| | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade, Ryan Lizza and Eugene Daniels | Presented by the Financial Services Forum | With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine
| | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: SAVE THE DATE — NIKKI HALEY makes her first public appearance since bowing out of the 2024 presidential race — and her inaugural appearance as Walter P. Stern Chair — at the Hudson Institute on May 22. She will deliver an address on U.S. foreign policy amid wars in the Middle East and Europe and growing tensions in Asia, followed by a fireside chat with Hudson senior fellow PETER ROUGH. — Former Rep. MIKE GALLAGHER (R-Wis.) is joining Hudson as a distinguished fellow. He'll be introduced this morning at a previously scheduled appearance with Hudson President and CEO JOHN P. WALTERS. Watch live at 9 a.m.
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The spin from Democrats is that Joe Biden boxed Donald Trump in. Trump’s team is projecting confidence and gloating that Biden actually fell into their trap. | Pool photo by Chip Somodevilla | DEBATING THE DEBATE — After months of questions about whether there will be any presidential debates, all of a sudden, we have two high-stakes showdowns on the calendar. Yesterday, after President JOE BIDEN announced that he’d be willing to go toe-to-toe with DONALD TRUMP, the former president quickly agreed to terms that at the outset may not seem entirely favorable to him. The spin from Democrats is that Biden boxed Trump in. ...
- Biden’s team insisted debates should be hosted by media organizations that moderated both a 2016 GOP primary debate and one in the 2020 Democratic primary — thus excluding the right-leaning Fox News. Team Biden got what it wanted, with both candidates saying yes to CNN and ABC News.
- They pushed for an earlier time frame, with debates well before early voting begins — perhaps to shake up the race given how far Biden is trailing in swing-state polls. They got that as well, with the first scheduled for June 27 and the second for Sept. 10.
- They didn’t want third-party candidates sucking up the limelight; CNN has announced requirements that will make it difficult for independent candidate ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. and others to make the debate state.
- And while Trump’s schtick had long fed off the energy of a live audience, Biden’s inner circle didn’t want one — and they got that in CNN’s audience-less format, at least.
“Biden had a plan to sucker Trump into an early debate to shake up the race. I give the win to Biden on that,” longtime GOP political hand MIKE MURPHY told Playbook. “The bottom line: Two guys in a studio with no audience is the hardest debate, and it’s the most revealing. That’s what Biden wants. And round one, he’s getting it.” BUT, BUT, BUT: While it may seem like Mr. Art of the Deal got played, we weren’t hearing much remorse from the Republicans we spoke with last night. Far from it. Trump’s team is projecting confidence and gloating that Biden actually fell into their trap. The former president has been a broken record, insisting he’ll debate Biden “anytime, anywhere, anyplace” and pressuring the president to accept.
| | A message from the Financial Services Forum: Local communities can't afford Basel III Endgame. Basel III Endgame's restrictive capital requirements would limit the availability of funds for local governments issuing municipal bonds, making it more challenging and costly for them to finance vital public projects and infrastructure improvements. | | | The agreement, Trump allies say, gives the former president a chance to try to showcase that the 81-year-old incumbent has lost a step — something they feel especially optimistic about given that it took five jump cuts to assemble Biden’s 13-second video challenging Trump to a debate. (“I mean, who needs 5 edits in 13 seconds? Maybe this was [STEVEN] SPIELBERG coming to the rescue,” one set of Trump campaign background points reads.) Indeed, while Biden’s operation insisted to reporters yesterday that they always knew they’d have to agree to debates somehow, few on Team Biden would have admitted this just a few weeks ago. Just yesterday, in fact, former Speaker NANCY PELOSI insisted she’d “never recommend” Biden share a stage with Trump. “I think they walked right into a buzzsaw,” a top Trump official told Playbook last night. “There was never an understanding that there were even going to be debates. … We got what we wanted: We got debates! Everything else is background noise.” Republicans also argue that Trump’s willingness to accept Biden’s terms so quickly projects confidence. They argue that it’s Biden who’s “afraid” — hence the push to not have RFK Jr. on the stage, to have mics cut off when answers go long and to allow only certain networks to host. “Biden is the one making all these demands trying to set this up as favorable as possible,” longtime MITCH McCONNELL adviser (and CNN commentator) SCOTT JENNINGS told us. “I think what Trump did [yesterday] reeked of confidence — and I think what Biden did … reeked of panic. … I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the New York Times launched polling on Monday — and we’ve got debates 48 hours later.” Of course, Trump is still pushing for yet more debates. A top campaign official told Playbook the former president is willing to say yes to just about anyone who wants to televise a debate — from Fox News to CBS to NBC. “We’re accepting everybody,” the person said. “Biden is going to be the one who says no.” Related reads: “Will the Debates Matter? The Media Doesn’t Care,” by Jack Shafer … “The Commission on Presidential Debates faces an uncertain future,” by AP’s Jonathan Cooper … “Why Biden ditched the debate commission,” by Eli Stokols, Lauren Egan and Ben Johansen in West Wing Playbook: “[I]t reflected a common desire by both campaigns to sharpen their contrasts of one another.” Good Thursday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza. LATEST FROM BRATISLAVA — “Slovakia’s prime minister is expected to survive assassination attempt, deputy says,” by AP’s Karel Janicek and Bela Szandelszky in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia: “A suspect was in custody, and an initial investigation found ‘a clear political motivation’ behind the assassination attempt, Interior Minister Matus SUTAJ ESTOK said as he briefed reporters alongside the defense minister.” STAR WARS — “Russia Launched Research Spacecraft for Antisatellite Nuclear Weapon Two Years Ago, U.S. Officials Say,” by WSJ’s Warren P. Strobel, Dustin Volz, Michael Gordon and Micah Maidenberg: “The satellite that was launched doesn’t carry a nuclear weapon. But U.S. officials say it is linked to a continuing Russian nuclear antisatellite program that has been a growing worry … in recent months.” BACK AT IT — “Cohen’s Cross-Examination to Continue as Trump Trial Enters Homestretch,” by NYT’s Michael Wilson
| | | | A message from the Financial Services Forum:   Taxpayers can't afford Basel III Endgame. | | | | | WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY | | On the Hill The House will meet at 10 a.m. to consider the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, the LEOSA Reform Act and the Police Our Border Act, with votes expected at 4 p.m. Minority Leader HAKEEM JEFFRIES will hold his weekly press conference at 3 p.m. The Senate is in. 3 things to watch …
- AG MERRICK GARLAND will find himself in the House GOP’s vise today, facing contempt citations from the Judiciary and Oversight committees over the DOJ’s refusal to hand over recordings of Biden’s interviews with special counsel ROBERT HUR. Expect Republicans to rail against what they say is a politically motivated decision to protect the president. And expect Democrats on the panels to spit right back that the only reason to want audio instead of a transcript is to put it into campaign ads — and to point out, as Jordain Carney reports this morning, that there is no double standard: The department is also refusing to hand information about Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) over to the Ethics Committee, necessitating a congressional subpoena.
- The erosion of governing norms on Capitol Hill can seem like a ratchet, always unwinding but never tightening back up. But Senate Judiciary Chair DICK DURBIN (D-Ill.) said he’s willing to entertain a discussion about restoring a significant minority-party right by potentially reinstating the “blue slip” process for circuit judge nominees. That would essentially give home-state senators a veto over appellate court nominations, as they had before the tradition was scrapped in 2017 by Durbin predecessor CHUCK GRASSLEY (R-Iowa). Expect lots more conversations about this.
- A statue of legendary evangelist BILLY GRAHAM will be officially added to the National Statuary Hall collection later this morning in the latest swap prompted by an overdue historical reassessment. North Carolina officials chose Graham to replace the state’s segregationist former Gov. CHARLES AYCOCK, and current Gov. ROY COOPER will join Speaker MIKE JOHNSON and delegation members for the 11 a.m. ceremony. Worth nothing: Later this year, another segregationist former governor will be replaced with a statue of JOHNNY CASH at Arkansas’ behest, providing a sort of yin-and-yang of the 20th-century South. More from the Charlotte Observer
At the White House Biden will receive the President’s Daily Brief in the morning. Later, he will meet with plaintiffs from the Brown v. Board of Education decision and their families at the White House. Press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE and STEPHEN BENJAMIN will brief at 1:30 p.m. VP KAMALA HARRIS will travel to Milwaukee, where she will participate in a moderated conversation with DL HUGHLEY as part of the Economic Opportunity Tour. In the afternoon, Harris will travel to Chicago, where she will participate in a campaign event before returning to D.C.
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As much as some Democrats may dislike it, they still need the vote of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.). | Stefan Jeremiah/AP Photo | WHAT ABOUT BOB? — Sen. BOB MENENDEZ (D-N.J.) is experiencing something of a strange identity crisis these days — splitting his time and energy between two very different settings, Ursula Perano, Burgess Everett and Mia McCarthy write this morning. In one arena, he’s a criminal defendant facing “grave bribery allegations and preparing to have his life’s intimate details spilled out in public — almost certainly ending his long career in Washington.” In the other, “he’s still a senior senator with nearly two decades of service … access to classified briefings and a front-row seat to private Democratic caucus meetings.” As much as some Dems may dislike it, they need his vote — “he’s essentially been a team player despite his ostracization, generally voting for Biden’s nominees and party legislation. Underscoring his point of leverage, there are probably some nominees Democrats can’t put on the Senate floor while Menendez is in court this month, given the party’s narrow 51-49 margin. And while some fellow Democrats maintain sympathy for their erstwhile friend, party leaders are maintaining a notable degree of neutrality.” Opening day: During the trial’s first day yesterday, an attorney for Menendez “detailed how the senator had no involvement in a wide-ranging bribery scheme, but laid blame for at least some of it on his wife,” Ry Rivard and Daniel Han write from New York. “But prosecutors say they have gold, cash and a luxury car that helps them show Menendez was involved in more than politics as usual — he was about ‘politics for profit.’ … “Menendez will face a series of daunting witnesses called by the government, including the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey and a former New Jersey state attorney general. But Menendez’s defense team said the prosecutors will be unable to prove their case and, in an aggressive move, asked for a mistrial shortly after prosecutors made those opening statements. A judge denied that motion, but it suggests Menendez’s attorneys are teeing the trial up for an appeal already.” More top reads:
- The House yesterday cleared the FAA reauthorization by a 387-26 vote, sending the biggest aviation bill in five years to Biden’s desk, Oriana Pawlyk writes. The bill “would inject $105 billion into the Federal Aviation Administration over five years and guide policy for everything from drones and air taxis to technology intended to help planes avoid runway collisions. It will also add five long-haul, round-trip flights a day to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, despite objections from D.C.-area lawmakers. However, it contains no significant provisions to clamp down on oversight of Boeing.”
AMERICA AND THE WORLD
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The Biden administration's Israel policy has lately been confounding even senior Democrats on the Hill. | Jamie Kelter Davis for POLITICO | POLICY PERPLEXITY — Add top-level Democrats to the list of those who have been flummoxed by the Biden administration’s Israel policy, Alex Ward, Joe Gould, Adam Cancryn and Jonathan Lemire write. “Last week’s halt on 3,500 bombs that were to be sent to Israel ahead of an invasion of Rafah was a singular decision, not reflective of some larger strategic shift toward the Middle Eastern ally, administration officials said. But the quiet congressional notification Tuesday night of a potential $1 billion arms sale to Israel that’s years from delivery confused lawmakers, including Democrats, who say the administration has a significant messaging problem.” “At the same time, while the White House says the bomb pause is a specific move for a narrow purpose, the Biden administration’s increasing criticism of Israel could create the impression that more arms restrictions are yet to come.” But, but, but: “Even White House officials privately acknowledge there have been gaps in communication. ‘There was a little bit of confusion last week about what exactly was paused,’ said one of them, who like two others was granted anonymity to detail sensitive internal dynamics.” Helpful link: “Confused about Biden’s Israel weapons policy? Here’s what you should know,” by Lara Seligman HOT ON CALLE OCHO — “US removes Cuba from list of countries not cooperating fully against terrorism,” Reuters
| | | | A message from the Financial Services Forum:   Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns about the proposal. | | | 2024 WATCH
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The book passage where South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem writes about shooting her family dog, Cricket, years ago was a shocking story to most ears — including Donald Trump’s. | Jeff Dean/AP Photo | DOG DAYS AREN’T OVER — South Dakota Gov. KRISTI NOEM’s book controversy is still hounding her. The passage where she writes about shooting her family dog, CRICKET, years ago was a shocking story to most ears — including Trump’s. The former president referenced the brouhaha during a fundraiser in Manhattan on Tuesday night, NBC’s Katherine Doyle, Matt Dixon and Jonathan Allen report. “Trump mused about Cricket’s fate in stem-winding remarks and described Noem as controversial, according to three sources who were in the room.” Noem was one of several Republicans who are reportedly under consideration to become Trump’s running mate, some of whom he mentioned by name. “‘What a week!’ Trump said when he got to Noem, adding, ‘The dog, the dog!’ ‘I’m really curious,’ Trump said, ‘about the dog.’ Trump riffed on Cricket’s story … before sounding a positive note as he returned to talk about longtime ally Noem and touted her steadfast support for him over the years. ‘She’s been there for us for a long time,’ Trump said. ‘She’s loyal, she’s great.’ One of the sources in the room said Trump was more bemused than critical about the dog controversy.” More top reads:
- With Trump’s continued polling lead over Biden, “big financiers on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are edging into his corner,” NYT’s Rob Copeland reports. “In many instances, it’s less that they’re enthusiastic about Mr. Trump — ‘I still hate the man,’ one hedge fund billionaire said — and more that they’re exasperated with the economic and immigration policies of President Biden. In other cases, the willingness to support a return of Mr. Trump reflects a growing dissatisfaction with what many big Wall Street donors see as the White House’s hardening stance against Israel in its war on Gaza.”
- BRANDON JOHNSON speaks: The Chicago mayor addresses growing anxieties over the Democratic National Convention in an interview with NBC’s Natasha Korecki: “Johnson, who just completed his first year in office, stressed that safety would come first but that law enforcement would also focus on de-escalation tactics and commit to giving activists room to peacefully protest.”
TRUMP CARDS TO THE LETTER — House Judiciary Chair JIM JORDAN (R-Ohio) is asking New York AG TISH JAMES’ office for documents related to the hiring of a lead prosecutor in Trump’s hush money trial, NBC’s Katherine Doyle reports. The letter sent by Jordan accuses MATTHEW COLANGELO, who is a former high-ranking official in James’ office, of “assisting in what he called Manhattan District Attorney ALVIN BRAGG’s ‘politicized prosecution’ as Trump stands trial in New York. In a letter sent Wednesday to James, Jordan said Colangelo has spent years fixated on prosecuting Trump since his time as chief counsel in the state attorney general’s office overseeing her lawsuits against the Trump administration.” RIDING HIGH (AGAIN) — “Trump Media Stock Rises Again, Adding Billions to Former President’s Stake,” by NYT’s Matthew Goldstein: “In classic meme-stock fashion, there have been no major developments at Trump Media to propel the shares higher of late.” MORE POLITICS FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — LARRY HOGAN’s GOP Maryland Senate campaign is rolling out a new ad today highlighting a handful of notable Democrats who have been complimentary of the former governor — including his now-opponent ANGELA ALSOBROOKS. “We have had a really wonderful working relationship with the governor and his administration,” Alsobrooks, the county executive for Prince George’s County, says in the clip. Other Democrats featured include Biden, Maryland Gov. WES MOORE, Sen. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN and Rep. DAVID TRONE. The spot tabs Hogan as a “true independent and bipartisan leader.” Watch the ad JUDICIARY SQUARE HUNTER’S GATHERER — HUNTER BIDEN is set to face his first trial in early June. But he may be kicking off the proceedings without his primary financial lifeline. “KEVIN MORRIS, a Hollywood entertainment lawyer who has long supported the president’s son, has told associates that he has run out of resources to help fund Biden’s legal defense,” Betsy Woodruff Swan and Brittany Gibson report. “‘The reason Kevin got involved financially in the first place was that he could see that no one was going to help Hunter,’ said the person. ‘Now, four and a half years later, there’s still no help — and now Kevin is completely tapped out. So just when Hunter is facing two criminal trials starting in a few weeks, he has no resources. It’s pretty dire.’ Reached for comment about this reporting, Morris confirmed the person’s account but declined to elaborate further.” ON THE MAP — The Supreme Court yesterday “temporarily revived a congressional map in Louisiana that includes a second majority-Black district, halting a lower court decision to pause the map over concerns that it was racially gerrymandered,” NYT’s Abbie VanSickle reports. “The move could increase Democrats’ likelihood of taking control of a second congressional seat in Louisiana. … The decision, which was unsigned, said that it would remain in effect pending an appeal or a decision by the Supreme Court.”
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Beyoncé gifted Kamala Harris tickets to her concert last summer. Michael Cohen and Rosie O’Donnell have formed an unlikely friendship. Jamie Raskin gave Dan Bishop a history lesson on Thomas Jefferson. IN MEMORIAM — “J. Gary Cooper, Pathbreaking Marine Leader, Is Dead at 87,” by NYT’s Trip Gabriel: “He was the first Black officer to lead a Marine Corps infantry company into combat. He later became an Alabama state lawmaker and an assistant secretary of the Air Force.” PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION — “The 26 best new restaurants in the D.C. area,” by WaPo’s Tom Sietsema FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — ABC News will debut a new documentary, titled “Print It Black,” on the Uvalde Leader News’ response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas and the fallout that hit the community amid the tragedy and the subsequent search for accountability. The documentary will premiere on May 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC News Live and Hulu. Watch the trailer OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute’s 19th annual Gala and Leadership Awards, where Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and Eduardo Arabu were honored: Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), John Duarte (R-Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Costa Rican Ambassador Catalina Crespo-Sanchez, Spanish Ambassador Ángeles Moreno Bau, Taiwanese Ambassador Alexander Yui, Emilia Conde Santana, Juan Carlos Iturregui, Jose Diaz-Balart and Mary Ann Gomez Orta. TAKING CHARGE — The RNC and Trump campaign announced the leadership team for the Republican National Convention’s Committee on the Platform: Former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Randy Evans will be executive director, Russ Vought will be policy director, and Ed Martin, president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles and the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, will be deputy policy director. SAYING SO LONG — Mike Kuiken is departing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office as national security adviser after more than seven years. Kuiken joined the Senate Armed Services Committee staff under the late Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) shortly after 9/11 and stayed on the committee staff with former Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.). Schumer paid tribute to Kuiken on the Senate floor earlier this month. TRANSITIONS — Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) is joining the Center for European Policy Analysis as a member of its International Leadership Council. … Damon Sidur is now comms director for Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) . He previously led comms for Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) and is a Bob Good alum. … … Aaron Weinberg is now senior foreign policy adviser to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). He is an Israel Policy Forum, DNC and Jan Schakowsky alum. … Catherine Fuchs is joining Blue Ridge Law & Policy as a principal. She most recently was policy director for Senate Banking ranking member Tim Scott (R-S.C.). … Sophia Nilanont is joining the American Heart Association as global advocacy portfolio lead. She previously was public affairs comms adviser at CVS Health. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) and Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) (7-0) … Tucker Carlson … Dan Coats … Minyon Moore … FTI Consulting’s Jeff Bechdel … Bobby Frederick … Elias Law Group’s Kate Keane … Andrew Mamo … PBS’ Sara Just … Bradley Bottoms … Emily Aden … Lyft’s Jodi Seth … JoDee Winterhof … former Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) … Jay Perron … Brookings’ Michael O’Hanlon … Jake Sticka … Andie Pivarunas … Marissa Lorenzetti of the Madison Group … Patrick Delaney … Olivia Kelley Delgado … CBS’ Rob Legare … Michael Wear … Adán Serna of Sen. Ben Ray Luján’s (D-N.M.) office … Christine Delargy … David Meadvin … Susan Ariel Aaronson 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.
| | A message from the Financial Services Forum: Basel III Endgame is an international rule intended to hold large banks to a common standard, but U.S. regulators want to greatly exceed the standard and the costs to our economy, while the UK, EU, and others are taking a much lighter approach. If not changed, American companies that rely on U.S. banks would be at a competitive disadvantage selling goods and services overseas.
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