| | | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade | Presented by |  | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | PLOT TWIST: SENATE VOTES TO CALL WITNESSES — After days of predicting the trial would be speedy and finish as early as today, senators agreed on a bipartisan basis to depose witnesses. Five Republicans — MITT ROMNEY, LISA MURKOWSKI, SUSAN COLLINS, BEN SASSE and LINDSEY GRAHAM — just voted with Democrats for the 11th-hour change of plans. This is HUGE. Trump's legal team this morning threatened to subpoena Speaker NANCY PELOSI and dozens of others if witnesses are called. Other Republicans, including Trump ally Graham, vowed to drag the trial out if Democrats went down this road. HOW DID WE GET HERE? A handful of Senate Democrats this morning started saying they wanted to hear from witnesses after the discrepancies (if not falsehoods) espoused by the Trump defense team Friday. Plus, evidence emerged raising more questions about Trump's actions on Jan. 6 and bolstering the case to call individuals to testify. Here's a taste of those developments: — "New details about Trump-McCarthy shouting match show Trump refused to call off the rioters," CNN: "In an expletive-laced phone call with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy while the Capitol was under attack, then-President Donald Trump said the rioters cared more about the election results than McCarthy did. "'Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,' Trump said, according to lawmakers who were briefed on the call afterward by McCarthy. McCarthy insisted that the rioters were Trump's supporters and begged Trump to call them off." — "Herrera Beutler urges 'patriots' to talk about Trump call," AP: "A Republican from Washington state who was one of 10 GOP House members who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump late Friday urged people with knowledge of conversations Trump had during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to come forward." The quote from Rep. JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER: "[T]o the patriots who were standing next to the former president as these conversations were happening, or even to the former vice president: if you have something to add here, now would be the time." | | | | A message from Amazon: In 2018, Amazon announced a starting wage of at least $15 an hour for all U.S. employees. Since then, other major companies have followed suit.
Now, it's time for Congress to raise the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Increasing wages will give millions of workers the raise they deserve, pump money into local businesses and boost our economic recovery.
It's time to raise the wage and revitalize the national economy. | | | THIS MORNING, Sen. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D-R.I.) said Secret Service officials and other former Trump White House aides should be deposed to answer the question: "What did Trump know, and when did he know it?" Sen. JEFF MERKLEY (D-Ore.) agreed. And Sen. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.) said on MSNBC's "All in With Chris Hayes" that he'd "welcome" witnesses if the managers want them — though he also argued they already put forward a "slam dunk case." The pile-on continued. THEN, REP. JAMIE RASKIN, the lead impeachment manager, stood up just after 10 a.m. He said he and the other managers want to hear Herrera Beutler, who spoke with House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY about what Trump knew during the riot. More witnesses could follow. And so, after predictions the trial would be over today, no one seems to know how long it will last. WHAT COULD WITNESSES DO? A lot, actually. They could shed light on what Trump knew during the January 6 riot and how he acted — details the Trump team, notably, refused to give, despite questions from multiple Republican senators on Friday. Trump's former chief of staff MARK MEADOWS has been saying on TV that Trump tried to stop the violence, which is refuted by prosecutors as well as news reports. The Trump team also, oddly enough, accused Sen. TOMMY TUBBERVILLE of "hearsay" when the Alabama Republican said he told Trump that Pence was in danger around the time he attacked the VP on Twitter that afternoon. Trump people deny this is true. Do senators want to get to the bottom of this? BUT WILL IT CHANGE THE END RESULT? Probably not. This morning, our Burgess Everett scooped that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will vote to acquit. "McConnell's announcement ends a long period of silence over whether he would consider convicting Trump for incitement of insurrection and could pave the way for many other Republicans to follow in acquittal. The Kentuckian shared his decision in a note to fellow GOP senators on Saturday morning, ahead of what could be the final day of Trump's second impeachment trial." — More from Burgess: "McConnell says it was a 'close call' but says impeachment is 'primarily a tool of removal' and the Senate lacks jurisdiction. He says criminal conduct by a president in office can be prosecuted when the president is out of office." McConnell's full letter | | | | A message from Amazon: At Amazon, we pay at least $15 an hour—more than double the current federal minimum wage. We believe that's the minimum anyone in the U.S. should earn for an hour of labor.
That's why we're calling on Congress to pass the Raise the Wage Act. | | | THREE SATURDAY MUST-READ NON-IMPEACHMENT STORIES 1) WaPo's Roxanne Roberts profiles disgraced political operative John Weaver:: "The fall of John Weaver, a Lincoln Project co-founder whose political career was shrouded in mystery" … "The news [that Weaver came out as gay] was a shock in elite political circles: Even those who thought they knew Weaver well were floored to discover his sexual orientation and that he had been approaching young men for years. "'You could have knocked me over with a feather — I couldn't believe it,' says Fred Davis, a GOP media consultant who knows Weaver and his family. And yet, there was always something mysterious about Weaver. 'He's a genius, but that genius comes with a dark cloud.'" 2) WSJ's Deepa Seetharaman, Emily Glazer and Tim Higgins on a rivalry for the ages: "Facebook Meets Apple in Clash of the Tech Titans — 'We Need to Inflict Pain'" … "At stake is how the internet will evolve and which companies will dominate it. Facebook and Apple's visions are diverging and increasingly incompatible. "Facebook wants to capture and monetize eyeballs on every possible device and platform. Apple wants to draw users to its own hardware-centric universe, partly by marketing itself as a privacy-focused company. The outcome of the battle could affect what kinds of information users see when they browse the internet." 3) Shannon Young and Anna Gronewold of POLITICO's Albany bureau invoke the C-word in a story about New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mounting political problems: "Coverup claims engulf Cuomo as scandal over nursing home deaths grows" … "When Gov. Andrew Cuomo's top aide told Democratic lawmakers this week why the administration slow-walked information on nursing home deaths, she appeared to be trying to dispel smoldering rumors of a cover-up. "Instead the aide, Melissa DeRosa, threw gasoline on a fire that by Friday had enveloped Cuomo's legacy of effective leadership during the Covid-19 crisis — something he hoped to parlay into a fourth term next year. Republicans demanded Cuomo's impeachment. There were calls for his top staffers to resign. And members of the governor's own party — who had largely muted their criticism amid budget talks — began to turn on him, publicly and forcefully." BIDEN'S SATURDAY — The president is at Camp David. He and VP KAMALA HARRIS have nothing on their public schedules. HAPPENING NEXT WEEK — "President Joe Biden to visit Pfizer in Portage next week," WOOD TV: "This will be Biden's first visit to Michigan as president." | | | | GET TRANSITION PLAYBOOK TO 100K: In three months, our scoop-filled Transition Playbook newsletter has grown from zero to more than 90,000 subscribers. Find out what's really happening inside the West Wing, who really has the ear of the president, and what's about to happen, before it occurs. Transition Playbook chronicles the people, policies, and emerging power centers of the Biden administration. Don't miss out, subscribe today. And once you do, we'd be grateful if you could spread the word to your friends and colleagues, or, even better, post about Transition Playbook on Facebook or Twitter using this link: politico.com/newsletters/transition-playbook | | | | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | | 
PHOTO OF THE DAY: President Joe Biden departs the White House on Marine One on his way to Camp David on Friday, Feb. 12. | Alex Wong/Getty Images | POLITICS ROUNDUP TRUMP ALUMS MAKING A GO OF IT … Two new stories Friday raised the possibility of MAGA figures jumping into special elections this year. Forget SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: These could be the first tests of just how much currency the Trump brand retains in GOP primaries, and how much general-election appetite remains for his brand of politics. — "Grenell lays groundwork for California gubernatorial run," by David Siders and Jeremy White: "Richard Grenell, a fierce ally of former President Donald Trump and a fixture in MAGA politics, is interviewing campaign strategists and laying groundwork for a potential run for California governor if the bid to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom goes forward … "Grenell's entry into the race could instantly reorganize the Republican field in the recall campaign, draining conservative support from other candidates and fracturing Newsom's opponents along MAGA lines. And it could help Newsom to define the campaign against him as a product of Trump allies." — "Top Trump health aide mulls run for Congress," by Adam Cancryn: "The former chief of staff of the Trump administration's health department is exploring a bid for the U.S. House seat of the late Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas), who died earlier this week … Brian Harrison in recent days has spoken with potential donors." AT THE OTHER END OF THE PARTY … "Nebraska Sen. Sasse bets political future on opposing Trump," AP: "Even in Nebraska, Sasse has some reason to think there's a market for what he's selling. He won almost 27,000 more votes than Trump in the state, proving better at holding on to wayward GOP voters and winning over Democrats." THE LINCOLN PROJECT STORY DROPS — "Inside the Lincoln Project's 'toxic' workplace," The 19th: "The accusations have roiled the organization, and as its current and former employees and contractors began coming forward to discuss them, they described a workplace where women in key positions were sidelined and where sexist and homophobic language was used by those in leadership posts. … "The interviews depict an organization that grew quickly, with little planning at its inception, and then began to spiral out of control as its founders quarreled over the organization's direction, finances, tactics and even who would own the donor data that the project would eventually amass. Some of the co-founders had an informal management agreement that excluded the others, without their knowledge. Several had private firms to which the Lincoln Project channeled tens of millions of dollars that are then not subject to disclosure, while others were paid relatively modest amounts directly or nothing at all." — "The Lincoln Project implodes amid infighting and scandal," by Alex Isenstadt: "Steve Schmidt, a prominent political strategist and one of the original co-founders of the organization, on Friday evening became the latest in a string of departures … Also announcing their departures Friday were spokesperson Kurt Bardella and Nayyera Haq." PANDEMIC TRACKER: The U.S. reported 2,918 Covid-19 deaths and 101,000 new coronavirus cases Friday. A SUPPLY SOLUTION — "F.D.A. Agrees Moderna Can Increase Vaccine Supply in Each Vial," NYT: "The Food and Drug Administration has informed the drugmaker Moderna that it can put up to 40 percent more coronavirus vaccine into each of its vials, a simple and potentially rapid way to bolster strained supplies … "While federal officials want Moderna to submit more data showing the switch would not compromise vaccine quality, the continuing discussions are a hopeful sign that the nation's vaccine stock could increase faster than expected … [T]he change could conceivably be done in fewer than 10 weeks, or before the end of April." TOP-ED — HARRIS in WAPO: "The exodus of women from the workforce is a national emergency" AMERICA AND THE WORLD HOLDING STEADY FROM TRUMP — "Biden Justice Dept. Asks British Court to Approve Extradition of Julian Assange," NYT: "The Biden administration has signaled that for now it is continuing its predecessor's attempt to prosecute Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder … [H]uman rights and civil liberties groups had asked the acting attorney general, Monty Wilkinson, to abandon the effort." STOP US IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE — "Biden launches review of Guantanamo prison, aims to close it before leaving office," Reuters: "Aides involved in internal discussions are considering an executive action to be signed by Biden in coming weeks or months … "But such an initiative is unlikely to bring down the curtain anytime soon on the offshore facility, due largely to the steep political and legal obstacles that also frustrated efforts by his ex-boss, former President Barack Obama, to close it." | | | | A message from Amazon: Amazon saw an immediate positive impact when we increased our starting wage to $15 an hour in 2018. Applications doubled. And employees had an easier time providing for their families, which boosted morale and retention. The investments we made in our hourly employees were quickly transferred to local businesses and economies, showing the benefits far transcend the workplace.
We're ready to see this done on a larger scale. The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. Passing the Raise the Wage Act would increase incomes for millions of employees and revitalize the national economy.
We applaud the policymakers leading this critical effort.
As we recover from the devastating economic impact of the pandemic, America's workers, small businesses, and the country's broader economic recovery simply can't wait. | | | TRUMP CARDS KNOWING FANI WILLIS — "Investigating Trump a big early move for Atlanta's new DA," AP: "Prosecuting Trump would likely prove a career-defining move for Willis — and one fraught with risk … But fellow lawyers who have faced her in court say she's a skilled litigator who isn't afraid of tough cases. … "Willis worked 17 years as an assistant district attorney under Paul Howard, who was Georgia's first Black DA when he took office in 1997. Before challenging Howard for his job in 2020, Willis spent short stints as a criminal defense lawyer and a municipal court judge." MEDIAWATCH PALACE INTRIGUE — "Who runs CNN after Jeff Zucker? It's complicated," NBC: "In phone calls and text messages with more than 20 television executives, senior producers and other media veterans from across the broadcast and cable landscape, [Ben] Sherwood was frequently cited as the most-qualified candidate to take over CNN. Sherwood's focus, however, is elsewhere. … "In order to strike a balance between conventional TV and digital, some of the insiders believe AT&T will split CNN leadership duties, tapping one person to oversee news coverage and programming and another to oversee the transition to direct-to-consumer." SIGN UP! — Democrats are having to balance pushing their agenda through Congress with making their case against Trump in his second impeachment trial. How are House Democrats helping Biden move his agenda, from Covid-19 relief to the vaccine rollout? Join RACHAEL on Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a live conversation with Assistant House Speaker KATHERINE CLARK (D-Mass.) on the most pressing legislative priorities and her approach to getting things done as the fourth highest-ranking member of the House. Register here CLICKER — "The nation's cartoonists on the week in politics," edited by Matt Wuerker — 15 funnies GREAT WEEKEND READS: — "American Democracy Is Only 55 Years Old — And Hanging by a Thread," by The Atlantic's Vann R. Newkirk II: "Black civil-rights activists — and especially Black women — delivered on the promise of the Founding. Their victories are in peril." — "'I Miss My Mom': Children Of QAnon Believers Are Desperately Trying To Deradicalize Their Own Parents," by HuffPost's Jesselyn Cook: "Here's what it's like to lose the person who raised you to a far-right cult." — "How the Trump Era Broke the Sunday-Morning News Show," by the NYT Magazine's Jason Zengerle: "Any number of hallowed political and media institutions fell apart. So why should the most hallowed political-media institution of them all escape unscathed?" — "The Long Hack: How China Exploited a U.S. Tech Supplier," by Bloomberg's Jordan Robertson and Michael Riley: "For years, U.S. investigators found tampering in products made by Super Micro Computer Inc. The company says it was never told. Neither was the public." — "A rape survivor's story emerges from a remote African war," by Lucy Kassa and Shashank Bengali in the L.A. Times … Follow-up: "I reported on Ethiopia's secretive war. Then came a knock at my door" — "U.N. Probe Details Atrocities in Mali and Civilian Deaths From French Airstrikes," by Clair MacDougall in BluePass: "A recent United Nations investigation has documented years of grave human-rights violations, including war crimes and other atrocities, in Mali that have gone unpunished as the UN peacekeeping mission there struggles to stabilize the troubled West African nation." | | | | JOIN TUESDAY - PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT HOUSE SPEAKER KATHERINE CLARK: How are House Democrats helping move the Biden administration agenda forward, including a Covid-19 vaccine rollout economic recovery plan? Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a live conversation with Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) on the most pressing legislative priorities and her approach to getting things done. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | MEDIAWATCH — Brianna Gurciullo is now a reporter for the Stamford Advocate, covering city hall. She previously was a transportation reporter at POLITICO. STAFFING UP — Christina Tsafoulias will be House division chief for legislative affairs at USAID. She previously was legislative director for Rep. David Trone (D-Md.). TRANSITION — Tommy Joyce is now head of government affairs and investor relations for Tevogen Bio. He most recently was deputy assistant secretary of Energy for international affairs. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Kelsey Powers, managing director of POLITICO Pro account management, and Ryan Powers, SVP at America Rising Corp., welcomed Brickman Spencer Powers on Tuesday. Pic — Lane Lofton, chief of staff for Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), and Anna Lofton, associate fund counsel at the Central Pension Fund, welcomed son Sam on Monday. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) (75) … Reps. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas) … Chip Smith … former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (65) … Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center … Ryan Dollar … Bloomberg's Stacie Sherman … Lila Nieves-Lee … Bill McCarren … Tobi Young … Lauren Huston … Allison Ryan ... Jeanne Mancini … i360's Brian Szmytke … Mae Stevens … KPMG's Sven Erik Holmes … Cailin Kearns ... Reuters' Mike Spector (4-0) … Jeff Stein … Sheldon Silver … Jill Barclay … Alex Hinson … IFC's Elizabeth Lewis … Siemens' Camille Johnston … Alex Burgos … Samantha Slater … Judith Williamson … Coach K THE SHOWS (Full Sunday show listings here): | ABC | "This Week": Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) … Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) … Anthony Fauci. Panel: Chris Christie, Rahm Emanuel, Sara Fagen and Yvette Simpson. | FOX | "Fox News Sunday": Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) … Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) … CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Panel: Marc Thiessen, Gillian Turner and Charles Lane. Power Player: James Patterson. | NBC | "Meet the Press": Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) … Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan … CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Panel: Audie Cornish, Carlos Curbelo, Kasie Hunt and Claire McCaskill. | CBS | "Face the Nation": British PM Boris Johnson … Heyward Donigan … Scott Gottlieb. | CNN | "State of the Union": CDC Director Rochelle Walensky … Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. | MSNBC | "The Sunday Show": David Jolly … Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) … Michael Cohen … Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.). | Gray TV | "Full Court Press": Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) … Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) … Jon Decker. | CNN | "Inside Politics": Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) … Maggie Haberman, Rachael Bade and Manu Raju … Charlie Dent and Alice Stewart … Leana Wen. | | Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? A behind-the-scenes anecdote from today's impeachment trial? Drop us a line at playbook@politico.com or individually: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza, Tara Palmeri. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler and producers Allie Bice, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross. | | | | 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 | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
