JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 6.4.2021 — Taddeo Thinking Hard About Run For Governor —Scott, Giallombardo, DeSantis —More...

OPINION: HB 403 Makes it Easier for Floridians to Start a Home Business by Rep. Mike Giallombardo

Taddeo says ‘I’m in No Rush” to Jump Into the 2022 Democratic Gubernatorial Race by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

Broward County Schools ‘Encourages’ Students to Back Anti-Gun Lobby Group by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The embattled Broward County School Board, which openly promotes Critical Race Theory and glorifies former Black Separatist and Black Panther Malcolm X and the anti-Semitic Nation of Islam, is promoting the anti-gun lobby “Everytown for Gun Safety” and its “Wear Orange” initiative to bring awareness to gun violence across the nation, asking students to wear the color to show solidarity with the group’s cause this coming Friday.

“Rick Scott Calls for End to ‘Progressive Propaganda’ in Military” by The Floridian’s Jim McCool – As the Biden Administration continues to push ideals such as Critical Race Theory, the Pentagon has recently come out and stated that diversity training is essential in “defending the nation,” US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has added to his long history of calling out the President, demanding an end to this “progressive propaganda” in the military. The Pentagon, which has recently been under heavy scrutiny over new racial and diversity programs implemented since President Biden (D) has taken office, defended themselves this week by stating that those programs helps them recruit “the right people.”

“Andy Ngo Exposes ANTIFA for Their Actions” by The Floridian’s Jim McCool – After several years of dominating major US cities, ANTIFA has finally met a challenger in investigative journalist Andy Ngo. Ngo is an expert on the movement and has been assaulted by the anti-fascist group. He made his story viral after appearing on the Ingraham Angle this week, exposing ANTIFA for their actions. After an unidentified man was assaulted in Portland, Oregon, and chased into a hotel during a mob last Friday, Andy Ngo has since come forward claiming it was him. The recent assault is the second time Ngo was brutalized by Antifa militants in the Rose City.

“DeSantis Defends Decision to Sign Transgender Ban During Gay Pride Month” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Key Biscayne—Moments after he signed a measure (HB 1177) into law that would provide more environmental protections to Biscayne Bay, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked if he was specifically targeting the LGBTQ community when he signed into law the controversial Transgender bill on the first day of Pride month. DeSantis explained that his signing of the bill was to stand up against discrimination of women athletes by forcing them to compete “against biological males.” “What we did with the girl’s sports bill, we’re standing up against discriminating against our women athletes, because the fact of the matter is if you force them to participate against biological males that’s fundamentally unfair, that’s not a level playing field,” said DeSantis.

“Conservative House Caucus Members To Hold Summit With Trump Next Week” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Republican Study Committee, led by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) and other members of the caucus will hold a summit with former President Trump in New Jersey next week, according to a report confirming the meeting Thursday. Banks, who chairs the largest House caucus of conservatives told the New York Post that he along with several of the committee members will head to Trump’s Bedminster resort and golf course on June 10 “to discuss” their plans with the former president on how to retake the House in the 2022 midterm election and what the House GOP “hope[s] to accomplish” ahead of the 2024 election.

“Florida COVID hospitalizations at lowest point in a year” by The Associated Press – The Florida Hospital Association says hospitalizations from COVID-19 are at their lowest level in the state in over a year. There were roughly 1,799 COVID hospitalizations in Florida on Thursday. According to their data, the state’s hospitalizations have declined 19% in the last two weeks and stand 38% lower than one month ago. Current hospitalizations stand at only 20% of the peak reached in July 2020 with approximately 33% of existing hospital capacity available. The hospital association also noted that the statewide positivity from COVID-19 testing stands at 3.89%, which’s down considerably from 6.16% at the beginning of May.

“DeSantis rips CDC as Florida hits impasse in talks over cruises” by Sun Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer – Gov. Ron DeSantis kept up his verbal assault on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday concerning the state’s ongoing dispute over safety requirements for the cruise industry to sail amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. He accused the federal agency of discriminating against children and breaking state law by insisting most passengers and crew be vaccinated before a ship can sail. “You don’t need to discriminate against people and you shouldn’t,” DeSantis told reporters in Miami. “CDC actually says they count the kids. So people can’t bring their families on these cruises?”

“Florida boy, 12, charged with attempted murder after shootout with deputies, appears in court” by Fox News’ Danielle Wallace – A 12-year-old boy accused of escaping from a Florida juvenile facility and breaking into a home before engaging in a shootout with Volusia County sheriff's deputies made his first court appearance Thursday. A judge ordered him to be placed in secure detention for 21 days. The boy, who appeared via Zoom and spoke softly when addressed, was assigned a public defender, Fox 25 Orlando reported. His arraignment is scheduled on June 23 at 10:30 a.m. local time. He and a 14-year-old girl escaped from the Florida United Methodist Children's Home around 5 p.m. Tuesday before allegedly breaking into a home in Enterprise, Florida, where the two youths found three firearms and 200 rounds of ammunition, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told reporters.

“USA Today fights subpoena aimed at readers of Florida FBI shooting story” by Politico’s Josh Gerstein – Newspaper publisher Gannett is fighting an effort by the FBI to try to determine who read a specific USA Today story about a deadly shooting in February near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that left two FBI agents dead and three wounded. The subpoena, served on Gannett in April, seeks information about who accessed the news article online during a 35-minute window starting just after 8 p.m. on the day of the shootings. The demand — signed by a senior FBI agent in Maryland — does not appear to ask for the names of those who read the story, if the news outlet has such information. Instead, the subpoena seeks internet addresses and mobile phone information that could lead to the identities of the readers.

“Florida neighbors sentenced to over a year in prison each after pleading guilty to $1.1M in COVID fraud” by Fox Business’ Stephanie Pagones – South Florida neighbors who admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud by trying to obtain $1.1 million in federal coronavirus relief loans for bogus businesses have each been sentenced to at least a year and a half behind bars in connection with the crimes, the Department of Justice recently announced. Latoya Stanley, 38, and Johnny Philus, 33, who are neighbors in Miami, were sentenced on Wednesday to 18 and 30 months behind bars, respectively, the Justice Department said in a press release. Each pleaded guilty in March to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

“Talks at impasse in Florida's cruise industry fight” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders – A mediator declared an impasse in talks aimed at resolving a battle between Florida and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about restrictions on cruise ships during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Thursday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli held a settlement conference last week and continued it Tuesday. An online court docket early Thursday afternoon did not show the outcome of the conference, but DeSantis’ office issued a news release that said an impasse had been declared.

“Miami Commissioner Ken Russell aims to challenge Rubio for U.S. Senate” by Local 10’s Glenna Milberg and David Selig – Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell has set a lofty next political goal: U.S. Senate. The District 2 Democrat has filed to challenge Republican Sen. Marco Rubio in 2022. Russell has a short political history for a Senate run, having been elected to the city commission in 2015. He has championed environmental issues after doing business selling watersports equipment. “Going from surfboard salesman, commissioner, and now this, some would think is a crazy jump. And I don’t blame them for that,” Russell said, sitting down with Local 10 News’ Glenna Milberg on Thursday morning to announce his plans. “But for me, if I can be of service at this level, I want to be as effective as possible.” Russell might first need to defeat state Rep. Val Demings in a Democratic primary, as the high-profile former Orlando police chief has also signaled a run.

National:

“Justice Department to elevate ransomware attacks to be on par with terrorism” by Fox News’ Caitlin McFall – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking to elevate investigations surrounding ransomware attacks to be on par with how terrorism is prioritized, reports noted Thursday. The recent increase in cyberattacks targeting U.S. interests, including the fallout from the East Coast’s Colonial pipeline hack, have prompted officials to take decisive action, Reuters first reported. A DOJ spokesperson told Fox News the department has made it a "key priority" to target the "expediential growth of ransomware."

“Pence, targeting critical race theory, declares ‘America is not a racist nation’” by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser – During a trip that sparked more speculation that he will run for president in 2024, former Vice President Mike Pence dived directly into the latest battleground in the nation’s culture wars, taking direct aim at critical race theory and declared that "America is not a racist nation." Headlining a Republican county fundraising dinner on Thursday night in New Hampshire, the state that for a century has held the first primary in the presidential nominating calendar, Pence also shared that he and former President Trump have spoken "many times" since the end of their administration in January. But the former vice president acknowledged that he and his former boss still don't see "eye to eye" about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by right-wing extremists and other supporters of the then-president who aimed to disrupt congressional certification of now-President Biden’s electoral college victory.

“Biden won't form his own commission to study Capitol riot, White House says” by Morgan Phillips – The White House on Thursday shot down the idea of forming its own presidential commission to study the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, saying it is Congress’ "unique role" to carry out that investigation. Democrats all the way up to President Biden have expressed dismay that they did not score 10 Republican Senate votes to reach the 60-vote threshold necessary to pass legislation to create a bipartisan Capitol riot commission. Some had suggested the president wrest power from Congress and form his own commission. "As the President has said, the events of January 6th were an unprecedented assault on our democracy – and he believes they deserve a full, and independent, investigation to determine what transpired and ensure it can never happen again," Psaki said in a statement to Fox News. "Congress was attacked on that day, and President Biden firmly agrees with Speaker Pelosi that Congress itself has a unique role and ability to carry out that investigation. Because of that, the President doesn’t plan to appoint his own commission."

“Manchin offers little comfort to frustrated Democrats” by CNN’s Stephen Collinson – The riddle of Joe Manchin is going to drive his fellow Democrats to distraction. The senator from West Virginia, who sits at the fulcrum of Washington's balance of power, signaled in a new CNN exclusive interview that he's nowhere near ready -- yet -- to loosen a grip that is stalling President Joe Biden's ambitious agenda. Manchin is the most prominent moderate Democrat who could block future efforts to ram infrastructure spending, voting rights reform, climate change legislation -- and anything else -- through a 50-50 Senate without Republican votes. His steadfast positions not only infuriate more progressive members of his party, from far more liberal parts of the nation than deep red West Virginia, but they also spark endless fascination with his motives -- and questions over exactly what he is trying to achieve.

“US intelligence officials have no evidence confirming Navy pilot UFO encounters were alien spacecraft” by CNN’s Zachary Cohen and Katie Bo Williams – US intelligence officials have found no evidence confirming that unidentified flying objects encountered by US Navy pilots in recent years were alien spacecraft but also have not reached a definitive assessment as to what these mysterious objects might be, according to five sources familiar with the findings of an upcoming report on UFOs that is expected to be delivered to Congress later this month. According to three of those sources, the report does not however rule out the possibility they are alien spacecraft. While that uncertainty is likely a blow to the hopes of UFO enthusiasts who were hoping for definitive proof of extraterrestrial life, it does not minimize the significance of the report, especially given what sources describe as a years-long battle inside the Pentagon over whether even to acknowledge what are now hundreds of unexplained sightings by US military personnel.

“Biden expands Trump's list of Chinese companies banned from US investment” by CNN’s Kyle Blaine – President Joe Biden signed an executive order Thursday banning Americans from investing in 59 Chinese firms believed to be linked to China's military, expanding an earlier Trump administration order. The original order, signed by President Donald Trump in November, applied to 31 Chinese companies that the administration said "enable the development and modernization" of China's military and "directly threaten" US security.

Biden's order expanded the scope of the ban to include 59 companies, citing the threat of Chinese surveillance technology. The order goes into effect on August 2 Many of the country's biggest telecommunications companies, including China Mobile, China Telecommunications and China Unicom, remain on the blacklist. Smartphone maker Huawei and Hikvision, a major manufacturer and suppliers of video surveillance equipment, also remain on the list.

“Supreme Court Draws Limit to Anti-Hacking Law” by WSJ’s Jess Bravin – The Supreme Court Thursday narrowed the scope of a federal anti-hacking law, ruling that it doesn’t cover individuals who use their authorized access to obtain information for improper purposes. The decision came in the case of a police officer who ran a woman’s license plate in exchange for cash from a man, something that “plainly flouted his department’s policy,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for a 6-3 court. But his action didn’t violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, which authorizes up to 10 years imprisonment for anyone who “intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access” to obtain computer information. In a 20-page opinion that, among other features, focused on the grammatical significance of the modifier “so,” Justice Barrett drew a sharp distinction: The law covers people who, although they are authorized to use a computer system, obtain files that are off-limits to them. But it doesn’t reach those who are entitled to access particular information—like Nathan Van Buren, a former Cumming, Ga., police sergeant who was authorized to use the motor-vehicle database—even if they misuse the data they pull.

“Postmaster General DeJoy Investigated by FBI Over Fundraising” by WSJ’s Sadie Gurman – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over past campaign fundraising activity involving a North Carolina logistics company where he served as chief executive, people familiar with the matter said. Prosecutors issued a subpoena to Mr. DeJoy this week related to his employees’ campaign contributions during his time in the private sector, one person said. Mr. DeJoy, a onetime financial backer of former President Donald Trump and GOP donor, became head of the U.S. Postal Service in 2020. The federal investigation is examining fundraising related to his former business, New Breed Logistics, a North Carolina-based logistics and supply-chain services provider, where he served as chief executive for about three decades before it was sold in 2014 to XPO Logistics Inc.

“Netanyahu Intensifies Pressure to Break New Israeli Coalition” by WSJ’s Dov Lieber – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to rally his right-wing base against a new ruling coalition that includes, for the first time in the country’s history, an independent Arab party that would have a role in shaping the policies of the predominantly Jewish state. Less than an hour before a midnight Wednesday deadline, Naftali Bennett, who heads the right-wing Yamina party, and Yair Lapid, who leads the centrist Yesh Atid party, agreed to form a coalition government that would dislodge the incumbent. The coalition would include six other parties from across the political spectrum, including one of Israel’s Arab parties, Ra’am.

“Mystery donor gives $100K-plus to DeSantis” by Politico’s Matt Dixon – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent months has received more than $100,000 from a mystery donor that federal regulators previously said was possibly set up illegally to mask the likely source of donors. But it remains unclear who is behind the Delaware-based entity or its political largesse. The contribution to a DeSantis-controlled political committee comes as he has increased his fundraising efforts ahead of his 2022 re-election campaign. DeSantis, who is also widely believed to be eyeing a White House run, has raised nearly $30 million into his political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, since the start of the year.

“Pence says he and Trump may never ‘see eye to eye’ on Jan. 6 insurrection” by Politico’s Myah Ward – In his second public address since leaving office, former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday put a little space between himself and his ex-boss, saying he and former President Donald Trump might never “see eye to eye” on the Jan. 6 insurrection. Pence called it a “dark day in the history of the United States” and thanked the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement for quelling the violence. He didn’t mention the insurrection in his first post-vice-presidency speech, in South Carolina in April. “And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States,” Pence said on Thursday at the Hillsborough County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Awards Dinner in Manchester, N.H., referring to the counting of Electoral College votes. “You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I don’t know if we’ll ever see eye to eye on that day, but I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.”

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