Current Affairs Of Pakistan & World: Why all eyes are on Rubio today

Why all eyes are on Rubio today

May 07, 2026

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With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray

Good Thursday morning. This is Jack Blanchard. Get in touch.

In today’s Playbook …

— Why everything Marco Rubio does matters for 2028.

— Donald Trump welcomes a leader who called the Iran war “madness.”

— The Boldfaces: Pope Leo XIV, JD Vance, Mark Kelly, Pete Hegseth, Mike Johnson, Graham Platner, Kash Patel, Louise Lucas, Terry McAuliffe, Rudy Giuliani and more.

DRIVING THE DAY

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Marco Rubio headed into his audience with Pope Leo XIV this morning knowing that White House-Vatican relations have never been this bad.

History-maker: For a U.S. president “to engage in open dispute or argument with a Pope is unprecedented,” historian Gary Scott Smith, author of “Religion in the Oval Office: The Religious Lives of American Presidents,” tells Playbook. “Generally speaking, presidents have tried to maintain cordial relations with all religious communities.”

And here’s why: Polling this week via WaPo found broad disapproval among the American public, both of Trump’s attacks on Leo and of the “Jesus meme” he posted on Truth Social last month. Supporters insist Trump’s diplomatic rifts and social media controversies are baked-in with voters, but the White House was concerned enough to delete the “Jesus” post after 12 hours — and, now, to dispatch Rubio to the Vatican for talks.

Cometh the hour: Rubio is a fascinating character to be handed the mop-up job. The secretary of State is a devout Catholic, but his religious journey is an unusual one and became the subject of much scrutiny during his failed presidential run in 2016. (POLITICO described it as “Catholicism to Mormonism back to Catholicism to a Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated evangelical megachurch and finally back to Catholicism.”) He’s always worn it with pride, however, posting religious messages on social media and peppering speeches with references to his Christianity.

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Fast-forward a decade, and Rubio’s every act is again being seen through the prism of a presidential bid. As POLITICO’s Sophia Cai and Diana Nerozzi reported last month, his stock among Trump’s allies is rising fast. And at his debut appearance in the White House briefing room on Tuesday, Rubio not only charmed the press corps and answered every question without a slip — but he also delivered a 50-second answer to the Christian Broadcasting Network about his vision of America that’s already going viral.

Doing the numbers: This single X clip of Rubio’s answer to CBN has been viewed more than 5.5 million times since Tuesday, boosted by MAGA world big-hitters like Dan Bongino and Alex Bruesewitz. Team Rubio’s subsequent decision to clip it up themselves — adding in a stirring soundtrack and patriotic imagery — landed another 3 million views and already feels like a 2028 marker.

These conversations are the backdrop for every high-profile trip abroad that Rubio makes. And watching closely will be VP JD Vance, widely seen — and indeed touted by Trump — as Rubio’s main rival for the 2028 nomination. (Rubio insists he would support Vance if he runs.) The two men had an audience with the pope last year and Vance has long leaned into his Catholic faith. Expect a flurry of VP interviews on the subject next month with the release of his new book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.”

Nothing to see here: Rubio’s tried to play today’s papal visit down, insisting he’s not in Rome to smooth things over. “It’s a trip we had planned from before,” he said on Tuesday, noting it’s not uncommon for a secretary of State to meet a pope. Key items to discuss, Rubio said, will be religious freedom overseas and humanitarian aid. But the Vatican is being very open about what’s atop the agenda. “This visit was born out of a crisis, and is designed to manage its fallout,” senior Vatican official and Jesuit priest Antonio Spadaro told POLITICO’s Hannah Roberts in Rome.

Helpfully for Rubio, he’s spent the past 15 months flying around the world trying to patch up relationships Trump torched. And a person familiar with the thinking in Rome told POLITICO’s Megan Messerly they’re confident today would go well. The “relationship is strong,” the person said, insisting Trump’s Truth Social attacks were “not defining.” The Vatican views Trump’s abrasive comments as a “unique method of negotiating,” they added.

But but but: Trump is well capable of quickly undercutting Rubio’s efforts — just as he did Tuesday, suddenly pausing “Operation Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz shortly after Rubio sold it to the media. Rubio will be well aware any good work today could be undone by a Truth Social post.

On today’s Playbook Podcast: Jack and Dasha discuss Rubio’s prospects for 2028, and why the redistricting story will be with us for many years to come.

A message from The Alzheimer's Association:

A simple blood test can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear, enabling significantly more effective treatment. Medicare can cover it with the ASAP Act.

THE DOWNLOAD

A TOUGH BRAZIL NUT TO CRACK: Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House, where they'll seek progress on tariffs and organized crime despite some strained history. The confab kicks off at 11 a.m. — and the press will join.

It’s a rare face-to-face between Trump and a world leader who’s criticized his handling of the Iran war. U.S.-Iran talks over a new memorandum of understanding raised growing optimism about a deal to end the war. But progress looks uncertain. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi and Eli Stokols report the egos of both countries’ leaders could be a hurdle: Trump may have to refrain from insults so Iran can swallow a deal that weakens them.

JUDICIARY SQUARE: Two high-profile federal cases — and flashpoints in the weaponization debate — head to court today. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) vs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth goes to appellate judges in D.C. at 9:30 a.m., while the arraignment in the Southern Poverty Law Center case is slated for 1 p.m. in Alabama.

WHO’S NEXT? The ever-widening circle of gerrymanders will expand again as Tennessee’s legislature eyes a vote on a new map as soon as today. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves told the Daily Caller’s Amber Duke the door isn’t closed on a GOP redraw. And Trump’s successful revenge campaign in Indiana has plenty of Southern Republicans scared straight, POLITICO’s Alec Hernandez and colleagues report, with South Carolina the most immediate target.

The Florida GOP gerrymander yielded a host of House race ratings changes from Sabato’s Crystal Ball, which also shifted eight other districts around the country toward Democrats.

FOR YOUR RADAR: Speaker Mike Johnson and HUD Secretary Scott Turner will speak at a National Day of Prayer service at 8 a.m.

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THE FRONT PAGE

ICE CAPS: Who might replace Todd Lyons atop the immigration enforcement agency? POLITICO’s Eric Bazail-Eimil and Myah Ward run down four top contenders: high-profile deportation leader Marcos Charles, contracting head and Tom Homan ally David Venturella, Stephen Miller deputy Tony Salisbury and former acting ICE Director Mark Morgan.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Graham Platner is on to the general election. His campaign is going up today with his first TV ad since Maine Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the race for GOP Sen. Susan Collins’ seat, POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky scoops. “Symbolic opposition doesn’t reopen hospitals,” Platner says in the 60-second spot. “Weak condemnations don’t bring back Roe v. Wade. And selling out the same working-class voters who’ve delivered mandate for change after mandate for change is not forgivable.” Watch the ad

WATER UNDER THE BLOCKCHAIN: Back when he was a senator, Sherrod Brown fought cryptocurrency, and the deep-pocketed industry helped oust him two years ago. Now he’s back, Fairshake is bigger than ever — and the Ohio Democrat has dialed back his criticism, perhaps hoping to be spared this time, POLITICO’s Jasper Goodman reports.

SAVE IT: The POLITICO Poll finds Americans aren’t sure how to feel about Republicans’ SAVE America Act, per Erin Doherty. Thirty-seven percent of the country supports the elections overhaul, 21 percent oppose it and 42 percent are uncertain. Barely half of Americans back voter ID/proof of citizenship requirements to vote.

A message from The Alzheimer's Association:

This is a mammogram moment for Alzheimer’s. Congress must pass the ASAP Act.

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. DEMOCRACY WATCH: Trump’s efforts to turn up mass election fraud got a boost after a federal judge rejected Fulton County, Georgia’s attempt to take back its 2020 ballots seized by the FBI, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Caleb Groves. The ruling allows DOJ to move forward investigating Georgia’s 2020 results.

2. HEADING FOR SCOTUS? A panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals shot down ICE’s mandatory mass detention policy, per POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney. For those keeping track, that makes two circuit courts that upheld the policy, two that rejected it and one that deadlocked.

3. KASH MONEY: The Atlantic’s Sarah Fitzpatrick appears unbowed by FBI Director Kash Patel suing and reportedly investigating her, publishing another story reporting Patel repeatedly gave out gifts of personally branded bourbon. The FBI responded that such gifts are normal at the bureau and Patel followed all ethical rules.

4. QUITE A DAY AT DOJ: On top of everything above, DOJ unsettled Virginia politics with its Louise Lucas raid … kicked off an investigation of Fairfax County’s top prosecutor … sued Colorado over its large-capacity gun magazine ban … and promised to step up denaturalizations of immigrant citizens. Meanwhile, NYT’s Glenn Thrush revealed that Jack Smith recently accused Trump loyalists of having “corrupted” the department.

5. BET ON IT: CFTC Chair Mike Selig, who’s already tried to stop several states from regulating prediction markets, now has his eye on legislation advancing in Minnesota and elsewhere, Semafor’s Eleanor Mueller scooped. (Selig memed his response to the story.) Keep an eye on appellate court rulings to see if this jurisdictional clash ends up at SCOTUS.

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TALK OF THE TOWN

MACKER BACKER — Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe called Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas, his former campaign co-chair, at the Ned last night to say he’s “got her back,” people who overheard the conversation told POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman.

BILL OF HEALTH, PART I — Rudy Giuliani, fighting pneumonia in the hospital but now out of intensive care, is applying to have his care covered by the World Trade Center Health Program, NYT’s Joseph Goldstein and Jonah Bromwich report.

BILL OF HEALTH, PART II — Sen. Susan Collins revealed to News Center Maine’s Phil Hirschkorn that she’s had a benign essential tremor for her whole Senate tenure. Collins said the condition has no impact on her job.

NOTHING SAYS ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA’ LIKE — “US aims for Fourth of July to deploy Qatar-gifted jet as Air Force One,” by Reuters’ Mike Stone: “[T]here were efforts to possibly deliver the jet three weeks earlier to align with Trump’s birthday on June 14, ⁠ahead of the July 4 deadline. The Qatari gift has drawn criticism from Democrats and advocates of good government.”

THE GOOD FIGHT — “Trump gives first look at UFC 250 arena planned for White House lawn,” by the Washington Examiner’s Christian Datoc

OUT AND ABOUT — Nvidia’s Howard Wright hosted a kick-off reception last night ahead of the Special Competitive Studies Project’s AI+ Expo, sitting down with StudyFetch’s Josh Leggett and Aigen’s Kenny Lee to talk about emerging AI innovations like chemical-free robot weedkillers. SPOTTED: Ned Finkle, Adnan Abdillahi, Amedeo Ercole, Andrew Orlebeke, Will Koffel, James Lim, Zack MacFarland, Casey Sacks, Darin Miller, Ethan Tiao, Ethan Yang, Niharika Acharya, Jacob Sheets, Jason Achonu, Joe Webster, Joseph Coniglio, Jörn Fleck, Justin Robinson, Laura Truncellito, Mary Huang, Michael Mobaraki, Michael Panfil, Nate Fosbenner, David Shahoulian, Sarah Weinstein, Charlie Andrews, Angela Krasnick, Noah Jaffe, Olga Khakova, Rebecca Kendall, Sam Whitaker, Satu Vasamo-Koskinen, Thomas Rigali, Tom Brandt, Will Burns, William Brown, Gunnar Gillespie, Abigail Ashcraft, Faiza Khan and Sophie Goguichvili.

MEDIA MOVES — NOTUS (er, The Star) is announcing its first batch of hires for a local news reporting team: Martin Austermuhle, Michael Brice-Saddler, Shamira Muhammad and Zara Norman as D.C. reporters, Jeff Dooley as editor for local news and sports, and Tom Sietsema as food correspondent. … Lauren Villagran is joining The Marshall Project to cover immigration. She previously worked at USA Today.

TRANSITIONS — Alex Rosenwald is now VP at Rational 360 on the conservative media relations and earned media team. He previously worked at DCI Group. … Erik Rettig has been named director of policy and government relations at Rain, a stablecoin startup that has just opened a D.C. office. He most recently worked for Intuit’s QuickBooks business. … Katie Boyd is joining HBS as principal in its public affairs practice. She most recently worked at CGCN Group and is a Roy Blunt alum.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) … Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade and Amanda Macias … OpenAI’s Mark Murray … Keith Stern … John Scofield of S-3 Group … Colm O’Comartun of 50 State … Nickie Currie of Amgen … Christian Schaeffer … POLITICO’s Jeremy Bowers … Jim Steinberg … former Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) … Andrea Purse … 4C Communication Strategies’ Chris Kennedy ... Brad Wolters … former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert … Noelle Huizenga … Bloomberg’s Magan Crane … The 19th’s Grace Panetta … Miranda Peterson

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A message from The Alzheimer's Association:

The ASAP Act is a “mammogram moment” for Alzheimer’s — an opportunity to make early detection the standard of care. When Congress enabled Medicare coverage for routine mammograms, screening rates soared and breast cancer deaths dropped significantly. That early investment led to earlier detection, better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Congress can deliver this same breakthrough for those with Alzheimer’s through the bipartisan ASAP Act, which would allow Medicare to cover a simple blood test to detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear. Until Congress acts, Medicare cannot cover dementia screening tests. But fewer than 10% of people receive a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment when today’s FDA-approved treatments are significantly more effective. Expanding access to blood-based screening will help more patients receive an early diagnosis, and the opportunity for earlier, more effective treatment. Congress must support the ASAP Act and appropriate Alzheimer’s care.