Bondi’s day on the Hill

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Jan 15, 2025 View in browser   By Caitlin Oprysko With help from Daniel Lippman HER WORD IS HER BONDI: Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department, faced only a handful of questions in her confirmation hearing today about her past lobbying work with Ballard Partners. — But under questioning from Senate Judiciary ranking member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bondi refused to commit to recusing herself from issues involving former clients at the firm — a list that includes major players like Amazon, Uber, General Motors, Major League Baseball and the private prison company Geo Group. — “If there are any conflicts with anyone I represented in private practice, I would consult with the career ethics officials within the department and make the appropriate decision,” Bondi told Durbin when pressed about the omission of her lobbying clients on a written questionnaire about potential conflicts of interest. — Bondi went on to note that she would not be the first attorney general with a lobbying rap sheet, so to speak, and demurred again on categorically recusing from former clients when Durbin pointed out that Geo Group is a federal contractor that stands to benefit from Trump proposed immigration policies. — She also defended her work on behalf of the Qatari government, which involved helping the wealthy Gulf nation burnish its reputation on human trafficking ahead of the 2022 World Cup. “I am very proud of the work that I did,” Bondi said, adding that she wishes she had worked for them longer. — Later on in the hearing, Bondi skirted questions about the fate of another client of her former firm — though not a former client of Bondi’s personally. Our Josh Gerstein writes that Bondi dodged inquiries from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) about whether she would enforce the law that would ban TikTok that’s set to go into effect this weekend unless the app is sold. — Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to block the ban from going into effect, but Bondi told Blumenthal that the matter is “pending litigation within the Department of Justice” and that she couldn’t discuss pending litigation. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI. What else is going on out there? Send tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko.   POLITICO is helping kick off the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting with a Happy Hour on January 16th. Mingle with U.S. mayors, Washington insiders, and business executives over cocktails and light bites at the award-winning Cranes restaurant. RSVP here to join us!     WILES-ING OUT: Yet another top lobbying firm from the Sunshine State is planting a flag in D.C. and flexing its ties to the incoming administration. Rubin, Turnbull & Associates will open its first office in Washington, the firm announced today, and has hired Caroline Wiles — the daughter of incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — to help lead the new office as a vice president of federal affairs. — Rubin, Turnbull has had a presence in D.C. since 2021, thanks to a strategic partnership with K Street giant Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, but the firm only reported lobbying activity on behalf of four of its six federal clients during the third quarter of 2024, the most recent quarter for which reports are available. — Caroline Wiles is an alum of Trump’s first administration as well as his most recent presidential campaign, and is a Florida political veteran, having worked for now-Sen. Rick Scott as well as the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa. — She’s also not the first Wiles offspring to land a new role on K Street since the election. Continental Strategy — the Florida-based government affairs shop started by a former Florida lawmaker and Trump adviser — promoted Katie Wiles, Caroline’s sister, as part of an expansion of its federal lobbying work days after Trump’s victory in November. — In a statement provided by the firm, Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita hailed Caroline Wiles’ hire as a “major addition” for Rubin, Turnbull. “Her work ethic and commitment will be a massive asset in navigating the complex world that is Washington D.C.,” he said. (And FWIW, LaCivita’s son, Chris LaCivita Jr., has gotten in the K Street game since the election too, helping open a D.C. office for North Carolina government affairs shop Checkmate.) GRIMALDI TO LEAD MLM TRADE GROUP: Dave Grimaldi is leaving the Blockchain Association after four years as head of government relations for the crypto industry group. He’s joining the Direct Selling Association, which represents the multilevel marketing industry, as its next chief executive. — In an interview, Grimaldi said that he’s had “heavy emotions” about leaving Blockchain Association — which weathered the FTX collapse of 2022 as well as the Biden administration’s aggressive regulatory agenda — especially as the crypto industry has bounced back and finds itself at the height of political influence. — Multilevel marketing companies have long been plagued by accusations that the industry functions as a pyramid scheme with its get-rich-quick pledges and promises that direct sellers can be their own bosses; consumer watchdogs have slapped direct sellers with penalties for overselling the potential for customers to turn a profit. — But Grimaldi, a former Democratic Hill aide and ex-lobbyist for Pandora and the Interactive Advertising Bureau said there are many positive parallels between multilevel marketing and digital assets that he’s eager to highlight to Washington as he looks to turn that reputation around. — “This is an industry that is very analogous” in its lack of obstacles that might typically face entrepreneurs and potential for wealth creation among minorities, he argued, echoing several key talking points about the benefits of decentralized finance. — At least one powerful politician is likely to be receptive to his appeals: “Probably the most prominent direct seller in the country is about to re-enter the White House,” Grimaldi said. “If you think about Donald Trump — steaks, watches, sneakers, Bibles, right? You have possibly one of the most overt and successful direct sellers in American history about to be president.” MANCHIN’S CHIEF LANDS ON K STREET: Wes Kungel, a longtime aide to one of the most coveted Senate votes of the Biden era, West Virginia independent Joe Manchin, has joined Acorn Consulting as a vice president. — Kungel had worked for Manchin since 2015, most recently as his chief of staff. Kungel’s work for Manchin includes the beginning of the Biden administration, when the now-former senator held immense sway over Biden’s and congressional Democrats’ agenda. — At Acorn Consulting, Kungel will work with energy and infrastructure clients — dealing with many of the same issues that made up the cornerstone of Manchin’s policy work as now-former chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. ORIGIN PICKS UP CRUZ AIDE: Halie Craig is heading back downtown after spending the last two years as the tech policy director for now-Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to join Origin Advocacy as a principal. Prior to working for Cruz, Craig did several stints as an adviser to former Senate Banking Chair Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and worked in Meta’s D.C. office and at the R Street Institute. ANNALS OF FUNDRAISING: Dave Levinthal writes for Rolling Stone that “at least four Democratic political committees suspect their former campaign treasurer is behind the ‘misappropriation’ of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds.” — “The committees — including those led by Virginia’s two U.S. senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner — have alerted law enforcement officials and federal regulators and continue to internally investigate the matter, they acknowledge.” — “The alleged misappropriations of funds are the latest in a string of high-profile thefts and unauthorized financial transactions that have recently walloped federal political committees of all partisan stripes, collectively costing them millions of dollars.” MAKING THEIR PLEA: More than 300 engineering, construction, architecture and HVAC businesses, as well as a handful of local governments, today urged top congressional tax writers to spare Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives to promote energy efficient and clean energy buildings as a potential offset for extending tax cuts from the 2017 GOP law. — “There are thousands of projects underway right now across the country that have been planned around the incentives,” the coalition wrote in a letter to the bipartisan heads of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees. The outreach was organized by the U.S. Green Business Council, the organization that administers the LEED certification program for buildings. — “The reality is the buildings-related tax incentives that were expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 have existed in some form for a decade or more and have long had bipartisan support in Congress,” the groups said, adding that repealing the tax credits would “create the opposite” of certainty in the tax code for businesses. Jobs report — Bart Reising is joining Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a policy director focusing on outreach to House GOP leadership. He was most recently deputy chief of staff for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. — Van Neralla has been promoted to be senior strategist at Federal Street Strategies. — Bruce Siegel is stepping down as president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals after 14 years. — Romina Khananisho is joining X as head of global government affairs. She previously was a vice president for government relations at Honeywell. — Megan Doherty is joining the Wilson Center as vice president for programs. She most recently was a deputy assistant administrator at USAID. — Arielle Woronoff is now a principal at SplitOak Strategies. She previously was deputy chief of staff to the CMS administrator and director of CMS’ Office of Legislation. — Lewis Myers is now director of research, policy and impact at the American Bus Association Foundation. He previously was a senior political adviser for Lisa Blunt Rochester’s Delaware Senate campaign. — Caroline Cheng is joining Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder. She was previously a principal at Jackson Lewis. — Ret. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly and Ret. Gen. Glen VanHerck have joined WestExec Advisors as principals. Kelly is a former Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, and VanHerck was previously commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. — King & Spalding hired Lauren Roth as a partner on the FDA and life sciences team in its government matters and regulation practice group. Roth was previously FDA associate commissioner for policy. — MAD Global Strategy has acquired Ohio-based consultancy ConVista Public Affairs. ConVista founder Connie Luck will join MAD Global as a managing director based in the Ohio office. — Mike Calcagni has joined Anduril Industries as a director of government relations, per Morning Defense. He was previously deputy staff director for the House Intelligence Committee. — Jen Brown is joining BGR Group, per Morning Money. Brown was previously banking counsel for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and is a Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) alum. — Airlines for America President and CEO Nick Calio will retire at the end of 2025. — Alexander Miehls is joining Teneo as a managing director in the firm’s strategy and communications business in New York. He was previously a senior director at FTI Consulting and is a Fox News and House GOP alum. — The Legal Defense Fund has named Samuel Spital and Todd Cox as the next associate directors-counsel, the organization’s second-highest position. Spital previously has been director of litigation. Cox is rejoining LDF after most recently working as VP of programs at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. — Tony Cotto has been promoted to assistant vice president and counsel for federal and political affairs at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. — Brian Hurley was promoted to senior vice president of legal and regulatory affairs at America’s Communications Association. He was previously ACA’s chief regulatory counsel. — Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky and Josefiak PLLC has promoted Andrew Watkins to partner. — Becker has promoted Amanda Wood to senior director. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs HAITIAN AMERICAN EMPOWERMENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC) No Surrender Fund (Hybrid PAC) RickVickPAC (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Ballard Partners: Integrity Analytics, LLC Ballard Partners: Payward, Inc. Barker Leavitt, Pllc (Ska Mr. James C. Barker): Centerline Action, Inc. Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Mobile Baykeeper Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Peraton Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Red Cat Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: US Antimony Corporation Cgcn Group, LLC: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Lp Cumberland Gap Consulting, LLC: American National Red Cross Digital Energy Council: Digital Energy Council Forbes-Tate: Uber Technologies, Inc. Harbinger Strategies, LLC: Procter & Gamble High Street Strategies LLC: Lowell Baier On Behalf Of The National Cooperatives Coalition Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC: Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC: Halocarbon Life Sciences, LLC Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC: Stephenson Technologies Corporation James Jochum: Google Client Services LLC Mission Strategies LLC (Energy): Cellink Corporation Mission Strategies LLC (Energy): Radiant Industries, Inc North Star Strategies, LLC: Bronco Coal Porter Group, LLC: Volusia County, Florida Stapleton & Associates, LLC: Boeing Strategic Marketing Innovations: Lockheed Martin Corporation Strategic Marketing Innovations: Neograf Solutions, LLC Strategic Marketing Innovations: Scout Ai Inc. New Lobbying Terminations Acg Advocacy: Oracle Corporation American Society Of Civil Engineers: Association Of State Dam Safety Officials Apco Worldwide LLC: Cosco Americas Inc (F/K/A Cosco North America) Brian Glackin & Associates LLC: St Engineering North America, Inc Burrell International Group LLC: Garwood Medical Devices LLC Capitol Counsel LLC: Electricity Canada Capitol Counsel LLC: Kalshi, Inc. Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Advancing Mental Health For Military Families, LLC Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Husch Blackwell Strategies LLC On Behalf Of Westway Enterprises LLC Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Progression Hawaii Offshore Holdings Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC: National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance Covington & Burling LLP: Xona Space Systems, Inc. Dentons US LLP: Stafl Systems Dentons US LLP: Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation Fbb Federal Relations: Town Of Wellfleet Healthsperien: American Academy Of Home Care Medicine Healthsperien: Clear Spring Health Insurance Company, Fka Clear Spring Health Jst Strategies LLC (Jochum Shore & Trossevin Pc): Google Client Services LLC (Formerly Reporting As Google) Jti Marketing & Communications, Inc. Dba Jti, Inc.: Davis Bancorp K&L Gates, LLP: Trueaccord Corp. Large Public Power Council: Large Public Power Council Manatt, Phelps, And Phillips: Mainstay Medical Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP: American Academy Of Sleep Medicine Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Partners In Performance Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Ronald Mcdonald House Of Charleston Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): United Network For Organ Sharing (Unos) Mr. Dan Perrin: End Chronic Disease Mr. D. Randall Benn: Dh Water Quality, LLC Munk Policy & Law: American Industrial Partners Munk Policy & Law: Clarkson University Munk Policy & Law: Entergy Services LLC Munk Policy & Law: Key Lime Air Munk Policy & Law: Phi Air Medical Munk Policy & Law: Southern Methodist University Munk Policy & Law: Steelman Aviation, Inc. Munk Policy & Law: Unfair USer Fees On International Aviation Coalition, C/O Wheels Up Experience Natural Resource Results LLC: Los Vaqueros Reservoir Jpa Polsinelli Pc: Femasys Inc. Rojas Public Affairs: Chino Valley Fire District Rojas Public Affairs: City Of Bishop Rojas Public Affairs: City Of San Juan Bautista Rojas Public Affairs: Monte Vista Water District Sonfield Policy Solutions LLC: Hopewell Fund Strategic Marketing Innovations: Advanced Acoustic Concepts Strategic Marketing Innovations: Alkegen Strategic Marketing Innovations: Mcnally Industries Strategic Marketing Innovations: Velo3D Inc. Telegraph Avenue Advisors: Jenner & Block LLP On Behalf Of Twenty-Nine Palms Band Of Mission Indians The Consilio Group: Pacmar Technologies The Consilio Group: Paratek Pharmaceuticals The Consilio Group: Tech Blue, Inc. The Jerry Costello Group, LLC: Memorial Health The Nickles Group, LLC: Inspring LLC Thorsen French Advocacy LLC: International Council Of Shopping Centers Thorsen French Advocacy LLC: Politan Capital Management Venable LLP: Find - Foundation For Innovative New Diagnostics Waxman Strategies: Clean Air Task Force Waxman Strategies: Natural Resources Defense Council Whitmer & Worrall, LLC: Carelink Home Health   Follow us

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