Axios

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received 190,098 H-1B petitions for FY 2019, compared to 199,000 received last year.

Why it matters: USCIS implemented a new rule last month that prohibited employers from issuing multiple petitions for the same employee. Since the visas are awarded via lottery, in the past, some employers would submit multiple petitions for one H-1B employee. And some big IT consulting firms submitted fewer petitions this year, per Lynden Melmed a partner at Berry Appleman & Leiden and former USCIS chief counsel.

Three new members of President Trump's inner White House circle — chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow, national security adviser John Bolton, and Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo, have previously shown their support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Timing: Pulling the U.S. out of TPP was one of Trump's first executive orders upon entering office. But earlier today, sources confirmed to Axios that President Trump is now considering reentering TPP negotiations, despite having called the Obama-era deal a “death blow for American manufacturing.” Meanwhile, within the last 30 days, Kudlow, Bolton, and Pompeo all signed on for their new Trump administration roles.

President Trump has deputized his chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow and his top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer to take a fresh look at at re-entering Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

Why it matters: Re-opening the door to TPP after closing it last year would be a major pivot.

If President Trump decides to re-enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Japan, the biggest economic player in the deal, would welcome him with open arms, a top Japanese diplomat told Axios on Wednesday, before Trump directed his top advisers to take a fresh look at the deal.

"We would welcome the U.S. anytime back to TPP."

President Trump deputized his chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow and his top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer to take a fresh look at at re-entering Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, a source with knowledge of the meeting confirmed to Axios. Sen. Ben Sasse told reporters about the meeting earlier today.

Flashback: TPP was spearheaded by Barack Obama and designed in part to counter the rise of China. Trump signed an executive order pulling the U.S. out of the deal in January 2017, and the 11 remaining signatories came to a new agreement in March.

Mike Pompeo’s Senate hearing today, to assess his fitness for the office of Secretary of State, comes at a tense moment of global conflict and displacement. If confirmed, he will lead the department that oversees U.S. admission and resettlement of refugees and manages contributions of lifesaving relief and assistance.

Why it matters: These issues are particularly critical in Syria, where renewed violence is likely to exacerbate the already abysmal humanitarian situation. Pompeo’s policies will have real implications for millions of people in Syria and neighboring countries — and for an international system badly strained by the years-long civil war.

During his Secretary of State confirmation hearing Thursday morning, CIA Director Pompeo told senators that he has been interviewed by Special Counsel Bob Mueller, although he would not reveal the contents of those conversations. NBC News first reported on the interview back in January.

The backdrop: Pompeo reportedly took part in a White House a meeting last March during which President Trump asked whether he could intervene in the FBI's Russia investigation, per The Washington Post. During his hearing, Pompeo denied the suggestion that Trump asked him to do anything "improper" regarding the investigation.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress Thursday that the United States is primarily in Syria to suffocate ISIS. "Our role in Syria is the defeat of ISIS. We are not going to engage in the civil war [between Bashar al-Assad's government and forces of opposition] itself," he said, but added that "at times you are going to see contrary impulses."

The backdrop: President Trump has been foreshadowing military strikes against Syria in response to a chemical attack in the city of Douma that was allegedly carried out by Assad's government. Mattis told lawmakers, "I believe there was a chemical attack, and we’re looking for the actual evidence."

"Much as ... Paula Jones’ harassment case against Bill Clinton helped drive his impeachment and the seizure of Anthony Weiner’s laptop led the FBI to reopen its probe of Hillary Clinton, Trump’s personal history now may threaten his presidency," writes TIME's Brian Bennett.

President Trump tweeted this morning that this week's New York Times report that he wanted to fire Special Counsel Bob Mueller in December is "Fake News from a biased newspaper!"

Throwback Thursday: It's the second time Trump has singled out the Times in two days. On Wednesday, he tweeted a denial of part of a Times story on cash his foundation received from a Ukrainian businessman for a speech, but did not deny the speech or the source of the foreign cash.

This morning, President Trump seemingly dialed back yesterday's tweets on Syria, which foreshadowed imminent military strikes despite Defense Secretary Jim Mattis saying the Pentagon was "still assessing" the situation.

Go deeper: A map of the groups that control Syria shows where ISIS has lost ground.

The most raw, captivating and consequential drama in American politics will unfold on Capitol Hill this summer: the race among both Democrats and Republicans to be party boss — and king or queen of Congress. 

The big picture: Nothing exposes the ambition, game-playing, back-scratching and winner-take-lots of politics than congressional leadership races. There's scheming, lying and the naked display of human nature. You're running against your ostensible friends — and finding out who your real ones are.

Paul Ryan said he plans to remain as speaker and not call an early leadership election, but well-wired Republicans tell Jonathan Swan and me that Ryan may be forced out sooner.

What we're hearing: One source close to leadership told us: "Scuttlebutt is that Paul will have to step down from speakership soon. Members won’t follow a lame duck, he’ll have no leverage to cut deals, and the last thing they need in this environment is 6 months of palace intrigue and everyone stabbing everyone else in the back."

Republicans have exploded the deficit since taking control of Washington, despite being the party that campaigned on reining in government spending — and is about to vote on a balanced-budget amendment in the House today. Yet, the party thinks tax reform was worth the gamble and doesn't expect to be punished for it at the polls.

Between the lines: President Trump is livid about the recent spending bill, and could inspire some voters to channel his anger if he stays that way. But there's really no case to be made by Democrats that they'll rein in spending, leaving those concerned about debt and deficits without a champion.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo is testifying tomorrow before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of his nomination process for Secretary of State.

What to watch for: As seen in prepared remarks sent out by the White House, Pompeo will focus on better communication and filling vacancies at State, handling entities like Russia and North Korea, and emphasizing the "President's mission." Remember, Pompeo is someone President Trump is very comfortable with, and several Senate Democrats supported his confirmation for CIA Director, which Axios' Mike Allen said will make it "harder for them to turn on him now."