Nauta pleads not guilty

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Jul 06, 2023 View in browser   By Bethany Irvine Presented by Walt Nauta, embattled personal valet and body man to former President Donald Trump, plead not guilty this morning to charges that he colluded with his boss to hide classified documents from authorities. | AP NAUTA MOMENT TO SOON — After twice delaying his arraignment over his failure to secure legal representation who was properly credentialed in Florida, WALT NAUTA, the embattled personal valet and body man to former President DONALD TRUMP, pleaded not guilty this morning to charges that he colluded with his boss to hide classified documents at Mar-a-Lago from federal authorities. More from AP Earlier today, The Messenger’s Marc Caputo scooped that Nauta had finally hired a South Florida-based lawyer: SASHA DADAN, “a 34-year-old Republican all-purpose criminal defense attorney who ran in 2018 for the Florida House.” THIRD DAY IN A ROW — Earth’s average temperature hit an all-time high yesterday. The previous record was set on Tuesday — and before that, on Monday. More from the AP YELLEN IN CHINA — Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN arrived in Beijing this morning as part of a four-day trip to the country as the White House tries yet again to ease growing rising tensions between the U.S. and China. Yellen is set to meet with LI QIANG, China’s premier and second highest-ranking government official, on Friday. Though Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN’S trip last month was presented as an effort to shore up the rocky relationship between the two powers, the outlook has soured considerably in the past few weeks as President JOE BIDEN called Chinese leader XI JINPING a “dictator,” China was confirmed to have increased its military presence in Cuba, and the two countries engaged in a tit-for-tat over advanced technology and chips manufacturing. Still, WSJ’s Chun Han Wong reports that “[s]ome Chinese officials consider Yellen a friendlier face than other Biden administration officials, noting that she has spoken favorably of continued U.S.-China cooperation and warned against attempts to ‘decouple’ the world’s two biggest economies.” Wong characterizes those officials as “cautiously optimistic” about the trip. THE PSILOCYBIN CAUCUS — Reps. DAN CRENSHAW (R-Texas) and ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-N.Y.) don’t agree on much politically, except when it comes to supporting legislation on psychedelics, Ben Terris writes this morning in a deep dive piece for WaPo. While both members have tried to pass legislation that would make it easier for scientists to research mind-altering drugs,“for all this agreement, it has so far proved difficult to pass any bills related to psychedelics.” “This is not — according to both Crenshaw’s and Ocasio-Cortez’s offices — because of some organized anti-psychedelics lobbying or big money lining up in opposition. The psychedelics coalition is up against an even more common impediment to change: Washington’s fear of something new.” GOTTA READ IT TO BELIEVE IT — “The Mayor Had a Photo of a Fallen Officer. Was His Story About It True?” by NYT’s Emma Fitzsimmons: “‘I still think about ROBERT [VENABLE],’ [New York City Mayor ERIC] ADAMS said at a news conference at City Hall. ‘I keep a picture of Robert in my wallet.’ … But the weathered photo of Officer Venable had not actually spent decades in the mayor’s wallet. It had been created by employees in the mayor’s office in the days after Mr. Adams claimed to have been carrying it in his wallet. “The employees were instructed to create a photo of Officer Venable, according to a person familiar with the request. A picture of the officer was found on Google; it was printed in black-and-white and made to look worn as if the mayor had been carrying it for some time, including by splashing some coffee on it, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.” Good Thursday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line: birvine@politico.com.   A message from Meta: Augmented reality will help neighborhoods recover from power outages. Augmented reality will help electrical lineworkers spot and repair problems in the power grid more quickly, helping communities get their lights back on faster after power outages. The metaverse may be virtual, but the impact will be real. Explore more possibilities with the metaverse.   PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS — The storied Cafe Milano gets the profile treatment by WSJ's Annie Linskey, albeit with this less-than-flattering headline: “D.C. Restaurant Tries to Fix Politics, One Bland Pasta at a Time.” (Personally, we think their food is fine!) The Italian restaurant in Georgetown is an old haunt of Washington insiders, journalists and politicians on both sides of the aisle — and as Linskey notes, is the setting of many a Playbook “spotted” item. Longtime Trump adviser KELLYANNE CONWAY describes the locale as a place where politicos can go to build relationships offline, while Democratic lobbyist HEATHER PODESTA termed the restaurant up as “the grown-ups table in Washington.” “On any given evening, the place is jammed with the politically influential and those who desire to be near them. Its list of regulars includes so many prominent Democrats and Republicans that in an era of fierce political divides, owner FRANCO NUSCHESE describes this neutral turf as ‘Switzerland.’” ALL POLITICS  MEANWHILE, ON THE WEST COAST — AP’s Michael Blood takes a big-picture look at how the results of several contested congressional districts in California will be crucial in determining the balance of power in the House: “A string of California House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties as they look to control the chamber. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020.” Rep. PETE AGUILAR (D-Calif.): The fight for the majority “will run through California.” NRCC Chair RICHARD HUDSON (R-N.C.): “I think we can actually pick up seats in California.”   A message from Meta:   BEYOND THE BELTWAY BIG INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS — “Hudson Tunnel Project to Get $6.9 Billion in Largest U.S. Transit Grant,” by NYT’s Patrick McGeehan: “The federal government is on track to give $6.88 billion, the most ever awarded to a mass-transit project, for the construction of a second rail tunnel under the Hudson River to New York City, Senator CHUCK SCHUMER said Wednesday. … The two-tube tunnel is part of Gateway, a massive infrastructure project that is widely considered the most important in the country. The new tunnel would supplement a troublesome pair of single-track tunnels that opened in 1910 and have been steadily deteriorating since Hurricane Sandy flooded them with salt water in 2012.” CONGRESS BERNIE BLOCKS BERTAGNOLLI (FOR NOW) — MONICA BERTAGNOLLI’s nomination by President Biden to serve as the nation’s health research chief is at a standstill as Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) refuses to hold a nomination hearing until the White House addresses high drug prices, WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte reports. Sanders’ “opposition has stymied an already drawn-out search for a new leader of the $47 billion agency that funds much of the nation’s medical research. It is also a rare example of a member of the Democratic caucus hindering a Biden administration pick, rather than Republicans.” THE WHITE HOUSE  AFTERNOON READ — “Willie Nelson got high on the roof — and other White House drug stories,” by WaPo’s Gillian Brockell 2024 WATCH  A LONG WAY TO GO — “Hutchinson says he has 5,000 of 40,000 donors needed to qualify for GOP debates,” by Matt Berg   JOIN 7/11 FOR A TALK ON THE FAA’S FUTURE: Congress is making moves to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, laying the groundwork for the FAA’s long-term agenda to modernize the aviation sector to meet the challenges of today and innovate for tomorrow. Join POLITICO on July 11 to discuss what will make it into the final reauthorization bill and examine how reauthorization will reshape FAA’s priorities and authorities. REGISTER HERE.     WAR IN UKRAINE LOOK WHO’S TALKING — A group of former U.S. national security officials have held secret talks with top Russian authorities “with the aim of laying the groundwork for potential negotiations” to end the war in Ukraine, NBC’s Josh Lederman scoops. “In a high-level example of the back-channel diplomacy taking place behind the scenes, Russian Foreign Minister SERGEY LAVROV met with members of the group for several hours in April in New York,” Lederman writes. “The discussions have taken place with the knowledge of the Biden administration, but not at its direction, with the former officials involved in the Lavrov meeting briefing the White House National Security Council afterward about what transpired.” GOING NUCLEAR — In a new blow to the Kremlin, Ukraine is nearing a possible deal to purchase two Russian-designed nuclear reactors and equipment from Bulgaria, WSJ’s Georgi Kantchev and Joe Parkinson scoop. ONE TO WATCH — “U.S. Expected to Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine, Official Says,” by NYT’s Victoria Kim: “Kyiv has been pushing for the controversial and widely banned type of weapon but Washington has resisted because of its potential to cause indiscriminate harm to civilians. Ukraine has said the weapons would help in its counteroffensive against Russian troops by allowing its forces to effectively target entrenched Russian positions.” JUDICIARY SQUARE  IN DEFENSE OF — In a new book on Justice CLARENCE THOMAS and originalism, federal Judge AMUL THAPAR defends both the Supreme Court and Thomas, who is currently under fire for a string of alleged ethical violations, NYT’s Carl Hulse reports. “Judge Thapar says he has no doubts whatsoever about the rectitude of those on the court, nearly all of whom he knows personally. ‘I think they’re all people of immense integrity,’ he said. ‘I would say all nine are not influenced in the way people think they are. They rule according to what they believe the law is. Period.’” IN OPPOSITION TO — “9th Circuit conservatives blast homelessness ruling, say issue is ‘paralyzing’ U.S. West,” by LA Times’ Kevin Rector   SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.     PLAYBOOKERS FOR YOUR RADAR — Miles Taylor, the former Trump DHS official who authored the “Anonymous” op-ed for NYT, is launching a new podcast on July 13 with iHeartMedia titled “The Whistleblowers: Inside The Trump Administration.” The podcast will feature conversations with a range of guests, including Trump administration figures like former FBI Director Andrew McCabe, former White House comms director Stephanie Grisham, former NSC official Alexander Vindman and former Pence aide Olivia Troye. Taylor’s first guest will be Reality Winner. Listen to the trailer MEDIA MOVE — Jody Serrano is now a staff reporter for The Messenger. She most recently was a tech reporter for Gizmodo. TRANSITION — Maury Riggan is now general counsel for the Biden-Harris 2024 reelection campaign. She most recently was special assistant to the president and senior director for the executive secretariat at the National Security Council. 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.   Sponsored Survey WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Please take a 1-minute survey about one of our advertising partners     Follow us on Twitter Rachael Bade @rachaelmbade Eugene Daniels @EugeneDaniels2 Ryan Lizza @RyanLizza Eli Okun @eliokun Garrett Ross @garrett_ross   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

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California Today: The best parts of 2023, so far

Among your delightful responses: whale sightings, a spectacular 80th birthday party, falling in love and graduations that didn't come easy.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 6, 2023 By Soumya Karlamangla California Today, Writer It's Thursday. You shared delightful stories about the best parts of 2023 so far. Plus, Los Angeles hotel workers pause their strike. Francesco Ciccolella To find some relief in a world that too often feels tumultuous and deeply fractured, I've recently been trying to cultivate more delight in my life. This hasn't necessarily meant seeking out more pleasurable experiences. It can simply be reveling in good things that happen daily, no matter how small. The extra step of acknowledging and feeling grateful for a meandering walk, a pint of fresh strawberries or the rediscovery of a once-favorite song has been linked to impressive mental health benefits. A friend and I have even begun texting each other about our delights at the end of the day. Telling her the things that made me happy (most recently, exploring a new neighborhood grocery store) and hearing her positive experiences (yesterday, a neighbor's backyard party) is now one of my regular delights, too. Joy begets joy, it seems. That brings me to today's newsletter. In June, as we wrapped up the first six months of the year, I asked you about the best thing that had happened to you so far in 2023. You told me about whale sightings, a spectacular 80th birthday party, falling in love, momentous graduations and more. All your responses were, well, delightful. Here are some of them, lightly edited for clarity. Enjoy. "I became a grandmother! I am now fully retired from my teaching career of 35 years and am babysitting my grandson full time. It is a joy to watch him grow and develop. When I was raising my own two children I was balancing motherhood and my work life, so I rushed through those baby years. Now I can sit back and enjoy every little bit of it." — Victoria Evashenk, Cupertino Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT "My major win this year: I started volunteering at an animal shelter and ended up adopting a senior bulldog named Knuckles. He has been a bright light in the chaos." — Barbara Soares, Sherman Oaks "I have been getting outside and painting the native Matilija poppies this spring. After all the healing rains this year, these giant poppies have been exploding. I found some up in the Santa Monica Mountains, along the L.A. River, by the 134 Highway and even in the cracks of concrete parking lots." — Lois Keller, Studio City "I recently went on my third whale-watching tour with a friend, and we saw a humpback breach from the water — a first for me! The whole boat gasped and cheered." — Barton Lynch, San Diego "I'm really, really proud of myself and my fellow 2023 college graduates — many of us began college before the pandemic, had our freshman years disrupted and torn apart once Covid started, endured over a year of remote school and an overwhelming sense of disconnect from our campus communities and then made it back to campus to complete our final two years in person. The class of '23 is proof of the commitment, adaptability and enduring hope of today's young adults." — Megan Musolf, Isla Vista Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT "My greatest delight so far this year is the unprecedented abundance in my hillside garden after the terrifying atmospheric river rainstorms of winter. Plants that had struggled to survive through years of drought and skimping irrigation have now doubled in size and dance in the breeze in glorious colors." — Carol Campbell, Oakland "I got engaged for the first time at 57. We met each other during the height of the pandemic, in August 2020, online, after I did a show on dating in the time of Covid-19. My journalistic curiosity and cynicism led me to find out for myself what was happening to dating during such an unusual time in history." — May Lee, Los Angeles "Since Christmas, my partner, Clebia, had been planning a surprise party for my 80th birthday in June. The party itself was not the surprise — it was the guests. I had no clue who was coming. First to arrive — a friend from Brazil whom I've known since the '60s, when I was a Peace Corps volunteer. Then a friend from Seattle. The next day, one of my dearest friends from Orange County walked in my door and joined me for breakfast al fresco on the deck. She had sent me ceramics through the mail, so I had assumed she wouldn't come. At the party the next day, two of my besties from high school came, one from Chicago and one from L.A. They brought an album of high school photos they'd created for me. Another couple from Pasadena arrived, and a Peace Corps colleague from the East Bay who struggles with Parkinson's climbed my 40 steps. A friend I've known since 1973 from San Anselmo brought bouquets from her garden, and my next-door neighbor brought me art supplies. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT I had no idea that these beloved people were coming. If my jaw had dropped any farther, there'd be a dent in my floor. I was humbled and astounded that they would travel so far to help me celebrate my 80th year on the planet." — Anne Karin Glass, San Francisco Enjoy all of The New York Times in one subscription — the original reporting and analysis, plus puzzles from Games, recipes from Cooking, product reviews from Wirecutter and sports journalism from The Athletic. Experience it all with a New York Times All Access subscription. "You just work on something for so long, and then at one point, it just clicks, and that's kind of what it did for me," Minjee Lee said of how she hits her irons.Matt Rourke/Associated Press The rest of the news Golf champion: Minjee Lee, the reigning U.S. Women's Open champion, sat down with The New York Times in San Francisco to talk all things golf, before the 78th annual championship tees off at Pebble Beach this week. Ultramarathoner: A running prodigy who participates in races beyond the traditional marathon is taking a break to focus on treating his borderline personality disorder. Breast cancer activist: Dr. Susan Love, the surgeon, researcher and former U.C.L.A. faculty member who for a time was one of the world's most visible faces in the war on breast cancer, died on Sunday at 75. Nxivm: The actress Allison Mack was released from a federal prison on Monday after serving two years of a sentence connected to her role recruiting and grooming women for the cultlike group Nxivm. Bad air: Los Angeles was among the places with high air quality indexes after Fourth of July fireworks. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Hotel workers' strike: Thousands of Los Angeles hotel workers returned to work on Wednesday after striking for three days. The union has said that more walkouts may come this summer, The Los Angeles Times reports. Social Security fraud: A California man admitted to hiding his mother's death from the government for over three decades and collected more than $800,000 in benefits intended for her, prosecutors said. CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Environmental justice: Facing water scarcity and other environmental woes, residents in Tulare County and other marginalized places say they feel forgotten by their local governments. A new analysis of a 2016 law aims to fix that, KVPR reports. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Wages: A few Bay Area cities increased their minimum wages on July 1, a small relief for workers in one of the country's priciest regions, KQED reports. WHAT YOU GET Meredith Heuer for The New York Times AT HOME WITH Does the Hudson Valley Beat Malibu? Ask Lorraine Toussaint. After losing her California home in the 2018 wildfires, the actress bought an early-19th-century farmhouse near Rhinebeck, N.Y. By Joanne Kaufman WHAT WE'RE EATING David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. 7Up Sheet Cake By Millie Peartree 1 1/4 hours Makes 12 to 16 servings Visitors look over the vineyards at Faust, which has become one of the "coolest places to taste in wine country," according to the author Christina Najjar.Adrian Gaut Where we're traveling Five favorite places in Napa Valley, as picked by the author and influencer Christina Najjar. And before you go, some good news Tuesday wasn't just July 4. It was also the close of an incredibly snowy ski season in Tahoe. Thousands gathered on the slopes for the last run of the season, some in bikinis or Speedos and some waving flags to celebrate the holiday, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. "This has been a sensational year," Maddy Condon, a spokeswoman for Palisades Tahoe, said Tuesday afternoon from the summit. The resort logged 723 inches of snow this year, compared with an average of 400, the news outlet reported. "People have been coming from all over the world," Condon said. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword. Maia Coleman and Johnna Margalotti contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018