| | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels and Ryan Lizza | | | With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine
| | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | THE GENERATION GAP — “‘You’re not the boss of me’: Former White House aides slam current staffers’ tendency to protest,” by Eugene: “Protest letters, like those over Israel, were rare in past administrations. White House veterans can barely contain their disdain over how times have changed.” Behold JAMES CARVILLE … “If you said you didn’t like some of President [BILL] CLINTON’s policies, the idea that you would go public with that would be insane. Just wouldn’t do that. It wouldn’t even cross your mind.”
|  Mike Johnson applauds in the House Chamber on Oct. 25, 2023, in Washington. | Win McNamee/Getty Images | JOHNSON IN THE HOT SEAT — Brand-new Freedom Caucus Chairman BOB GOOD attended his first meeting of the elected House Republican leadership last night, and he wasted no time telling Speaker MIKE JOHNSON how he felt. “Why don’t you fight more?” the Virginia hard-liner complained, according to a person in the room, balking at the spending deal Johnson struck with CHUCK SCHUMER this week and proceeding to lecture his colleagues about how Republicans need not fear government shutdowns: “I’m sick of being told we can’t have the fight.” A bunch of senior Republicans shot back that a shutdown would blow back on their majority, and Johnson, too, signaled skepticism: “Nobody has been able to explain to me how we get out of a shutdown or how we win a shutdown fight,” he said. Usually, a three-week holiday recess cools temperatures, freshens perspectives and otherwise offers lawmakers a new start. Not so for this House Republican majority. A day into session, the vibes are already off, with members sniping in the halls, spouting off about Johnson’s spending deal, and at least one, Rep. CHIP ROY (R-Texas), openly flirting with another motion to vacate. “Most of our members aren't even here, and it literally is already unraveling,” one senior GOP aide told Playbook. Senior Republicans are dreading this morning’s closed-door conference meeting. Senators of both parties want more time to negotiate individual appropriations bills ahead of the split Jan. 19/Feb. 2 funding deadlines, calling for a short continuing resolution. The conservatives already smarting over caps deal will howl even louder if Johnson — who vowed no more CRs — relents. For now, Johnson plans to dodge. This morning, we’re told, he’ll tell his colleagues that he’s not entertaining a CR right now with 10 days left to negotiate — and that Congress needs a deadline to get things done. “He is not there yet, but it would not shock me if the appropriators can't get their bills done ... that he switches course and then says, ‘OK, we'll do a short-term CR,’” one top aide predicted. The same person and a separate Johnson ally, however, also said the speaker is not afraid of a short-term, partial government shutdown. (Because, dear Playbook reader, those bills will not be getting done.) Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to figure out how seriously to take new boot-the speaker threats. Most think it’s bluster — us at Playbook included — and the calls so far have been scattered, our colleagues on the POLITICO Hill team report. “How many people have that much appetite to do what we just did in October? No one wants to go through this again,” the second GOP aide said. “And who are they going to put in place to be the next speaker?” We’ll add one more question to that list: How would any other speaker handle any of this differently? Once in the job, they probably wouldn’t.
| | | | A message from Instagram: New federal legislation will give parents a say in teen app downloads.
According to a new poll by Morning Consult conducted in November 2023, more than 75% of parents believe teens under 16 shouldn’t be able to download apps without parental permission.1
Instagram wants to work with Congress to pass federal legislation that gets it done.
Learn more. | | | THE GOP’S MAYORKAS DILEMMA — On its face, it’s an obvious solution to the political heat House leaders are feeling from the GOP base: Still short of evidence and votes in their quest to impeach President JOE BIDEN, they decided over the recess to turn their fire in a new direction. The plan goes like this: Keep investigating Biden, and let the right blow off steam with an impeachment of DHS Secretary ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS in the meantime — an aggressive step that, they calculated, would nonetheless be less politically perilous than a rushed Biden impeachment and play into the GOP’s election-year focus on the border. Migrants continue pouring over the border in record numbers, after all, while poll after poll shows border issues to be a top concern to swing voters, Democratic mayors and governors are practically begging the Biden administration to do more on the issue, and GOP lawmakers in Biden-held districts have privately signaled to leadership that they’re now comfortable moving against the secretary, we’re told. But there’s now a snag: Top GOP legal brains are calling foul. Yesterday, Republicans’ go-to constitutional scholar on all things impeachment, JONATHAN TURLEY, argued in a Daily Beast op-ed that there’s no basis for a Mayorkas impeachment. Impeaching someone over policy differences, incompetence or poor judgment, he writes, would be a “slippery slope” and go against the founders’ wishes. This morning, a bipartisan group of legal scholars — including GEORGE H.W. BUSH alums DONALD AYER and STUART GERSON — are warning against the effort on similar grounds in a letter posted on Just Security: “The Constitution forbids impeachment based on policy disagreements between the House and the Executive Branch, no matter how intense or high stakes those differences of opinion,” they write. Read the full letter The impeachment push is also meeting skepticism from some Senate Republicans, including Sen. JAMES LANKFORD (R-Okla.), who is trying to negotiate border policy changes with Mayorkas and recently told Fox, “The problem is President Biden’s policies on the border, not Mayorkas, in the way he’s carrying it out.” Expect all of those arguments to get a full airing at this morning’s House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Mayorkas’ performance. Panel Republicans, we’re told, yesterday began passing around briefing material arguing that impeachment is justified on grounds of “neglect of duty,” which has grounding in the early debate over the Constitution’s drafting. Furthermore, three Republican state AGs are set to testify today and, according to advance excerpts, they are preparing to make similar arguments: “[Mayorkas] has violated his oath to defend the homeland and uphold the Constitution by repeatedly disregarding the laws passed by Congress,” Montana AG AUSTIN KNUDSEN says in his prepared opening statement. Democrats, meanwhile, are poised to portray the impeachment push as a baseless politically motivated attack that stands in contrast to Mayorkas’ diligent attempts to work with Congress to get control of the border. Read the DHS rebuttal memo Good Wednesday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza. SOUND FAMILIAR? — “How Justin Trudeau lost his grip,” by Zi-Ann Lum: “Canadians are worn out, anxious and mad. … Fallout from the Israel-Hamas war is hitting hard in key swing ridings where the divisive issue has become a litmus test for the Liberals’ progressive agenda. The public mood continues to sour. And there’s no break in sight as the economy flirts with a recession.” CAVEAT VOTER — “Misinformation Seen as Top Global Risk in Year of Pivotal Elections,” by WSJ’s Daniel Michaels: “The survey of more than 1,400 experts and leaders, released on Wednesday ahead of the WEF annual meeting in Davos next week, points to a moderately risky global environment through 2026 that deteriorates significantly over the coming decade.”
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | | | WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY | | On the Hill The House will meet at 10 a.m. and at noon will take up several bills, including a resolution to overturn a Biden administration regulation on electric vehicle chargers, which already passed the Senate but is headed for a White House veto. The Homeland Security Committee will kick off the effort to impeach Mayorkas at 10 a.m. The Judiciary and Oversight committees will take up a resolution to recommend holding HUNTER BIDEN in contempt at 10 a.m. The Senate will meet at 10 a.m. and take up some judicial nominations. It may also attempt to override Biden’s veto of a resolution to overturn the CFPB’s small business lending rule. 3 things to watch …
- Conservative hard-liners in the House capture most of the attention, but keep an eye on an emerging bloc of Senate Republicans who are intensely wary of any immigration dealmaking: Sens. RON JOHNSON (Wis.), MIKE LEE (Utah), and RICK SCOTT (Fla.) are hosting a Senate-side news conference this afternoon alongside several Freedom Caucus members. Members of that group, Burgess Everett and Ursula Perano report, also have their hackles up over MITCH McCONNELL’s push for a border-Ukraine deal.
- While Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN finally disclosed what put him in the hospital yesterday — more on that below — that didn’t stop House Republicans from putting more pressure on the ailing former general. House Armed Services Chair MIKE ROGERS (R-Ala.) announced a formal committee inquiry, while Rep. MATT ROSENDALE (R-Mont.) filed an impeachment resolution — one that probably isn’t going anywhere, Katherine Tully-McManus reports for Inside Congress (nee Huddle).
- As the House GOP prepares to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, investigators are drawing new attention to his curiously lucrative art career. The House Oversight Committee interviewed gallerist GEORGES BERGÈS yesterday on how a painting tyro managed to sell his works for hundreds of thousands of dollars. As in prior closed-door interviews, what exactly was said is under dispute, Jordain Carney reports.
At the White House Biden and VP KAMALA HARRIS will receive their daily briefing and then have lunch together. Harris will also swear in NATHALIE RAYES as ambassador to Croatia in the afternoon.
| | | | GLOBAL PLAYBOOK IS TAKING YOU TO DAVOS! Unlock the insider's guide to one of the world's most influential gatherings as POLITICO's Global Playbook takes you behind the scenes of the 2024 World Economic Forum. Author Suzanne Lynch will be on the ground in the Swiss Alps, bringing you the exclusive conversations, shifting power dynamics and groundbreaking ideas shaping the agenda in Davos. Stay in the know with POLITICO's Global Playbook, your VIP pass to the world’s most influential gatherings. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | 2024 WATCH
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Nikki Haley departs a campaign stop at Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee, Iowa, on Jan. 9, 2024. | Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images | FINAL SPRINT TO IOWA — With six days to go until the caucus, the stakes are high for Trump, NIKKI HALEY and Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS — and all of them have big tests tonight. Haley, facing high expectations after a burst of momentum and some mistakes, needs to prove herself and show up DeSantis in their mano-a-mano debate, Natalie Allison previews from Waukee. But DeSantis is looking to pull ahead of her in Iowa and establish himself as the leading Trump alternative. And Jonathan Martin has a reality check from Waukee: “Haley won’t break through,” he writes, because she’s still way too dependent on college-educated voters. The former president is due for a town hall on Fox News, his first live appearance on the network after a two-year chill, NYT’s Michael Grynbaum notes, despite some mutual wariness. ASA HUTCHINSON, meanwhile, is still in the race — but he’s struggling to remind voters of that fact, WaPo’s Meryl Kornfield reports from Waukee. Apart from the political sniping, the candidates may have to contend with the coldest weather on record for an Iowa caucus in the modern era of presidential campaigns, NBC’s Jillian Frankel reports from Des Moines. But a bigger obstacle — in Iowa and beyond — may be a series of election logistical changes that are confusing voters, WSJ’s Eliza Collins and John McCormick report. (The leading culprits: Biden allies and Trump allies, who have shuffled the rules to benefit the frontrunners.) More top reads:
- Baseless claims for the base: “Trump suggests unauthorized migrants will vote. The idea stirs his base, but ignores reality,” by AP’s Ali Swenson
- Another terrific poll for Trump: He leads Biden by 8 points in Michigan, and 12 points when third-party candidates are included, in a new Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll.
- What comes next: “For Anti-Trump Republicans, It All Might Come Down to New Hampshire,” by NYT’s Nick Corasaniti
- Trump’s latest big endorsement: Sen. JOHN BARRASSO (R-Wyo.) backed him last night, the highest-ranking Senate Republican to do so, per Burgess Everett.
- CHRIS CHRISTIE again made clear: Sorry, Nikki Haley, he’s not dropping out. AP’s Holly Ramer has the latest from Rochester, New Hampshire.
CONGRESS ANOTHER SET OF NEGOTIATIONS TO WATCH — Bipartisan talks are nearing a deal for a package of tax breaks and changes, including limits on the pandemic-era employee retention tax credit, WSJ’s Richard Rubin reports. Senate Finance Chair RON WYDEN (D-Ore.) and House Republicans are both interested in restrictions on the tax credit to limit fraud — and to help limit the overall bill’s cost. The principal elements of the deal are (once again) expanding the child tax credit for some families in exchange for undoing business tax changes. Wyden is briefing committee Dems on negotiations today, per Semafor’s Joseph Zeballos-Roig, who pegs the price tag at somewhere between $50 billion and $80 billion. But Rep. ROSA DeLAURO (D-Conn.) is worried the child tax credit won’t go far enough, per Punchbowl’s Brendan Pedersen. And the clock is ticking: Lawmakers say they want to have it done before this year’s filing season. Getting this done amid everything else Congress has on its plate? “There’s no real plan beyond ‘if you build it, they will come,’” one lobbyist tells Semafor. NOMINATION WOES — “Two Biden judicial nominees withdraw from consideration,” by Reuters’ Nate Raymond: “Spokane County Superior Court Judge CHARNELLE BJELKENGREN and COLLEEN HOLLAND of Rochester were two of five nominees whose nominations to life-tenured positions on the bench expired at the end of 2023 and were not among 18 nominees the White House resubmitted.” ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL — “Advocates push for federal online safety laws as states take lead,” by Roll Call’s Gopal Ratnam FOR YOUR RADAR — “Lauren Boebert’s Ex-Husband Arrested on Weapons and Assault Charges,” by the Daily Beast’s Roger Sollenberger TRUMP CARDS HMM … Questions mounted yesterday around Fulton County, Georgia, DA FANI WILLIS as she was subpoenaed in the divorce proceedings of a coworker with whom she’s alleged to have had a romantic relationship, WSJ’s Mariah Timms, Jan Wolfe and Cameron McWhirter scooped. Her hiring of NATHAN WADE has suddenly given grist to Trump, his allies and Willis’ other targets in her sprawling criminal case related to the efforts to subvert the 2020 election, NYT’s Richard Fausset and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs report, though nothing has been confirmed yet. The Monday allegation “stunned the legal and political community of Atlanta,” per the Journal, and it remains to be seen whether it will derail the cases. HERE HE COMES — Trump plans to step up to offer a personal closing argument tomorrow at his civil fraud trial in NYC, ABC’s Aaron Katersky and John Santucci scooped.
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | THE WHITE HOUSE
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 31, 2023. | Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP | DRIP DRIP — Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN has prostate cancer and was hospitalized at the start of the month for related complications stemming from a urinary tract infection, Walter Reed revealed in a statement yesterday, per CNN. The news — which most importantly includes the fact that the cancer “was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent” — partially explains the ongoing mini-scandal around the secrecy of Austin’s disappearance. But JOHN KIRBY said the White House and Biden found out only yesterday about his diagnosis, and about the Dec. 22 surgery Austin underwent to treat the cancer. A frustrated White House sent Cabinet members a new order yesterday to inform the White House when they can’t perform their duties, NYT’s Peter Baker scooped. Pentagon officials struggled with “emotional whiplash” and confusion over the secrecy, Lara Seligman and Alex Ward report. And Republicans seized on the brouhaha to attack the Biden administration, Joe Gould and Connor O’Brien report. Conservative media are calling it a failure of leadership and a lack of national security seriousness, while members of Congress dangle potential hearings. Austin remains hospitalized. More Austin stories: “How can Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin do his job in the hospital? Turn it into a top-secret hub,” USA Today … “White House told DOD to send first statement on Austin’s hospitalization,” by Alex Ward BEYOND THE BELTWAY SEEDING CHAOS — “How Texas officials stymied nonprofits’ efforts to help migrants they bused to northern cities,” by CBS’ Manuel Bojorquez and Chrissy Hallowell: “As an unofficial network of migrant advocates worked to bring organization and efficiency to bus arrivals in cities around the U.S., Texas officials quietly tried to thwart them, maximizing chaos for the Democratic-led cities where the buses were sent.” THE WAGES OF FEDERALISM — “State lawmakers say so long to all that federal cash,” by Paul Demko: “The pandemic boom times are over for state lawmakers — and so is their ability to shower big buckets of cash on top priorities like K-12 education while also slashing taxes and socking away reserves.” MEDIAWATCH
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Kevin Merida arrives at theGrio’s Washington D.C. Gala, April 29, 2023, at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture. | Kevin Wolf/Invision/AP | BIG SHAKEUP — L.A. Times executive editor KEVIN MERIDA announced yesterday that he’ll leave the paper after two-and-a-half years at its helm, the Times’ Meg James reports. The longtime WaPo veteran oversaw big highs and lows at the LAT, including three Pulitzer Prizes, a newsroom reorganization, a diversity push and layoffs that eroded 13% of the newsroom. Merida said in a staff note that he reached the decision “after considerable soul-searching about my career at this stage and how I can best be of value to the profession I love.” When he leaves at the end of the week, his vacancy will present “another challenge to a newsroom already under strain as well as to the paper’s owner, Dr. PATRICK SOON-SHIONG,” particularly amid financial struggles. AMERICA AND THE WORLD WAR REPORT — “US Navy shoots down 24 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen over Red Sea, US defense officials say,” by CNN’s Oren Liebermann … “Iraqi officials privately signal they want US forces to stay,” by Lara Seligman and Erin Banco ISRAEL-HAMAS LATEST — Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN in Tel Aviv yesterday indicated that Israel could find a path toward normalization with Saudi Arabia if it accedes to pressure to bring the Gaza bombardment to an end and create a Palestinian state, NYT’s Edward Wong and Vivian Nereim report. But even as Gaza’s death toll has soared past a reported 23,000, Blinken’s meetings with Israeli officials showed the allies’ disagreements — despite the U.S.’ ongoing support for Israel’s war campaign, WaPo’s Steve Hendrix and John Hudson report. POLICY CORNER CLIMATE FILES — “Biden’s aides weigh climate test for natural gas exports,” by Ben Lefebvre: “The Biden administration is launching a review that could tap the brakes on the booming U.S. natural gas export industry — a move that threatens to pit the president’s climate ambitions against his foreign policy agenda.” UP IN THE AIR — “Boeing’s MAX headache mushrooms as attention turns to the FAA,” by Oriana Pawlyk WHAT JULIE SU IS UP TO — “Biden administration issues rule that could curb ‘gig’ work, contracting,” by Reuters’ Daniel Wiessner WHOOPSIE — “SEC X Account Compromised to Falsely Say Bitcoin ETFs Approved,” by Bloomberg’s Allyson Versprille
| | | | POLITICO AT CES® 2024: We are going ALL On at CES 2024 with a special edition of the POLITICO Digital Future Daily newsletter. The CES-focused newsletter will take you inside the most powerful tech event in the world, featuring revolutionary products that cut across verticals, and insights from industry leaders that are shaping the future of innovation. The newsletter runs from Jan. 9-12 and will focus on the public policy-related aspects of the gathering. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of the show. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Melania Trump lost her mother, Amalija Knavs. Dean Phillips learned the limits of a longshot campaign. Elise Stefanik raised $5.2 million last quarter, while Dean Phillips pulled in $1 million. Steven Dettelbach was swatted. Bill Cassidy asked hot dog expert Mitt Romney for his opinion. OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at a party for Andrew Meier’s new book, “Morgenthau: Power, Privilege, and the Rise of an American Dynasty” ($26), at David and Katherine Bradley’s house yesterday evening: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, AG Merrick Garland, Deborah Lipstadt, Jane Mayer, Mike Abramowitz, Alan Cullison, Eve Conant, Matt Kaminski and Bill Hamilton. — At the Georgetown-Seton Hall basketball game last night, Hoya members of Congress (or members married to Georgetown alums) were recognized for their public service on the court during the second half. SPOTTED: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio), Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) and D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto. Pic MEDIA MOVES — Chris Brennan will be a national political columnist for USA Today, covering the 2024 election. He previously covered politics and wrote the Clout column for the Philadelphia Inquirer. … Don Lemon announced he’s launching a comeback podcast, “The Don Lemon Show,” on X. More from the L.A. Times TRANSITIONS — Bharat Ramamurti is joining Economic Security Project as a senior adviser. He previously was deputy director of the National Economic Council and adviser for strategic economic comms. … Roop Bhatti is now a partner at Cassidy Levy Kent. She most recently was counsel to U.S. International Trade Commissioner Jason Kearns. … Evan Viau is joining Cisco as senior manager of government affairs. He most recently was a professional staff member on the House Energy and Commerce telecom subcommittee. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) … former Reps. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.) … The Hill’s Julia Manchester … Nick Calio of Airlines for America … Lauren Edmonds … former Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) … Beth Fouhy … NBC’s Freddie Tunnard … Jared Kushner … POLITICO’s Kristen Young and Brandon McDonnell … Robert Burns … Ajit Pai … Michelle Fields … Blake Adami … Nat Wienecke … The Spectator’s Freddy Gray … Adam Weissmann … Liesl Hickey … Morgan Finkelstein … Ryan Dierker of Rep. Chuck Edwards’ (R-N.C.) office … Joseph Petrzelka … Samuel Negatu … Liz Chadderdon … Hugh Livengood … David Horowitz … Blake Hopper … Hannah Pope of the Problem Solvers Caucus … Travel Tech Association’s Laura Chadwick … Katherine Afzal … Darius Stanton of the American Cleaning Institute Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton, producer Andrew Howard and Playbook Daily Briefing producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
| | | | A message from Instagram: More than 75% of parents want to approve the apps teens under 16 download.
According to a new poll from Morning Consult, more than 75% of parents agree: Teens under 16 shouldn’t be able to download apps from app stores without parental permission.1
Instagram wants to work with Congress to pass federal legislation that gets it done.
Learn more.
1"US Parents Study on Teen App Downloads" by Morning Consult (Meta-commissioned survey of 2,019 parents), Nov. 2023. | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |
