It’s Wednesday. Happy Juneteenth! It’s a quiet day in Washington for the holiday. Did you know it’s officially recognized as a federal holiday in 29 states and D.C.? Here’s a quick catch-up so you can hopefully return to your summery day: - House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) is fighting for his seat in Tuesday’s incredibly close GOP primary. The race has still not been called.
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The results of this particular race are personal for former President Trump and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who both have beef with Good and want to take him down.
- Pop star Justin Timberlake was arrested in the Hamptons. Man, does he know how to pose for a flattering mug shot…
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-release.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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Wowie, this is a cliff-hanger: |
A congressional primary race in Virginia became a nail-biter on Tuesday with House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R) fighting for his seat against a Trump-backed challenger, John McGuire. Who won?: The race is still too close to call. As of this morning, Good and McGuire are separated by just a few hundred votes(!)
📊 Decision Desk HQ’s live results
This race has some good tea: Former President Trump and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have been trying to unseat Good, making this a fascinating Republican-on-Republican contest. -
Trump’s beef: Good first endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in the presidential primary. Good later endorsed Trump, but the former president has not forgiven him.
- McCarthy’s beef: Good voted to oust McCarthy from the Speakership last year.
What happened to the Jan. 6 candidate in Georgia?: Chuck Hand, who pleaded guilty to illegally demonstrating in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, lost the Georgia runoff on Tuesday. Five takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries, via The Hill’s Julias Ms (Julia Mueller and Julia Manchester) Plus: ‘Trump Whistle-Blower Wins House Primary in Virginia’ |
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Immigration policies have been getting a lot of play this month: |
The Hill’s Niall Stanage reports how immigration is shaping up to be the key issue for the Trump-Biden race.
In Washington, D.C., on Tuesday: President Biden announced a plan to help roughly 500,000 immigrants lacking permanent legal status who are married to American citizens to legally live and work in the U.S.
In Racine, Wis.: Former President Trump ripped Biden for the policy move, calling his executive order “illegal as hell” and accusing him of rewarding illegal entry.
Compare that to just two weeks ago: When Biden announced a crackdown on the number of migrants seeking asylum at the border.
Read more: ‘Immigration is on the ballot in Trump-Biden race’ |
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➤ ADVOCATES ARE ECSTATIC OVER BIDEN’S IMMIGRATION PLAN: |
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➤ MORE READS ON BIDEN’S IMMIGRATION POLICY:
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- ‘Biden lays down some immigration bait for Trump’: Politico
‘Biden’s double trouble on immigration’: Axios - ‘Biden’s big immigration gamble’: “The president is trying to have it both ways. Will it work?” Vox
- ‘Biden’s immigration whiplash, from tough talk to empathy in 2 weeks’: CNN
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‘How Biden’s immigration order shields undocumented spouses’: PBS News
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Tbh, Venmo is my favorite platform for social media stalking:
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As part of the House Ethics Committee’s probe into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a witness said that the congressman paid her for sex, according to ABC News’s Will Steakin.
What we know: “Investigators have interviewed at least half a dozen women who allegedly attended parties where the Florida Congressman was also present and who were paid by Joel Greenberg, Gaetz’s one-time close friend. Greenberg was sentenced in 2022 to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges including sex trafficking a minor and introducing the minor to other ‘adult men,’ sources tell ABC News.”
How it involves Venmo: “In the interviews, which have previously not been reported, some witnesses have been shown Venmo payments they allegedly received from Gaetz and asked if those payments were for sexual activities, sources said.”
Keep in mind: “Gaetz has long denied all of the allegations, including paying for sex, and previously dismissed them by claiming ‘someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.’”
Read the full report, including how Gaetz’s Venmo account ties in |
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“As the nation recognizes Juneteenth this year, leading Black voices plan to use the holiday to call for widespread political changes and protections for Black Americans,” reports The Hill’s Cheyanne M. Daniels. What is Juneteenth?: “President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863 … But it took until June 19, 1865 for news of the emancipation to reach Galveston, Texas. When Union soldiers arrived to enforce the order, the day became known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day — or simply: Juneteenth.” Read more: ‘Black advocates to use Juneteenth to demand political change’ |
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‘Juneteenth is a celebration of progress, and an inspiration for the long road ahead’: The Hill
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‘This Juneteenth, we must invest in our future as well as remember our past’: The Hill
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🚓 The Talk of Social Media |
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It’s tearin’ up my record: |
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🍸 Celebrate: Today is National Dry Martini Day! 🚀 It’s a bird, no it’s a falcon!: ABC7 News posted a video of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching Tuesday. It was at night, so the rocket’s fire looks very cool. 🍝 Soccer fans are getting personal: ESPN posted a video of Albania fans snapping dry spaghetti noodles in front of Italy fans.
🏊 Welp, that is not a low percentage: More than a third of China’s Olympic swimming team are connected to a doping scandal during the last Olympic Games. (TIME)
✈️ Cheap flights. Get your cheap flights. Just $53!: Southwest Airlines is celebrating its 53rd birthday by offering some $53 flights. The offer is good until Thursday night. Details
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and Vice President Harris is in Washington. Both have nothing on their public schedules today. (all times Eastern) |
Today: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff campaigns in Raleigh, N.C., and Birmingham, Ala.
11:30 a.m. Thursday: A Senate confirmation vote. 📆 Thursday’s agenda
June 27: Biden and former President Trump debate each other in Atlanta.
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