JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 6.15.2021 —DeSantis 2022 Kick-Off— Kids Can Now Pray in School— More...

“Chinese Threat to U.S. Continues to Grow In Latin America” by The Floridian’s Jim McCool – We have heard American lawmakers like Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott sound the alarm of the growing threat that the Communist Chinese government poses to America and American interests around the world, specifically in Latin America. Now, there are more voices echoing these concerns, including well-versed individuals on foreign policy matters. During a recent discussion with foreign policy experts hosted and moderated by Dr. Luis Fleischman of the Palm Beach Center for Democracy and Policy Research, the growing Chinese intervention and its partnership with “authoritarian revolutionary populist regimes” like Venezuela, dominated the discussion.

“Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Blasts Biden In Fiery Last Address” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed his fury on President Biden in his final speech in front of the Knesset Sunday, calling out the Biden administration over their effort to revive the Iran nuclear deal. “The new U.S administration requested that I save our disagreements on the Iran nuclear deal for behind closed doors, and not share them publicly,” Netanyahu said. “I told them I won’t act that way.”

“Democrat Civil War Continues As Pelosi Dismisses Rep. Omar Comments: ‘She Clarified. End Of Subject’” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attempted to brush aside the recent pushback coming from congressional Democrats sparked by controversial comments from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) equating the US with Hamas and the Taliban; while downplaying the latest civil war brewing between Democratic leadership and members of progressive “Squad.” In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pelosi called Omar a “valued member of the House Democratic caucus, emphasizing that she is satisfied with the Minnesota congresswoman’s subsequent “clarification” of her remarks. “We did not rebuke her,” Pelosi told Dana Bash on Sunday. “We acknowledged that she made a clarification. The congresswoman, Omar is a valued member of our caucus.”

“Florida congressman urges feds to reverse decision to downgrade manatees from 'endangered' to 'threatened'” by News Service of Florida – Four years after federal wildlife officials reclassified manatees from endangered to threatened, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called Monday for a reversal of the decision. In a letter to Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Buchanan said a "staggering" 761 manatees have died this year, a pace that would exceed a previous record of 804 deaths in 2018. "Manatees are beloved, iconic mammals in Florida, and we should be doing everything in our power to protect them and ensure their continued survival," Buchanan wrote in the letter. "Considering the number of manatee deaths so far this year, redesignating the manatee as endangered,

which provides for the highest levels of federal protection and conservation efforts, is critical."

“Florida K-12 public schools to require 'moment of silence' for students every day” by WPTV’s Matt Papaycik – Students in every K-12 public school in Florida will soon be able to observe a moment of silence at the start of each school day, if they so choose. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed HB 529 into law, which requires teachers in first-period classrooms in all K-12 public schools to set aside at least one minute, but no more than two minutes every day "for a moment of silence." During that time, "students may not interfere with other students' participation." In addition, "a teacher may not make suggestions as to the nature of any reflection that a student may engage in during the moment of silence."

“South Florida leaders discuss ‘disturbing’ human trafficking trends” by Local 10’s Trent Kelley – A roundtable discussion Monday sought to brainstorm ways to better prevent human trafficking as local leaders noted troubling trends in the state. The discussion at Miami Dade College’s north campus was led by state Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, and brought together lawmakers, elected representatives and local activists. In addition to Miami-Dade County State Attorney Kathryn Fernandez Rundle, who has been outspoken on the issue, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, a South Florida native, also attended for a brief time. She said that while most people only think about human trafficking around big events like the Super Bowl, that needs to change, adding that this is a year-round fight, especially in South Florida. “Florida ranks third in terms of calls to the national human trafficking hotline,” Núñez said. “That is disturbing to me. That is something that we cannot allow to continue. When you look at the number of human trafficking cases, they have more than doubled in four short years, from 2015 to 2019.”

“Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez Says More Must Be Done To Stop Florida’s ‘Disturbing’ Rise In Human Trafficking Cases” by CBS Miami – The fight against human trafficking in South Florida took center stage Monday. Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, at a roundtable at Miami Dade College, weighed in on the alarming number of human trafficking cases on the rise in the state. She said Florida ranks among the third highest in the number of human trafficking cases reported across the country, and more must be done to put a stop to these crimes. “When you look at the impact it’s having on our state, in Florida, what I can tell you is that Florida ranks third in terms of the national trafficking hotline,” she said. “That is disturbing. That is something that we cannot allow to continue. When you look at the human trafficking cases, they have more than doubled in four short years from 2015 to 2019.

“Florida’s Supreme Court Bans Diversity Requirement, Cruises Restart, & How Rita Moreno Goes For It” by WLRN – Florida’s Supreme Court Bans Diversity Requirement The Florida Supreme Court is canceling a requirement that aims to increase diversity in the legal profession. It determined that requiring the inclusion of lawyers of color, and other minority groups, as speakers in legal seminars was equivalent to a quota — which the court says is discrimination. Florida's the first, and only, state to make this move. Some legal experts say the ruling sends a message about how the state’s highest court views the value of diversity. “It benefits us if we have a global perspective on the respective areas of law. It actually exposes us," said Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor, who is also the first Black man to hold that position. "Some of us who may not have connections with a member of the LGBTQ+ community or members of the Black community, members of other communities that I might not interact with or others may not interact with on a day-to-day basis — and truly understanding how to interact with those communities and how the legal system affects those communities. These CLEs [Continuing Legal Education] offer that perspective to attorneys."

“DeSantis faces questions about cruise industry during bill signing in South Florida” by Local 10’s Glenna Milberg – More cruise lines are getting ready to set sail soon, but they still face a big battle in Florida over vaccinations. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in South Florida for a bill signing on Monday, and afterwards while walking through a sea of supporters, came a cruise question, as the state’s $8 billion cruise industry prepares to re-launch from a year of pandemic shut down. Asked by Local 10 News’ Glenna Milberg if there a workaround for the cruise industry to begin without violating his orders, the governor gave this response: “The question is CDC’s orders and we’re challenging CDC. That hearing went very well for us and I think we’re going to be successful when the judge rules.” The governor has asked a judge to halt the CDC’s vaccination requirements for cruise passengers. He also banned companies from requiring proof of vaccination. That left Florida-based cruise lines, and the 600,000 people whose livelihoods depend on it, charting a course through complicated waters.

National:

“Schumer refers to developmentally disabled children as 'retarded'” by Fox News’ Thomas Barrabi – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, apologized on Monday after he used the word "retarded" in reference to developmentally disabled children during a podcast interview. Schumer used the outdated term during a segment on Sunday's episode of the 1 NYCHA podcast regarding congressional efforts to combat homelessness. When a co-host mentioned that some initiatives for sheltering homeless people have faced resistance in New York City, Schumer brought up the Biden administration’s proposed "American Rescue Plan," as well as his own past experiences as a politician encountering opposition to housing proposals.

“GOP Rep. Waltz battles Pelosi over renaming 'Squad' the 'Hamas caucus'” by Fox News’ Brittany De Lea – Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida Monday defended his choice to rename the Squad the "Hamas Caucus" after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the nickname "dangerous." Waltz said Pelosi was "ignoring" that the progressive members of her party were defending terrorism, following comments made last week by Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., that appeared to compare the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. Earlier in the day, Waltz explained to Fox News that he did not agree with Pelosi that it was time to move on because the Squad’s rhetoric has been consistent. "This isn’t just a one-time incident, we have Rep. [Rashida] Tlaib [D-Mich.], comparing Israel to Apartheid, we’ve had … a series of incidences in 2019 that led to another censure resolution," Waltz told Fox News’ Sandra Smith. "This is a trend, and this is why I think you’re seeing my Democratic colleagues of Jewish-American background also saying enough is enough, it’s time to speak out, and it’s time to stop this."

“Marjorie Taylor Greene apologizes for comparing House mask mandate to Holocaust” by Associated Press – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized Monday for affronting people with recent comments comparing the required wearing of safety masks in the House to the horrors of the Holocaust. "I'm truly sorry for offending people with remarks about the Holocaust," the Georgia Republican told reporters outside the Capitol, saying she had visited Washington's U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum earlier in the day. "There's no comparison and there never ever will be." Greene's comments were a rare expression of regret by the conservative agitator, a freshman whose career has included the embrace of violent and offensive conspiracy theories and angry confrontations with progressive colleagues.

“First on CNN: FBI warns lawmakers that QAnon 'digital soldiers' may become more violent” by CNN’s Zachary Cohen and Whitney Wild – The FBI has warned lawmakers that online QAnon conspiracy theorists may carry out more acts of violence as they move from serving as "digital soldiers" to taking action in the real world following the January 6 US Capitol attack. The shift is fueled by a belief among some of the conspiracy's more militant followers that they "can no longer 'trust the plan" set forth by its mysterious standard-bearer, known simply as "Q," according to an unclassified FBI threat assessment on QAnon sent to lawmakers last week, which was obtained by CNN. But the report suggests the failure of QAnon predictions to materialize has not led to followers abandoning the conspiracy. Instead, there's a belief that individuals need to take greater control of the direction of the movement than before.

“Biden preparing intensely for Putin's tactics with aides and allies” by CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Phil Mattingly, Jeff Zeleny, Kaitlan Collins, and Natasha Bertrand – President Joe Biden is using time away from summit meetings on his European tour this week for intense preparations ahead of his talks with Vladimir Putin, according to officials, as he works to avoid the pitfalls his predecessors faced in showdowns with the Russian leader. Most of his formal meetings this week have started after noon, leaving his mornings free for consultations with advisers. He has held lengthy preparation sessions with senior officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, to discuss the wide range of issues he plans to bring up with Putin, from cyberattacks to Syria to Ukraine.

“McConnell says 'highly unlikely' he would let Biden fill a Supreme Court vacancy in 2024 if GOP wins back Senate” by CNN’s Clare Foran – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday that if his party regains the majority in 2022 it's "highly unlikely" he would let President Joe Biden confirm a Supreme Court vacancy if one opened up in 2024, and was non-committal when asked about an opening at the end of 2023. "I think in the middle of a presidential election, if you have a Senate of the opposite party of the president, you have to go back to the 1880s to find the last time a vacancy was filled. So I think it's highly unlikely. In fact, no, I don't think either party if it controlled, if it were different from the president, would confirm a Supreme Court nominee in the middle of an election. What was different in 2020 was we were of the same party as the president," McConnell said on the Hugh Hewitt radio program Monday.

“After Apple Subpoenas, Justice Department Rethinks Policies on Getting Lawmakers’ Records” by WSJ’s Sadie Gurman – The Justice Department will bolster its procedures for obtaining records from members of Congress, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday, after it emerged that the agency during the Trump administration secretly seized data on the communications of Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee. Mr. Garland said he directed his deputy, Lisa Monaco, “to evaluate and strengthen the department’s existing policies and procedures for obtaining records of the legislative branch.”

“SEC Considers Changes to Trump-Era Rules” by WSJ’s Dylan Tokar – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said it would consider changes to regulations passed under the Trump administration, a move that drew criticism from its Republican commissioners. Among the regulations that the SEC plans to revisit are amendments to its whistleblower award program and a rule requiring oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments made to foreign governments. Both rules were passed late last year over opposition by the agency’s Democrats. The decision to revisit the rules is part of the SEC’s latest regulatory agenda, released on Friday. In addition to reviewing a number of Trump-era rules, the agency said it would draft rules on environmental, social and governance-related investing, and on disclosures by companies on cybersecurity risks.

“Supreme Court Unanimously Draws Limit on Drug-Sentencing Relief Law” by WSJ’s Jess Bravin – The Supreme Court limited the scope of a 2018 law aimed at reducing sentencing disparities for drug offenses, ruling unanimously on Monday that it provides no relief to offenders convicted of crimes that don’t carry mandatory minimum sentences. The First Step Act, passed under the Trump administration with rare bipartisan support, extended an Obama-era initiative to reduce the disparity in punishment for crack-cocaine offenses, which popularly had been associated with Black communities, compared with that for powder-cocaine crimes more often committed by white offenders. The measure made retroactive sentencing reductions that Congress had approved in the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act. That law lifted the thresholds triggering mandatory minimum sentences for possessing specific quantities of crack, raising to 28 grams from 5 the amount for five years, and to 280 grams from 50 for a 10-year minimum.

“Senate Judiciary Democrats press Garland for answers on secret subpoenas” by Politico’s Marianne Levine – Every Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to promptly brief them on reports that the Trump Justice Department obtained secret subpoenas to seize records from two House Democrats. In a letter led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), 11 Democrats asked Garland to produce documents related to DOJ’s decision to pursue the communications records of House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), another member of the panel. “This grave assault on a co-equal branch of government threatens the very foundation of our constitutional order— the separation of powers,” the Democratic senators wrote. “These actions by former President Trump and Attorney General Barr raise additional concerns that DOJ’s investigative decisions in this case were motivated by improper political considerations.”