Axios

MANCHESTER, N.H.: Rep. Dean Phillips, the longshot Democrat challenging President Biden, is sharpening his attacks in the final days before Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.

Why it matters: Even if Phillips' campaign is unsuccessful, his increasingly pointed attacks will be fodder for Republicans to use against Biden in a general election.

A Georgia judge on Thursday scheduled an "evidentiary hearing" regarding allegations of misconduct against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, per a court filing.

The big picture: Willis, who is overseeing the case involving former President Trump and several co-defendants over alleged Georgia election interference, was recently accused of partaking in an "improper, clandestine personal relationship" with the case's lead prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Republican presidential candidate and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley called out former President Trump on Friday, debunking a claim he made about Democrats being able to vote in the New Hampshire GOP primary.

Why it matters: The exchange happened just days before the pivotal Granite State primary on Tuesday as the two battle it out for the GOP presidential nomination.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo filed a complaint against New York Attorney General Letitia James and her office on Thursday, requesting dozens of witness statements from the sexual harassment investigation into him.

Driving the news: Cuomo claimed in the lawsuit that James has refused to release the requested materials, which include about 180 witness statements, citing various privileges.

Some of the largest traditional automakers are experiencing electric vehicle growing pains and pulling back on production.

Why it matters: Consumer demand is falling behind lofty projections drummed up by manufacturers and other car-industry stalwarts.

Sarasota police closed a sexual battery investigation into former Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, but authorities will continue to consider a possible charge of video voyeurism.

Driving the news: A video of a sexual encounter between Ziegler and the woman who accused him of sexual battery led detectives to believe the interaction "was likely consensual," police spokesperson Cynthia McLaughlin said Friday in a news release.

Democratic members of Congress and the Biden administration are admonishing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for opposing the establishment of Palestinian state after the Israel-Hamas war.

Why it matters: It's just the latest rift between Democrats in Washington and Israel as President Biden begins to lose his patience with the Israeli premier.

White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients is ratcheting up pressure on Cabinet secretaries and agencies heads to bring their workforce back into the office, telling them to "personally track" their progress and develop "concrete plans" to achieve their goals.

Why it matters: Zients is convinced that the federal government will work more efficiently and effectively when employees are in the office at least 50% of the time.

Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, made her Sundance Film Festival debut Thursday.

Driving the news: The 25-year-old director and screenwriter was showcasing her short film, "The Heart."

Details: The 18-minute film is about a lonely man grieving the death of his mother after an argument and an "odd request in her will."

• "We hope that ... [the film] makes you feel a bit less lonely, or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are," Obama said in a video.

Go deeper: Newcomers get the spotlight at Sundance

Thousands of anti-abortion activists gathered at the snow-covered National Mall in Washington D.C. Friday for the annual March for Life.

The big picture: The rally, which is the second since Roe v. Wade was overturned, comes as Republicans wrestle with anti-abortion initiatives after losing a series of ballot measures.

Donald Trump's longtime pollster told donors and select supporters Friday that the former president "is set to deliver a South Carolina smackdown to Nikki Haley in her home state where she is best known," according to a private polling memo obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The new polling sets high expectations for Trump in the critical South Carolina primary but may convince the GOP establishment to further consolidate behind Trump because the memo suggests that none of Trump's rivals have a chance going forward.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is planning to endorse former President Trump at a rally in New Hampshire on Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Why it matters: The expected move by the former GOP presidential hopeful comes after Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley fought for Scott's endorsement ahead of the New Hampshire primary.

President Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time in nearly a month on Friday and discussed the ongoing war in Gaza and regional escalation.

Why it matters: The last time the two leaders spoke was on Dec. 23, when a frustrated Biden ended the call by saying the "conversation is over" and hanging up the phone. In the first two months of the war, the two leaders had talked almost every other day.

Families of victims of the 2022 mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, again called for police to face criminal charges after the release of a damning Department of Justice (DOJ) report on law enforcement's mishandling of the incident, AP reports.

Why it matters: Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell has been leading a criminal investigation into police failures in the shooting, which left nineteen children and two adults dead at Robb Elementary School. But the decision of whether to charge officers has been delayed, frustrating family members of the victims and the Uvalde community.

The White House is scrambling to ensure U.S. EV adoption doesn't lose its charge amid signs — albeit limited — of slowing momentum.

Why it matters: The charging focus gives Biden officials a way to promote EVs even though a fairly limited number of models — for now — are eligible for $7,500 purchase subsidies.

Some prominent conservatives are raising objections to the new communications director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, saying his ties to LGBTQ+ advocacy and "globalism" disqualify him for the post.

Driving the news: Aaron Sherinian, previously an executive with the church's for-profit arm Deseret Management Corporation, was named head of public affairs and communications last week.

The Biden administration on Friday announced another $5 billion in debt forgiveness for 74,000 student loan borrowers.

Why it matters: Although the Supreme Court blocked Biden's signature student loan forgiveness plan, his administration has found alternative ways to provide relief to more than 3.7 million people.

Nikki Haley's confident debate performances have boosted her run for president, but she and her team have been cautious on the campaign trail in the days before the make-or-break New Hampshire primary.

Why it matters: The former South Carolina governor is betting that a risk-averse, disciplined approach — along with millions of dollars in ads — will save her candidacy in New Hampshire after a disappointing third-place finish in Iowa's caucuses.

NATO is mobilizing some 90,000 troops for its biggest military exercise since the Cold War.

The big picture: "That is a record number of troops that we can bring to bear and have an exercise within that size, across the alliance, across the ocean, from the U.S. to Europe," said NATO Military Committee chair Adm. Rob Bauer at a briefing announcing the plans Thursday.

Former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro should be sentenced to six months in prison and fined $200,000 following his criminal conviction for contempt of Congress, the Department of Justice said Thursday.

Driving the news: Defying a subpoena from the House Jan 6. committee "deserves severe punishment," DOJ prosecutors argued in a sentencing memo.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was requested to testify before Congress about not immediately disclosing his recent hospitalization to the White House.

Driving the news: House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ohio) said in a letter to Austin Thursday that his "unwillingness to provide candid and complete answers" on his health meant his testimony was required at a Feb. 14 hearing "regarding decisions made to withhold information" from President Biden, Congress and the American people.

Republican lawmakers urged the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to keep former President Trump on Colorado's 2024 ballot.

Driving the news: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced a Supreme Court brief arguing against a decision by Colorado's highest court to remove Trump from the state's 2024 ballot, which was signed by 136 House Republicans and 42 GOP senators — including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Investigations into threats against members of Congress rose again in 2023 after dipping in 2022 from their post-Jan. 6 high, according to data released by the U.S. Capitol Police on Thursday.

Why it matters: The rise in threat assessment cases tracks with a surge in disruptive protests, vandalism and security incidents in relation to the Israel-Hamas war that has left members concerned about their safety.

Half of Nevada swing voters in our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups said they'd back former President Trump in a general election against President Biden, citing dissatisfaction with the economy.

Why it matters: Interviews with Nevada swing voters who supported Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020 show that most feel the economy was better when the Republican front-runner was in the White House.

Former President Trump's dominance in the Iowa caucuses — and his expected triumph in New Hampshire — has the Republican Party buzzing with speculation about potential running mates.

Why it matters: The return of Washington's favorite parlor game is another sign that Trump's nomination — just days after the first votes were cast in the GOP primary — is being treated as inevitable.