What's happening on the campaign trail
- Former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Florida tonight as anticipation grows over whom he will name as his running mate. Trump has said he will announce his pick shortly before or during next week's Republican National Convention.
- President Joe Biden continues to push back against calls for him to drop out of the race, criticizing "party elites" and calling Democratic anxiety a distraction.
- House Democrats have remained largely supportive of Biden despite party divisions over his re-election, though Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey today became the latest Democrat in Congress to say the president should step aside.
Biden speaks with mayors in hourlong call
Biden’s call with mayors lasted about an hour, a source familiar with the call said, and did not include any talk of medical conditions, naps or doctor’s visits.
“He sounded really good,” the source said. “He was fired up for sure.”
It was a lot of “by the numbers” and “rah rah” stuff, this person said.
Biden talked about what the administration has done for cities, and he said it would have their backs on education and gun reform. He also took a couple of questions.
Neurologist saw Biden in January, White House clarifies
Biden was seen by Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist, at the White House on Jan. 17 as part of his physical ahead of his visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in February, and the results from the exam were reported as part of his annual physical on Feb. 28, according to the White House.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed the timeline tonight after having inaccurately said at today’s news briefing that the Jan. 17 meeting was not related to Biden in response to a question from The Associated Press.
"Because the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to be clear that the January 17th meeting between Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the President’s physical," Jean-Pierre said in a statement first reported by The Associated Press. "It was one of the three times the President has seen Dr. Cannard, each time for his physical. The findings from each exam have been released to the public." Dr. Kevin O’Connor is Biden’s physician.
Asked by a reporter whether the meeting between Cannard and O'Connor was related to care for Biden, Jean-Pierre responded, "I can say that it was not."
Sen. Bennet says Biden can't beat Trump: 'I think we could lose the whole thing'
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said during an interview on CNN that he doesn't believe Biden can win a second term, warning that it could be a "landslide" victory for Trump.
“Donald Trump is on track, I think, to win this election and maybe win it by a landslide,” said Bennet, who unsuccessfully ran against Biden in 2020.
He added that if Biden loses, it could also cost Democrats more seats in the House and their slim majority in the Senate.
"This isn't a question of polling; it's not a question of politics. It's a moral question about the future of our country," he said, adding later, "I think that we could lose the whole thing."
Bennet also blamed the White House for having “done nothing to really demonstrate that they have a plan to win this election, that they have a convincing plan to win in the battleground states where we have to win in order to win this election.”
Biden seeks to undermine a Trump talking point in NATO summit address
Reporting from Washington
Biden sought in a speech today to rebut a critique of the NATO military alliance that Trump has made in arguing that the U.S. should abandon its obligations to allies in the pact.
In the address to kick off the NATO summit meeting as it began in Washington, Biden made a point of noting that on his watch, the number of NATO member countries that are spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense has jumped from nine to 23. Trump frequently argued that by pressuring allies to spend more on defense, he was protecting American taxpayers from shouldering too much of the load.
Biden didn’t mention Trump by name, but his message was unmistakable: For all Trump’s bluster about NATO countries that don’t meet their financial burden, more have met the budgetary target since he left.
Trump teases his VP pick while taking sharper aim at Kamala Harris
Biden’s poor debate performance has not only thrown Trump’s long-anticipated announcement of a vice presidential running mate into a holding pattern.
The fallout, which has included a relentlessly bad news cycle for Biden, has also provided Trump an opportunity to gut-check perhaps the biggest decision of his bid to return to the White House.
Trump acknowledged as much last night. Two weeks after telling reporters that he had made up his mind, the former president told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he was still evaluating his options. Trump indicated that the debate — and uncertainty about whether Biden will be the Democratic nominee — had emerged as a last-minute factor in his deliberations.
Biden campaign responds to Trump's golf challenge
A Biden campaign spokesperson tonight rejected Trump's call for the president to battle him on the golf course, saying Biden "doesn't have time for Donald Trump's weird antics."
“Donald Trump hasn’t been seen in public for 12 days, now he’s inviting fictional serial killers to dinner, teasing lil’ Marco Rubio, praising Project 2025 architect Tom Homan, and challenging the President of the United States to golf," James Singer said in a statement.
“Joe Biden doesn’t have time for Donald Trump’s weird antics — he’s busy leading America and defending the free world. Donald Trump is a liar, a convict, and a fraud only out for himself — par for the course,” Singer added.
The campaign did not respond to Trump's challenge to hold another debate with Biden this weekend. The next presidential debate is scheduled for September.
Trump introduces youngest son: 'Welcome to the scene, Barron'
Trump introduced his youngest son, 18-year-old Barron Trump, at his rally tonight, which drew loud applause from the crowd in Doral, Florida.
“Stand up, look at him," Trump said, suggesting that he "might be more popular than Don or Eric," two of the former president's older children.
"Welcome to the scene, Barron," he added.
Barron Trump was expected to be a delegate to the Republican National Convention after the Republican Party of Florida selected him in May to be one of the state’s at-large delegates. Former first lady Melania Trump later said in a statement that her son would decline the invitation to participate because of previous commitments.
Trump jokingly teases Sen. Marco Rubio as his running mate
Trump further teased his eventual running mate announcement, this time mentioning the speculation that Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., could be named at tonight's rally in Doral, Florida.
“They probably think I’m going to be announcing that Marco’s going to be vice president, I don’t know," Trump said. "That’s a lot of press."
Later, talking about potential legislation to ban taxes on tips, Trump asked Rubio, who is in attendance, whether he would vote for it. Trump then added, "You may or may not be there to vote for it," suggesting he could be vice president instead of a senator.
Trump zeroes in on Kamala Harris: 'She's not doing too well'
Trump ramped up his attacks on Harris at tonight's rally, mispronouncing her name repeatedly, criticizing her record on immigration and suggesting she had flubbed efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump also said Biden's choosing Harris as a running mate was "the best insurance policy I'd ever seen," implying that no one would want to see her replace him on the ticket. His comments come after some Democrats (and social media users) have suggested Harris could run, instead.
He also suggested without evidence that Harris was "cognitively impaired," saying, "She’s not doing too well."
Trump challenges Biden to a debate this week and a golf match
At a campaign rally tonight, Trump challenged Biden to another debate, as well as an 18-hole golf match.
"Let’s do another debate this week so that sleepy Joe Biden can prove to everyone all over the world that he has what it takes to be president," Trump said in Doral, Florida. "But this time, it will be man to man, no moderators."
He also challenged Biden to a golf match, a topic that came up during the June 27 debate in Atlanta.
Kamala Harris speaks with U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team during a break at practice today in Las Vegas.
Stepping onto the court at 4:23 p.m. ET, she was escorted to the star-studded group of players by head coach Steve Kerr. Harris shook hands with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry before she spoke with the team at Mendenhall Arena at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Our nation is cheering you on. We are so proud of you,” she said. “Go to Paris and bring back that gold.”
Russia aims to undermine Biden in November election, intel officials say
Russia’s efforts to influence this year’s U.S. election through information warfare have the same aim as in previous elections — to undermine Biden’s campaign and the Democratic Party and weaken public confidence in the electoral process, intelligence officials said today.
Russia’s election influence operations, which include covert social media accounts and encrypted direct messaging channels, are targeting key voter groups in swing states to exploit political divisions in the U.S. and erode support for Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion, officials with the Office of the Director National Intelligence, or ODNI, told reporters.
Asked whether Russia’s information campaign is trying to boost or undermine one of the presidential candidates, an ODNI official said: “We have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the presidential race from past elections, given the role the U.S. is playing with regard to Ukraine and broader policy toward Russia.”
Kamala Harris makes campaign pitch to voters in Las Vegas
Vice President Kamala Harris made her pitch to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders voters today, launching an event called AANHPI Voters for Biden-Harris.
“We have also fought to protect our communities from hate and violence, including by passing the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which made it easier for AA and NHPI communities to report acts of hate,” Harris said before she pivoted to Trump.
“The former president consistently incites hate, including toward the AA and NHPI community. ... I will say that someone who vilifies immigrants, who promotes xenophobia, someone who stokes hate, should never again have the chance to stand behind a microphone and the seal of the president of the United States,” she said to a roaring crowd.
Harris also focused some of her criticism on the media.
“There’s some issues that require, I think, a lot more attention from the press. And there are some issues that sadly, most recently, have not been covered to the extent that they should commensurate with the seriousness of the matter,” said before she cited Project 2025 and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity.
Harris also acknowledged how difficult the last few days have been for the campaign as an increasing number of Democrats call on Biden to step aside in the presidential race.
“We always knew this election would be tough. The past few days have been a reminder that running for president of the United States is never easy,” she said.
Navy sailor disciplined for trying to access Biden’s medical records multiple times
A sailor assigned to a medical team at a base in Virginia tried unsuccessfully to access Biden's medical records multiple times this year, a Navy spokesperson said today.
The sailor, whom defense officials did not name, worked with the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command at Fort Belvoir when the failed attempts took place in February.
The service member searched for “Joseph Biden” in the Military Health System’s electronic health record “out of curiosity,” Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said in a statement.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill calls on Biden to withdraw from race
Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said in a new statement that Biden should exit the race, citing the stakes and threat of another Trump presidency.
“When I think of my four children and all of the rights that another Trump presidency endangers, and in light of the recent Supreme Court decision that gave inordinate power to the President of the United States, the stakes are too high — and the threat is too real — to stay silent. I realize this is hard, but we have done hard things in pursuit of democracy since the founding of this nation. It is time to do so again," she said.
She continued, “I know that President Biden and his team have been true public servants and have put the country and the best interests of democracy first and foremost in their considerations. And because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee.”
Sherrill is one of nine House Democrats who have said Biden should drop out. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., originally said on a private call that Biden should step aside but walked that back today and said he would support him.
Dr. Tom Pitts, a board-certified neurologist, speaks with NBC News’ Tom Llamas about questions surrounding Biden’s health. Pitts, who has not examined Biden, shares opinions based on video clips of him.
Top Democrat says 'we'll see' when asked if Biden is doing enough to assuage party concerns
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar of California, the No. 3 House Democrat, offered support for Biden but less than a full-throated vote of confidence after the caucus' closed-door meeting this morning.
Asked by NBC News whether Biden was doing enough to assuage the Democratic caucus about his ability to win in November given the number of public defections and private doubts from House Democrats, Aguilar said, “We’ll see.”
“Let’s see the press conference, let’s see the campaign stops, let’s see all of this, because all of it is going to be necessary,” he said. “The president knows he did not have a good debate performance. He knows that he has to be out there in people’s districts, out in the communities, out in these tough states. He knows that. And that’s what we’ll see in the days and weeks ahead.”
A few other times, he stopped short of unqualified praise for Biden.
“Right now President Biden is the nominee, and we support the Democratic nominee that will beat Donald Trump,” he said at one point. Asked whether his constituents back home want Biden on the ticket, he said, “Overwhelmingly they want to prevent Donald Trump from being in the White House. So that’s what I hear. We hear other things, too. We hear theories and cases and of course, that’s fine.”
He said today’s meeting of House Democrats was “constructive” because it allowed them to hear from one another and the leaders to listen to members. “There was no instruction to get on the same page,” he said.
Schumer reiterates 'I'm with Joe'
Taking questions from reporters at the Senate Democratic leadership news conference this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York responded to three questions about Biden's campaign by reaffirming his support with the same answer.
"As I've said before, I'm with Joe," Schumer said.
Congressional Black Caucus members to meet tonight about Biden
The Congressional Black Caucus will gather again tonight to talk about the virtual meeting it had with Biden last night, two sources familiar with the plans said.
The meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Democratic National Committee, will be members-only.
Biden spoke to the group last night for about 20 minutes, with a heavy discussion about lifting up Black America and growing wealth.
A source familiar with the call said Biden told caucus members: “I can’t thank y’all enough. You got my letter today. I’m not going anywhere.” And, mocking Trump, he said: “There’s no such thing as Black jobs.”
Jeffries says meeting was 'very constructive' but 'conversations are ongoing'
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called the caucus meeting this morning a “very constructive conversation amongst the House Democratic Caucus family.”
Asked whether Democrats reached a consensus on Biden, Jeffries said: “The conversations are ongoing.”
Nikki Haley releases her delegates to Trump, won't attend convention
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley announced she was releasing her 97 GOP delegates to support Trump at next week's Republican convention, four months after she dropped out of the primary race against him.
"The nominating convention is a time for Republican unity," Haley said in a statement. "Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America. We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track. I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee."
Politico first reported the news. Haley spokesperson Chaney Denton also said Haley "was not invited" to the convention "and she's fine with that."
Haley said in May that she would vote for Trump after having said when she left the race that it was "up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him."
Mike Pence expresses 'profound disappointment' in draft RNC platform's lack of federal abortion ban
Former Vice President Mike Pence is calling the Republican National Committee's draft platform a “profound disappointment” for not including a push for a national abortion ban.
“Now is not the time to surrender any ground in the fight for the right to life," Pence, who ended his own presidential campaign in October, said in a statement. "The 2024 platform removed historic pro-life principles that have long been the foundation of the platform."
“I urge delegates attending next week’s Republican Convention to restore language to our party’s platform recognizing the sanctity of human life and affirming that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”
An RNC panel approved a draft policy platform yesterday ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.
The draft platform omits a push for a federal abortion ban and language outright opposing same-sex marriage — changes the Trump campaign quietly demanded.
RNC protest group says it will comply with federal judge's ruling
The main group planning to protest the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee blasted a ruling by a federal judge that protesters cannot march through the “hard” security perimeter — but said it would comply with the decision.
At a news conference this morning, Omar Flores, chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC, said his group had come up with “an updated march route that complies with the credential zone.”
“We do not plan on challenging the credential zone,” he said.
The group's new march route does not follow the “parade route” devised by Milwaukee officials and the Secret Service, but it does avoid the hard security perimeter that was at the center of the group’s suit.
A federal judge ruled last night that protesters cannot march through the hard security perimeter, rejecting a suit by the Coalition to March on the RNC and the American Civil Liberties Union seeking to march closer to the venue hosting most of the nominating convention, Fiserv Forum downtown.
Rep. Mike Quigley says Biden's letter to lawmakers was 'misdirected'
Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois., one of the handful of Democrats calling on Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, said in an interview today that he thinks Biden’s letter to lawmakers yesterday vowing to stay in the race wasn't the right move.
“I thought the letter to Congress was misdirected,” Quigley said on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” “I again, respectfully, believe what they’ve done so far can be seen as dismissive.”
Asked whether Biden should take a cognitive test, Quigley said, "It’s hard for me to speculate, but I think the point is the whole world is speculating, and it’s going to be the story.”
“He has to be, I would respectfully say, more transparent and more understanding that this isn’t just going to pass by him saying 'I feel fine,'” he added.
Quigley expressed concern that Democrats are in a “time crunch,” saying, “I do believe we need to make a change and that we need to make it before the Democratic convention.”
Rep. Lori Trahan says 'I share those concerns' about Biden's ability to beat Trump in November
Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., who was recently appointed chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, said she shares concerns that some fellow Democrats have about Biden’s ability to beat Trump in November after the president’s disastrous June debate performance.
“I voted for Joe Biden to be our nominee because I believe in his work with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people,” Trahan said in a statement to NBC News. “However, since the debate, I have met with fellow Biden voters in Massachusetts who have real concerns about the president’s ability to beat Donald Trump. I share those concerns.”
Trahan, however, stopped short of calling for Biden to step aside and said she is committed to do “everything in my power” to help Democrats regain the House majority and defeat Trump.
“While President Biden has made clear he feels he is the best candidate to win this election, nothing that has happened over the past twelve days suggests that voters see things the same way,” she said. “A second Trump presidency will do irreparable damage to women and to our country, and President Biden must act with urgency to restore Americans’ confidence so we win in November.”
Ruben Gallego announces big Arizona Senate fundraising haul
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego announced his second-quarter fundraising haul in the Arizona Senate race, saying his campaign raised $10.4 million.
The numbers will be confirmed in filings due July 15. The Democrat's campaign also said 95% of all contributions in from April 1 through June 30 were $100 or less, and it said that more than half of those who contributed were first-time donors.
The front-runner in Arizona's GOP Senate primary, former news anchor Kari Lake, has yet to publish her second-quarter fundraising numbers. Gallego outraised Lake in both the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
Despite widespread support for Biden, some Democrats 'fear he's declining'
Behind closed doors, some of the handful of lawmakers who previously called on Biden to step down or aired their concerns about his health spoke during the meeting, including Reps. Seth Moulton and Mark Takano, sources told NBC News.
One lawmaker called the mood in the room around Biden “shaky,” adding that “people fear he’s declining and worry that the age issue will overshadow everything the rest of the way out.”
'Overwhelming consensus' in House Democrats meeting that Biden should stay in race, source says
After today's House Democrats meeting, several sources painted a picture to NBC News of a caucus concerned about its nominee, but still publicly on his side— even as some expressed resignation about that.
“If the opposition is not unified,” one House Democrat said, “then it’s advantage Biden.”
Another told NBC News that the “overwhelming consensus” was that Biden would stay in the race and the party should unify to support him. “Those with concerns should voice them privately,” this person advised.
Certainly, that’s what top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries was trying to ensure: that colleagues, including him, had a chance to listen and take stock of where fellow lawmakers are at on this.
“I’m not going to quote anybody,” said Rep. Quigley, who’s already said Biden should step down, emphasizing the desire of leadership to keep a lid on the family conversation. “I don’t want to be excommunicated. I’m already off the Christmas card list.”
Rep. Nadler flips, says Biden is 'our candidate, and we’re all going to support him'
Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., told reporters outside the House Democrats' caucus meeting at the DNC that he is in support of the Biden campaign again.
"Whether I have concerns or not is beside the point,” he said. “He’s going to be our nominee, and we all have to support him.”
This comes days after Nadler and three other congressional Democrats told their colleagues on a phone call that Biden should step aside, according to multiple sources familiar.
Biden to speak with Democratic mayors tonight
Biden will speak virtually with Democratic mayors tonight and is expected to take questions from the group, according to two sources familiar with the plans.
It’s the latest form of outreach to anxious members of his own party, following conversations with Democratic governors last week and calls with top donors and Congressional Black Caucus members on Monday.
NSC spokesman John Kirby dismisses notion that Biden rejects national security info late at night
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby again pushed back this morning against the notion that Biden doesn't allow information to be shared with him late at night.
Kirby said during an interview on CNN that being president is a "24-hour job, seven days a week" and from his experience working with Biden, "It doesn't matter what the hour on the clock says."
"He knows the world doesn't take a breather after a certain time of day," Kirby said.
Rep. Steve Cohen says Democrats are not on the same page nor 'in the same book'
In a video posted by a Daily Mail reporter, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., shared a dismal takeaway upon departing House Democrats’ meeting at the DNC headquarters this morning.
"No," Cohen said when asked if Democrats are all on the same page.
Asked for clarification, Cohen replied, "we are not even in the same book."
Former Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma has died, family says
Former Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., died this morning after a sudden unexpected illness over the holiday weekend, his family said in a statement.
Inhofe, who was 89, was the longest-serving senator from Oklahoma, having held office from 1994-2023. During his time in Congress, he was the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Armed Services Committee.
Inhofe also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Oklahoma's House and Senate, and was the mayor of Tulsa.
Rep. James Clyburn: 'We're ridin' with Biden'
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., emerged from the closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting signaling that he and his colleagues are largely backing Biden for president.
"We're ridin' with Biden," Clyburn said repeatedly in response to reporters' questions. Clyburn was largely credited with turning around Biden's 2020 primary campaign on his way to winning the party's nomination.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., another member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the "squad" of more progressive House members, told reporters after the meeting that she doesn't want to be distracted by a 90-minute debate, and said Democrats should focus on the Project 2025 proposal, an initiative by the conservative Heritage Foundation to create a policy framework for a Republican administration.
Trump has distanced himself from it, but a number of officials from his administration are helping shape the policies.
Hunter Biden's lawyers withdraw motion for new trial in gun case
Hunter Biden’s attorneys withdrew their motion for a new trial in the gun case against him in a new filing in Delaware federal court this morning.
Lawyers for the president’s son asked U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who is presiding over the case, for a new trial last month. They cited a “lack of jurisdiction” for a technical reason, arguing that the “mandate” from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals required the district court to hear the case was not issued properly and therefore the trial verdict should be thrown out.
But Biden’s legal team walked back that request in a new filing today, writing, “As it appears that the Third Circuit views issuing a certified order ‘in lieu’ of a mandate as compliant with Rule 41’s procedure for shortening the time for issuance of a mandate, Mr. Biden withdraws his motion.”
Hunter Biden was found guilty in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, last month on three felony gun charges in connection with the possession of a gun while using narcotics. The new filing by his lawyers does not rule out the possibility of an appeal of his guilty verdict; it just states he won’t appeal on these grounds.
House Dems were told not to talk to press after caucus meeting, two members said
Two House Democrats said as they left their caucus meeting that the room was asked not to talk to the press about what happened, and most members did not answer reporters' questions on the way out of the meeting.
“I promised I wouldn’t talk at all about what was said," said Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., one of the members who have called on Biden to drop out of the race.
House Dem says of colleagues' calls for Biden to withdraw: 'It's the stupidest thing I've ever seen'
Rep. Juan Vargas, D-Calif., a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, criticized the handful of colleagues who have called on Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
"It's a circular firing squad," Vargas said to reporters after leaving the closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting. "It's the stupidest thing I've ever seen."
Vargas said he has always supported Biden as the nominee and hasn't changed his position since the president's disastrous debate.
Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond says calls for president to drop out are 'a distraction'
In an interview this morning, Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond dismissed calls by some congressional Democrats for the president to drop out of the 2024 race.
"I don't have a response to them because it's a distraction," Richmond said on MSNBC's "Ana Cabrera Reports."
Richmond, who previously worked in the Biden White House and served in Congress, urged his Democratic colleagues to "stay focused on the main goal, which is to protect this country from Donald Trump" and ensure the administration's gains continue.
"We need to stay focused on what's at stake here," Richmond said. "We need to stop giving the other guy a pass."
Richmond said that no one is talking about the "twice-impeached" former president or his conviction on 34 felony counts in the New York hush money case.
"The more we talk about this, the less we're talking about the threat, the clear and present danger of former President Donald Trump."
Federal judge delivers blow to RNC protesters
A federal judge ruled last night that protesters cannot march through the “hard” security perimeter at next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The ruling is a blow to several groups who’d sued for the ability to march closer to the venue hosting most of the nominating convention — Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee — and a win for the Republican National Committee, which had pushed for protests to occur farther away.
Milwaukee officials, together with the U.S. Secret Service, created in their plans for the convention two “First Amendment zones" for demonstrators: One is one block north of Fiserv Forum, in Haymarket Square; and another is two blocks south of the arena, at Zeidler Union Square.
The Coalition to March on the RNC and the ACLU had sued to allow the zones closer to the Fiserv Forum, claiming they had a constitutional right to be within “sight and sound” of the convention’s proceedings.
However, in the ruling, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig wrote that while “Coalition members have the right to march in protest of the RNC” and that “their right to do so lies at the heart of the First Amendment," the "First Amendment does not allow them to protest or parade in any way they choose." He added that Milwaukee officials and the U.S. Secret Service had effectively balanced protesters’ rights to free speech and “legitimate security” interests.
House Freedom Caucus kicks out Rep. Warren Davidson over his endorsement
The conservative House Freedom Caucus kicked out Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, last night in retaliation for his endorsement of group Chairman Bob Good's primary challenger.
Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, then resigned from the group in protest, a source familiar with the decision told NBC.
"I am not happy, but very content. Congress will soon be a better place without Bob Good, as will Freedom Caucus," Davidson wrote in a post on X this morning. "I am disappointed that some HFC members (a very narrow majority of those present) viewed my opposition to Bob and support for John McGuire as an attack on them or the group. While that was not my intent, their opposition to me was intended. Nevertheless, God is good, and real friendships mend."
The ire for Good was palpable last night as well. One senior GOP aide told NBC News, “Only Bob Good is stupid enough to take attention off Joe Biden’s electoral issues and create drama with the Freedom Caucus. Maybe his lack of intellect and political prowess is why he is the first and only HFC chairman to lose an election?”
Good lost the GOP primary in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District to Trump- and Kevin McCarthy-endorsed state Sen. John McGuire, though Good is contesting the results.
A Freedom Caucus spokesperson reiterated its posture to NBC News that it “does not comment on membership or internal processes.”
The Hill reported last night that the Freedom Caucus had booted Davidson.
Rep. Maxwell Frost 'reassured' about Biden campaign after CBC meeting
Speaking to reporters outside the House Democrats’ caucus meeting at the DNC, Rep. Maxwell Frost, of Florida, said he feels “reassured" about the Biden campaign's plans after the Congressional Black Caucus’ virtual meeting with the president last night.
Frost said the Biden campaign is spending $50 million in ads airing in battleground states and the president plans to hit the road to discuss Project 2025, a controversial list of proposals from conservative groups that Trump has sought to distance himself from.
Frost said that when he spoke with young voters last weekend, they did not talk about Biden’s age but brought up that they are “scared to death” of Project 2025.
He also expressed confidence that Biden will make up for his poor debate performance last month, saying “he’s many good performances from winning.”
Biden’s doctor has put out a letter seeking to clear up why a specialist in Parkinson’s disease has been to the White House several times in recent months. The release comes after a tense daily White House briefing that left unanswered questions about the president’s health. NBC’s Peter Alexander reports for "TODAY."
The shadow of Trump looms over the NATO summit
Reporting from Washington
As NATO leaders meet in Washington this week, Ukraine’s future is hanging in the balance.
Despite vows by alliance leaders to keep arming Ukraine in its fight to fend off invading Russian forces, the prospect of Trump returning to the White House is casting a shadow over the summit.
A Trump victory in the November presidential election could mean a dramatic decline in U.S. aid to Ukraine and American political pressure on Kyiv to bow to Russian demands in any peace talks, Western officials say.
Here's what Biden and Trump are doing today
On the heels of reaffirming his commitment to staying in the presidential race, Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks at the NATO summit in Washington to commemorate the alliance's 75th anniversary.
Trump is back on the campaign trail today with a scheduled rally at his golf course near Miami.
Biden is slamming “elites” who have called for him to step aside. He says he still has the support of voters. As he fights for his political future, Biden hopes the support of Black voters and union workers will propel him to another victory. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson reports.
House Democrats largely supportive of Biden ahead of conference meeting
Reporting from Washington
House Democrats who spoke on camera last night were largely supportive of Biden, even as the party’s divisions remain deep.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., held firm in her support, saying she is “hopeful that he will be the next president of the United States.” She also praised House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for “doing a wonderful job listening to members.”
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, indicated that she and some other Democrats had spoken to Biden over the weekend. Escobar said she believed that the more members who spoke with him, the more confident they would feel, so she encouraged him to do more outreach.
Asked if Vice President Kamala Harris would be better at the job than Biden, Democratic Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she would be “phenomenal,” but then said that Biden is the president and they will support him. Another CBC member, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, was asked why the CBC has become such a key line of defense for Biden. “Because we’re the most loyal group of Democrats in Washington. Bar none,” he said.
Not everyone was as effusive. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said progressives will meet with Biden this week. On concerns about Biden’s debate performance, she told reporters that the issues should be addressed privately instead of in public.
“I think the conversation is important to have right now because people do have concerns,” Jayapal said. “I just don’t think it should be in public and I think at the end of the day, he is our nominee right now until he is not our nominee.”
When asked if she supports Harris, Jayapal said “always.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who has expressed significant concerns about Biden remaining on the ticket, resisted answering reporters' questions about the president yesterday and said it’s not a binary choice. “We’re still working the whole process out,” he said, while adding that there would be more to say after the Democrats’ conference meeting.
Biden assails Democratic 'elites' as he fights to remain in the race
Reporting from Washington
Biden reached the White House after two terms as vice president and nearly four decades in the Senate — an establishment résumé if there ever was one. But facing calls to abandon his re-election bid, Biden is now framing his fight for political survival as “party elites” versus the voters.
Biden’s current posture of defiance is rooted in his — and most of his inner circle’s — conviction that many of those calling for his ouster were never firmly behind him to begin with, according to multiple people familiar with their thinking. Biden made the point, angrily at times, in an 18-minute interview yesterday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said after the hosts listed some prominent Democrats who’ve called for him to step aside. “They were wrong in 2020. They were wrong in 2022 about the red wave. They were wrong in 2024.”