| | | |  | | By Jack Blanchard with Dasha Burns | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray On today’s Playbook Podcast: Jack and Mia McCarthy discuss the chances of a funding deal on immigration before next Friday’s shutdown deadline. Good Thursday morning. This is Jack Blanchard, more than a little bleary-eyed after last night’s Washington Press Club Foundation congressional dinner. Read on for all the best jokes — and the latest on the Post. Get in touch. EXCLUSIVE — Democracy by Christmas? Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado sat down with Playbook’s Dasha Burns for this week’s episode of “The Conversation” — and said for the first time that she believes Venezuela could hold elections in less than a year. “We believe that a real transferring process with manual voting … could be done in nine to 10 months,” Machado said. “But, well, that depends when you start.” Machado said she hasn’t yet spoken to President Donald Trump about that process. But it’s a big deal. A clear timeline for Venezuelan elections has been a bipartisan ask from U.S. lawmakers ever since the stunning military operation to extract Nicolás Maduro, Playbook’s resident Venezuelan Ali Bianco writes in. Machado has previously remained mum on specifics, while carefully praising the Trump administration. Any prospect of elections this year would offer political relief for GOP lawmakers still wincing at Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela — not to mention for Venezuelans themselves, who remain in limbo under the leadership of Maduro sidekick Delcy Rodríguez. The White House has concerns about a descent into chaos — but Machado insists the nation is ready. “We have a legitimate leadership with huge popular support and our armed forces are also supportive of a transition to democracy,” Machado told Dasha. The full episode drops tomorrow. More from POLITICO’s Aaron Pellish … Subscribe on Apple or Spotify In today’s Playbook … — Why Trump’s immigration problem is only growing. — We got the scoop on Kamala’s latest comeback move. — Plus: The breakout congressional star at last night’s Washington Press Club dinner.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | THE ISSUE WE CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT: Trump will address the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning — and the elephant in the room will be immigration. Trump might be expected to highlight the Don Lemon case in Minnesota as the latest example of his administration fighting proudly — as they see it — for the freedom of the Christian faith. “Under President Trump’s leadership and this administration you have the right to worship freely and safely,” AG Pam Bondi told Americans last week. “If you violate that sacred right, we are coming after you.” The problem for Trump is that a very long line of faith leaders have — just like Lemon — heavily criticized his immigration clampdown, both in Minnesota and elsewhere. Pope Leo XIV has warned of “the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States.” Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has spoken of “the current climate of fear and polarization.” Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez yesterday was “praying for immigrants in our country” and calling on God to “awaken, again, the conscience of Americans.” Coupled with the concerns of some within the anti-abortion movement that Trump may not have their corner in quite the way Republicans traditionally have, it makes a more awkward backdrop to today’s prayer breakfast than usual — though Trump, of course, will simply barrel through in his own inimitable style. AND THE ISSUE AIN’T GOING AWAY: With the next DHS funding deadline now little more than a week away, Democratic leaders on the Hill last night issued 10 formal demands for reforms to ICE activities that they want implemented as part of any funding deal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will be discussing the wishlist on “Morning Joe” at 8 a.m. Frankly, it appears to be a stretch. The demands are more detailed and potentially far-reaching than previous wishlists, and were rejected out of hand last night by GOP appropriator Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). “Democrats’ newest proposal is a ridiculous Christmas list of demands for the press,” she wrote on X. “This is NOT negotiating in good faith.” Another partial shutdown next Friday night looks the likeliest outcome, although it’s worth remembering (as we saw last week) that things can suddenly move fast when the president decides to get involved. And we did hear a rare admission of error from Trump yesterday, telling NBC that “maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch” on immigration enforcement. The problem is: Dems are far from satisfied. Yesterday’s decision to withdraw 700 of the 3,000 enforcement agents in Minnesota has not placated Trump’s critics locally, POLITICO’s Myah Ward reports. “Now we only have 2,300 aggressive, brutal, cosplaying soldiers bursting into people’s homes, brutalizing people on the streets, killing citizens, creating mayhem and chaos,” says Minnesota state Sen. Scott Dibble, a member of the Democratic-Farm-Labor Party. “Words mean nothing. We have the evidence.”
| | | | A message from AHIP: 35 Million Seniors Could See Reduced Benefits and Higher Costs. Health plans welcome reforms to strengthen Medicare Advantage. However, a proposal for flat program funding at a time of sharply rising medical costs and high utilization of care will directly impact seniors' coverage. If finalized, this proposal could result in benefit reductions and higher costs for 35 million seniors and people with disabilities when they renew their Medicare Advantage coverage in October 2026. Learn more. | | | | AND IT’S NOT JUST DEMS: Playbook’s Ali Bianco spoke with moderate Latino Republicans from Hispanic-heavy districts where immigration is front and center — and in areas where Latino voters will be critical in the GOP's efforts to hold the House, Republican members of Congress are sounding the alarm. “Hispanics are very upset,” Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) told Playbook. (The polls bear this out — Latino voters have increasingly soured on Trump’s immigration agenda.) Republicans can “no doubt” win them back, Salazar said, but there has to be a willingness to bend on immigration. “I've been telling the administration that what they were doing was beyond what the people voted for,” fellow Miami-Cuban Republican Rep. Carlos Giménez told Playbook. No more patches: Salazar’s “Dignity Act” — a rare bipartisan effort on immigration, co-led by Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) — has been formulated and reworked over the last five years, with little progress. Salazar insists there’s an appetite among her GOP colleagues for a broader solution beyond the “patches” offered by reforms to the DHS appropriations bill. “I talk to my GOP colleagues all the time, and they all agree that we’ve got to do something, that the GOP is at the helm right now,” Salazar said. SIGN OF THE TIMES: Hispanic anger at immigration tactics is one thing. But how about a pro-wrestling crowd chanting “F--- ICE”? We saw exactly that in Vegas last night, when All Elite Wrestling legend Brody King took to the stage for his title matchup with MJF — just watch the clip. King is from LA and famously wore an “Abolish ICE” T-shirt during the clampdown in his hometown last summer — meaning he’s associated with the protests in the way few other sports stars are.
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| | | | EPSTEIN WATCH KARP DIEM: Last Friday’s massive Epstein files dump spurred a major shakeup in the world of law last night. “Brad Karp, the leader of Paul Weiss, one of the country’s biggest law firms, resigned as chair in the wake of new revelations about his association” with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the WSJ reports. “In a statement, Karp said: ‘Leading Paul Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honor of my professional life. Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.’” Karp also made headlines last year over the controversial deal he cut with Trump after his firm was targeted by the White House. ACCOUNTABILITY WATCH: The news of Karp’s exit comes as a national leader is also under intensified scrutiny and apparently on the brink of losing their job over the files’ release: British PM Keir Starmer is in all sorts of trouble over his decision to appoint U.K. Labour Party grandee Peter Mandelson as his ambassador to Washington last year. Mandelson was fired in September when details of his ongoing close relations with Epstein began to emerge — but last Friday’s document dump has raised fresh questions about Starmer’s decision to give him the job. An inquiry is now underway — and the Fleet Street headlines are brutal for the PM. Reminder: The U.K. is already on its sixth PM in 10 years. GARCIA’S OVERSIGHT AGENDA: Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, is not done pushing for accountability, he tells POLITICO’s Ankush Khardori in a new Q&A out this morning. “This is the most corrupt president to ever serve in the history of our country,” he warns. “Taking on corruption, and affordability, are going to be the two key areas that Oversight is going to be working on.”
| | | | POLITICO Governors Summit Join POLITICO's annual Governors Summit, held alongside the National Governors Association’s Winter Meeting, for a series of forward-looking conversations with governors from across the country about how state leaders are setting the agenda for America’s next chapter. Hear from Gov. Wes Moore (D), Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), and more. Register Now. | | | | | TRAIL MIX FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — She’s … running? Former VP Kamala Harris is resuscitating and rebranding her 2024 campaign social media accounts, KamalaHQ, as she takes her next steps back into the national spotlight, POLITICO's Elena Schneider scoops. Harris is joining forces with People For the American Way, a progressive nonprofit, to relaunch the social platforms as "Headquarters," which will mobilize and organize young people, per a memo announcing the revival. Headquarters will also expand to other platforms, like YouTube and Substack. Harris promises supporters in a video accompanying the rebrand that she'll “see you out there.” The relaunch comes as Harris continues on her book tour and lands as Democrats reckon with how far they remain behind Republicans in building out their online media ecosystem. “Republicans have lapped Democrats on the digital media front; they were building up their infrastructure while the left was satisfied with MSNBC hits,” Brian Tyler Cohen, a progressive influencer, said of the rebrand. “That’s why we need every tool we have at our disposal now.” Harris will serve as the “chair emerita” of Headquarters, and a handful of Harris campaign alums will advise the effort, including top campaign hand Rob Flaherty, and Parker Butler and Lauren Knapp, who managed KamalaHQ in 2024. Arlie Shugar, another KamalaHQ alum, will be the director of platforms for the accounts. A teaser video posted last night stirred up buzz among the #KHive, and among careful 2028 watchers. HAPPENING TODAY: Nearly a dozen Democrats are facing off in a special primary election to succeed Gov. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th District, POLITICO’s New Jersey ace Madison Fernandez writes in. Those headlining the crowded field include former Rep. Tom Malinowski, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, former Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way and progressive activist Analilia Mejia. The breakdown: This a blue-leaning seat, meaning the primary winner is highly likely to be joining Congress come the April special election. And (surprise, surprise) immigration has emerged as a top issue — one that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is betting can topple Malinowski. As a former congressman, he benefits from high name ID, but is being targeted for backing a bipartisan DHS funding bill in 2019. Machine politics also hover over the race. Gill has the support of former Gov. Phil Murphy, whose campaign he managed in 2017. Way has benefitted from hefty spending from outside groups. And Mejia has received endorsements from high-profile progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), plus Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Polls close at 8 p.m., and the victor will face off against local Republican Joe Hathaway — who ran uncontested — on April 16. SCOOP — Susan does the Super Bowl: Top conservative group One Nation is launching a new ad in an eight-figure campaign to boost Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) during the Super Bowl, one of the GOP’s biggest must-win Senate races, Ali reports. The ad buy — which will also air during the Winter Olympics — promotes Collins’ efforts to protect the state’s emergency responders. The big-ticket race is among Democrats’ top targets this year. Watch the ad BLUE’S GREEN: The Democratic fundraising titan ActBlue is announcing $1.78 billion raised across its platform in 2025, an odd-year record that’s up 40 percent from 2021 totals, POLITICO’s Jessica Piper writes in. It’s a positive sign for Democratic fundraising momentum heading into the midterms. WAITING FOR SCOTUS: “Both parties brace for dramatic campaign fundraising change ahead of the midterms,” by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider and Andrew Howard: A pending Supreme Court decision “could open the floodgates to even more campaign ads from the national parties and extend the timeline of campaign advertising much earlier into the summer. That would give the parties greater power in making their case directly to voters ahead of the 2026 midterms and potentially play to Republicans’ benefit in this year’s elections.”
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| | | | BEST OF THE REST FOR YOUR RADAR: “FBI chief ready to head to Tucson as Trump pledges help to find Guthrie's mom,” by Axios’ Marc Caputo and Rebecca Falconer: “FBI Director Kash Patel is planning a trip to Tucson, Arizona, as President Trump deploys federal resources to find ‘Today’ show co-host Savannah Guthrie's mother … Trump said on Truth Social he'd spoken with Guthrie, whose mother went missing from her home outside Tucson over the weekend in what law enforcement called ‘suspicious’ circumstances.” IRAN TALKS ARE ON: After a frantic back-and-forth, Iranian and U.S. officials confirmed they will meet tomorrow in Oman for the first in-person negotiations since the tensions between the two countries escalated. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, NYT’s Farnaz Fassihi reports. SPEAKING OF PEACE TALKS: A Ukrainian delegation is in Abu Dhabi today for a second day of U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with Russia. But don’t mention “Article 5” is the message European allies have been relaying to U.S. officials, POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi and Paul McLeary scoop. “The Jan. 20 cable hints at worries in some corners over the labels used during peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.” WHY GEN Z HATES POLITICS: Future Caucus is releasing “The Exit Interview,” a study of dozens of Gen Z and millennial state legislators across the country who are actively questioning whether to remain in public service, POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman writes in. The report, out this morning, finds the number one concern is political violence — followed by the cost of living, due to low legislative pay and child care barriers. Read the full report IN CASE YOU FORGOT: “Negotiators Say Talks to Restore ACA Subsidies Likely Dead,” by WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes and Anvee Bhutani: “Talks had centered on a proposal from Sens. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio) and Susan Collins (R., Maine) to extend a version of the enlarged Affordable Care Act subsidies … But lawmakers from both parties now say the chances of a deal have all but evaporated.”
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➡️ Subscribe Now | | | | | | | TALK OF THE TOWN | | POUR ONE OUT FOR THE POST — At what, on any other Wednesday night, would have been trivia night at the Crown and Crow in Logan Circle, the Victorian-esque bar was swarmed with Washington Post staffers — both those who were laid off and the survivors — pouring one out for the sweeping cuts that the paper saw yesterday. Hundreds flocked to the underground bar, just a few blocks north of the Post’s iconic building on K Street, for a communal un-happy hour under tiny disco balls around the 19th-century decor. The Posties racked up quite a tab — but the Post’s Annah Aschbrenner also racked up quite a few donations online to help cover it. She posted a callout earlier in the day for anyone who wanted to “buy some beers or food” for those impacted. Damage control: Executive editor Matt Murray made the media rounds yesterday afternoon after the brutal backlash that tore through social media as the cuts were announced. He defended WaPo’s owner, Jeff Bezos, telling CNN’s Brian Stelter that the Amazon founder “wants the Post to be a bigger, relevant, thriving institution.” He also stood by publisher Will Lewis in an interview with Fox News’ Brian Flood and Joseph Wulfsohn. Asked about Lewis’ lack of presence in announcing the cuts, Murray said: “He had a lot of things to tend to today.” PELOSI WADES IN — Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last night added her voice to the chorus of condemnation over the slashings at the Post. Speaking at the Washington Press Club Foundation’s 80th Annual Congressional Dinner, Pelosi said the layoffs were “part of a broader reprehensible pattern in which corporate decisions are hollowing out newsrooms across the country.” And she added: “A free press cannot fulfill its mission if it is starved of the resources it needs to survive. And when newsrooms are weakened, our republic is weakened with them.” The annual dinner, at the Waldorf Astoria, saw USA Today’s Susan Page recognized with a lifetime achievement award for her decades of work in D.C. Other speakers included Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), who joked of the former Trump International Hotel: “Can you believe this place once had the name ‘Trump’ on it? … Which is also what they will say about the Kennedy Center in two years, 11 months and 17 days.” But the breakout star was Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), who savored every moment of her 15-minute roast of pretty much everyone in the room (yes, including POLITICO). There were age jokes thrown at Joe Biden, and at Pelosi herself. (“Speaker, you mentioned that today is the day George Washington was elected president in 1789,” Cammack told Pelosi. “I was so impressed that you knew that … and then I remembered you knew that because you were there.”) Other Democratic legends were in the firing line too. Referring to Trump’s USA 250 plans, Cammack quipped: “The first ever UFC fight on the White House lawn! That is going to be exciting. There hasn’t been that much swinging in the White House since the Clintons were in office.” But not everything quite landed. There were sharp intakes of breath when she hailed her close friend Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) — who'd just introduced her on stage — for essentially working two jobs concurrently, as both Florida congressman and wannabe governor. “You sir are single-handedly bringing down the unemployment rate in African-American communities,” she grinned at him; then, to the audience: “Oh stop it. It’s fine! He laughed!” Memorably, she spoke with pride of becoming a mom while a member of Congress. “It absolutely changes you,” Cammack said. “Though not nearly as much as it changed Mike Johnson when he walked in on me breastfeeding … The man still can’t look me in the eye.” In the end, she thanked the crowd. “You’ve been great sports,” she said. “You've been most welcoming to Republicans, which is unusual for us — almost as welcoming as Mike Waltz in his Signal chat.” It was quite a performance. PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION — “House passes measure to force DC’s hand on tax cuts,” by POLITICO’s Bernie Becker: “The House passed a bill on party lines Wednesday that would force Washington to implement all of last year’s Republican tax cuts. Congressional Republicans are moving quickly to block a D.C. budget law, passed late last year, that tossed aside more than a dozen tax provisions from last year’s GOP megabill.” OUT AND ABOUT — Adrienne Arsht celebrated her birthday last night at the filming of the show “Movin’ on Broadway,” to be shown on PBS. SPOTTED: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Saudi Ambassador Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar, Ilan Goldfajn, Capricia Penavic Marshall, Anthony Fauci, Andrea Mitchell, Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng, Kuwait Ambassador Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Lloyd and Ann Hand, Doug Lute, Kellyanne Conway, Francis Collins and Diane Baker and Erika Ender. — The British Embassy hosted a reception for tech and policy leaders following global tech trade association ITI's premier annual event, “The Intersect: A Tech + Policy Summit,” where newly appointed British Ambassador Christian Turner welcomed guests. SPOTTED: Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Helena Fu, Lucy Cronin, Jason Oxman, Michael Kennedy, Drew Bagley, Mark Hickman and Tracy Owens. TRANSITIONS — Alicia Bissonnette is now director of health advocacy at the Bipartisan Policy Center Action. She previously worked for Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and is a Kim Schrier alum. … Eric Shepard is now a director at FGS Global. He most recently worked for the House Rules Committee, and is a Rick Allen alum. … Teresa Kosmidis is now a partner for McDermott Will & Schulte’s transactions practice group. She previously worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. … … Matt Herrick is joining the International Bottled Water Association as president and CEO. He previously was at the International Dairy Foods Association. … Dustin “Dusty” Brighton is joining the 51 Group. He previously was at the Arkansas Gas Association. … Michael Herald is now deputy press secretary for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). He previously worked for Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.). ENGAGED — Andrew Meehan, founder of security and aviation consulting firm Paragon Insights and a DHS alum, on Jan. 19 proposed to Eileen Montan, director of finance at Crispin. He proposed at sunrise on the Big Island of Hawaii after a short morning hike, followed by coffee overlooking the ocean. The couple met last March in New York outside EJ’s Luncheonette on the Upper East Side. Pic … Another pic WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Josh Siegel, energy reporter at POLITICO, and Florianne Siegel, an ICU nurse at Inova Fairfax, welcomed their son, Isaac, on Tuesday. Pic … Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Playbook’s own Ali Bianco … Jaime Harrison … former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm … POLITICO’s Glen Mazza … Business Roundtable’s Michael Steel … Drew Godinich … Vinoda Basnayake ... Kristina Baum … Sarabeth Berman … Armstrong Williams … NRCC’s Jillian Davidson … Bret Jacobson … Leadership Institute’s Matthew Hurtt … Trevor Kincaid … NASA’s Susan Nelson … Sara Aviel ... Daniel Hoff … Ryan Velasco … Margaret Franklin … Omarosa Manigault Newman … CAA’s Ali Spiesman ... Lisa Kohnke Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us on Signal here. Playbook couldn’t happen without our deputy editor Garrett Ross. Corrections: Yesterday’s Playbook misstated the committee on which the 11 Democrats sit who said they support Sen. Thom Tillis’ (R-N.C.) position that Kevin Warsh’s nomination should not advance while an investigation hangs over Jerome Powell. It is the Senate Banking Committee. It also incorrectly included Zachary Mitchiner in the list of birthdays.
| | | | A message from AHIP: 35 Million Seniors Could See Reduced Benefits and Higher Costs
Health plans welcome reforms to strengthen Medicare Advantage. However, a proposal for flat program funding at a time of sharply rising medical costs and high utilization of care will directly impact seniors' coverage. If finalized, this proposal could result in benefit reductions and higher costs for 35 million seniors and people with disabilities when they renew their Medicare Advantage coverage in October 2026. Learn more. | | | | | | | | Follow us on X | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Canada Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | |
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