POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing - POLITICO

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November 22, 2024: Gaetz is out. Who’s next? Nov 22, 2024

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After a tumultuous eight days as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration yesterday. While Senate Republicans cheered the move, the implications for Trump’s second administration are immense. Hours after the announcement, Trump nominated former Florida AG Pam Bondi for the role — a move cheered by Senate Republicans. But in the post-Gaetz landscape, other Trump nominees are likely to face increased scrutiny around their own imbroglios. What are the lessons of Gaetz’s fall, and where do things head from here? Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade discuss.

November 21, 2024: Can Pete Hegseth withstand the Senate’s spotlight? Nov 21, 2024

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Matt Gaetz has dominated the spotlight in Washington since President-elect Donald Trump announced him as nominee for attorney general. But Gaetz is far from Trump’s only contentious pick. On Capitol Hill, concerns are mounting about Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality Trump picked to run the Department of Defense. There are concerns about Hegseth’s experience — he served in the military, but has never run a complex and vast organization. There are concerns about his controversial views — including that women should not be able to serve in combat roles. And then there are concerns about alleged sexual misconduct stemming from an encounter he maintains was consensual but which the woman in question maintains was not. What should we expect as Washington’s gaze turns to Hegseth? Defense reporter Joe Gould joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss.

November 20, 2024: All eyes on the House Ethics Committee Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Today, the House Ethics Committee will meet to discuss is the findings of its investigation into Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Because the committee has an equal number of Republican and Democratic members, only one Republican would need to vote with Democrats to release the report. So how will this play out? Congress reporter Daniella Diaz and Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels walk through the possibilities. Plus, with the additions of Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Linda McMahon to be Education secretary, President-elect Donald Trump reinforces his affinity for reality tv politicians. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Correction: An earlier version of this episode stated that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray would testify before the Homeland Security Committee at 10 a.m.

November 19, 2024: Gaetz’s AG odds: ‘50/50’ Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

Since his first election win in 2016, Matt Gaetz has been embroiled in controversy, including a House Ethics Committee investigation and report that hasn’t been released. Those close to Trump are hoping the president-elect will reconsider his nomination as Attorney General.

Plus, Trump confirmed his plans to potentially use military force for mass deportations and appointed another Fox News personality to his cabinet. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

November 18, 2024: Sex, drugs and cabinet appointments Nov 18, 2024

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Two of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments are facing accusations of sexual misconduct, and the ensuing mess is just getting started. The House Ethics Committee report on Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, who has been under investigation for allegations of having sex with a minor and illicit drug use at sex parties, may be released yet. This, despite the Florida representative’s resignation from Congress, and even some Republicans are calling for the release of that report. But Gaetz isn’t alone. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a nondisclosure agreement. He denies the assault. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade unpacks this situation. Plus, is Howard Lutnick too thirsty to be Treasury secretary? All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

November 15, 2024: An anti-vax HHS secretary? Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Donald Trump spent his first full week as president-elect making a flurry of announcements unveiling key officials in his coming administration. Yesterday, he unveiled among his most controversial picks yet: To lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a leading proponent of false and disproven claims about the safety of vaccines. So, what does this move tell us about Trump’s approach and attitude toward his second term?National political correspondent Meridith McGraw — who scooped news of the announcement — walks Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton through what we know.

November 14, 2024: Trump’s AG pick sends shockwaves through Washington Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

In a move that stunned much of Washington, President-elect Donald Trump yesterday unveiled his choice for attorney general: Rep. Matt Gaetz. The move would put Gaetz atop the Justice Department, which spent years investigating allegations that the Florida congressman had sex with underage girls and paid for their transportation — allegations which Gaetz has denied. Among those investigations is one by the House Ethics Committee, which was nearing completion — until, that is, yesterday, when Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress. How is the news landing among the Senate Republicans whose support he needs to win confirmation? And where does the Ethics Committee’s investigation go from here? Congressional reporter Ursula Perano joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader — and more about the other new Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.

November 13, 2024: What to expect from Biden and Trump’s grip-and-grin Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

President-elect Donald Trump will visit Washington this morning to meet with President Joe Biden. Although meetings between the outgoing and incoming presidents are a long-standing tradition, Trump has not always followed through. When their roles were reversed in 2020, Trump refused to meet with Joe Biden. There is no love lost between the two gentlemen who last met one-on-one on the debate stage, which ultimately ended Biden's reelection campaign. So, what could they possibly talk about? White House reporter Adam Cancryn talks with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, inside Trump’s latest barrage of cabinet selections, and who will emerge victorious in the vote for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s GOP leadership successor.

November 12, 2024: Trump 2.0’s cabinet comes into focus Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

We’re getting a clearer look at President-elect Donald Trump’s new cabinet and one thing is in common: loyalty. So far, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has been named as ambassador to the United Nations, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy. Health care reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss what we know about other cabinet picks.

November 11, 2024: Trump begins his Washington takeover Nov 11, 2024

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Congress reconvenes on Tuesday for the first time since before the election, and the big winner, President-elect Donald Trump, is already asserting his dominance. The key players around Trump (but not the man himself ) have come out in full support of Sen. Rick Scott's bid for Majority Leader. But could the move doom Scott's campaign from the start? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade delves into this and other ways the president-elect is already making an impact on Capitol Hill.

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