MAINSTREAM MEDIA....?

 

Friends,

The mainstream media doesn’t seem to want to talk about this, but it’s important that America and the world face what seems increasingly clear: Vladimir Putin’s best friend in the world — the person prepared to allow Putin to mount additional wars of aggression in Europe — is the leading Republican contender for president of the United States, Donald Trump.

On Saturday, during a rally at Coastal Carolina University, Trump ramped up his attacks on NATO, claiming he suggested to a European leader that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to member countries he views as not spending enough on their own defense:

“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?. I said, ‘You didn’t pay. You’re delinquent.’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”

Trump’s comment puts into context his strong opposition to providing more aid for Ukraine, and why Republican lawmakers are now backing off such funding.

It’s a giant turnabout for the Republican Party. Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, only 11 Senate Republicans voted against providing aid to Ukraine. This past Thursday, 31 Senate Republicans voted against it. (It’s unclear whether House Republicans will even permit a vote on the package.)

Trump is also promising that if reelected president, he’ll resolve Putin’s war against Ukraine within 24 hours. Putin says he “cannot help but feel happy about” Trump’s promise. Of course Putin is happy. Trump has indicated he’d trade away Ukrainian territory,

Trump, in turn, is pleased by Putin’s happy response. “I got along with Putin. Let me tell you, I got along with him really well,” Trump said. “And that’s a good thing, not a bad thing.”

It’s a love affair made in hell: a vicious Russian dictator who detests democracy and a would-be American dictator who detests democracy. And the logic is inescapable: Putin rules Trump, and Trump rules the Republican Party; hence, Putin rules the Republican Party.

When Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Trump praised Putin as “a guy who is very savvy,” and Trump characterized the invasion of Ukraine as “genius.”

Trump continues to cozy up to the Russian dictator. In a recent campaign speech, Trump even quoted Putin saying that the legal case against Trump “shows the rottenness of the American political system.” That Trump can get away with this, without anyone pointing out the rottenness of Russia’s political system under Putin, is evidence of how Putin’s and Trump’s anti-democracy movement has been normalized in America.

And it clearly is an anti-democracy movement — Putin and Trump against the major democracies of the West, including America. Last month, it was reported that during a private meeting in 2020, Trump went further then he did Saturday night. He told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that “if Europe is under attack we will never come to help you and to support you. NATO is dead.”

What is Trump getting out of this? For years, Russia has been pumping disinformation into American social media and by all accounts continues to do so. I feel confident in saying that Russia is not doing it in support of Joe Biden.

While we’re at it, let’s not forget Trump’s and Putin’s favorite media mouthpiece, Tucker Carlson — the darling of America’s anti-democracy movement.

In Carlson’s video explaining his decision to interview Putin last week, Carlson asserted that Putin has been “misunderstood” and that Americans and other English-speaking people are unaware of what’s really happening regarding the war in Ukraine. “No one has told them the truth,” Carlson said. The English-speaking “outlets are corrupt. They lie to their readers and viewers.”

Putin’s purpose in doing the interview was to get the West to make a favorable deal to end the war — a deal exactly like the one Trump and Carlson have been touting: Cement Russia’s control of the Ukrainian territory it has already captured and put a more Russia-friendly government in Kyiv.

I’m old enough to remember when the Republican Party and its spokesmen were intensely anti-communist, anti-Soviet, and anti-Russian. I remember Republican lawmakers blaming Democrats for allowing Russia to occupy and then defeat the revolution in Hungary, in 1956. I remember Republican lawmakers outraged about Russia’s invasion of Czechoslovakia to crack down on reformist trends in Prague, in 1968.

Now, a Russian president can invade neighboring Ukraine without any provocation —targeting civilian populations, killing and injuring hundreds of thousands — and what do Republican lawmakers do? They refuse to help Ukraine — encouraging Putin’s aggression elsewhere.

Why? Because of Donald Trump’s love affair with Putin, which turns on Putin’s obvious support for Trump in the 2024 election. And Trump’s increasing control over the Republican Party.

This is what the mainstream media ought to be screaming about — not that a former Trump-appointed Justice Department official turned special counsel thinks Biden’s memory is bad.

Thoughts?

PRESIDENT BIDEN SETTING RECORDS!

 

Let's be fair...President Biden has set records!

The foggy memories of the MAGAts and the LIES of the Orange Turd want to pretend otherwise.

Unparalleled JOB CREATION!
Historically LOW UNEMPLOYMENT!

Unprecedented WAGE GROWTH!
(Mostly in RED STATES that lagged far behind.)

INFRASTRUCTURE???

REPUBLICANS promised to get it done - NEVER DID!
The Orange Turd promised to get it done - NEVER DID!

PRESIDENT BIDEN got it done with DEMOCRACTS!
Those few REPUBLICANS who supported INFRASTRUCTURE received death threats from the MAGA MORONS!

Those REPUBLICANS who voted against INFRASTRUCTURE
are taking credit for it because it's SUCCESSFUL!

Just how long were the MAGA MORONS going to continue to allow ROADS & BRIDGES to crumble?

How about removing LEAD from drinking water?
Look at communities that lack clean, safe drinking water.
Most of the Americans are MINORITIES!
Defining REPUBLICAN racism!

CABLE & INTERNET ACCESS are paart of INFRASTRUCTURE.

Hiring IRS AGENTS to audit DEAD BEAT WEALTHY!

REPUBLICANS are outraged because the anonymous WEALTHY 1% don't want to pay what they owe!

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Warren’s (likely) GOP challenger

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY Presented by McDonald's With help from Jasper Goodman CRYPTO ENTERS THE SENATE RACE CHAT — A cryptocurrency advocate and attorney is likely to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Warren, giving Republicans a standard-bearer against the prominent progressive and the digital-assets industry a conduit through which to take on Congress’ chief crypto critic. John Deaton is prepared to seed his campaign with $500,000 should he run, a person familiar with his plans told Playbook. Deaton is a virtual unknown in Massachusetts political circles. But he comes onto the scene with a hardscrabble backstory and a crypto fanbase. A former U.S. Marine who hails from a Detroit enclave, Deaton overcame an impoverished childhood to graduate law school. He started his own firm in Rhode Island representing asbestos victims. He is the father of three daughters, a cancer survivor and the author of a memoir, “Food Stamp Warrior." The Boston Globe first reported his interest in the race. He telegraphed a potential run against Warren last year, writing in a post on X last October that his “biggest regret” at that moment was not buying a house he had looked at in Massachusetts instead of his residence in Barrington, Rhode Island. “Had I bought the Massachusetts house, I would [100 percent] run against this [gaslighting], self serving, hypocrite,” he wrote in response to an article about Warren expressing concerns about Hamas raising money through crypto before attacking Israel on Oct. 7. Deaton now lives in Swansea , according to Jim Conroy, a political adviser to former GOP Gov. Charlie Baker who is consulting with Deaton on his possible campaign. He would run as a Republican, Conroy said. He would be a longshot against Warren , who remains popular in this state — roughly 54 percent of respondents to a recent Suffolk University survey approved of her job performance, compared to 35 percent who disapproved. She's also a formidable fundraiser who started the election year with $3.9 million in the bank. But Republicans hope Warren , who finished third in her home state’s 2020 presidential primary and has seen lower approval ratings in other polls, is weaker than she seems. And she could face a flood of crypto money if Deaton gets in . While Conroy said Deaton wouldn’t be basing his candidacy around his cryptocurrency advocacy, he already has a track record of criticizing Warren’s views on digital assets and could win the backing of an industry that is trying to fight Warren in Washington over her proposals to subject it to tougher anti-money-laundering rules. The industry is also ramping up an aggressive effort to influence the 2024 elections. A crypto-backed super PAC that has more than $80 million in the bank placed a multimillion-dollar ad buy this week attacking Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a Warren protégé, in California’s U.S. Senate primary. Deaton’s crypto cred could also help attract support — and money — from corners of the GOP aligned with the digital asset industry. In Ohio, a pro-crypto challenger to Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, another industry critic, was endorsed by the conservative Club for Growth in part thanks to his stance on digital assets and blockchain. A spokesperson for Warren said the state's senior senator is “taking nothing for granted” and “has a strong track record of delivering for working families and continues to fight hard for the people of Massachusetts.” GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Thinking about running for office? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey attends a child care event at 9:30 a.m. at Roots Learning Center in Westfield and a state police graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. in Springfield. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu holds a press conference on the city’s Life Sciences Workforce Initiative at 10:30 a.m. at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and speaks at the city’s Lunar New Year celebration at noon at City Hall. Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton are on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. to talk about biotech and China.   A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   AT THE BALLOT BOX NO-GO ZONE — Milton residents on Wednesday rejected a state-mandated zoning plan for more multifamily housing in a resounding rebuke of Gov. Maura Healey ’s efforts to enforce the state’s MBTA Communities Act . The “no” side pulled in about 54 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies — a result that drew threats of retaliation from the Healey administration and the attorney general. Healey had used her official bully pulpit and her political arm to pressure Milton residents into supporting the rezoning plan that had cleared Town Meeting last year only to be put up for a town-wide vote after opponents forced a referendum on it. The governor called the vote “disappointing” in a statement through her campaign. But, she said “we will continue to make the case for every community to embrace the opportunity that comes with creating more housing and making it more affordable for all.” Her housing secretary, Ed Augustus , was quick to spell out the consequences of the vote. He declared the town “non-compliant” with the MBTA Communities law in a statement and said Milton “will begin losing out on significant grant funding from the state.” Attorney General Andrea Campbell issued a similar warning . “My office has made it clear that compliance with the law is mandatory,” Campbell said in a statement. “When a municipality elects to evade its responsibility to comply with the law, we will meet our responsibility to enforce the law.” Still, Denny Swenson, a leader of the “No” campaign, cheered voters for being willing to take a stand against the state in an interview with The Boston Globe .   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE .     DATELINE BEACON HILL SENATE PAY BUMP — The Senate is raising staffers’ pay, adding new job classifications to expand the career ladder for employees and introducing new benefits. The plans unveiled in a closed-door joint caucus on Wednesday build on the compensation changes the Senate rolled out in 2022 amid a unionization push by staffers, which included 10 percent raises and a new pay structure. Staffers’ new pay will be reflected in their paychecks starting March 29. New benefits include stipends for some non-English speakers and pay reevaluations for staff who earn master’s degrees and other certifications. THIS MATTERS! “There’s a lot of turnover in staff. And the value of having staff that have served for many years is immeasurable in developing policy and legislation,” Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues said. Senators insisted the changes had nothing to do with staffers’ ongoing unionization effort and were instead the culmination of Senate President Karen Spilka ’s multi-year effort with the National Conference of State Legislatures to bring more pay equity to the upper chamber. Spilka has refused to recognize the staffers’ union, and legislation that would grant legislative employees collective bargaining rights received an extension until July. Dive deeper with The Boston Globe . HEALEY TAKES AIM AT AI — Healey signed an executive order to create a task force to study artificial intelligence and its impact on the state, private businesses and higher education. She’ll ask lawmakers for $100 million as part of her economic development bill to create an Applied AI Hub here. SPECIAL REQUEST — The MassGOP is prodding House Speaker Ron Mariano to call a special election for the state House seat Josh Cutler vacated to join the Healey administration. — “'Frustrated' Healey, health officials keeping their eyes on Steward hospitals,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News. — “Frederick Douglass bust breaks color barrier at Mass. State House,” by NBC10 Boston.   A message from McDonald's:   MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS FOLLOW THE MONEY — The United Way of Massachusetts Bay has spent nearly $3 million of the $5 million the Healey administration gave the nonprofit to dole out to religious and community groups to stand up temporary overflow shelter sites for migrant and homeless families. Eight sites have been set up accommodating a total of 97 families per night. For “security and privacy reasons,” the United Way isn’t providing the locations, spokesperson Brigid Boyd said. But Catholic Charities has been operating a shelter for up to 30 families at a time in Newton since November, the mayor said this week . There are three sites in Worcester County and one in Hampden County as well. FROM THE HUB CEASE-FIRE NOT NOW — Boston City Councilor Ben Weber proposed and then pulled a resolution calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas before it could reach a vote at Wednesday's council meeting, citing the “division” it was likely to cause within a body that’s still recovering from a tense prior term. “I wanted to bring a resolution that could show people in the community that the City Council could come together and reaffirm [its] humanity,” Weber told Playbook after the meeting. “It did not appear that I had the consensus that I had hoped. And so rather than put up something that was going to create more division, not less, I decided to withdraw [it].” The District 6 councilor, who is Jewish, said he might try again. “If there's something that I can file that will accomplish the goals of calling for a cease-fire, of calling for hostages to be returned, for resumption of humanitarian aid, and to allow Palestinians who want to leave Gaza … I will file it,” he said. WORD AROUND THE OFFICE — Boston is likely to face a cumulative revenue shortfall of more than $1 billion over the next five years as office buildings sit vacant or decline in value — a problem for a city that’s increasingly been relying on property taxes to pad its budget, according to a new analysis out today from the Boston Policy Institute and the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts. — “Boston City Council punts congestion pricing discussion to future hearing,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald.   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.      DAY IN COURT IDENTIFY, INVESTIGATE, PROSECUTE, INCARCERATE KEEP AMERICANS SAFE FROM DOMESTIC TERRORISTS! ANOTHER ONE — Federal authorities arrested and charged Thomas Method of Framingham in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Method admitted to an FBI agent he “was there” on the day of the attack, according to an affidavit, and recorded a video the day before expressing hope “this movement” could convince senators to “overthrow” the 2020 election results. The FBI says it has now arrested three dozen people across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island in connection to the Capitol riot. FROM THE DELEGATION SPEAKING OF WARREN AND CRYPTO — “Elizabeth Warren wins crypto recusals from Biden pick,” by Zachary Warmbrodt, POLITICO: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren just scored a new victory in her battle with the cryptocurrency lobby. Former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who once led House Democrats’ campaign arm, has told Warren that he plans to give up work on crypto issues if confirmed as President Joe Biden’s ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development." RALLYING FOR RAFAH — Dozens of protesters staged a "die in" on the floor of South Station on Wednesday to call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. “Hands off Rafah,” the group chanted in reference to the southern Gaza city Palestinians fled to that now faces the threat of an Israeli ground invasion. Protesters also called out Warren and Sen. Ed Markey for voting for a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. THE LOCAL ANGLE NAZI IN WORCESTER! — “[Worcester City Council] meetings disrupted by antisemitic group trying to gain a foothold in New England,” by Phillip Martin, GBH News.   A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Law 360’s Chris Villani. Happy belated to at-large Springfield City Councilor Jose Delgado , who celebrated Wednesday. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   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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POLITICO Nightly: Nikki Haley’s long shadow

 

BY DAVID SIDERS NIKKI HALEY is a DIRTY ENERGY KOCH SOCK PUPPET, carefully scripted and no one asks about her history. Refuses to release her tax returns - what's she hiding? What the source of her WEALTH? It's public record. NIKKI HALEY raised taxes as Governor. $9 BILLION? How come no one is asking? SOUTH CAROLINA SPENT $9 BILLION TO DIG A HOLE IN THE GROUND AND THEN FILL IT BACK IN https://theintercept.com/2019/02/06/south-caroline-green-new-deal-south-carolina-nuclear-energy/ Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks to members of the media during a campaign event in Elgin, S.C. on Monday. | Sean Rayford/AP THE BERNIE EFFECT — If Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination and goes on to beat Joe Biden in November, it’ll be hard, looking back, to argue Nikki Haley’s campaign meant much of anything. But if Republicans hitch themselves to Trump and he loses in the general election, Haley’s quixotic campaign will likely be viewed in a different light — and so will her political future. In that sense, Haley’s 2024 effort might, on a smaller scale, have some of the same effect on the GOP that Bernie Sanders had on the Democratic Party in 2016. It seems preposterous at first. In just about every ideological and stylistic way, Haley and Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, are in different galaxies. His electoral record in the 2016 Democratic primary was far more successful than Haley’s. Whereas Sanders won states, Haley lost decisively in Iowa and New Hampshire and, in Nevada, got pummeled by “none of these candidates. ” Haley doesn’t have the same pull with Republicans that Sanders had with Democrats to sway the party’s frontrunner on policy . But as the last serious alternative to Trump, Haley is performing one of the key functions Sanders fulfilled in 2016 — especially as she has stepped up her criticism of Trump in recent weeks . Like Sanders, she is a vessel for the disaffected in her party. And while Haley’s numbers may be weaker than his — Trump’s hold on the GOP is firmer than Hillary Clinton’s ever was – they aren’t nothing, either. In New Hampshire, Haley drew 43 percent of the primary vote . And even if she gets blown out in her home state of South Carolina, polling averages suggest she’s still pulling close to a third of the vote . She is, in some ways, a “statement” candidate — not like Sanders was, in terms of ideology, but as a vote of resistance to Trump. Today, her campaign was fundraising off Republicans’ loss in a special election in New York , calling Trump a “huge weight” on the party and warning that “Until Republicans wake up, we will continue to lose.” Such warnings, in the event of a Trump loss, would look prescient, and could lead to subtle directional changes and primary reforms in the party, just as Sanders accomplished after 2016. It’s valuable that she keeps running, one Republican National Committee member granted anonymity to speak freely told Nightly, “because those of us who don’t want Biden or Trump have to hold out some kind of hope.” “My heart wants her to keep going,” the member said, even if “my head knows this is probably a waste of time.” Even Haley supporters who maintain, against all odds, that she still has a shot at winning can see the dual benefit of staying in the race. For Haley to serve as a “champion of traditional conservative positions” and “show there’s still support for those issues in the Republican Party,” said Art Pope, the former chair of Americans for Prosperity and a Raleigh, N.C.-based donor, “is, I think, a good end in and of itself.” A Trump defeat — which would mark a fourth consecutive election disappointment for the GOP — would amplify Haley’s voice and, if she played it right, could lead to a rethinking of party rules and practices that enabled Trump to subsume the party and bend it to his personal will. Much of the effect that Sanders had on the Democratic Party came from the ashes of Clinton’s loss to Trump in the general election, when Democrats voted to strip superdelegates of much of their power in the presidential nominating process. Those superdelegates, including Democratic National Committee members and other top Democrats, had gone heavily for Clinton, and their weakening was a major, lasting victory for the party’s progressive left. In 2024, Haley’s version of the progressive left would be the Republican Party’s old establishment. To have such an impact, she’d have to grit her teeth and endorse Trump at some point, as Sanders did with Clinton, and then do just enough to shut down accusations that her supporters cost Trump the election. That should be relatively easy for her . And at 52, Haley can afford to play the long game. Sanders maintained his viability for one more campaign in 2020 – a campaign in which he was the front-runner at one point. Another option is to do what Sanders and his supporters did with superdelegates at the DNC -- taking her fight to the Republican National Committee. Earlier this week, she gave an indication of what that might look like. After Trump announced he was endorsing North Carolina’s Michael Whatley , who supported Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud in 2020 , for RNC chair, and Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, for co-chair, Betsy Ankney, Haley’s campaign manager, released a statement outlining Haley’s plan for the RNC. “Blow it all up,” she said. “Everyone at the RNC will be fired, there will be a full and complete audit of the gross misuse of funds, and there will be a formal application process to become RNC chair based on MERIT, not on back scratching. The days of overpaid consultants getting rich off of the RNC while losing elections will be over, and Republicans will finally get back to WINNING.” Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com . Or contact tonight’s author at dsiders@politico.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @davidsiders .   YOUR VIP PASS TO THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE : Dive into the heart of global security with POLITICO's Global Playbook at the 2024 Munich Security Conference. Gain exclusive insights and in-depth analysis as author Suzanne Lynch navigates the crucial discussions, key players and emerging trends that will shape the international security landscape. Subscribe now to Global Playbook and stay informed .     WHAT'D I MISS? MAGA GOP leaking classified information? — Warning from House Intel is about Russia’s space power: A vague warning by the chair of the House Intelligence Committee about a “serious national security threat ” today is related to Russia and space, according to three people familiar with the matter. The U.S. has been concerned about Russia’s advancement in space for years. While the people did not provide much in terms of details, one of them said the intelligence is related to Moscow’s weaponization of its orbital systems. In his statement this morning, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said his committee had made available the information about the national security threat and called on the administration to declassify the intelligence so officials and lawmakers could discuss the matter with allies. MASS SHOOTING and the right wing continues to incite HATE and VIOLENCE! LAX gun regulations - just take a look! This is the cost of GUN ZEALOTS! — 1 killed, multiple people injured in Kansas City shooting near Chiefs parade: One person was killed and up to 15 were injured in a shooting at the end of the parade to celebrate the Super Bowl win by the Kansas City Chiefs , the city’s police chief said. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a news conference that two people had been taken into custody and has heard that fans may have been involved in apprehending a suspect but couldn’t confirm that. — White House denies Johnson’s requests to meet with Biden on border: The White House has denied multiple requests from Speaker Mike Johnson to meet with President Joe Biden over border security , according to a person familiar with the requests. Johnson’s team has issued “multiple” requests to the White House for a one-on-one meeting between the two leaders, according to the person, who was granted anonymity to speak frankly about a sensitive situation. MAGA GOP incapable of governing and the Self-Declared New Moses can't lead! — Johnson pulls spy powers bill amid GOP infighting: Speaker Mike Johnson is punting a controversial spy powers bill as GOP infighting threatens to derail his plans once again . The House was expected to hold a floor vote on legislation to reauthorize Section 702 on Thursday. The authority is meant to target foreigners abroad but has come under scrutiny for its ability to sweep in Americans’ information. But GOP leadership knew they would have a hard time pushing the bill through, at best. Republican security hawks on the Intelligence Committee were threatening to prevent the bill from even coming up for debate — a detail first reported by POLITICO — while privacy advocates on the Judiciary Committee were vowing to oppose it unless they got amendment votes to further protect Americans’ information. NIGHTLY ROAD TO 2024 Notice the US MEDIA inflammatory labels - it's alway Pro-Palestians not opponents of ISRAEL's GENOCIDE and ETHNIC CLEANSING! It's never about KILLING CIVILIANS! It's never about HUMANITARIAN AID - the withholding of FOOD, WATER, MEDICINE & FUEL! DON’T READ THE COMMENTS — President Joe Biden launched a TikTok account this week to connect with young voters, and the pro-Palestinian protests that have beset his recent in-person events are now following him online , reports NBC News. The TikTok account @bidenhq has posted nine videos since its launch Sunday. Many of those comment sections are flooded with notes about Gaza, airstrikes on Rafah and Palestinians who’ve been caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Hamas war. AROUND THE WORLD France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the verdict in his appeal trial in Paris today. | Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images GUILTY, STILL — An appeals court in Paris confirmed sentencing of former President Nicolas Sarkozy to six months in prison , with six months suspended, over his 2012 reelection campaign overspend, reports POLITICO EU. The ruling upholds a lower court decision agreeing with prosecutors charging that Sarkozy’s team exceeded the spending limit by billing his right-wing Les Républicains party instead of the campaign. Sarkozy received a one-year prison sentence, while further party and campaign officials were also sentenced to prison and banned from running for office. Throughout the proceedings, Sarkozy — who served as French president from 2007 to 2012 — maintained his innocence, insisting he was unaware of any false billing. Given the short duration of the prison term, it could be replaced with an alternative such as electronic monitoring.   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.      NIGHTLY NUMBER 124,220 The number of U.S. Border Patrol arrests for illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in January . That’s down 50 percent from December, when there were 249,735 arrests, and welcome news for the Biden administration, though it could prove temporary. RADAR SWEEP LOVE IS IN THE BOOKSTORES — Over the past five years, even as the broader publishing industry sputters along, one kind of book has found a surge in popularity : The romance novel. Once confined to small sections of bookstores, romance is taking over — and leading to more brick and mortar bookstore interest as well. Six years ago, one dedicated romance novel bookstore existed in the entire United States: the Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles. Now, there are at least 15, with surging interest. For The Guardian, Lois Beckett explores what’s behind the phenomenon, whether it’s sustainable and what it means for the broader publishing industry. PARTING IMAGE On this date in 1970: Defendant Abbie Hoffman, wearing a fringed leather jacket, strides to entrance of Federal Building in Chicago for the 100th day of the trial of he and six others charged with conspiracy to riot at time of 1968 Democratic National Convention. | Jim Palmer/AP Did someone forward this email to you?  Sign up here .   Follow us on Twitter Charlie Mahtesian @PoliticoCharlie Calder McHugh @calder_mchugh Mia McCarthy @Reporter_Mia   FOLLOW US

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