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Here’s what we’re talking about today:
1. GAETZ-GATE CONTINUES: Some of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s classmates said they might see a scandal coming. One remembers a dinner with Gaetz in 2009 where he took out his cell phone to show a “definitely sexual” photo. Others say the Florida Congressman was quick to drop his father’s name as a teenager, sometimes as a barely veiled threat. In total, Insider spoke to 21 Gaetz classmates.
Here is some of what they have told my colleagues:
- A photo of “a private moment” at a wedding rehearsal dinner: Erin Scot said Gaetz appeared to be bragging about his relationship with a woman while showing off a photo. Scot described the picture as a woman, “as if she were on a bed and maybe looking at the camera on all fours.”
- A debate teammate recalled that Gaetz had threatened a teammate with his father’s political influence: “He said, ‘You don’t talk to me like that, or I’ll call my dad and have some people in Dartmouth call to have your license withdrawn,” the teammate told Insider.
Niceville’s class 2000 alumni page is a hotbed for Gaetz chatter: However, moderators on the site have tried to contain it.
Matt Gaetz’s classmates gossiped about him in a Facebook alumni group.
Facebook
Read more in our exclusive report.
More headaches for Gaetz: Joel Greenberg, the Congressman’s former confidante, made 150 venmo payments to dozens of young women, including someone who was 17 at the time, reports The Daily Beast. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, including any payment for sex or sex with a minor.
Gaetz has planned a unique answer: He makes a six-figure ad purchase for an ad targeting CNN. The ad will be broadcast in his district and on some cable channels nationwide, Politico reports.
2. Biden says the decision to end the war in Afghanistan was “absolutely clear”: He announced the withdrawal of all US troops by September 11th. He was in the same room where President George W. Bush announced the first strike of America’s longest war.
- Key quote: “I am now the fourth President of the United States to preside over the American troop presence in Afghanistan: two Republicans, two Democrats. I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth.”
War veterans are torn over the decision: “There is no easy answer, no victory dance, no, we were right and you were wrong,” 49-year-old Jason Dempsey, who was posted to Afghanistan twice, told the New York Times.
3.How Biden escapes the White House bubble: He described life in 1600 Penn. as “a bit of a gilded cage.” But even if Biden leaves DC for Delaware, the bubble will follow. President Obama once described the experience by pointing out that the secret service was tracking every one of his activities, including bathroom trips.
4. The CDC is not yet sure when the Johnson & Johnson hiatus will end: A panel of experts recommended that the break should not be lifted yet as more data is required. It is unclear whether the vaccine specifically caused six women to develop blood clots. We learned more about the cases in question.
insider
The airlines rejected the CDC’s guidelines for locking down the center seats: Major airlines like Delta, United and Southwest put the recommendation on a trade group that confirmed they are not advising airlines to reopen the middle seat debate. Delta is the only major airline still blocking the middle seats. However, this should be stopped on May 1st.
5. The US is reportedly sacking Russian diplomats for electoral interference and the SolarWinds hack: The sanctions, which could be announced today, would apply to around a dozen individuals and 20 other companies, according to Bloomberg News. The US could expel up to 10 Russian diplomats.
6th Former police officer charged with manslaughter in Daunte Wright’s death: Former Brooklyn Center officer Kimberly Potter has been charged with second degree manslaughter.
- A Quieter Night in the Brooklyn Center: Protesters gathered outside the Minneapolis suburb police station for the fourth night, but there have been some significant changes in development, the Star Tribune reported. Law enforcement officers arrested fewer people and did not use tear gas. There were no reports of looting for the second night in a row. More about what happened.
7th T.The top things for your calendar, all times east:
- 10:15 am: Derek Chauvin’s trial continues
- 10:45 am: Spokesman Pelosi’s weekly press conference
- 11:30 am: Kevin McCarthy’s weekly press conference
- 12:30 pm: Jen Psaki holds the daily White House press conference
- 1:00 pm: The Capitol Police watchdog testifies about the January 6 riot
- 2.00 p.m .: Biden and Vice President Harris meet with the Caucus Executive Committee of Congress in the Asia Pacific region
8. The Senate overwhelmingly votes in favor of advancing hate crime legislation: “Led by Democrats Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Rep. Grace Meng of New York, the COVID-19 Hate Crime Act will require federal officials to facilitate expedited review of hate crimes.” A 92-6 vote will bring the legislation closer to adoption, but there could still be some trouble. Here are the six Republicans who voted against.
Financier Bernard Madoff arrives at Federal Court in Manhattan on March 12, 2009 in New York City. Madoff is slated to make a guilty plea in eleven cases that could result in a prison sentence of around 150 years under federal law.
Stephen Chernin / Getty Images
9. Bernie Madoff’s Legacy of Historical Fraud: Madoff ran the largest Ponzi program in US history before going to jail in 2009. He died of apparent natural causes at the age of 82, reports the AP. More about what he’s leaving behind.
10. Almost perfect: “For eight innings, White Sox pitcher Rodon faced 24 Cleveland batters and none of them got further than promotion to home plate.” But the ninth meant the end of his perfect game. How the last crazy inning turned out.
One last thing.
Today’s trivia question: Today is the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier of baseball. But do you know which president was the inspiration for this middle name? Email me your guess and a suggested question at [email protected].
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