| | | | |  | | By Bethany Irvine | | Presented by |  | | | |  | THE CATCH-UP | | |  Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) said she’s disappointed in President Biden's executive action on the U.S.-Mexico border. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images | THIS AFTERNOON’S BIG STORY — “Biden issues new executive action: Much of southern border to close at midnight,” by Myah Ward: “President JOE BIDEN issued long-expected executive actions on Tuesday to clamp down on migrants seeking asylum, and in doing so set the stage for the U.S. border with Mexico to be shut down between ports of entry at midnight.” Biden is expected to speak shortly after 2 p.m., and “will be joined … by members of Congress and local and state leaders from border cities and states, in an effort to project consensus and political strength on a topic that has long dogged him politically. It’s expected to spur blowback from progressives and immigration advocates, who plan to speak out against the move Tuesday afternoon.” Mixed response on the left: While top Dems — including Minority Leader HAKEEM JEFFRIES — expressed support for the order ahead of the announcement, some of the party’s top Latino lawmakers and progressives are pushing back. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair NANETTE BARRAGÁN (D-Calif.) said she’s “disappointed” in the order, repeating her caucus’ argument that it doesn’t do enough to protect migrants currently in the U.S.: “We think it needs to be paired with protections for undocumenteds, folks who have been here a long time.” “We should be distinguishing ourselves from Donald Trump on immigration,” Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair PRAMILA JAYAPAL (D-Wash.) told the Post, describing the president’s action as “very, very disappointing.” Frustration from the right: “Republicans gave Biden no credit for taking the steps, as expected, arguing that the order is coming months too late,” Daniella Diaz, Nicholas Wu And Anthony Adragna report. “Why did you wait until now if you were serious about [the border]?” Sen. JOHN CORNYN (R-Texas) asked. “The simple answer is, he's not serious about securing the border.” Meanwhile, House Majority Leader STEVE SCALISE lambasted Biden on the move in today’s GOP conference meeting, arguing “[Biden] tries to throw out another fig leaf to try to distract people from the failures of his own policies.” ON WISCONSIN — “Former Trump aides charged in Wisconsin over 2020 elector plot,” by WaPo’s Patrick Marley: “Wisconsin Attorney General JOSH KAUL (D) charged [DONALD] TRUMP campaign aide MICHAEL ROMAN and attorneys KENNETH CHESEBRO and JAMES TROUPIS with one felony count of forgery each … If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.” “Kaul is set to address the charges in a press conference Tuesday afternoon,” adds the Cap Times’ Andrew Bahl. “Gov. TONY EVERS, who has urged legal action in response to the fake electors plan, issued a one-word statement on Tuesday in response to the news: ‘Good.’” Good Tuesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at birvine@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Groundwork Collaborative: Do you think the tax code is fair? We don’t — and it’s time to fix it.
For too long, the tax code has been slanted towards the wealthy and large corporations, and the economy and our country have suffered as a result. The expiration of key provisions of the Trump tax law in 2025 is a rare opportunity to reform the tax code and ensure it is fair, raises revenue, and supports equitable economic growth. Learn more. | | | GARLAND ON THE HILL — Republicans continue to grill AG MERRICK GARLAND today in a highly contentious House Judiciary hearing about the federal prosecutions of Trump and HUNTER BIDEN. The lengthy hearing comes as the same House Republicans have threatened to hold the AG in contempt as they push to get audio recordings from special counsel ROBERT HUR's inquiry in President Biden’s classified documents case. As previewed in this morning’s Playbook, Garland used his opening statement to repeatedly defend the Justice Department against “unfounded” and “unprecedented” GOP attacks: “I will not be intimidated, and the Justice Department will not be intimidated. We will continue to do our jobs, free from political influence, and we will not back down from defending democracy,” Garland said. The AG also blasted Republicans for their “politicizing” of the DOJ, arguing “I view contempt as a serious matter, but I will not jeopardize the ability of our prosecutors and agents to do their jobs effectively.” Early on in the proceedings, Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) repeatedly asked Garland to provide any documents and correspondence between the DOJ and the offices of Manhattan DA ALVIN BRAGG. “I’m sorry, I don’t agree with anything you just said, but I’m not going to comment,” Garland responded. Of course, that terse response will do nothing to slow Republicans’ multi-pronged efforts to go after the DOJ, which Speaker MIKE JOHNSON discussed during a closed-door conference meeting this morning. Jordain Carney has the readout. Among the pressure points: Judiciary Committee Chair JIM JORDAN’s (R-Ohio) “proposal to make cuts to both DOJ and immigration-related policies. Jordan has floated ways to hit back at all the pending charges and convictions against Trump, including defunding special counsel JACK SMITH’s office as well as cutting off any federal funds for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Fulton County District Attorney FANI WILLIS.” (It’s a notable coming from Johson, as he previously said he would not support efforts to defund Smith’s investigation.) HUNTER’S GATHERING — Opening arguments in Hunter Biden’s trial kicked off today in Wilmington, Delaware, as NYT’s Glenn Thrush reports. Federal prosecutor DEREK HINES got to the gist of the government’s case pretty quickly, pointing out that it's illegal to lie on a federal gun application — which they allege the younger Biden did by not disclosing his history with drug addiction. “Nobody is above the law,” Hines said, per CNN. “Nobody is allowed to lie, not even Hunter Biden.” Meanwhile, Biden lawyer ABBE LOWELL emphasized that prosecutors must “prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hunter knowingly violated the law.” More live updates from CNN Location, location, location: “Hunter Biden’s trial unfolds in a city deeply tied to his family,” by WaPo’s Matt Viser: “The case is being heard in a federal courthouse named after J. CALEB BOGGS, the senator his father defeated in 1972. … Nearby is the Brandywine Zoo, where Hunter Biden had his first job, shoveling llama manure and unclogging the drain of the otter pool, according to his memoir.”
| | | 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW | | | | 
President Joe Biden spoke at length with TIME Magazine about his foreign policy agenda. | Evan Vucci/AP | 1. THE BIG INTERVIEW: Ahead of his visit to Normandy this week for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, President Biden spoke at length with TIME Magazine’s Massimo Calabresi about a wide range of foreign policy issues. Some notable bits:
- On the notion that Israeli PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU is “prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation”: “I’m not going to comment on that. There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.”
- On whether Israeli forces have committed war crimes in Gaza: “The answer is it's uncertain and has been investigated by the Israelis themselves. The ICC is something that … we don't recognize. But one thing is certain, the people in Gaza, the Palestinians have suffered greatly, for lack of food, water, medicine, etc.”
- On whether he was “wrong to lift any of [the Trump-era immigration] measures”: “If I was wrong, it’s because I took too long.”
- On the war in Ukraine: “I don't know why you skip over all that’s happened in the meantime. The Russian military has been decimated. You don’t write about that. It’s been freaking decimated.”
- On whether he’d use U.S. forces to defend Taiwan: “It would depend on the circumstances. … Not ruling out using U.S. military force. There’s a distinction between deploying on the ground, air power and naval power, etc.” Read the full transcript
2. REPUBLICANS’ REDIRECT: With the House GOP’s Biden impeachment push officially stalled, Republican lawmakers are now “outlining a growing wish list they’re hoping to see Trump’s administration deliver on if he is back in power next year, no matter which party controls Congress,” Jordain reports. “Those goals include helping GOP lawmakers get the audio of Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur; reshaping the DOJ and FBI in a more conservative mold; and pursuing further investigations that stem from Republicans’ sprawling impeachment inquiry, even with Joe Biden out of office.” But they’re not done with Biden yet: “Some top GOP lawmakers are even homing in on the specific Biden investigative findings they plan to highlight for a potential Trump presidency, even as some Republican colleagues acknowledge they remain short of any proof of criminal wrongdoing by Joe Biden.” 3. MIDDLE EAST LATEST: With Israel and Hamas locked into tenuous negotiations for a possible cease-fire deal, the world is waiting for a response from Hamas on the latest proposal. Qatari officials said they received an Israeli proposal for a hostage deal "that reflects the principles laid out in President Biden's speech" from last week, and formally delivered it to Hamas, Axios’ Barak Ravid reports. In Jerusalem … Notably, Netanyahu's biggest coalition partner said this morning it would support a deal to free hostages even it means changes to Israel's strategy in Gaza, Reuters' Dan Williams reports: “The statement by Shas, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party that holds 11 of parliament's 120 seats, followed similar remarks on Monday by YITZHAK GOLDKNOPF, leader of the second such party in the coalition.” And from the West Wing … National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN held his ninth meeting this morning with the families of American hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, NBC News’ Monica Alba scooped.
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | 4. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY: “How a Drop in Small-Dollar Donations Is Shaking Up Both Parties,” by NOTUS’ Alex Roarty, Maggie Severns and Nuha Dolby: “Gone are the days when any candidate could expect to rake in small donations … The change has rocked fundraising for the Republican National Committee, which has seen small-dollar donations — generally seen as contributions of less than $200 — plummet from $39 million at this point in 2020 to $14 million so far this year. But smaller declines are taking place across the country. … “The exception is the candidates who excite the base and major news events. … But those success stories are the exception. The lull has hit a range of campaigns for House and Senate on both sides of the aisle. It’s most evident at the political committees charged with electing members to the House and Senate: All four of them have seen small-dollar donations decline.” 5. GOLDEN STATE TIGHTROPE: As Trump makes campaign stops in California this week to court wealthy donors, Republicans in vulnerable Golden State House seats will be forced to respond to his recent conviction — presenting “a tricky calculus for the handful of California candidates who could decide control of the House come November,” Lara Korte writes this morning. “If they come out in support of Trump, they run the risk of alienating some of the swing voters that could decide their races. If they say nothing, they could be subjected to a public flogging from Trump world.” But, but, but … “Although Trump often demands total loyalty from within the party, there’s an assumption among California Republicans that he understands the stakes — control of the House — and won’t hold anyone’s silence against them.”
| | | | POLITICO is gearing up to deliver experiences that help you navigate the NATO Summit. What issues should our reporting and events spotlight? Click here to let us know. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Mike Johnson said he may have a date for Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress by EOD. John Rose’s son, Guy, was on the Hill again today. OUT AND ABOUT — The Science Coalition hosted its first “Science of…” event, titled “The Science of Sports,” at Sonoma Wine Bar last night. SPOTTED: Reps. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Jill Pentimonti, Tica Lin, Jessica Gill, Mike Hahn, Nancy Williams, Jessie Oldham, Danielle Kirkman, Tyler Roberts, Chanse Jones, Rob Mathias, Michelle Baker, Frank Steinberg, Ryan McConaghy, Meg Baglien, Daniel Jacobs and Mattie Stauss. — The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation held their second biennial gala at the National Portrait Gallery last night, with a keynote speech from President Bill Clinton and a “Good Trouble Talk” with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Jeffries was presented with the first-ever “Carry On Award” from the Foundation. SPOTTED: Shalanda Young, Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Reps. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Sydney Kamlager Dove (D-Calif.), John-Miles Lewis, Kerry Kennedy, Dana Bash, Beverly Johnson, Terry McAuliffe, Kendra Brown, Lynda Johnson Robb, Lyndon Boozer, Sela and Art Collins, Melissa Maxfield, Detria Austin Everson, Michael Collins, Linda Earley Chastang, Rodney Slater, Fred Humphries and Tharon Johnson. TRANSITIONS — Dori Salcido is now a partner at Precision Strategies. She previously was director of strategic comms and external engagement for the White House Covid-19 Response Team. … Brandon Farris is now VP for government affairs at the Steel Manufacturers Association. He most recently was VP for domestic economic policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. … JD Mazuera Arias is now a lead for the global government affairs and policy team at Kyndryl. He previously was a senior government affairs assistant at the Century Foundation. … … Josh New is joining SeedAI as director of policy. He previously was a technology policy executive at IBM. … Karen Milne is rejoining Wilkinson Barker Knauer as a partner. She previously was SVP for U.S. regulatory at TelevisaUnivision. … Kyle Hutzler has joined JPMorgan Chase as its first-ever executive director for Asia Pacific policy and strategic competitiveness. He most recently was an engagement manager with McKinsey. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — John Byers, chief of staff to Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), and Lesley (Fulop) Byers, director of global policy communications and external affairs at Micron and a Trump DHS alum, recently welcomed John Alfred Byers. He came in at 8 lbs 13 ozs and joins big sister Madison. Pic ... Another pic 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 and Playbook Daily Briefing producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
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