MESSAGING MATTERS — Rep. Seth Moulton has two words to describe national security officials’ apparent accidental war plan leak: incompetent and illegal.
Those would actually “describe most of what the Trump-Musk administration is doing,” Moulton told Playbook Monday. “It's dangerous for our troops, for our intelligence professionals, fundamentally dangerous for our national security — and yet, it's not surprising to me at all.”
The bombshell Atlantic report , which detailed how Trump officials inadvertently included the magazine’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in a private chat laying out plans for a military strike in Yemen, underscores that point.
As Democrats continue to search for the most salient message to push back against Trump 2.0, Moulton, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq, has concentrated his criticisms of Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to highlight an argument that ought to resonate with voters. “Republicans are dangerous for national security,” Moulton said. “And in my opinion, Democrats should be talking a lot more about that.”
Democrats and national security experts responded with stunned denunciations — and calls for leadership changes. Rep. Katherine Clark slammed the “insane level of incompetence that endangers your family and our national security.”
“Heads should roll,” the No. 2 House Democrat wrote on X . “Incompetence incarnate,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss told POLITICO .
But any shakeup in the country’s national security apparatus would likely need pressure from Republicans — and Moulton’s not optimistic about getting any support from across the aisle.
“Of course, we’ll call for changes, but unless we can succeed in enlisting Republicans to help, Congress is going to continue being feckless and irresponsible,” he said.
There is some discussion in the White House about national security adviser Mike Waltz’s precarious future in the administration after the embarrassing inadvertent leak. But whether President Donald Trump will push him — or anyone else — out over the incident remains to be seen.
GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS .Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Group chats you can add me to? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .
TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey attends an event commemorating the collaboration between Cellino and Mass General Brigham at 10:30 a.m. in Cambridge. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on The Daily Show at 11 p.m.
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DATELINE BEACON HILL
— “Beacon Hill urged to hike taxes, tap reserves to offset fed cuts,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “A coalition of labor unions, faith organizations and social justice groups are calling on Beacon Hill leaders to hike taxes on corporations and tap into the state’s nearly $9 billion ‘rainy day’ fund to help offset the impact of looming federal budget cuts. The group Raise Up Massachusetts, which led the campaign for the 2020 millionaires’ tax, said looming cuts to Medicaid, college financial aid, public food benefits, and other federal programs “threaten to knock a massive hole in the state’s budget and called on state legislators to ‘take proactive action’ to protect the state’s residents.”
PAY WALL
— “Legislators: State’s school funding formula has ‘left us out,’ call for changes at hearing held at UMass,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Five years after its approval, legislation aimed at improving K-12 education statewide known as the Student Opportunity Act is not infusing school districts in western Massachusetts with much-needed additional funding as promised. Instead, the law ‘has left us out,’ state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, said during a Joint Committee on Ways and Means hearing Monday at the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts.”
***MASSGOP CHAIR AMY CARNEVALE IS BRAIN DEAD! THE BEST SHE CAN DO IS REGURGITATE MAGA GOP LIES & IGNORE ICE MISCONDUCT DEPORTING NON-CRIMINALS & WOMEN TO EL SALVADOR - INNOCENT MEN WERE BEATEN TO SIGN STATEMENTS, NO CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS WERE CONDUCTED PRIOR TO DEPORTATION,
HOMAN IN — White House border czar Tom Homan made good on his promise to travel to Boston last week, helping carry out a multi-agency operation that he said ended with the arrest of 370 immigrants in the city and surrounding area, he announced in a post on X Monday. But unlike his flashier forays to Chicago and New York, Homan’s trip to the Bay State was kept quiet until after the fact.
A majority of those who were arrested during the five-day operation were "significant criminals,” Homan said in the post, and MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale lauded the arrests as “commendable.”
“They have removed dangerous criminals from our streets, making Massachusetts a safer place for families,” Carnevale said in a statement.
But Boston Mayor Michelle Wusaid the city had yet to receive details on the arrests as of Monday night. “Given that we have no information on these arrests, we cannot confirm how many took place within Boston police jurisdiction or in other cities, and we cannot confirm whether every individual was lawfully detained,” Wu said. “We strongly urge ICE to release information on all the individuals detained in order to ensure transparency.”
— “Fresh allegations of mismanagement swirl around Benjamin Health Center, court documents show,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “Nearly a year ago, the Benjamin Healthcare Center, the nursing home located in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood, was placed under a court-appointed receiver in an emergency bid to avoid closure of the facility and allow it to begin a turnaround. But as the one-year anniversary approaches, the receiver and his administrator are trading new allegations of mismanagement at the nursing home and rehab facility. Established in 1927 to serve the Black community, the Benjamin has more than 80 patients and residents, the vast majority of them people of color, according to records filed in court.”
THE RACE FOR CITY HALL
COMING SOON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu plans to kick off her campaign April 5, making her reelection bid official.
Wu also has a save-the-date out for her annual “Women for Wu” fundraiser. The event, to be held at the home of Georgia Murray, is set for May 6, per an invitation obtained by Playbook. Murray was finance chair for Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s 2018 campaign and served on Gov. Maura Healey’s campaign finance committee.
****OH? THE NEWTON NEBBISH IS SHORT ON POLICY...LOTS OF RHETORIC, SHORT ON FACTS!****
THE NEWTON NEBBISH NEVER LIVED IN BOSTON OR VOTED IN BOSTON
THAT HE PURCHASED AN EXPENSIVE CONDO DEFINES HIS ELITISM
IGNORANT OF PUBLIC POLICY, JOSH KRAFT HAS ALREADY SPEWED HIS SHARE OF LIES, PROMOTED IMPRACTICAL SOLUTIONS....
THE KID SHOULD RETURN TO HIS SAFE NICHE AMONG THE WEALTHY STROKING HIS EGO & INVESTING THEIR $$$ !
THE EVERETT FOLLY IS A FAR GREATER MISTAKE THAN THE WHITE STADIUM!
JUST LOOK AT THE DISASTER IN FOXBORO THAT OVERWHELMED THE TOWN!
THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE LITTLE TURD EVER 'MANAGED' ANYTHING!
WE'RE ALREADY TIRED & BORED WITH HIM & HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO MAYOR WU'S RE-ELECTION!
Robert Kraft is set to speak at the “inaugural” meeting of Josh’s campaign's finance committee, per an invitation obtained by Playbook. The invitation doesn’t offer many specifics. “The meeting will include remarks by Robert Kraft,” it reads.
It's a risky move, given the older Kraft's ties to President Donald Trump — a connection that could be a liability for the candidate Kraft if he isn't able to convince voters who largely loathe president that he isn't his father.
"And one of the most tangible things you can do is literally provide transportation that connects people. That’s what we celebrate today," she said.
The governor was among a double-handful of public officials and legislators, past and present, who officially opened the MBTA’s long-awaited South Coast Rail line forits first day of business on Monday morning.
The service re-connects Greater Fall River to Boston by passenger rail for the first time since 1958, when the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad company abandoned service to the area. In the process, Fall River joins the MBTA’s network, which operates commuter rail, subways, buses and ferries across eastern Massachusetts.
Jean Fox, spokeswoman for the South Coast Rail project, noted that the project had been seriously envisioned since 1991, an idle dream even before that, and that naysayers have long been skeptical that the long-promised and long-delayed project would ever run.
"I’ve worked a lot of years on this,” Fox said. “And I’ve heard for many of those years that I’d never see it. The perseverance of the people here, the persistence, and the fact that we had regional unity behind this made it happen.”
Officials say South Coast Rail provides opportunity for development, growth, tourism
Healey, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, several state senators and representatives, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, officials from commuter rail operator Keolis, members ofthe Southeastern Regional Transit Authorityand many others rode the 10:38 a.m. train from Fall River to East Taunton. The train picked up Freetown Town Administrator Deborah Pettey along the way at her town’s new commuter rail station.
At an event outside East Taunton station, Healey and other officials spoke about the possibilities that easier public transportation access to Boston could mean for Greater Fall River — from increased business development to more flexible job options to greater housing availability to cheaper access to a wider range of schools.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, the former mayor of Salem, said she’s aware of the effect that commuter rail access can have on a city.
“I’ve seen the commuter rail deliver sort of a turbocharged approach to our city’s economy,” Driscoll said. “There’s no way we can manage things like Halloween, large-scale festivals, without a train, to get people up to our waterfront, visiting our historic museums, places that are open all year-round. It’s just an easier way to get there.”
She said rail access allows communities to scale up events in terms of tourism, since driving long distances can be a turn-off for people.
“It’s really about the pathways to the future that are going to be created,” Driscoll said.
Fox, who was given a standing ovation during the event in Taunton, said the $1.1 billion cost of South Coast Rail would pay off down the line.
“In the final analysis you get a billion-dollar investment in the region that is really going to benefit us,” she said.
What was ridership like on South Coast Rail's first morning?
Eng said there was already "strong ridership” in its first morning, with about 350 people heading into Boston that day and 200 who had returned.
While many first-day riders may have leaned more toward the curious or passionate, Eng said he expected weekend service on the new Fall River/New Bedford Line to exceed expectations.
“On the weekends, some of our corridors have over 200% of pre-pandemic ridership, which shows just how important that is," Eng said.
"Really, times have changed, and people want to use mass transit to go visit family, friends, see sporting events, see shows, have a nice meal. So that weekend service is going to be I think even more popular than people could have imagined.”
Though weekend trips from Fall River and New Bedford were not part of South Coast Rail’s initial plan, he said delivering robust service on Saturdays and Sundays was the right move.
“It’s definitely faster than driving. It gives you the ability to lay back, read a paper, snooze a little bit if you want, listen to music — so much more relaxing," Eng said. "Everyone’s so busy in their lives. Get a little bit of down time, and let us do the driving.”
ENDORSEMENT CORNER — 350 Mass Action, a statewide political organization that supports climate-focused candidates, is endorsing Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen in the race to replace former state Rep. Jerry Parisella.
— “‘Why do those groups care about our local elections?’ In Andover, MTA and MassGOP enter electoral fray,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “The ballot for Tuesday’s town election here looks like many others: A town moderator is up for reelection. A smattering of unopposed incumbents are running. But tucked at the bottom, there’s a competitive campaign for the local School Committee that may well be forging a new front in Massachusetts politics. The powerful Massachusetts Teachers Association poured thousands of dollars into the School Committee race, making it one of dozens of municipal votes the union is eying this year. The Massachusetts Republican Party, keen on growing its stable of elected officials, is helping back one of the same candidates as the teachers union. A super PAC — an entity more common in state and national politics — may be the race’s top spender.”
****MASS GOP IS LOSING ITS CREDIBILITY!****
— “Conservative School Committee candidates backed by state GOP come up short in Ludlow,” by Stephanie Barry, The Springfield Republican: “Despite the backing of the statewide Republican Committee, two of Ludlow’s most conservative School Committee candidates lost their bids for election Monday. Hopefuls Ron Saloio, an incumbent, and Bella Soares fell short at the polls even after a mass mailing appealing to the town’s conservative politics. The mailer, funded by the GOP state committee, pushed the platforms of ‘collaborating with families’ and ‘traditional core curriculum.’”
DAY IN COURT
****DEPT. OF EDUCATION IS FOR CHILDREN!*****
THE MORE YOU LEARN ABOUT THE DEPT. THE MORE YOU REALIZE THAT IT MATTERS! WE NEED TO FOCUS ON EDUCATING CHILDREN TO EXCEL IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY! INSTEAD OF EDUCATING KIDS, SOME RED STATES ARE PUTTING 10 COMMANDMENTS IN CLASSROOMS OR BUYING TRUMP'S OVERPRICED BIBLES PRINTED IN CHINA! THAT'S NOT EDUCATION!
LET'S WORK TOGETHER & INSIST ALL KIDS GET THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE!
— “Somerville v. Trump? School district joins lawsuit over dismantling of Education Department, ” by Mandy McLaren, The Boston Globe: “Massachusetts school districts are joining educator unions in suing the Trump administration over its efforts to dismantle the US Department of Education. The lawsuit, filed Monday in US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleges the administration’s actions are unlawful and will decimate crucial services for millions of students — a charge the Trump administration vociferously disputes. The lawsuit was filed by Democracy Forward, a left-leaning Washington, D.C.,-based legal organization. Easthampton and Somerville public school districts, as well as the American Federation of Teachers, its Massachusetts affiliate, and other unions, are listed as plaintiffs.”
FROM THE DELEGATION
— “Mass. Sen. Markey to Trump: Work with Congress to keep TikTok online,” by John L. Micek, MassLive: “A trio of Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill has offered to work with the Trump White House to keep TikTok online in the United States. U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and Cory Booker of New Jersey made the offer in a Monday letter to President Donald Trump as they sought an update on the Republican administration’s efforts to keep the lights on for the popular video-sharing site.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE
— “North Andover students walk out in opposition to announced teacher cuts,” by Angelina Berube, The Eagle-Tribune: “Hundreds of high school students walked out of class Monday morning in support of North Andover teachers slated to be laid off next fall due to budget cuts. At 10 a.m., there was a mass exodus of students heading to the football field, holding signs saying “Save Our Teachers, Don't Make Them Pay For Others' Mistakes” and ‘You Cut Our Future’ while donning red attire. Students then marched to the school administration building on Main Street with megaphones, yelling ‘Save Our Schools.’”
PAY WALL
****WORCESTER: YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! CONSISTENTLY REPORTING CONTRIVERSY & HEATED ARGUMENTS DEFINES POOR LEADERSHIP IT WOULD SEEM!*****
— “Worcester Council schedules special meeting on explosive DOJ police report,” by Adam Bass, MassLive: “The Worcester City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss a Department of Justice (DOJ) report that outlines how members of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) used excessive force, engaged in discriminatory practices and engaged in illegal sex acts with vulnerable women.”
— “Everett City Council votes to end ordinance that pays mayor a bonus; will audit payments made to Mayor Carlo DeMaria over last 9 year,” by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe: “Everett city councilors voted Monday to abolish the city’s controversial bonus ordinance that Mayor Carlo DeMaria is accused of manipulating to enrich himself, and to hire an independent auditing firm to examine all payments made to the mayor over the last nine years. The council also voted to demand that the embattled mayor stop using city funds to pay for lawyers and challenges to a state investigator’s findings that he was improperly paid $180,000 in longevity bonuses.”
— “Methuen mayor's chief of staff retiring after online Musk rant,” by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: “Tina Conway, the chief of staff for Mayor D.J. Beauregard, has announced her retirement a week after an expletive-filled political rant on Facebook went viral in the city. Conway, who worked as chief of staff for more than three years, beginning in the Neil Perry administration, apologized and deleted the post, which some in the community had taken as including a slight against first responders. Conway will retire in May following a transitional period, according to a press release from the Mayor’s office.”
***LEAVE IT TO THE BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON A "BROTHEL JOHN" ! ****
***PROTESTERS USING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS & VOICING THEIR OPPOSITION TO ISRAEL'S DOCUMENTED WAR CRIMES & GAZA GENOCIDE ARE NEITHER ANTI-SEMITIC NOR SHOULD THEY BE CONDEMNED! THAT'S HOW DEMOCRACY WORKS! LET'S REMEMBER THAT TRUMP PRAISED THE CHARLOTTESVILLE PROTESTERS WHO CHANTED: JEWS WILL NOT REPLACE US! WHERE WAS THAT CONDEMNED? ****
“The Jew-haters are inside the building at places like Harvard University,” he wrote. “These are schools which are beyond being saved which simply aren’t safe for Jews. Massachusetts is a place where we see schools like MIT and UMass Amherst with regular Pro-Hamas events and seminars.”
They were both clear in confirming that they were taking pictures of activists protesting the war in Gaza to identify and unmask them.
“The best way to not have a picture taken of you supporting terrorists is not to support terrorists,” said Ben Rivka, referring to those who see themselves as defenders of human rights in Gaza.
Ben Rivka said that after attending nearly two years of protests in the area he “recognized a lot of faces” in the crowd standing in front of a Harvard University library, including Jewish students holding placards reading, “Jews Stand with Mahmoud.”
A Chilling Effect
Kade Crockford, of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said efforts to identify college students raises serious First Amendment concerns and is intended to discourage political speech. Everyone is vulnerable as a result, Crockford argues.
“Just think, for example, how easy it would be to take a photograph of people at a Black Lives Matter protest or at a protest for abortion rights. And then run that image through a facial recognition program,’’ said Crockford who directs the ACLU’s Technology for Liberty Program. “It would essentially enable the government to download a list of everyone who attended that protest.”
Boston civil rights attorney Carl Williams says these tactics are intended to create a chilling effect on student activism.
HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH
SPOTTED — on Capitol Hill: former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.
TRANSITIONS — Bryan Cain has been promoted to executive vice president at Endicott College.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — the MassGOP’s Logan Trupiano, former state Rep. Maria Robinson, Felice Belman, Alissa C. Rooney and Wayne Kashinsky. Happy belated to Kaleigh Fratkin, who celebrated Monday.
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