| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good morning and welcome to Monday. In memoriam — It’s been seven years since one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history — the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando where 49 lives were taken and 53 people were injured. Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Monday at state and local buildings. ICYMI — “Actor Denee Benton slams Ron DeSantis as ‘Grand Wizard’ in Tony Awards speech,” by Variety’s William Earl Timing — One of the most significant moments in American — and Florida history — would seem to be a bad time to announce a bid for president. But — That’s just what might be happening later this week. Throwing it out there — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the 45-year-old son of Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor, suggested on national television on that he might become the third Republican from Florida to run for president. That follows similar comments he made to a South Florida television reporter late last week. ‘Stay tuned’ — When asked about his future on Sunday, Suarez teased a speech he’s giving on Thursday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and called it a “major announcement.” His hometown newspaper, the Miami Herald, has already reported that he was raising money into a federal super PAC and that some of his top staffers have taken leave this summer. Suarez has also visited some of the early states on the presidential nominating calendar. Does it scan? — But let’s break this down and understand why some Miami political observers view this with a bit of skepticism. The GOP field for president has been growing, but former President Donald Trump right now has a big lead over his closest rival Gov. DeSantis, as well as other well-known national figures. Suarez has gotten some attention here and there but it’s a safe assumption that most Republicans outside of South Florida don’t know who he is. Curiouser and curiouser — Then there is the idea of launching a campaign just two days after Trump appears in federal court in Miami, an event that seems destined to drown out a lot of other political news this week. The record — Another stumbling block is that Suarez has taken positions that would seem to be a no-go for someone running in a Republican primary. Although he has recently praised Trump, Suarez has said he wrote in the name of Marco Rubio during the 2016 election and Mike Pence in 2020. (Under Florida law that means his vote didn’t count at all.) And there’s the governor — He has clashed in the past with DeSantis over Covid-19, in a move that drew the ire of the Republican Party of Florida. Suarez also said he voted for Democrat Andrew Gillum in 2018, although he did say he voted for DeSantis last year. And then there’s the long line of recent headlines about his business dealings. The Herald reported Friday that federal authorities are investigating a developer who hired the mayor as a consultant. A run for No. 2? — Ok, there could be the thought that Suarez is doing this to put him on someone’s radar as a potential vice presidential candidate. Last month Kellyanne Conway told POLITICO reporters in D.C. “I’ve not been shy about telling President Trump that Suarez should be on the short short list for VP should Trump be the nominee.” But then he told NBC 6’s Jackie Nespral “If I run to be the President, it’s because that’s the goal … You never run for a parlay, for a second place.” — 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 | | ‘I’LL NEVER LEAVE’ — Trump vows to stay in the race even if convicted, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: Donald Trump vowed Saturday to continue running for president even if he were to be convicted as part of the 37-count federal felony indictment that was issued against him this week. “I’ll never leave,” Trump said in an interview aboard his plane. “Look, if I would have left, I would have left prior to the original race in 2016. That was a rough one. In theory that was not doable.” Trump is not legally prohibited from running for president from prison or as a convicted felon. But such a bid would nevertheless provide a massive stress test for the country’s political and legal system. — “Trump blasts federal indictment as ‘baseless’ at first events since charges were unsealed,” by Associated Press’ Bill Barrow, Jeff Amy, Jill Colvin and Meg Kinnard
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Former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking during the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, June 10, 2023. | Chuck Burton/AP Photo | PASSING THE HAT — Trump to host first major fundraiser the day of his arraignment, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: Former President Donald Trump is set to host the first fundraiser for his 2024 campaign on Tuesday evening, hours after he is expected to be arraigned in a Miami courtroom. The fundraiser will take place at his Bedminster, N.J., golf club, for what advisers say will be the first in a string of gatherings for donors and bundlers that will take place across the country. The campaign said it expects to raise $2 million at the event, helping to pad the former president’s coffers just weeks before the end of the second-quarter deadline and as Trump gears up for what could be a long and expensive nomination fight. ‘A NIGHTMARE CLIENT’ — “Trump plans South Florida legal huddle as he strategizes to bolster legal team after indictment,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “But the case against Trump is so big and complex due to the central role of sensitive government records that Trump insiders are looking for a specialist in the Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs the use of sensitive records in criminal trials. ‘The problem is none of us want to work for the guy. He’s a nightmare client,’ said one top federal criminal defense attorney in the Southern District of Florida, noting that Trump’s legal team has been the subject of numerous unflattering stories about infighting and the capriciousness of Trump.” MEANWHILE — “Trump indictment shows critical evidence came from his own lawyers,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, Alan Feuer and Ben Protess: “In the 49-page federal indictment accusing him of retaining classified documents after leaving the White House and scheming to block government efforts to retrieve them, some of the most potentially damning evidence came from notes made by one of those lawyers, M. Evan Corcoran. Mr. Corcoran’s notes, first recorded into an iPhone and then transcribed on paper, essentially gave prosecutors a road map to building their case.” — “Trump allies and critics battle over impact of case, political narratives, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity and Alex Isenstadt — Trump haphazardly stashed military secrets throughout his home, indictment says, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — “Trump appointee will remain judge in documents case, clerk says,” by The New York Times’ Charlie Savage — “How Walt Nauta, a personal aide, came to be charged as Trump’s co-conspirator,” by The New York Times’ Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan — “Miami braces for Trump’s historic criminal court hearing. Could trial wind up here, too?” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver — “Why Trump was charged on secret documents and Clinton, Pence were not,” by The Washington Post’s Devlin Barrett — “Poll: Donald Trump over 60% nationally, 38 points ahead of Ron DeSantis,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “Trump stares down criminal jeopardy with bluffs and bluster,” by The Washington Post’s Isaac Arnsdorf and Hannah Knowles — “Trump supporters’ violent rhetoric in his defense disturbs experts,” by The New York Times’ Michael S. Schmidt, Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman and Adam Goldman
| | DESANTISLAND | | RODEO TIME — “DeSantis argues he’s top Trump alternative even as ex-president’s indictment overshadows 2024 race,” by Associated Press’ Thomas Beaumont and Will Weissert: “Ron DeSantis ventured far from the usual presidential campaign trail Saturday, heading to a rodeo in reliably red Oklahoma to make the case that he’s the top alternative to Donald Trump — even as the former president’s indictment threatens to upend the 2024 Republican primary race. The Florida governor sought to project strength by campaigning in one of the more than a dozen states scheduled to hold GOP primaries on Super Tuesday next March, weeks after the earliest states vote.” — “Trump gives advice to DeSantis: ‘Never change your name in the middle of a campaign,’” by The Hill’s Julia Shapero — DeSantis gets his first gubernatorial endorsement, by POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity
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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves to the crowd next to Oklahoma Gov Kevin Stitt at an event in Tulsa, Okla., on June 10, 2023. | Nathan J. Fish/The Oklahoman via AP Photo | — “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vows to restore name of Fort Bragg in NC speech,” by Raleigh News and Observer’s Avi Bajpai — “DeSantis reduced Miami Beach COVID testing out of spite, mayor says in CBS documentary,” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | LEAVING THE HOUSE — “DeSantis names Republican ally to succeed Miami-Dade’s longtime Democratic clerk,” by Miami Herald’s Douglas Hanks: “Gov. Ron DeSantis named a Republican ally to the position of Miami-Dade County clerk on Friday, appointing Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin to administer the court system and oversee the county’s finances ahead of the 2024 elections. The appointment of Fernandez-Barquin, 40, and a married lawyer from Kendall, comes five months after the death of Miami-Dade’s longtime Democratic clerk, Harvey Ruvin.” — “Former Rep. James Grant steps down as Florida CIO,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer — “GOP lawmaker draws flak over vacation rental bill that died during the 2023 session,” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry — “DeSantis approves $1.85 million for wrongfully convicted Tampa man,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | | | | 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. | | | | | COMING SOON? — ‘Stay tuned’: Miami’s mayor teases possible presidential announcement, by POLITICO’s David Cohen: Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami on Sunday urged Americans to listen to his speech Thursday in California, fueling speculation that the Republican presidential field is about to grow by one. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” he told host Shannon Bream that America should “stay tuned.” “Next week, like you said, I’m going to be making a big speech in the Reagan Library, and I think it’s one that Americans should tune into,” he told Bream. “It’s one where we talk about what the future of our country should be.” Suarez is to speak Thursday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, Calif., on Thursday, part of an ongoing “Time For Choosing” series. — “FBI investigates developer’s payments to Miami’s mayor as SEC digs into company’s finances,” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver ANOTHER ONE — “Broward Democrats could be headed toward another messy, expensive Florida Senate primary,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man: “Democrats could, once again, end up with a costly and divisive primary for Florida Senate next year in a reprise of the highly contentious 2022 contest that left deep wounds in Broward that some are still nursing. Already running is Barbara Sharief, who was one of two combatants in last year’s highly contentious and expensive Democrat-versus-Democrat contest. Sharief’s supporters, along with some Democratic Party leaders, hope she doesn’t face a significant primary challenge. Their view is that primaries drain resources and that Democrats’ energy and money should be conserved to battle Republicans in November, not fight one another in August.” — “Nikki Fried hits the ground running as she tries to inspire Florida Democrats,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | HOW IT WORKED — “Migrants say Florida contractors pushed to get them to board planes to California,” by Los Angeles Times’ Jack Herrera: “Like many asylum seekers released on parole by Customs and Border Protection, she had no money to pay for a plane or bus ticket, she said. She slept in the church shelter, then in the alley outside, for three weeks, until a woman approached and said she would fly María on a private plane to California. ‘She said I should go, that there were people there to receive us who would give us lodging, that they would help us … get our [immigration] papers in order,’ said María, who asked to be identified only by her first name, out of fear of repercussions from the woman. What María didn’t know was that the woman was a contractor hired by the administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.” AFTERMATH — “‘Survival mode’: Florida’s migrant workers consider future after new law,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Juan Carlos Chavez: “After avoiding detection for 17 years, Elda Chafoya had hoped that one day she would find some peace. A decade ago, she followed the crops to Georgia, Ohio and North Carolina. Before the coronavirus pandemic, she settled in Florida to provide some stability for her family. She found steady work picking strawberries, cucumbers and sweet chilis. She rented a home in the Wimauma area that reminded her of growing up in Guatemala. Two other families moved in with her. But when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation last month that’s considered among the nation’s toughest crackdowns on illegal immigration, Chafoya realized that the stability she had sought for so long might be lost for good.” — “Florida anti-LGBTQ laws prompt families who feel unsafe to leave,” by The Washington Post’s Lori Rozsa — “Exonerated Florida man will get nearly $1 million compensation after 16-year prison stint,” by Miami Herald’s Devoun Cetoute
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Florida’s ‘Dr. Deep’ resurfaces after a record 100 days living underwater,” by Associated Press: “A university professor who spent 100 days living underwater at a Florida Keys lodge for scuba divers resurfaced Friday and raised his face to the sun for the first time since March 1. Dr. Joseph Dituri set a new record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization during his stay at Jules’ Undersea Lodge, submerged beneath 30 feet of water in a Key Largo lagoon. The diving explorer and medical researcher shattered the previous mark of 73 days, two hours and 34 minutes set by two Tennessee professors at the same lodge in 2014.” BIRTHDAYS: Sally Bradshaw, Tallahassee bookstore owner and former chief of staff and campaign adviser to Jeb Bush ... State Rep. Kim Daniels ... Alex Castellanos of Purple Strategies ... former State Rep. Neil Combee ... Esteban "Steve" Bovo, Hialeah mayor and former state legislator | | | | 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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