National

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is appointing a global food security envoy as the war in Ukraine continues to disrupt global grain supplies, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The appointment of Cary Fowler to the position — which has existed but not since 2016 — is meant to bring high-level political attention to the issue. The fighting in Ukraine has disrupted the world's cereal crop supply, for example.

Nearly 40 million people could be pushed into food insecurity and poverty by 2022 as a result of the war, according to World Bank estimates.

This is in addition to the 161 million people driven into food insecurity as a result of the pandemic and other world conflicts.

Between the lines: Russia and Ukraine export almost 30% of the globe’s wheat, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.

The war has already caused a significant drop in those exports as Ukrainian farmers flee their country.

Russia has also aimed missiles at food security facilities.

What they’re saying: Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, told Axios: “The tragedy is that people thousands of miles away from Ukraine, in vulnerable countries in the Middle East Africa, and in Latin America, are also suffering because of Russia's invasion."

The details: Fowler previously worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

Blinken calls him the “father of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault" — the "doomsday" vault in a Norwegian mountain designed to protect seed supplies from plague and attack in case they're needed to plant future crops.

"I will count on his strategic vision and advice as we advance efforts with the international community to address the many challenges to global food security, nutrition, and food systems,” the secretary said in a statement.

First look: Administration picks food security envoy

Dr. Cary Fowler will work to secure food supplies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Food

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is appointing a global food security envoy as the war in Ukraine continues to disrupt global grain supplies, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The appointment of Cary Fowler to the position — which has existed but not since 2016 — is meant to bring high-level political attention to the issue. The fighting in Ukraine has disrupted the world&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cereal crop supply" data-vars-click-url="https://ourworldindata.org/ukraine-russia-food" data-vars-content-id="4d8b9097-ee12-424e-9e4a-c6b7e81b65a6" data-vars-headline="First look: Administration picks food security envoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ourworldindata.org/ukraine-russia-food" target="_blank">cereal crop supply</a>, for example.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Data: Gallup; Table: Simran Parwani/Axios

President Biden’s approval rating during the fifth quarter of his term is his lowest yet, according to new Gallup data.

Why it matters: The low approval rating — 41.3% — doesn't bode well for Democrats as they head into the midterm season.

Only President Trump had a lower approval rating at this stage in his presidency, when compared with all U.S. presidents elected to their first term in office dating back to President Eisenhower. Trump was at 39.1%.

Between the lines: A president’s approval rating tends to drop during the second year.

That comes long after the initial honeymoon period is over and as voters begin to hold the administration accountable for fulfilling its campaign promises.

The current president is entering his second year following a chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in September 2021, and as the war in Ukraine intensifies.

On the home front, the administration is still battling coronavirus remnants, like mask mandates, inflation and high gas prices.

Zoom out: In addition to Trump, Presidents Carter, Reagan and Obama all had approval ratings averaging less than majority — though they still had higher ratings than Biden.

Go deeper: A poll out this week from the Harvard Institute of Politics showed that 41% of young Americans approve of Biden’s job performance.

Around this time last year, the president enjoyed a 59% approval rating from young Americans.

Biden’s 5th-quarter approval rating nears historic low

The low approval rating — 41.3% — doesn't bode well for Democrats as they head into the midterm season.

Biden approval rating

.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on April 27, 2022.

President Biden’s approval rating during the fifth quarter of his term is his lowest yet, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Gallup data" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/391973/biden-job-approval-stuck-low-40s.aspx" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/391973/biden-job-approval-stuck-low-40s.aspx" target="_blank">new Gallup data</a>.Why it matters: The low approval rating — 41.3% — doesn&#x27;t bode well for Democrats as they head into the midterm season.

President Biden announced on Tuesday that he is pardoning three individuals and issuing 75 commutations, making the first use of his clemency powers in his administration. 

Why it matters: The president campaigned on a promise to use his clemency power specifically for non-violent and drug crimes. 

 The 75 people whose sentences are being commuted served time for non-violent drug offenses. Many of these would have received less severe sentences if they had been charged after the First Step Act passed in 2018.

Abraham W. Bolden, Sr., a former U.S. Secret Service agent who was the first African American to serve on a presidential detail. He faced several years in prison on charges relating to attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service file, although he maintains his innocence. 

Betty Jo Bogans, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine while transporting drugs to her boyfriend and her accomplice, neither of whom were arrested or detained. She had no prior record and served seven years for the charge.

Dexter Jackson, who was convicted in 2002 for using his business to facilitate the distribution of marijuana. 

Zoom out: The clemency actions are part of a broader strategy that is being unveiled by the administration for "Second Chance Month." 

The president is also announcing a new collaboration between the Justice Department and Department of Labor to provide job training for those who are reentering society after incarceration. 

They are also expanding access to capital for people with convictions who want to start a business, and working on actions to improve reentry services for veterans. 

The president announced expanded development programs, greater opportunities to serve in the federal government, and more support for health care, housing and educational opportunities.

What they're saying:  "While today’s announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equity and justice, provide second chances, and enhance the wellbeing and safety of all Americans," Biden said in a statement. 

Biden's first pardons

Biden campaigned on a promise to use his clemency power specifically for non-violent and drug crimes.

Biden administration

First look: Deputy comms director to depart White House

Tobar’s departure is one of several reported ahead of a difficult midterm season.

President Biden answers a question in the Roosevelt Room on Thursday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

White House

The deputy White House communications director, Pili Tobar, is departing her role for the private sector, a White House official told Axios.Why it matters: Tobar’s departure is one of several reported in recent weeks as the administration completes its first year and the White House braces for a difficult midterm season. White House press secretary Jen Psaki <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is reportedly heading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/jen-psaki-leaving-white-house-msnbc-a75bdbc6-4c6b-43f9-b406-e104ea3b88e9.html" data-vars-content-id="a1f21dc6-7983-4ae9-a4c1-d7e44aca0dbb" data-vars-headline="First look: Deputy comms director to depart White House" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/jen-psaki-leaving-white-house-msnbc-a75bdbc6-4c6b-43f9-b406-e104ea3b88e9.html" target="_self">is reportedly heading</a> to MSNBC.

Republicans — and independents who lean Republican — are more likely to call China an enemy than Democrats. They're also more likely to describe China’s power and influence as a major threat to the U.S., new data from Pew Research shows.

Why it matters: The partisan split is another divide heading into the midterms. It's being expressed as Americans' view of China grows more and more negative overall.

Both parties were planning as early as late June to lean into competition with China as a midterms issue.

And both Democratic and Republican candidates are targeting China in ads themselves pitched toward voters whose jobs have been shipped overseas, especially in manufacturing-heavy states like Ohio.

The same data shows the war in Ukraine makes Americans especially wary of China, which is seen as a partner to Russia — and has yet to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression against his neighbor.

The details: Republicans are more likely to say economic relationships between the U.S. and China are bad; they also believe the U.S. should get tougher on China over economic issues mores than worrying about building a strong relationship.

The same data set from Pew indicates two-thirds of U.S. adults surveyed believe China's influence on the world stage has grown in recent years.

More Americans also describe China as the world's leading economic power.

What they're saying: Some lawmakers are calling for China to face the same kind of unified action taken against Russia, arguing the approach has proved effective.

"What we are witnessing could be the basis of a Biden Doctrine — using full-throated economic sanctions by all Western, pro-democracy allies when going against our strategic adversaries," said Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), a commissioner on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Go deeper: Some lawmakers and advocates have an additional concern.

That is that anti-China rhetoric on the campaign trail will be weaponized against Asian Americans.

How Americans view China

Republicans are more likely to say economic relationships between the U.S. and China are bad.

China

The Jinshanling Great Wall is seen after a rainfall on March 31, 2022 in the Hebei Province of China.

Republicans — and independents who lean Republican — are more likely to call China an enemy than Democrats. They&#x27;re also more likely to describe China’s power and influence as a major threat to the U.S., <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data from Pew Research " data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2022/04/28/chinas-partnership-with-russia-seen-as-serious-problem-for-the-us/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2022/04/28/chinas-partnership-with-russia-seen-as-serious-problem-for-the-us/" target="_blank">new data from Pew Research </a>shows.Why it matters: The partisan split is another divide heading into the midterms. It&#x27;s being expressed as Americans&#x27; view of China grows more and more negative overall.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

Sarah Mucha

Stories

First look: Administration picks food security envoy

How Americans view China

First look: Deputy comms director to depart White House

Biden’s 5th-quarter approval rating nears historic low

Biden's first pardons