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| |  | | | | By Bethany Irvine | | | | In today's House Judiciary hearing, AG Merrick Garland emphasized the need for the DOJ to be politically neutral while Handling Criminal Matters. | AP | ZELENSKYY IN NEW YORK — “Zelenskyy trashes the UN for not doing enough against Russia,†by Nahal Toosi, Eric Bazail-Eimil and Mona Zhang GARLAND ON THE HILL — In a combative and ongoing hearing that began this morning, AG MERRICK GARLAND testified before the House Judiciary Committee and pushed back against GOP members' accusations of political bias in the investigation into HUNTER BIDEN. Garland emphasized the need for the DOJ to be politically neutral while handling criminal matters, saying the department's role is not to "do what is politically convenient," but to instead "pursue justice, without fear or favor.†Under grilling by Republican members, he repeatedly stated that he is not a part of special counsel DAVID WEISS' inquiry into Hunter Biden, and that he did “not interfere†with or “make determinations†in the case. “I promised the Senate when I came before it for confirmation that I would leave Mr. Weiss in place, and that I would not interfere with his investigation,†Garland said. “I have kept that promise.†Later pressed for details, Garland declined to "get into the internal deliberations of the department" about conversations surrounding the charges against the president's son. The AG also refuted recent comments from DONALD TRUMP and denied that he was instructed to charge the former president:“No one has told me to indict … and in this case the decision to indict was made by the special counsel [JACK SMITH].†Live updates from WaPo Related read: “'An odd situation': President Biden aims to tighten firearms sales. Hunter Biden is caught in the crosshairs,†by USA Today’s Bart Jansen BIBI AND BIDEN — Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and President JOE BIDEN are sat down in a hotel in New York today in their first meeting since Netanyhu returned to office last year. The White House readout, in part: “[T]he two leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, as well as ongoing close cooperation between Israel and the United States to counter all threats posed by Iran and its proxies. They also consulted on progress toward establishing a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East region, including through efforts to deepen and expand normalization with countries in the region.†Axios’ Barak Ravid reports the meeting was delayed by more than 30 minutes with Netanyahu waiting for Biden at the president's hotel. It's also worth noting how the location of the discussion — a hotel near the UN General Assembly in New York rather than the White House — underscores the ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government. Netanyahu has yet to be formally invited to the White House during the Biden administration, but as Myah Ward and Jonathan Lemire report from NYC: “At the start of their discussion, the two leaders sat next to one another in a meeting room, with U.S. and Israeli flags as a backdrop. Biden said he hoped the two leaders would meet again by the end of the year, in Washington, and that their discussion Wednesday would include challenging topics, namely ‘upholding democratic values.’†ONE TO WATCH — “Kevin McCarthy’s critics are privately mulling who they could back if the California Republican loses his gavel,†by Jordain Carney HAPPENING SOON — Following today's rate-setting meeting, Federal Reserve officials are likely to announce that interest rates will remain unchanged. Regulators are expected to formally announce their decision on interest rates and release the most recent projects at 2 p.m. with remarks from Fed Chair JEROME POWELL at 2:30 p.m. More from WSJ’s Nick Timiroas Good Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line: [email protected].
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Explore the impact. | |  | TEAM DeSANTIS RESPONDS — In response to Michael Wolff's reporting from his new book — linked to in this morning’s Playbook— alleging that the Florida governor fell out of favor with TUCKER CARLSON and his wife SUSIE after pushing one of their beloved spaniels under a table while visiting their home, DeSantis campaign comms director ANDREW ROMEO sends Playbook the following statement: “The totality of that story is absurd and false. Some will say or write anything to attack [Gov.] RON DeSANTIS because they know he presents a threat to their worldview. But rest assured that as president the one thing he will squarely kick is the DC elitists in both parties either under or over the table, and that’s why they are so desperately fighting back.†KNOWING KATIE PORTER — After three terms in office, Rep. KATIE PORTER (D-Calif) has amassed a reputation as both a policy wonk and the driving force behind a hard-charging work environment that several former employees have characterized as toxic. Now, as she runs for Senate, Porter gets the deep dive treatment from WaPo’s Dan Zak, who wades into the accusations with nuance. Notable excerpt: “Four people — each formerly in Porter’s employ or orbit — told me about upsetting experiences working for her that spanned her first 3½ years in Congress; three additional former staffers told similar stories to one of my Washington Post colleagues. But to define the credibility of these seven sources, or to specify their allegations of ‘bad boss’-ness, is to give away their identities, which they do not want. Nobody wants to go public in ways they might regret. … “I tried to corroborate allegations that could not be fully corroborated, at least on the record, so I had broader, deeper conversations with a variety of people about what separates a demanding boss from a domineering one. About how female leaders are unfairly expected to have a baseline of maternal warmth. About why the pressures of working in Congress can hobble a human at any level of authority. … A former staffer who thinks Porter’s behavior as a boss makes her ‘wildly unfit’ to be a senator nevertheless told me: ‘She’s one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met.’â€
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|  | | GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE. | |  | |  | 2024 WATCH ON THE ISSUES — As former president Donald Trump hits the campaign trail today in Iowa, he’s working to counter recent outrage following his weekend criticism of Florida's six-week abortion ban, which he called a "terrible mistake." As Des Moines Register’s Galen Bacharier reports, Iowa Gov. KIM REYNOLDS “rebutted Trump’s abortion criticism Tuesday afternoon, tweeting, ‘It’s never a “terrible thing†to protect innocent life.ԠTrump’s comments are also drawing criticism from some religious leaders, who command a major voting bloc of Christian conservatives, WSJ’s John McCormick and Alex Leary write: “MICHAEL DEMASTUS, a Des Moines pastor who has met with several of the GOP presidential candidates, said he thinks Trump’s remarks will hurt his standing in the Iowa caucuses.†“It feels like there is no defense on this,†[Demastus] said, adding that he has talked to other pastors this week who are “really intensely bothered†by Trump’s recent abortion comments.†MORE POLITICS 2023 PREVIEWS 2024, PART I — Democratic Kentucky Gov. ANDY BESHEAR’s reelection campaign launched a scorching new ad today that may well be a preview of the coming onslaught Republicans can expect on abortion rights come 2024. The spot opens with a young woman identified as HADLEY, who speaks directly to the camera: “I was raped by my stepfather after years of sexual abuse. I was 12. Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it’s like to stand in my shoes. This is to you, [Republican AG] DANIEL CAMERON: To tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable.†Watch Beshear’s 30-second spot … Cameron’s 1-minute response 2023 PREVIEWS 2024, PART II — “Virginia is the next big battleground for abortion rights and may send a signal for 2024,†by AP’s Sarah Rankin and Sara Burnett: For Dems: “Democrats are banking on abortion rights to be a winning issue, just as it was in the 2022 midterms and in earlier contests this year in Virginia and elsewhere. They hope it will lift candidates in a place that Democrat Joe Biden won in 2020 but where voters a year later backed Youngkin, who is still mentioned as a possible late 2024 entry for president.†For Republicans: “Leading abortion opponents also see Virginia as a place where Republicans can reframe the discussion and avoid the ‘ostrich strategy’ of trying to evade the issue. They have pushed GOP candidates to explain their personal positions, to speak compassionately about both unborn children and the women who may seek abortions, and to push policies such as improving the foster care and adoption systems.†PRIMARY COLORS — “AFP Action backs 5 GOP House candidates in primaries,†scoop by Brittany Gibson and Holly Otterbein. The new endorsees: Pennsylvania’s RYAN MACKENZIE and ROB MERCURI, Michigan’s TOM BARRETT, Ohio’s CRAIG RIEDEL and West Virginia’s RILEY MOORE. MEANWHILE, IN CALIFORNIA — “KEVIN de LEÓN, the Los Angeles City Council member who became politically radioactive after a leaked audio scandal, is running for reelection,†Melanie Mason scooped. WAR IN UKRAINE INTO THE FRAY — NYT’s Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Lauren Leatherby are up with a fascinating visual of the ground Ukrainian forces have gained since launching their counteroffensive against Russia in June: “Progress has been grueling and slow. In some weeks, troops have moved only a few yards at a time along this line of advance.†Related read: “Ukrainian Tactics Put Russia on the Defensive in the Black Sea,†by WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov TRUMP CARDS NEW ALLEGATION AGAINST GIULIANI — “Ex-Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson claims Rudy Giuliani groped her on January 6,†by The Guardian’s Martin Pengelly: “Describing meeting with [RUDY] GIULIANI backstage at Donald Trump’s speech near the White House before his supporters marched on Congress in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election, [CASSIDY] HUTCHINSON says the former New York mayor turned Trump lawyer put his hand ‘under my blazer, then my skirt.’â€
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|  | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | |  | |  | POLICY CORNER THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS — “Inside the delicate art of maintaining America’s aging nuclear weapons,†by AP’s Tara Copp: “The Associated Press was granted rare access to key parts of the highly classified nuclear supply chain and got to watch technicians and engineers tackle the difficult job of maintaining an aging nuclear arsenal. Those workers are about to get a lot busier.†CLIMATE CORNER — While the auto industry grapples with concerns over climate-friendly electric vehicle production, environmental groups and unions in Maine are uniting behind pieces of President Biden’s “green agenda†NYT’s Jim Tankersley reports: Policymakers in are working to create a new law centered “on the development and deployment of offshore wind power … Union leaders are hoping Maine’s law — and those like it in other liberal states — help fulfill Mr. Biden’s ‘union jobs’ promise for his climate spending.†THE NEW NORMAL? — “Carbon-Disclosure Rules for U.S. Companies Are Coming Sooner Than Expected,†by WSJ’s Paul Kiernan and Christine Mai-Duc: “California and the European Union are both poised to approve rules that require companies that do business there to disclose their emissions. … The rules will be among the biggest changes in corporate disclosures in decades.†AFTERNOON READ — “The Billionaire Keeping TikTok on Phones in the U.S.,†by WSJ’s John McKinnon and Stu Woo
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|  | | A message from Meta: | |  | PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT —The Recording Industry Association of America hosted their annual honor’s ceremony last night recognizing policymakers, executives and artists in Latin music including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Maria Fernandez, Sebastián Yatra. Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and MarÃa Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) as policymakers of the year. SPOTTED: Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) and Monica De La Cruz (D-Texas), Mitch Glazier, Michele Ballantyne, Morna Willens, Rafael Fernandez Jr., Eduardo Lerma, Tom Moran Carlos Paz, Peter-Anthony Pappas, Ian Mariani, Mitchell Rivard, Susan Fox, Jessica Moore and Angel Kaminsky. Pic — DLA Piper hosted a policy discussion on AI yesterday evening, featuring remarks from Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Richard Burr, William Minor, Danny Tobey, Bennett Borden, Tony Samp, Barclay Blair and Sam Tyner-Monroe. SPOTTED: Loren Brown, Saxby Chambliss, Tom Korologos, Michael McKinley and Ignacio Sanchez. — SPOTTED at a dinner at La Mercerie in New York on Monday hosted by American Global Strategies’ Robert O’Brien and Alex Gray: Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Chris Stewart, Allison Hooker, Madeleine Westerhout, Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Singaporean Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew, Azerbaijani Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim, Monacan Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle, Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart, Adam Pugh, Neil Auerbach, Karan Bhatia, Mauricio Claver-Carone, Robert Cox, Tom Grizzetti, Tomoyuki Hirata, Doug Kelly, C. Lloyd Mahaffey, Jay McFadyen, Julia Nesheiwat, Bond Payne, C. Renzi Stone and Carolyn Wu. — SPOTTED last night at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for a dinner celebrating the 60th anniversary of the State Department's "Arts in Embassies" program with speeches from Megan Beyer, Melody Barnes and Kal Penn: Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), James Himes (D-Conn.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio), United Nations Human Rights Council Amb. Michele Taylor, Susanna Quinn, Patrick Steel, Sarah Morgenthau, Chasten Buttigieg, Jane Harman, Sophia Narrett, Jeff Koons, Greg Schultz and Amy Ricchetti. TRANSITION — Sharon Jones is joining Public Private Strategies as director of civic business engagement and Texas lead. She most recently was the inaugural director of the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative and chief equity officer of Children at Risk. Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to [email protected] or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producer Bethany Irvine.
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