| | | | |  | | By Garrett Ross | | | |  President Joe Biden said the investigation into the leak of Pentagon documents is “getting close.” | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | New details are spilling out on the source of the massive leak of classified Pentagon documents. In a major seven-bylined report, NYT scoops that the “leader of a small online gaming chat group where a trove of classified U.S. intelligence documents leaked over the last few months is a 21-year-old member of the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.” “The national guardsman, whose name is JACK TEIXEIRA, oversaw a private online group named Thug Shaker Central, where about 20 to 30 people, mostly young men and teenagers, came together over a shared love of guns, racist online memes and video games. Two U.S. officials confirmed that investigators want to talk to Airman Teixeira about the leak of the government documents to the private online group. One official said Airman Teixeira might have information relevant to the investigation.” Over in Ireland: President JOE BIDEN addressed the leak this morning, telling reporters that federal investigators are “getting close” in their probe into the leak of classified Pentagon documents while also somewhat playing down the gravity of the information that got out. Biden did not elaborate on what exactly he meant, and the White House deferred comment on the issue to the Justice Department, which declined comment. “I’m concerned that it happened,” Biden said in his brief remarks. “But there’s nothing contemporaneous that I’m aware of that’s of great consequence.” More from Matt Berg And it seems Biden’s assessment is correct, according to Ukrainian officials. AP’s Ellen Knickmeyer and Hanna Arhirova: “Ukraine’s leaders say they don’t see a major U.S. intelligence leak as gravely damaging future offensives. A key reason: They have long held back on sharing their most sensitive operational information, doubting Washington’s ability to keep their secrets safe.” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister HANNA MALIAR: “If military operations are planned, then only a very narrow circle of people know about the planning of the special operation. … The risk of leaks is very minimal.” Related read: “New Leaked Documents Show Broad Infighting Among Russian Officials,” by NYT’s Anton Troianovski, Aric Toler, Julian Barnes, Christiaan Triebert and Malachy Browne: “The additional documents, which did not surface in a 53-page set that came to wide public attention online last week, paint a picture of the Russian government feuding over the count of the dead and wounded in the Ukraine war, with the domestic intelligence agency accusing the military of obscuring the scale of casualties that Russia has suffered.” HAPPENING TODAY … In Manhattan: “Trump will answer questions in N.Y. fraud lawsuit, lawyer says,” by AP’s Michael Sisak: “Former President DONALD TRUMP arrived at the offices of New York’s attorney general Thursday for his second deposition in a legal battle over his company’s business practices, with his lawyer signaling that he intends to answer questions this time instead of invoking his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.” In Wilmington, Del.: “Landmark Trial Against Fox News Could Affect the Future of Libel Law,” by NYT’s Michael Grynbaum: “Jury selection starts on Thursday in Delaware Superior Court, where the proceedings will tackle misinformation and the limits of journalistic responsibility.” CLICKERS — Time is up with its “100 Most Influential People” list for 2023. Here are some highlights from the political realm:
See the full list Good Thursday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Who did Time miss in their list? Let me know: gross@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Airlines for America: Did you know? 90 percent of Americans have flown at least once. More than half of Americans have flown before their 16th birthday. Two million people choose to fly each day in the U.S. This is possible because robust competition among U.S. airlines generates enormous options for consumers, which is why Americans from a range of economic, cultural and racial backgrounds have flown. In 2021, one-third of Americans who flew had family incomes under $75,000. Learn more: www.airlines.org. | | | 2024 WATCH ENDORSEMENT WATCH — North Carolina GOP Sen. TED BUDD is lining up behind former President DONALD TRUMP in the 2024 presidential race. “Just a few years ago America was strong, but now under Joe Biden, we are a nation in decline,” Budd said in a statement provided exclusively to Breitbart. Budd prevailed in a tight primary last year in part due to Trump’s endorsement of him, and edged out Democrat CHERI BEASLEY in the general election. POLL POSITION — “Ron DeSantis, Down in Polls and Taking Flak From Donald Trump, Looks to Rebound,” by WSJ’s Alex Leary: “The former president has enjoyed a bump in GOP support since his indictment in New York on hush-money charges, as many Republicans rally to his side. But [Florida Gov. RON] DeSANTIS is making an implicit argument within the party that Mr. Trump is incapable of winning a general election and trying to appeal to those tired of constant turmoil. The governor’s team is seeking to reassure Republican leaders and donors that there is a long campaign ahead, as the first primaries are still nine months away.” The plan of attack: “Mr. DeSantis makes his first trip to New Hampshire on Friday, and starting Monday, a group supporting his campaign will launch a seven-figure television ad that portrays the governor as a leader of a movement surrounding his rejection of Covid-19 lockdowns, support for parental rights in education and fights over the ‘woke left.’” MORE POLITICS WHO GETS PAID — “How much is an early presidential primary worth? Georgia hopes $1 billion,” by NBC’s Alex Seitz-Wald: “An early primary could add $1.12 billion to Georgia’s economy, according to a new economic impact report prepared by economist Tom Smith of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, who has studied the economic impact of major sporting and cultural events on local economies.” The deets: “The 26-page report, commissioned by Democrats and first shared with NBC News, estimates that a 12-candidate field would bring $220 million in direct spending from campaigns, PACs and media outlets, from TV ads and staff members’ salaries to hotel, car, office and event space rentals to extra business for restaurants, caterers and more.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | CONGRESS BRAGGING RIGHTS — “In Bragg v. Jordan, a familiar legal strategy emerges,” by Erica Orden in New York: “Manhattan District Attorney ALVIN BRAGG’s new lawsuit against Rep. JIM JORDAN is an aggressive counterpunch for a first-term elected prosecutor who is typically averse to politics. But it’s not the first time that Bragg, a Democrat, has fought House Republicans. “He’s dusting off a legal strategy devised seven years ago by one of his top lieutenants when they both worked in the New York attorney general’s office. That strategy — defying federal subpoenas by invoking state sovereignty — shows a prosecutor intent on defending the independence of local investigations from congressional oversight. And by suing Jordan and his House Judiciary Committee directly, Bragg has escalated his public confrontation with the House GOP over the investigation and indictment of former President Donald Trump.” Meanwhile, Rep. ANDY BIGGS (R-Ariz.) this morning introduced two pieces of legislation escalating House Republicans’ fight with Bragg. One of the bills, the “Accountability for Lawless Violence In Our Neighborhoods Act,” (or “ALVIN Act”) “prohibits federal funds from being awarded to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and requires the office to repay federal funds granted after January 1, 2022,” reports the Daily Caller’s Henry Rodgers, who got the exclusive preview of the legislation. MANCHIN IN THE MIDDLE — Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) has “deep reservations” about JULIE SU’s nomination to become Labor secretary, Axios’ Hans Nichols reports. Though the report doesn’t detail specifics about Manchin’s hesitations, his previous public comments on Su have not been glowing. “I had MARTY WALSH and I am looking for a Marty Walsh,” Manchin said when he voted for Su to become deputy secretary. But Axios also notes that some “West Virginia union voters are pressing Manchin to support Su, making his home state politics more complicated than in 2021, when he effectively killed Biden's nomination of NEERA TANDEN to lead the Office of Management and Budget.” POLICY CORNER MEDICAID FOR DREAMERS — “Biden administration to widen Medicaid and ACA health coverage to DACA immigrants,” by WaPo’s Amy Goldstein: “The plan, which the White House says would benefit up to 580,000 young people brought to the United States as children would broaden the definition of who qualifies for these two insurance programs in which the federal government has a role. … Such changes in federal regulations often take considerable time, with months-long periods for public comments. But a statement from the White House says, ‘We recognize that every day counts’ and predicts ‘we expect to get this done by the end of the month.’” THREE’S COMPANY — “The 3 groups ready to fight over Biden’s electric car push,” by Tanya Snyder, Ben Lefebvre and Kelsey Tamborrino DEEP DIVE — “Inside the Online Market for Overseas Abortion Pills,” by NYT’s Allison McCann JUDICIARY SQUARE FOR YOUR RADAR — “Google Asks Judge to End DOJ Antitrust Case,” by WSJ’s Jan Wolfe: “Both sides are weighing in before U.S. District Judge AMIT MEHTA on Google’s request for judgment in its favor in a 2020 civil lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. Google is also asking Judge Mehta to toss out a similar lawsuit brought by a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general.”
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | BEYOND THE BELTWAY STAT OF THE DAY — “If Tennessee’s Legislature Looks Broken, It’s Not Alone,” by NYT’s Michael Wines: “Nationwide, candidates for roughly four of every 10 state legislative seats run unopposed in general elections. And across the country, one-party control of state legislatures, compounded by hyperpartisan politics, widespread gerrymandering, an urban-rural divide and uncompetitive races, has made the dysfunction in Tennessee more the rule than the exception. The lack of competition means incumbent lawmakers face few consequences for their conduct. And their legislative actions are driven in large part by the fraction of partisans who determine their fates in primary elections, the only political contests where they face serious opposition.” BONKERS BACKSTORY — “How Roy McGrath went from Larry Hogan’s chief of staff to the subject of a manhunt that ended in his death,” by CNN’s Ray Sanchez MEGATREND — “Suicide Rates Rose in 2021 After Two Years in Decline,” by WSJ’s Julie Wernau AMERICA AND THE WORLD EVAN GERSHKOVICH LATEST — “Diplomat: Russia might discuss swap for jailed US reporter,” AP: “Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency Tass that talks about a possible exchange could take place through a dedicated channel that Russian and U.S. security agencies established for such purposes. … However, he emphasized that Moscow would only negotiate a possible prisoner exchange after a trial.” ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA — “N. Korea fires missile that may have been new type of weapon,” by AP’s Hyung-jin Kim, Kim Tong-hyung and Mari Yamaguchi in Seoul MEDIAWATCH THE BRAVE NEW WORLD — Semafor’s @maxwelltani: “In a lengthy note to staff this morning, Insider EIC [NICH CARLSON] says the publication will begin experimenting with how to use AI for reporting and editing.” Read the memo PLAYBOOKERS TRANSITION — Heather Wadyka is now a professional staff member on the House Education and Workforce Committee. She previously was a policy adviser for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. … Sara Beth Watson is now of counsel in Wiley Rein’s environment and product regulation group. She most recently was of counsel at Steptoe & Johnson LLP. WEDDING — Chase Hite, legislative assistant for Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), and Mina Hite, head of outreach and events at Capstone, got married March 25 at King Family Vineyards in Virginia. The couple met in 2019 at Shenanigan’s. Pic WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Richard England, government affairs lead at Corio Generation, and Kate Hartman, associate director of new business for Winrock International, recently welcomed John “Jack” Francis England. 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 producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
| | | | A message from Airlines for America:   Competition in the airline industry has generated enormous consumer choice – meaning there is something for everyone. Learn more: www.airlines.org. | | | | | | | 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 politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
