Axios

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has hired former President Trump’s White House political director, Brian Jack, to lead his own political operation, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The move to bring on Jack underscores McCarthy's strategy of keeping Trump and his orbit close as Republicans seek to retake the House majority in 2022 — and McCarthy achieves his personal goal of becoming speaker.

The powerful Democrat overseeing antitrust legislation wants to hit Big Tech with the legislative equivalent of a swarm of drones rather than a single, hulking battleship that would be simpler to defeat.

Driving the news: In an interview with Axios on Sunday, Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said he didn't want to give the major technology companies and their armies of lobbyists the easy target of a massive antitrust bill.

Two of President Biden's top economic and foreign policy advisers made hefty Wall Street salaries during the Trump administration after working for President Obama, new financial disclosure forms show.

The details: Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, was paid $2.3 million in salary last year to serve as BlackRock's head of sustainable investing. Deputy national security adviser Jonathan Finer was paid nearly $730,000 as a senior vice president of private equity firm Warburg Pincus.

The perimeter fencing that was raised around the Capitol Building in the aftermath of the January 6 siege has begun to come down, CNN reports.

Why it matters: The move signals an easing of security measures, and the public will once again gain access to the Capitol grounds. Some streets near the building have also reopened to traffic.

• The decision to remove the fencing was made because "there does not exist a known, credible threat against Congress or the Capitol Complex that warrants the temporary security fencing," according to a memo obtained by CNN last week.

Republicans are looking for ways to attack President Biden’s COVID-19 stimulus despite its huge popularity. One idea they’re testing: target add-ons like an $86 billion pension plan bailout.

Why it matters: Republicans privately acknowledge they failed to successfully define the legislation before it passed. Now the "American Rescue Plan" is becoming a law Americans identify as giving them $1,400 checks and supercharging the economy.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said that current debate over the filibuster is "much too puny" to "talk about something as vital ... as voting rights," while on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.

Why it matters: Democrats' sweeping voting rights package is unlikely to receive Republican support in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to advance past a filibuster. Some Democrats hope they can use the fight to reform the filibuster.

Domestic violent extremism is the "single greatest terrorism-related threat" in the U.S., Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC's "This Week" Sunday.

Why it matters: A U.S. intelligence report out Wednesday warned that domestic violent extremism poses a heightened threat in 2021. The issue has seen heightened focus since a series of shootings in Atlanta Tuesday left eight people dead — including six Asian women.

The Department of Homeland Security is working to expel migrant families and single adults attempting to cross the southern border, but will not turn away children, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.

Why it matters: An overwhelming number of kids are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border with their parents or legal guardians, as the Biden administration faces a humanitarian crisis that appears to be straining government resources.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to Afghanistan on Sunday for a previously unannounced visit, where he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, Politico reports.

Why it matters: Austin's visit comes as the U.S. continues to debate whether to abide by an agreement, brokered by the Trump administration, to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 1.

The Democratic National Committee reported raising $18.4 million so far this year after raking in $8.5 million in February, according to its latest FEC filing.

Why it matters: This is the most money the committee has ever raised within the first two months of the year, the DNC said in a release.

The Biden administration will open a new facility in Pecos, Texas to house unaccompanied migrant children, as it continues to deal with a surge in arrivals at the Southwest border, NBC reports.

The big picture: The facility will open as the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border has swelled in recent weeks, straining the government's sheltering capacities. That number is expected to grow exponentially through this spring, setting up a potential crisis for President Biden.

A proposal in the Congress would designate June 19 as a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. But a key Black congressman says another day might be better.

Why it matters: The nation is struggling with how to commemorate and discuss emancipation amid a racial awaking, and the disagreement about even the date that it should be marked shows the effort still faces some major obstacles.

Australia's east coast is being hit by record rainfall, with flood warnings issued and a natural disaster declared for parts of the most populous state, New South Wales (NSW).

Details: NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian told a briefing Sunday western Sydney faced a flooding event not seen for half a century, while parts of the Mid North Coast were facing a "one-in-100-year event."

A GoFundMe campaign launched by the son of an Atlanta shooting victim has raised more than $2.5 million from over 37,000 donors, two days after it was created.

Why it matters: Hyun Jung Grant, 51, was one of the six Asian women killed during a gunman’s rampage at Gold Spa on Tuesday night. In total, eight people were killed.

Julia Letlow (R) on Saturday won Louisiana's 5th congressional district's special election for the U.S. House, AP reports.

Why it matters: Letlow will now replace her late husband, Rep.-elect Luke Letlow (R), who passed away from COVID-19 in December. He was just 41 years old. She received a resounding endorsement from former President Trump, who said she is "so outstanding."

Thousands of protesters rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, Israel, Saturday, calling for an end to his 12-year rule.

Why it matters: Israel is due to hold on Tuesday its fourth election in two years. Israeli media reported about 20,000 people attended the rally. Netanyahu's corruption trial is due to resume after the elections. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

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The Idaho Legislature has shut down for two weeks after at least 10 members and staff tested positive for COVID-19, CNN reported Saturday.

Why it matters: The recess comes as House and Senate lawmakers are due to debate major issues, like "setting budgets and pushing through a huge income tax cut," per AP.