Axios

Republican strategists see former President Trump emerging as the political winner from the ongoing string of classified document discoveries.

Why it matters: The new revelations involving President Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence could dilute the public attention and understanding about the ongoing investigation into Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.

Meta will reinstate former President Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts "in coming weeks" following a two-year suspension, according to Nick Clegg, the company's president, global affairs.

Why it matters: The decision sets a new precedent for how the company treats world leaders, and it could change the trajectory of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Two top New York House Democrats on Wednesday pressed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to deny Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) access to classified information.

Why it matters: It's the latest example of lawmakers trying to sideline the embattled Long Island first-term House member, who has faced calls to resign and a series of investigations into revelations he fabricated huge swaths of his resume, background and finances on the campaign trail.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is bullish on her prospects of becoming former President Trump's running mate in 2024, former Trump aide Steve Bannon said, NBC News reports.

Why it matters: Greene is following a new playbook to gain legitimacy and influence within the Republican Party — and she's hopeful her plan can catapult her on to Trump's ticket and into the number two spot in the White House.

The Biden administration announced a new set of actions on Wednesday intended to protect renters and help curb rental costs.

Why it matters: Rent prices, while slightly decreasing, are still elevated after skyrocketing in 2020 and 2021. The higher housing costs have coincided with inflation that has driven up the cost of food and energy, straining household budgets.

Democratic lawmakers are blasting the "tragic" decision by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Cal.) to elevate Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and other far-right lawmakers in Washington to highly influential committees.

Driving the news: McCarthy appointed Greene on Tuesday to a new House Oversight select subcommittee to investigate COVID policies after she spent the past two years elevating misinformation on the subject.

After a week marked by high-profile mass shootings, a new report released Wednesday by the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center highlights patterns between mass attacks and their perpetrators.

The big picture: Patterns of misogyny and domestic violence should be a greater focus for those focused on preventing mass violence, the report says, as does hateful online rhetoric.

GAUTENG, South Africa — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced a new joint U.S. – South African task force on wildlife trafficking to "follow the money" from poaching and then work to seize proceeds from any illegal sales.

Why it matters: Yellen used the announcement to emphasize the central theme of her 10-day trip: working closely with American institutions is the best way for African countries to grow their economies and improve living standards.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen traveled to a small farming community in rural Zambia to deliver a big message: Africans can help feed the world.

Why it matters: Yellen wants to convince Africans — from market women to government ministers — the U.S. will be their partner for the long-haul. That includes helping them to become more food secure and survive the effects of climate change.

After last year's midterm fail, Republicans are licking their chops at an enviable outlook for snatching the Senate majority in '24.

Why it matters: The four Senate tossup races are in red (West Virginia, Ohio, Montana) or swing (Arizona) states — part of a strongly GOP-favorable '24 Senate map.

Negotiations to raise the country's debt ceiling will likely put Republicans in a vise, torn among competing conservative pressures, the inevitable need to work with Democrats and the realities of basic budgetary math.

The big picture: Fiscal conservatives want to balance the federal budget. Former President Trump has warned his party to leave Medicare and Social Security untouched. It’s basically impossible to do both — and every way House Republicans could try to square that circle comes with political risk.

Pope Francis in an interview with AP published Wednesday called laws that criminalize homosexuality "unjust."

Why it matters: The pope's remarks build on his earlier expressions of support for the LGBTQ community, which has traditionally been marginalized by the church.

There have been more mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year than days, per research group the Gun Violence Archive.

State of play: There have been 39 mass shootings in the first three weeks of 2023, including one in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco, which left at least seven people dead on Monday and another in California's Monterey Park over the weekend in which 11 people were killed.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday formally removed Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from the House Intelligence Committee.

Why it matters: It's a controversial move opposed even by some of McCarthy's caucus members and a stark escalation of an ongoing tit-for-tat with Democrats over committee assignments.

The discovery of classified documents at former VP Mike Pence's Indiana home is forcing the House Oversight Committee to choose between less than ideal options.

Why it matters: House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) can either investigate a fellow Republican with the same vigor that he's probing President Biden for classified documents, or downplay what could be a similar situation with Pence.

Another member of the House Republican conference, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), said Tuesday she opposes Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) plan to strip committee assignments from several House Democrats.

Why it matters: Her comments put an expected vote to kick Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) off the Foreign Affairs Committee in serious jeopardy as Republicans, with their narrow majority, can only afford to lose a handful of votes.

Former President Trump will be making his debut on the campaign trail this weekend in the pivotal early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, amid signs of polling momentum for his 2024 presidential campaign.

Why it matters: Trump is the Lazarus of presidential politics. Just when you think he's tapped out, he returns from the political dead.

The discovery of classified documents at former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home has thrown yet another wrench in a bizarre saga that has now ensnared three of the top candidates for president in 2024.

Why it matters: Politically, this makes things a lot more complicated for the Republicans eager to weaponize President Biden's mishandling of classified documents.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday told reporters he opposes legislation to abolish the IRS and replace federal taxes with a 30% sales tax.

Why it matters: The move effectively kills the legislation, which was part of a deal McCarthy made with hardliners in his conference to secure the speakership this month.

A former Proud Boys member testified in federal court Tuesday as part of the trial into the group's members and their role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Driving the news: Matthew Greene flipped on his alleged co-conspirators, former leader Henry "Enrique" Tarrio and four other members, who are facing seditious conspiracy and other charges, per ABC News.

National Archives did not meet the Tuesday deadline to turn over requested materials to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability for its investigation into classified documents found in President Biden's home and former office.

Driving the news: "The National Archives has not produced the requested documents to the Committee at this time," a committee spokesperson told Axios. "Chairman Comer’s request still stands and anticipates moving forward with a transcribed interview with NARA’s general counsel soon."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday said Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) will be removed from Congress if the House Ethics Committee finds he broke the law.

Why it matters: It's the closest McCarthy has come to outlining potential consequences for the Long Island freshman amid a battery of investigations into revelations he fabricated huge swaths of his resume.

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) is excited about the additions of firebrand Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar and Lauren Boebert, telling Axios "it's probably the most exciting committee" in congressional history.

Why it matters: Comer admitted in an interview on Friday, before the revelation of classified documents at former VP Mike Pence's home, that the committee has earned a less-than-credible reputation, which he says he wants to amend.