Axios

An outside group supporting Democrats plans to spend over $10 million targeting rural voters and communities in down-ballot races that the party has neglected for years, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Democrats are desperate to infiltrate GOP-friendly territory. Although they hope the presidential election will help drive turnout down-ballot, the party has significant ground to make up.

The recent political kinship and broad policy similarities shared by former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have set the stage for a GOP primary like no other.

Why it matters: Unlike DeSantis, who has pinpointed narrow, ideological vulnerabilities to attack, Trump is not looking to fight a war of precision. His team is launching an all-out, take-no-prisoners offensive — ignoring cries of hypocrisy as it launches criticisms that could apply equally to Trump himself.

A year after President Biden signed an executive order to improve policing nationwide, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) said there's more "we must do to put an end to bad policing in America."

Driving the news: The CBC said the progress the Justice Department has made in the past year could have a real impact on decreasing police violence against people of color.

More than two-thirds of Californians surveyed said they believe Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) is no longer fit to serve and view her "current health situation as increasingly problematic," according to a new poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies that was co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times.

Why it matters: Feinstein, 89, faced calls to resign from fellow Democrats during her more than two-month absence following her hospitalization for shingles in March.

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, to 18 years in prison for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot, multiple outlets reported.

Why it matters: Rhodes' is the longest prison sentence received so far by anyone for their role in the insurrection.

The Supreme Court limited the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to oversee certain bodies of water on Thursday, determining that the agency cannot regulate wetlands isolated from larger bodies of water.

Why it matters: It's the court's second major decision in recent years that dents the EPA's ability to control pollution after it imposed major constraints on the agency's authority to limit carbon emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act last year.

The super PAC supporting Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign altered footage to include the sound and sight of fighter jets flying over the Florida governor in its video promoting his campaign launch.

• The video by Never Back Down, called “A President for the People,” includes a scene with DeSantis raising his arm to the sky in front of a U.S. flag while jets appear above him, whooshing by.
• But video of DeSantis' speech on Nov. 5, 2022, in Port St. Lucie indicates there wasn't a military flyover or jet sounds during the event.

Why it matters: It’s the latest instance of political ads including digitally altered videos to promote or attack candidates, making it difficult for viewers to discern what’s real.

What they’re saying: The PAC did not deny altering the footage but responded to Axios' questions by focusing on the video's larger message.

• Communications director Erin Perrine told Axios: “The ‘President for the People’ video encapsulates the mounting issues facing our nation caused by Joe Biden, and how Governor Ron DeSantis will stand up to the challenge, beat Biden, and turn our country around.
• "This message and this election is so important for all Americans.”

Between the lines: The DeSantis PAC is a key part of his campaign, even though they cannot legally coordinate with each other.

• Never Back Down has defended the Florida governor in recent months as he faced relentless attacks by former President Trump, DeSantis' rival for the Republican nomination.

The group’s leadership told The New York Times this week that they plan to raise $200 million and hire 2,600 field organizers by the fall.

Congressional Democrats are dreading a potential debt default. They are also dreading a potential debt ceiling deal.

Why it matters: What’s good for President Biden – and the economy – might not feel so good for congressional Democrats, who are largely in the dark on the deal's specifics and concerned they'll be forced to support a bill that eviscerates programs they have long championed.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' glitchy Twitter chat with Elon Musk on Wednesday was a stumbling start to his campaign's media strategy for 2024: Largely ignore mainstream media — and their tough questions — by sticking to conservative outlets.

Why it matters: DeSantis' safe-spaces game plan will test the powers of the conservative media ecosystem. If he can get past former President Trump to the general election, he'll likely have to appeal to more voters than the most conservative outlets can deliver.

Former President Trump's campaign released a new ad Wednesday targeting his Republican presidential rival Ron DeSantis soon after the Florida governor joined the 2024 race.

Driving the news: In a sign that the race is heating up, Trump spent much of Wednesday night attacking DeSantis in a series of online posts and fund-raising emails.

A Chinese state-sponsored group has hacked into critical American infrastructure, including in the U.S. territory of Guam, Microsoft and the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance warn.

Why it matters: Guam is home to three American military bases. The western Pacific island would play an important strategic role should the U.S. need to respond to any potential Chinese military attack on or blockade of Taiwan.

Jackson, Mississippi, officials released body camera footage Wednesday after three former police officers in the state capital were indicted in the death of a Black man who was stunned with Tasers during his arrest.

Driving the news: Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said at a news conference Wednesday two former officers, Avery Willis and Kenya McCarty, were last week charged with second-degree murder and a third, James Land, was charged with manslaughter in the death of Keith Murriel.