Axios

Donald Trump and his inner circle are anxiously awaiting Facebook's decision about whether to reinstate him to the platform, viewing it as the propellant for an increasingly likely second presidential campaign in 2024.

Why it matters: The decision, due Wednesday morning, could shape the campaign, because Trump's confidants view Facebook as the linchpin to his fundraising and online political strategy.

Just 23% of white evangelicals approve of President Biden's work in office, after staunchly supporting President Trump throughout his presidency, according to new data from the Pew Research Center.

By the numbers: On the other side, Biden has overwhelming support from those who are atheist, agnostic or unaffiliated with religion.

Two candidates for the Alabama Republican Senate nomination are trying to out-do each other with early, far-right appeals over Second Amendment rights and criticism of transgender athletic participation.

Why it matters: Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) and former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard were expected to tack toward the fringe in deep-red Alabama. They are, but they're also differing in one respect: who they're targeting with their ads.

President Biden is considering naming Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to a high-profile ambassadorship, possibly India, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.

Why it matters: The potential exit of the Democratic executive for the nation's second-largest city would come as L.A. faces record homelessness and a court order to find shelter for a massive Skid Row population by the end of September. It could further destabilize California politics amid a recall attempt against Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a Democrat.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced on Tuesday that a special election to replace Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in April, will be held in January.

Why it matters: "Democrats urged DeSantis to fill the seat quickly — arguing that leaving a majority Black and heavily Democratic seat in Broward and Palm Beach counties unoccupied for months deprives thousands of Floridians of representation," the Miami Herald noted.

Derek Chauvin's lawyer filed a motion on Tuesday in Hennepin County, Minnesota, for a new trial on multiple grounds including jury misconduct.

The big picture: Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter last month in George Floyd's death. Video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than 9 minutes as Floyd pleaded that he couldn't breathe sparked global protests.

Asian American and Pacific Islander elected officials make up just 0.9% of elected leaders in the U.S., despite AAPIs accounting for 6.1% of the population, according to a Reflective Democracy Campaign report released Tuesday.

Why it matters: The report comes amid growing calls for greater AAPI visibility, following two mass shootings in which East Asian women and Sikh Americans were killed. The country has also witnessed a yearlong spike in anti-Asian incidents.

A federal judge on Tuesday called for the release of a secret 2019 Department of Justice memo that then-Attorney General Bill Barr cited to justify clearing former President Donald Trump for obstruction of justice, Politico reports.

Why it matters: Judge Amy Berman Jackson called Barr's public characterization of the Mueller investigation's finding “disingenuous” and said the department had not been clear about what purpose the memo would serve.

President Biden will announce Tuesday a new goal to get 160 million Americans fully vaccinated and at least one shot administered to 70% of individuals by the Fourth of July holiday, senior administration officials told reporters.

Why it matters: The administration had previously set goals of 100 million and 200 million shots — not full vaccinations. It aims to achieve the new goals with a plan to make vaccines more accessible and a continued public education campaign aimed at harder-to-reach and more-hesitant communities.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Tuesday he's "lost confidence" in Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) during a moment of candor caught on a hot mic, a tape reviewed by Axios shows.

What he's saying: "I think she's got real problems," McCarthy told Steve Doocy off-air ahead of a live "Fox and Friends" interview. "I've had it with ... I've had it with her. You know, I've lost confidence. ... Well, someone just has to bring a motion, but I assume that will probably take place."

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said at a virtual Axios event Tuesday Congress make permanent the community advantage program that aims to help underserved businesses.

Why it matters: The pandemic hit minority-owned businesses particularly hard. Structural barriers and narrower cash buffers already put them at a disadvantage prior to the coronavirus.

The White House on Tuesday warned states that unordered coronavirus vaccine supply will be made available to other states, Jeff Zients, Biden's COVID-19 response coordinator, told the Washington Post.

Why it matters: The shift in vaccine allocation — which comes after the administration reached its 100 million shots-in-arms milestone — would be the most significant shift in domestic distribution since Biden took office.

Democratic state Rep. Bee Nguyen, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, announced Tuesday she will run for Georgia secretary of state in 2022 to counter Republican efforts to restrict access to voting.

Why it matters: Nguyen may face embattled Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger, who is being challenged by multiple fellow Republicans who believe he did not do enough to defend former President Trump during the 2020 election.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) claimed on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday that the push to oust Rep. Liz Cheney from GOP leadership is not related to her vote to impeach former President Trump, but rather her "ability to carry out the message."

Why it matters: Top Republicans have suggested that Cheney could be removed as GOP conference chair within a month, with Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), leader of the largest conservative caucus in the House, telling Axios that her continued criticisms of Trump are "an unwelcome distraction."

Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) — a Republican governor-turned-Democratic congressman — officially launched his bid Tuesday to unseat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Why it matters: Crist is the first Democrat to announce a run against DeSantis, who he targeted in his campaign launch ad for his response to the pandemic. DeSantis faced criticism for directing vaccines toward wealthy communities.

Attorney General Merrick Garland is requesting $85 million in additional funding from Congress to bolster the Justice Department and FBI's efforts to combat domestic terrorism, according to a copy of his opening remarks before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

Why it matters: Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray and intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that violent extremists pose an "elevated" threat against the country this year.

Recount Media, the two-year-old startup founded by veteran journalists John Battelle and John Heilemann, has raised $18 million in a series B funding round led by Foundry Group, Battelle tells Axios.

By the numbers: The new investment brings its total funding to $31 million. The company currently has a little more than 40 employees.

A photo of one of the jurors who convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has raised questions about his impartiality during the trial, and about whether the verdict could be overturned in an appeal.

Why it matters: 31-year-old juror Brandon Mitchell said he answered "no" to questions in a juror questionnaire about whether he attended demonstrations or marches in Minneapolis after Floyd's death, and about protests against police brutality.

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board warned on Tuesday that "if bowing before all things Trump is the litmus test for being a loyal Republican, the party should get used to continued losses in the suburbs."

Why it matters: The GOP effort to oust Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from leadership is gaining momentum, after the No. 3 House Republican doubled down on her criticisms of former President Trump, whom she voted to impeach in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for "PBS NewsHour," today was named the ninth moderator of "Washington Week" in the venerable program's 54-year history.

Why it matters: Alcindor follows in the footsteps of the show's longtime moderator and her mentor, Gwen Ifill, who became the first Black woman to anchor a national political talk show in 1999.

The role of food in climate change is having its time in the spotlight, though advocates for eating less red meat probably weren't hoping for it to happen quite like this.

Why it matters: The food system, including raising cattle for consumption, accounts for greater than 30% of worldwide emissions of heat-trapping gases. How to reduce those emissions is an increasingly urgent question as the world remains off track to meet the temperature targets set in the Paris agreement.

A subway train derailed in Mexico City after an overpass partially collapsed onto a road Monday night, killing at least 23 people and wounding dozens of others.

Details: Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters early Tuesday that children were among the dead, and 49 wounded people had been taken to hospitals.

India on Tuesday became the second country after the U.S. to report surpassing 20 million COVID-19 cases. The official death toll has surged past 220,000.

Of note: The country's official daily cases count has risen from 65,000 to roughly 370,000 and deaths from more than 300 a day to 3,000 since April 1, AP notes. Experts and local health workers say the actual numbers are much higher.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Monday unruly airline passenger incidents have soared this year, with airlines reporting some 1,300 cases since February, per Reuters.

Why it matters: The FAA usually deals with 100-150 reports of such behavior in any given year, NBC News notes. Passenger numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels.

The Education Department announced Monday that former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) director Richard Cordray has been appointed chief operating officer of federal student aid.

Why it matters: The former Ohio gubernatorial candidate will oversee the $1.6 trillion portfolio of student loans and other financial aid programs in the high-profile role. His appointment was cheered by progressives who are pushing for the federal government to cancel student debt.

House Republicans are moving closer to ousting Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from leadership, and are already considering replacements — including Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), congressional aides tell Axios.

What we're hearing: Most members recognize Cheney can't be succeeded by a white man, given their top two leaders — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) — fill that demographic.

Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) is joining the board of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research lab that counted Elon Musk as a co-founder, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Hurd is a former undercover CIA operative who's long focused on artificial intelligence issues in and out of Congress. He's been widely quoted since leaving Congress for his moderate perspectives and criticism of former President Trump.

Earmarks are back, and the House is providing an online link to details about the hundreds of projects for which members are requesting federal funding.

Why it matters: It's been more than a decade since representatives could carve out funding for pork-barrel projects. The two House committees overseeing the revamped process are trying to avoid ethical hangups by disclosing who's requesting money — and for what.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wants more details about John Kerry's personal finances and how the Biden climate envoy is avoiding conflicts between his official duties and private investments.

The big picture: Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday seeking more information after Axios revealed new details about Kerry's lucrative work in finance and energy investing after he completed his tenure as secretary himself.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas said Monday its doors would remain open in Lubbock, despite voters approving an abortion ban declaring it a "sanctuary city for the unborn."

Driving the news: 62% of voters in the West Texas city voted in favor of the move on Saturday, according to a Lubbock County tally.