GOP’s 2 messages from Iran’s alleged Trump hacking

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Aug 12, 2024 View in browser   By Olivia Beavers With assists from Daniella Diaz and Jordain Carney.  House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) blames the Biden administration for the alleged Iran hacking of the Trump campaign. | Francis Chung/POLITICO HOUSE GOP REACTS TO MORE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE  House Republicans have responded to the alleged Iran hacking of the Trump campaign with two main political messages: One, it’s President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ fault and, two, it’s a sign that Donald Trump is the better choice to take on Iran. If you haven’t read it yet: Our colleague Alex Isenstadt first scooped the major hacking development Sunday night, which comes on top of reports that Iran was hiring assassins to target major political figures like Trump. The FBI is reportedly investigating the alleged hack. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s weak foreign policy has emboldened our adversaries to attack us domestically. We must be diligent in responding to our adversaries’ attacks upon our democracy,” said Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), House Intelligence Committee Chair. “Iran will do anything to stop Donald Trump from returning to power and reimposing his sanctions. It’s no wonder it appears the regime is trying to hack the campaign while also trying to recruit assassins to take out Trump,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told us. It’s the third presidential election in a row with major reports of foreign interference. Iran tried its hand at it in 2020, as well, but the latest alleged attempt reportedly set off more alarm bells due to its increased sophistication. The more famous example was in 2016, when Russia targeted the campaign of then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Of course, GOP lawmakers at the time weren’t making the case that it was because Clinton would be more effective against Russia. But they’re leaning into that narrative on Trump, saying he’s being targeted due to his hawkish tactics in Iran, like pulling out of the Obama administration’s nuclear deal. And some Republicans are renewing their calls on the Biden administration to do more in implementing the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which would impose additional sanctions on Iran. It passed Congress earlier this year as part of a supplemental spending package. "For years, both the Obama and Biden Administrations have taken the approach of trying to placate the Ayatollah rather than taking bold action to stand up to Iran,” said Rep. Mike Lawer (R-N.Y.), who authored the SHIP Act. “No more — the Biden-Harris Administration must execute the sanctions in the SHIP Act and Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act immediately. Their strategy of delay and appeasement does not work. Every minute that goes by is another minute that Iran takes in more money to fund terror regionally and around the world." — Olivia Beavers   During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more.     GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this August 12, where Hurricane Debby seems to have ushered in some enviable summer weather in D.C. — and we can rarely say that. GOP INVESTIGATIONS UPDATE The House is in the middle of a six-week recess, but investigations are still churning behind the scenes. An Oversight Committee spokesperson told POLITICO the panel is “in communication” with the White House over Chair James Comer’s (R-Ky.) request last month for White House physician Kevin O’Connor to meet with the committee behind closed doors. “[We are] working to finalize a date for Dr. O’Connor to appear for a transcribed interview,” the spokesperson added. Reminder: O’Connor jumped onto House Republicans’ radar in the wake of Biden's disastrous debate performance, which fueled new questions about his mental acuity. More than three weeks later, under pressure from his own party, Biden withdrew as the Democratic presidential nominee. The investigation into Biden’s health is separate from the long-running impeachment inquiry, which top investigators told us recently has largely wrapped. In addition to questions sparked by the debate related to Biden’s age, Republicans have been particularly interested in O’Connor’s ties to Jim Biden, the president’s brother. And while Republicans are increasingly focusing their attacks on Harris as they shift their November strategy, Comer’s investigation is a sign that they don’t plan to totally drop their Biden inquiries. — Jordain Carney   DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE.     GOP PLANS FOR DNC PROTESTS While Chicago makes its final preparations for the Democratic National Convention next week, GOP campaign operatives are making plans of their own —particularly when it comes to the Democratic schism over the Israel-Hamas war. It is among the most divisive issues for Democrats right now, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have vowed to show up in force at the convention. The National Republican Campaign Committee, which has sought to label Democrats as anti-Israel over remarks on ceasefires or humanitarian aid, is already cooking up a strategy to address that dynamic at the convention. That includes compiling a list of donors they’ve labeled as “anti-Israel” — which include people who have donated to the New Israel Fund or serve in positions surrounding notable anti-Israel protests, like board members at Columbia — who have given to Democratic candidates in the second quarter of this fundraising cycle. “The anti-Israel radicals defacing public spaces or chanting ‘Go Hamas’ and ‘Death to America’ have the same benefactors as House Democrats’ political campaigns,” NRCC Communications Director Jack Pandol said in a statement. “It’s disgusting — and we will be watching these candidates closely as the same extremists who shut down college campuses head to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.” Republicans believe this will be particularly effective against Democrats trying to unseat vulnerable New York GOP members, who represent areas with large Jewish populations. That includes Democratic candidates like Laura Gillen, who is challenging GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito; Mondaire Jones, who is looking for a rematch against Lawler; and Josh Riley, who is trying to unseat Rep. Marc Molinaro. — Olivia Beavers HUDDLE HOTDISH Eyes emoji at the Clyburn family drama in 2020. Former House member and current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had a wild 48 hours, going from taking the Olympic flag for her city to handling an earthquake that jolted LA on Monday. QUICK LINKS  With Tim Walz, Dems see a path to winning back rural districts, from Meredith Lee Hill Bill Pascrell, 87, hospitalized again, from Joey Fox and David Wildstein at the New Jersey Globe Democrats test a battleground theory: IVF fears can win against a ‘pro-choice’ Republican from Daniel Han GOP House candidate was blamed after handgun was stolen from Nick Reisman Former House speaker to Trump: “Stop question the size of [Harris’] crowds,” from Owen Dahlkamp at CNN Henry Cuellar Is Fighting for His Political Life. His GOP Opponent Is Fighting for a New One. from Casey Murray and Riley Rogerson at NOTUS Sasse’s spending spree: Former UF president channeled millions to GOP allies, secretive contracts from Garrett Shanley at the Independent Florida Alligator TRANSITIONS  Guy Mentel is now a senior professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was previously senior policy adviser to the U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, and is a Global Americans alum. Mitch Erdel is joining Synchrony as VP of government affairs. He was previously senior policy adviser to Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), and is a Deb Fischer and Roy Blunt alum. Aaron Fritschner is joining the Harris-Walz campaign to work on Virginia comms. He previously was deputy chief of staff for Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and is a Jennifer Wexton and Deborah Ross alum. TOMORROW IN CONGRESS The House is in for a pro forma session at 11 a.m. The Senate is in for a pro forma session at 9:15 a.m. TUESDAY AROUND THE HILL Zzz. Trivia FRIDAY’S ANSWER: Jonathan Lai was the first to correctly guess that before George W. Bush, William McKinley was the last sitting GOP governor to be elected president. TODAY’S QUESTION, from Jonathan: Who was the last Democratic president without a law degree? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to insidecongress@politico.com. GET INSIDE CONGRESS emailed to your phone each evening.   Follow us

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