| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Into the ring — Welcome to another round of the long-simmering feud between the two big state governors, one of whom is running for president and the other one who isn’t (at least maybe not this cycle). Golden State — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took his presidential campaign into California on Monday for fundraisers, including one that put him in Sacramento just a few weeks after the governor’s administration flew two flights of migrants there and drew the ire of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Latest zinger — DeSantis is remaining out of public view during his two-day swing, but his campaign released an one-minute ad via social media that smacked Newsom and Democrats over crime, homelessness and drug use: “The debate is already settled. California’s liberal governance is a disaster. @RonDeSantis’ conservative policies have Florida thriving, and would do so for the nation.” Next chapter — The ad represented the latest back-and-forth that recently included DeSantis taunting Newsom to jump into the race for president (he has repeatedly said he’s not going to) after Newsom jabbed DeSantis over the migrant flights and saying he’s open to debating him at any time. Counter punch — In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Newsom cracked that DeSantis is “taking the eye off the ball” by focusing on the California governor. “And that's not inconsistent with my own assessment of him, which is he is a weak candidate, and he is undisciplined and will be crushed by Donald Trump, and will soon be in third or fourth in national polls.” Biden weighs in — DeSantis’ trip to the region also coincided with a visit by President Joe Biden to Northern California. When Biden was asked Monday by a reporter about DeSantis being in the same place that he sent migrants the president quipped “It’s hard to comment on things like that.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is on a presidential campaign visit to California. 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. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | NEVERENDING STORY — “Inside the deepening rivalry between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom,” by Associated Press’ Steve Peoples and Michael R. Blood: “Indeed, veteran Democratic consultant Roy Behr, whose clients included former California Sen. Barbara Boxer, said the two governors are engaged in what could become an early preview of the 2028 presidential contest. ‘It’s not inconceivable that four years from now, these two guys could be their respective parties’ nominees,’ he said. In tangling with DeSantis, who is 44, the 55-year-old Newsom is building his national brand and visibility and is ‘certainly trying to create opportunities for himself.’” — “DeSantis raises cash in California and pokes at governor,” by The New York Times’ Shawn Hubler ‘WE DIDN’T GET WHAT THEY TOLD US’ — “‘All we received was abandonment’: Migrants sent to Sacramento by DeSantis speak out,” by Los Angeles Times’ Mackenzie Mays: “They say they were duped by Florida officials and that, while they are grateful to be in America, their plans have been disrupted, with immigration hearings now spread across the country and job opportunities stalled. Members of the group — which also includes former residents of Colombia and Guatemala — said they came to California because they were promised that they would be given a home, higher paying jobs and attorneys to help them more quickly obtain permits to work legally.” ON OFFENSE — “DeSantis takes aim at Trump’s signature criminal justice reform act,” by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker: Now Trump barely talks about the law even as his rivals for the 2024 GOP nomination attack it as a chief contributor to the rise in violent crime. “It has allowed dangerous people who have reoffended and really, really hurt a number of people,” DeSantis said on "The Ben Shapiro Show," suggesting that prisoners should not get early release and serve their full prison sentence. “So one of the things I want to do when I’m president is go to Congress and seek the repeal of the First Step Act.” Response — Trump allies are punching back, though not in defense of the legislative achievement but to call out DeSantis for waffling on the issue. “Ron DeSantis ran his campaign on Donald Trump’s America First Agenda … Now, he is attacking President Trump on those very same issues proving that he’s just another flip-flopping politician who will say whatever it takes to win,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson with MAGA Inc., a Trump-backed super PAC, said in a statement.
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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at an annual Basque Fry at the Corley Ranch in Gardnerville, Nev., Saturday, June 17, 2023. | Andy Barron/AP Photo | LET’S SEE ACTION — “DeSantis allies set up a school to train a $100 million door-knocking army,” by The Washington Post’s Michael Scherer: “Never before has a presidential effort invested in doors in the way the DeSantis machine is doing. By Labor Day, Never Back Down aims to have about 2,600 trained canvassers in the 18 early nominating states, many with hotel rooms and rental cars, iPads and evolving scripts, not to mention a paycheck from working in a position that is now advertised on job boards as between $20 to $22 an hour. The work will continue through March, with staff redeployed as the election season proceeds. It is designed to allow the PAC to run a paid-field operation bigger than ever before tried in a presidential primary, on the scale of four simultaneous congressional races in Iowa, two in New Hampshire and seven in South Carolina.” MEANWHILE — D.C. Playbook reports Never Back Down is adding a round of new hires for its Atlanta headquarters: Lydia Hall will be regional comms director, James Eller will be research director, Robert Rose will be deputy research director, Bobby LaValley will be deputy rapid response director, and Zach Montanaro and McKenna Harbison will be rapid response analysts. — “Ron DeSantis is young, has little kids and wants America to know it,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas and Ruth Igielnik — “DeSantis quiet on Trump indictment as he faces conservatives in Trump country,” by Associated Press’ Steve Peoples
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | AS THE PAGES TURN — Trump: I was too busy to sort through the boxes I took to Mar-a-Lago, by POLITICO's Sam Stein: Donald Trump on Monday said he did not hand over government records to the federal officials when they asked him for it because he was too busy to sift through the boxes of contents. In an interview with Fox News, the former president said that the documents that the National Archives and Records Administration insisted he return were intermingled with personal materials in containers stored at his estate in Mar-a-Lago. He added that he did not have the time to separate the personal from the governmental. ‘A FULL ACCOUNTING DOES NOT SUDDENLY MATERIALIZE’ — “FBI resisted opening probe into Trump’s role in Jan. 6 for more than a year,” by The Washington Post’s Carol D. Leonnig and Aaron C. Davis: “A Washington Post investigation found that more than a year would pass before prosecutors and FBI agents jointly embarked on a formal probe of actions directed from the White House to try to steal the election. Even then, the FBI stopped short of identifying the former president as a focus of that investigation. A wariness about appearing partisan, institutional caution, and clashes over how much evidence was sufficient to investigate the actions of Trump and those around him all contributed to the slow pace.” MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — “Trump faces questions about whether he’ll drag down the Republican Party after indictments,” by Associated Press’ Sara Burnett: “But Trump’s reception in Miami — and the more than $7 million he raised after the indictment — was a reminder of the central tension coursing through the Republican Party as the 2024 presidential primary gets underway. For now, no one comes close to Trump in his command of the voters who will decide the GOP’s nominee next year. But Trump’s path beyond the primary is far more perilous as he faces significant and growing questions about his ability to appeal to a broader, more moderate set of voters in a possible general election matchup against President Joe Biden.” — “The GOP field discovers there are only side acts in the Trump show,” by Adam Wren, Meridith McGraw and Natalie Allison — “Barr slams Trump’s defense in documents case as ‘absurd’ and ‘wacky,’” by The Washington Post’s Robert Klemko and Mariana Alfaro — “Potential Trump trial raises jury pool challenges for Palm Beach County’s 1 million voters,” by Palm Beach Post’s Antonio Fins — “How government rules for classified papers could help Trump delay his trial,” by The Washington Post’s Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO 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. | | | | | — “Local 10 interview: Suarez talks presidential run, Gimenez feud, reported FBI probe,” by WPLG’s Christina Vazquez — “Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is running for president. Here are 5 things you should know,” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila — “‘Stay Woke Florida!’ tour begins 15-city 2024 voter outreach tour,” by WFTS’ Forrest Saunders
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | MOUNT TALLAHASSEE — “Leon superintendent settles for ‘lesser’ punishment, says ‘I have done nothing wrong,’” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan: “Florida's capital city superintendent who has been under investigation for his ‘politically charged statements’ and infusing ‘personal views’ into his administration of the school district has settled with the state’s education agency. Leon County Schools' Rocky Hanna reached an agreement with the Florida Department of Education and will receive a reprimand, according to a settlement agreement from the State of Florida Education Practices Commission.” R.I.P. — “Labor leader Mike Williams dies in water accident,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles: “Mike Williams, president of the Florida AFL-CIO, died in an accident this weekend. He was 72. The labor group confirmed Williams’ death on social media. ‘Florida’s union families are mourning the passing of Mike Williams, President of the Florida AFL-CIO, following a water accident on June 17th at his home in St. Marks, Florida,’ reads a post from the organization. “Williams was one of the most transformative labor leaders in Florida history.” — “Are Florida’s insurance regulators stretched too thin?” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise — “Spencer Roach says it’s time the Legislature write a new Florida constitution,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | ‘IT’S BEEN HELL’ — “What central Florida is doing to avert disastrous flooding when the next big hurricane hits,” by The Washington Post’s Brady Dennis: “The work unfolding in this modest community a short drive from Disney World is merely one example of how governments in central Florida are scrambling to better prepare for the intense storms and torrential rainfalls that scientists say are becoming more common in a warming world — and to address long-standing flood problems that plague this historically swampy and increasingly developed landscape.” FOR YOUR RADAR — “Tropical Storm Bret could become Category 1 hurricane,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Bill Kearney, Angie DiMichele and Robin Webb
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘THE RED LINES ARE LONG GONE’ — “Russia sought to kill defector in Florida,” by The New York Times’ Ronen Bergman, Adam Goldman and Julian E. Barnes: “The clandestine operation, seeking to eliminate a C.I.A. informant in Miami who had been a high-ranking Russian intelligence official more than a decade earlier, represented a brazen expansion of Mr. Putin’s campaign of targeted assassinations. It also signaled a dangerous low point even between intelligence services that have long had a strained history. ‘The red lines are long gone for Putin,’ said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former C.I.A. officer who oversaw operations in Europe and Russia.” FALLOUT — “Days before new Florida law takes effect, undocumented workers fear for their future,” by Miami Herald’s Clara-Sophia Daly: “Florida’s new immigration law, set to take effect on July 1, has undocumented workers worried — and afraid. They fear losing their jobs. They fear being forced to leave the state. And they fear having no choice but to return to their home countries, leaving their lives in South Dade, where some have been for decades, behind. ‘We are worried, and not sure if in the future we will have work,’ Sara Perez said of the new law, which she believes targets undocumented workers like her. ‘We are not doing anything bad, and we are not doing anything wrong.’" — “New immigration law sparks fear and worker exodus from Florida,” by USA Today Network Florida’s Ana Goni-Lessan and John Kennedy — “Here’s a look at Florida’s new immigration law that takes effect in two weeks,” by Miami Herald’s Clara-Sophia Daly WATCH THIS SPACE — “Stalled contract jeopardizes relations between new Disney governing body and firefighters,” by Associated Press’ Mike Schneider: “After appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took over Walt Disney World’s governing district earlier this year, its firefighters were among the few employees who publicly welcomed them with open arms. But that warm relationship is in jeopardy as a new district administrator has reopened negotiations on a contract that was approved last month by the unionized firefighters, promising pay raises and more manpower.” — “Does St. Petersburg hospital bear blame for mom’s suicide, Netflix doc asks,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher O’Donnell — “‘A huge crisis’: How spending millions will add affordable housing in South Florida,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash — “As Florida gears up to celebrate Juneteenth, let’s not forget about May 20,” by Miami Herald’s C. Isaiah Smalls II — “Hillsborough GOP: COVID vaccines a ‘biological weapon,’” by Tampa Bay Times’ William March — “After school bars elementary student reading, school board wants to know of book challenges,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal — “Lake Worth High teacher fired after writing ‘dark roast,’ ‘extra cream,’ above student photos,” by Palm Beach Post’s Katherine Kokal
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “How a Guns to Garden event was disrupted by Leon County code,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Elena Barrera: “Volunteers for Guns to Gardens Tallahassee, who represented eight different local churches, organized a drive-by gun dismantling event at Good Shepard Catholic Church June 10. … However, it was halted at the last minute when organizers got word from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office that their safe surrender event violated a county ordinance. ... A representative from LCSO was concerned that their event would violate an ordinance approved by the county commission in 2018 that closed the so-called gun show loophole, Steen said.” BIRTHDAYS: The Boston Globe’s Samantha J. Gross … Brad Howard of The Vogel Group … Ed Miyagishima | | | | 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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