Donald Trump is trashing Ron DeSantis in private as an ingrate with a "dull personality" and no realistic chance of beating him in a potential 2024 showdown, according to sources who've recently talked to the former president about the Florida governor.
Why it matters: The two are among the most popular Republicans in the country, and as the former president eyes another run in 2024, he's irked by DeSantis' popularity and refusal to rule out running against him.
President Biden will meet virtually with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Jan. 21 in an effort to "deepen ties" between the two countries, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Sunday.
State of play: Psaki emphasized that the relationship between the two countries is a "cornerstone of peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world."
Jamal Simmons, Vice President Kamala Harris’ new communications director, is scheduled to meet with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Thursday to listen to their concerns about his old tweets, congressional officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Harris has been seeking to reset her public image and professional accomplishments. Yet her new communications chief faces questions from a key constituency not only to the Biden administration but her potential presidential prospects.
An increasingly broad and powerful array of lawmakers is coalescing around the idea of changing how Congress tallies Electoral College votes — as MLK Day comes and goes on Monday without broader voting rights reforms.
Why it matters: The idea of targeting the 1887 Electoral Count Act for repairs has now garnered support from some of Congress’ most conservative members, as well as leading House Democrats. It may be the best chance of passing any form of election reform in an otherwise divided Congress.
A mass funeral was held in the Bronx on Sunday for the victims of a fire that filled a 19-story apartment building last week.
The big picture: The fire, caused by a defective electric space heater, killed 17 people, including eight children. Smoke from the blaze spread throughout the building, leaving dozens in life-threatening condition.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday he believes the core of President Biden's Build Back Better legislation will pass but acknowledged that the $1.75 trillion spending bill is dead as a package.
Why it matters: Kaine said the legislation's key provisions are education, workforce "and things like reduced child care and education expenses," but conceded that other pieces of the bill were "more controversial."
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Sunday he believes the U.S. is engaged in a new Cold War with Russia.
Why it matters: McCaul's comments on CNN's "State of the Union" come days after diplomatic talks among the United States, European allies and Russia hit a dead end, increasing fears of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday the Supreme Court's decision to block the Biden administration's coronavirus vaccine-or-test requirement for large employers was "a setback for public health."
The big picture: Murthy said the mandate was necessary and appropriate, adding that such measures "help create a safer environment for health care workers as well as for patients."
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Sunday doubled down on his rhetoric against critical race theory in an interview with "Fox News Sunday," saying he wants to "increase transparency" on what's being taught in schools.
Driving the news: Youngkin signed an executive order Saturday that banned the teaching of critical race theory in Virginia, a major focus of his 2021 campaign. But it's likely to face legal challenges and pushback from state lawmakers, Axios' Erin Doherty writes.
