humanitarian protections. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said his decision preserves protections for more than 330,000 people from the four countries, granting them permission to live and work in the United States into 2025.” — “‘A welcomed relief’: Levine Cava embraces TPS extension for some Central American immigrants,” by Miami Herald’s Omar Rodríguez Ortiz LETTER TIME — “Gaetz grills DOJ over Trump prosecutor’s donations to Biden, alleged misconduct,” by Fox News’ Jessica Chasmar: “Rep. Matt Gaetz, R- Fla., sent a letter Tuesday to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding information on the office of special counsel Jack Smith, revealing that one of the prosecutors on his team investigating Trump for his alleged mishandling of classified documents previously contributed to President Biden's 2020 campaign and faced misconduct allegations in 2009.”
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | — “Department of Economic Opportunity juggles top staff ahead of legislative retool,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles — “Florida prescription drug import decision could come in the fall,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders — “Gov. DeSantis signs car dealership protection bill banning most direct-to-consumer auto sales,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner — “Tyler Russell joins DBPR as chief of staff,” by Florida Politics’ Peter Schorsch
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | ON THE SCENE — “‘Where do we need to go?’ Cop testifies he pushed ahead while Parkland deputy stayed still,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash: "Coral Springs Police Capt. Edmond DeRosa, then a property crimes supervisor who was working on an unrelated case at Coral Springs High School searching for an arson suspect, drove to Stoneman Douglas when he was told by a dispatcher there were reports of gunfire. He saw Peterson standing in the breezeway and ‘I said ‘Scot, what’s going on, where do we need to go?’ He said Peterson pointed at the 1200 building, but also said the gunman could be elsewhere. DeRosa went past him into the 1200 building, saying there was ‘no advantage to me being there’ and took up a position with other officers in the stairwell, guns drawn upward ‘prepared for engagement.’ They would later learn that they were getting information from delayed security video and the shooter had likely already left the campus.” — “Schools’ clear-backpack plan is scrapped after a raucous town hall,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘THE RISK OF FALLING BEHIND’ — “USF approves $340 million plan for Bulls’ on-campus football stadium,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker: “USF board of trustees chairperson Will Weatherford understands the risks of building a $340 million on-campus football stadium. The Bulls could continue to struggle on the field and in the stands, weighing down an athletic department with $200 million in debt. ‘But I believe the risk is greater to not do it,’ Weatherford said. ‘We run the risk of falling behind.’ Which is why USF charged ahead Tuesday when the trustees approved a plan to erect a 35,000-seat stadium north of the practice fields in time for the 2026 season.” REVIEW — “Piney Point pollution spread farther than first thought, new study shows,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes: “The plume of polluted water from the 2021 Piney Point wastewater disaster spread farther than previously thought, new research suggests, stretching outside of Tampa Bay and more than 30 miles away to waters near Tarpon Springs. The study sheds new light on the vast environmental toll of the wastewater emergency and adds more weight to the evidence that red tide and other algal blooms flaring in and around Tampa Bay during summer 2021 were linked to the nutrient-laden discharges from Piney Point, according to the study’s authors.” — “For first time, Florida United Methodists approve LGBTQ clergy at Lakeland meeting,” by The Ledger’s Gary White — “Florida Power & Light bills to decrease in July as summer heats up,” by Palm Beach Post’s Hannah Morse
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Floating porta potties plague Cape Coral canals,” by NBC 2’s Gina Tomlinson: “Floating toilets are raising frustrations in North Cape Coral, nearly nine months after Hurricane Ian. Neighbors say the waterlogged porta potties are reappearing and traveling with the tides. ‘The one that we saw yesterday, we have no idea where it’s at now,’ said Shelly Sorich. She lives on a canal between Tropicana and Yucatán Parkway and where neighbors took pictures of a porta potty floating behind homes. ‘It’s more bacteria in the water, of course. An we have a lot of boats that come through here and they could hit it and damage their boats, and it’s just an eyesore,’ she said.” BIRTHDAYS: Former President Donald Trump … Laura Figueroa Hernandez, White House correspondent for Newsday … Foyt Ralston of Foyt Ralston & Associates. | | | | 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 | | | | |
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