JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 5.25.2021 — Big Ron Takes on Big Tech —Murphy is Out of Senate Race— More...

Murphy Turns Down Senate run, Focusing on “Strengthening Florida Democrats” by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

Crist Says Cutting Benefits is “Heartless Leadership” by The Floridian's Daniel Molina —On his first campaign stop in Miami as a gubernatorial candidate, Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) said that the race between himself and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is about what’s “right versus wrong” for the state of Florida.

New Poll: 73% of Republicans Want Trump to Run in 2024 by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Even before the 2022 election cycle fully kicks in, Americans are excited about 2024 and who will be running for president on the GOP ticket. While many Republicans have been excited for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), the third run from former President Trump (R) keeps looking promising as DeSantis plays down his chances at a 2024 bid, and as a new poll shows that 73% of Republicans want Trump to run again.

First in the Nation: Ron DeSantis Signs Ban on ‘Deplatforming’ by Big Tech by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

DeSantis to Defund Critical Race Theory in Florida by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

“Florida Jewish Democrat Blames Antisemitic Attacks in U.S. On Israel” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – When Sen. Bernie Sanders urged constituents and supporters to “stand united against” antisemitism and Islamaphobia, former Jewish-American Democratic congressional candidate, Progressive Attorney Jen Perelman tweeted her support for the Palestinian plight in Gaza and The West Bank, and has blamed the antisemitic attacks in the U.S. on Israel. Perleman recently stated that the hate Sen. Sanders was referring to would end when the U.S. threatens to pull the $ 4 billion it gives annually to Israel.

“Trump Prepping his Iconic Boeing 757 for Upcoming Rallies” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Former President Donald Trump will soon be holding rallies in key battleground states as he inches closer to decided on whether he will run for reelection in 2024. President Trump contends that the election was stolen and so do the 75 million Americans that voted for him. There hasn’t been a schedule published, but that is expected to change in the coming weeks. Now President Trump is announcing that his iconic black Boeing 757, aka Trump Force One, will be “fully restored and updated” so he can use it at his soon-to-be-announced rallies.

“Democrats and Republicans Call for an end to Widespread Antisemitic Violence” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Republicans and Democrats are once again appalled over widespread antisemitic violence and attacks waged against the Jewish community in America, this time as a result of the Middle East conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas. A ceasefire has been called by Israel and Hamas, but the anti-Jewish violence and anti-semitic rhetoric continue in the U.S., but this time it’s not by White Supremacists or White Nationalists that Democrats insist are part of the “MAGA” movement or supporters of former President Donald Trump.

“House Democrats Afraid to Support Police Because of Squad, Pelosi Retribution” by The Floridian’s Jim McCool – Washington D.C.- Although it has been almost a year now since the Black Lives Matter riots plagued major American cities, some Republicans think the anti-police sentiment is still present in national politics, including Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) who claims political pressure has made anti-police rhetoric “even worse,” and recently said that many House Democrats are scared to speak out against the “Squad,” claiming some Democratic lawmakers are afraid to speak in support of Police and the far-left agenda is “nuts.”

“Florida man leaves feces, yells at rabbi outside synagogue” by The Hill’s Olafimihan Oshin – Police are investigating after a man was reported to have left feces and yelled anti-semitic remarks towards a rabbi outside of a synagogue in Florida, WSVN reported on Saturday. Cellphone video captured the suspect, barefoot and screaming on an electric bicycle towards a rabbi at the Chabad of South Broward Synagogue in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Hallandale Beach Police Capt. Ra Shana Dabney-Donovan said the suspect also emptied a bag of feces at the synagogue and returned later to spit at the menorah near the building, according to the Fox-affiliate report.

“The Facts on Florida’s Election Law” by WSJ’s Editorial Board – The fury at Florida’s new voting law calls to mind the old one-liner about déjà vu all over again. Didn’t we already do this outrage cycle in Georgia? One progressive group calls Florida’s bill, signed recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a “sweeping voter suppression law.” But the hot partisan sizzle doesn’t come with any steak. Florida’s new law says voters requesting a mail ballot must provide a state ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. This is hardly some insurmountable barrier. Floridians also get a week, minimum, of early voting. In-person polling places accept a variety of identification, including passports, as well as photo IDs from schools, retirement centers, government employers and public-assistance programs.

“Groups challenge woman’s arrest for videoing Florida officers” by AP – A coalition of civil rights groups and journalism organizations is asking a Florida appeals court to reconsider a decision upholding the arrest of a woman for video recording police officers. An ACLU attorney representing the coalition said in court papers on Friday that the decision by the 4th District Court of Appeal in South Florida could block the press and the public from videotaping the police. Jim Green says if the decision is maintained, it could create a chilling effect and prevent citizens from documenting police misconduct, like the teenage girl who filmed the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis last summer.

“Former President Trump plans rally stops in Florida, other battleground states” by Click Orlando / CNN Newsource – Former President Donald Trump is resuming his signature campaign-style rallies. He told right-wing media outlet “One America News” that he’s planning rallies in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina. Trump says he will be releasing a schedule soon. Aides say the former president has been eager to return to the rally stage. Though he’s not on the ballot, Trump has been assisting embattled GOP incumbents and candidates running in the 2022 midterm elections.

“How Biden’s cash paid for Florida GOP’s pet education projects” by Politico’s Andrew Atterbury – Florida Republicans reject President Joe Biden’s policies but sure like to spend his money. The GOP-led state Legislature was facing an education budget crisis at the start of the 2021 legislative session in March, with lawmakers seriously considering slashing K-12 budgets and increasing tuition at Florida’s public universities. In all, Florida had a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall. But the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package changed Florida’s dire budget situation and helped the state’s biggest-name Republicans achieve their personal policy goals. Although some state GOP lawmakers claimed the federal relief wasn’t needed, Florida legislators allocated at least $7.4 billion from Biden’s rescue plan to go to K-12 schools next year and beyond. Lawmakers are also using $2.2 billion that Congress approved in 2020 under former President Donald Trump to help provide education money.

“A Florida Republican on Election Integrity and Trump’s Fraud Claims” By Astead W. Herndon – In the wake of the 2020 presidential election, Republicans have pushed sweeping changes to voting laws across the country, using false claims of voter fraud as their justification. Even in Florida, a state Donald J. Trump won easily, Republicans enacted a more targeted overhaul of elections law in lock step with Mr. Trump’s allegations. Several voting rights groups have sued the state, claiming that the new measures disenfranchise voters in the name of appeasing the former president. Representative Byron Donalds, a newly elected Florida Republican, believes the reaction to the new law is misguided and overblown. In an interview with The New York Times, he sought to explain Republican actions as distinct from Mr. Trump’s false claims, and in line with voter concerns. He argued that his state’s new law, and similar ones across the country, would inspire renewed confidence in the election process.

National:

“Sen. Cotton: Biden has been 'rolling over for aggressors around the world'” by Fox News’ Talia Kaplan – Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., argued during an exclusive interview with "Sunday Morning Futures" that President Biden has been "rolling over for aggressors around the world," including China, Russia and Iran, adding that recently the president "seemed to draw moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas when it [the Biden Administration] began to demand a cease-fire." Israel, late last week, announced that it had come to a cease-fire agreement with Hamas that put an end to 11 days of fighting in which Hamas fired thousands of rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilian targets, to which Israel responded with bruising airstrikes.

“Capitol riot: 'Too early' to start Jan. 6 commission, Republicans will likely block, Sen. Blunt says” by Fox News’ Stephen Sorace – As Senate Democrats push for a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, Sen. Roy Blunt said he believes it’s "too early" to start such a probe and that Republicans will likely vote against it. Blunt, R-Mo., told "Fox News Sunday" anchor Chris Wallace that "commissions often don’t work at all" and that it "would take months just to get a staff ready to look at things." The House approved a bill to form a commission last week, but some Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, oppose the measure. Blunt argued that there isn't enough information known about the insurrection to create a bipartisan commission, unlike the commission set up in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Texas Gov. Abbott says declining COVID numbers, day with zero deaths prove opening economy was 'right move'” by Fox News’ Tyler Olson – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday took a victory lap over his state's low coronavirus case numbers – and a day last week without a single death – rejecting the harsh criticism he received for lifting all COVID-19 restrictions in March. Abbott, a Republican, touted his state's pandemic response on "Sunday Morning Futures" with anchor Maria Bartiromo. "The numbers just continue to improve. To put all of this in context, from the very beginning many businesses remained open," Abbott said of his state's pandemic response. "In March, we had the entire economy open up 100% and no more masks. And, of course, President Biden and the Democrats railed against it. … Other Democrats said that I had issued a death warrant.

“Brooklyn man allegedly attempted to torch synagogue and Jewish school, court documents say” by CNN’s Ganesh Setty – A Brooklyn man has been charged with arson after allegedly attempting to set a synagogue and Jewish school, or yeshiva, on fire Wednesday, according to court documents. Ali Alaheri, 29, was allegedly caught on camera "piling numerous garbage bags against the door" of the yeshiva and synagogue located in Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood, and then lighting the bags on fire early Wednesday morning, according to a criminal complaint filed in the District Court of Eastern District of New York on Friday. A fire alarm at the building alerted the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) and firefighters responded, putting out the fire shortly after the incident, the complaint says.

“National Guard troops will leave US Capitol on Sunday” by CNN’s Alison Main, Sara Fortinsky and Aaron Pellish – National Guard troops who have been deployed at the US Capitol over the past four months will be leaving Sunday, said the man tasked with leading a review of Capitol security following the January 6 insurrection. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré said the National Guard will be leaving the Capitol grounds Sunday -- 137 days after the insurrection -- because they've accomplished their mission of securing the Capitol, in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation. However, Honoré said the area surrounding the Capitol will not be able to open immediately because of the ongoing strain on US Capitol Police resources. "Well, I tell you what. If it's not, they've hit that magic date, and they're going home. And the Capitol is secure, based on the mission that the Capitol Police have now, which is secure the Capitol," Honoré said when asked whether now is the right day for troops to leave the grounds.

“In Arizona, Border Patrol encounters new tactics in migrants' bid to cross into US” by CNN’s Jim Sciutto – Just south of Tucson, Arizona, lies one of the most treacherous stretches of the US-Mexico border: 262 miles of hot, dry, often mountainous terrain. Patrolling this area -- which encompasses some 90,000 square miles -- is the responsibility of US Border Patrol Tucson Sector, who we joined for several days of air and ground operations. Despite the landscape, Border Patrol is seeing a dramatic rise in attempted crossings from Mexico, Central and South America. Encounters are up more than 150% this year from the same period last year. And detections by the Border Patrol's drones monitoring the area from the air have tripled in the same time period, the agency says. In a new development, migrants and smugglers are using military-style tactics to avoid detection. Migrants come north dressed like soldiers, wearing camouflage. They wear boots made from sections of carpet to obscure their footsteps. Crucially, they come across in multiple groups as small as one or two people, dropped along the border and told to enter at different times to outwit and overwhelm Border Patrol agents.

“U.S. seizes $90,000 from man who sold footage of U.S. Capitol riot” by Reuters’ Andy Sullivan – U.S. authorities have confiscated roughly $90,000 from a Utah man who sold footage of a woman being fatally shot during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, according to court filings. Prosecutors also have filed additional criminal charges against the man, John Earle Sullivan, a self-described political activist who is accused of entering the Capitol building and participating in the riot, the filings unsealed on Thursday showed. Sullivan now faces a total of eight criminal counts, including weapons charges, related to the riot. Sullivan's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors have charged more than 440 people in connection with the attack in which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after he gave a speech to them repeating his false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud. The mob smashed windows, fought police and sent lawmakers into hiding. Five people died.

“Analysis: Gaza conflict forces reordering of Biden's policy priorities” by Reuters’ Patricia Zengerle, Humeyra Pamuk, Matt Spetalnick – U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January determined to focus his time and energy on the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn at home and big challenges such as China, Russia and Iran abroad. But after a Gaza conflict that required intensive behind-the-scenes U.S. diplomacy, his aides are having to reorder their priorities as they seek to stabilize an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, craft a reconstruction aid plan for the Palestinians and prevent a recurrence of what became Biden's first foreign policy crisis. The focus, one U.S. official said, is on "what would come next, with an eye towards moving beyond the violence ... so that we do all we can to minimize the chances that we find ourselves back here in five years or two years."

“Redistricting delays add to Democrats' worries about keeping U.S. House” by Reuters’ James Oliphant – For the last two elections, Democrats regarded Brian Fitzpatrick as one of the U.S. Congress's most vulnerable Republicans, but both times they failed to unseat him, even when his suburban Philadelphia district voted for Democratic President Joe Biden. He is again on their target list for the Nov. 8, 2022, midterm elections - which will determine whether Biden's Democrats keep control of Congress - but Democratic officials say finding a suitable candidate could be a challenge because the borders of the district are in flux and could be for months. "That's a significant concern," said John Cordisco, chairman of the Democratic Party in Bucks County, which lies within the district. "When you are challenging a multiple-term incumbent, if you don't have immediate name recognition -- it becomes very problematic." The reason for the uncertainty is redistricting, the once-a-decade process by which House of Representatives districts are redrawn based on shifts in the U.S. population. The process always unsettles congressional elections, but this year the coronavirus pandemic has added to the turbulence by delaying the delivery of the census data needed to draw the districts until September.

“U.S. Will Continue to Give Israel ‘Means to Defend Itself,’ Blinken Says” by WSJ’s Sabrina Siddiqui – Secretary of State Antony Blinken said arms sales to Israel would be done in consultation with Congress but signaled there would be no halt on such transfers following the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas militants. “We’re committed to giving Israel the means to defend itself, especially when it comes to these indiscriminate rocket attacks against civilians,” Mr. Blinken said on ABC News’s “This Week” on Sunday. “At the same time, any arms sale is going to be done in full consultation with Congress…and we want to make sure that that process works effectively.” Mr. Blinken’s comments came as some Democrats in Congress have called on President Biden’s administration to halt a $735 million weapons sale to Israel, asserting that U.S. military aid could be helping to fuel the conflict.

“Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate On Covid-19 Origin” by WSJ’s Michael R. Gordon, Warren P. Strobel and Drew Hinshaw – Three researchers from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, according to a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report that could add weight to growing calls for a fuller probe of whether the Covid-19 virus may have escaped from the laboratory. The details of the reporting go beyond a State Department fact sheet, issued during the final days of the Trump administration, which said that several researchers at the lab, a center for the study of coronaviruses and other pathogens, became sick in autumn 2019 “with symptoms consistent with both Covid-19 and common seasonal illness.” The disclosure of the number of researchers, the timing of their illnesses and their hospital visits come on the eve of a meeting of the World Health Organization’s decision-making body, which is expected to discuss the next phase of an investigation into Covid-19’s origins.

“Arizona Election Audit to Resume Amid GOP Infighting” by WSJ’s Alexa Corse – A GOP-ordered audit of 2020 ballots in Arizona’s most populous county is scheduled to restart this week, even as it is fueling an escalating fight among Republicans in the state. Republicans in Arizona’s senate ordered the audit of roughly 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, that began in April. Democrat Joe Biden won Arizona by just over 10,000 votes out of more than 3.3 million cast statewide, in part due to a roughly two-percentage-point victory in Maricopa. Critics, including some Arizona Republicans, say the audit has been mismanaged and run by an unqualified contractor and that it could undermine confidence in the voting system by amplifying unproven allegations. The dispute is the latest example of divisions within the party over how to reckon with President Biden’s election win.

—Florida political news. Florida news. Florida Politics. The Floridian