Subject: Playbook PM: Mail bomb suspect arrested in Florida
From: "Anna Palmer Jake Sherman Daniel Lippman" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2018 11:18:06 -0600
List-Id: <1376319.xt.local>

Presented by Google: Playbook is POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the day in Washington                Oct 26, 2018 View in browser                   
 By Jake Sherman, Anna Palmer, Daniel Lippman, Garrett Ross and Eli Okun 
             
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ARREST IN THE BOMBING CASE ... DOJ SPOKESWOMAN SARAH ISGUR FLORES (@whignewtons): "We can confirm one person is in custody. We will hold a press conference at the Department of Justice at 2:30pm ET."

-- NYT'S WILLIAM RASHBAUM, ALAN FEUER and ADAM GOLDMAN: "Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested in Southern Florida": "A law enforcement official identified the suspect as Cesar Sayoc, Jr., 56, of Aventura, Fla, just north of Miami. Mr. Sayoc, a registered Republican, has a lengthy criminal history in Florida dating back to 1991 that includes felony theft, drug and fraud charges, as well as arrested and accused of threatening to use a bomb, public records show. ...

"Mr. Sayoc's arrest came only hours after the mysterious spate of pipe bombs spread further as federal authorities said on Friday morning that they had found two more of the explosive devices: one addressed to Senator Cory Booker and the other to James R. Clapper Jr., the former director of national intelligence.

"Although no formal charges have been filed yet, two of the law enforcement officials said there was a high likelihood that Mr. Sayoc would be prosecuted at least in part in Federal District Court in Manhattan. The F.B.I.'s New York office has been leading the investigation and five of the bombs sent this week fall under the jurisdiction of the United States attorney's office in Manhattan." NYT 

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, speaking before the Young Black Leadership Summit at the White House, called the mailed bombs "terrorizing acts," adding that they were "despicable and have no place in our country."

TRUMP praised law enforcement officials for the "incredible job" they did finding "a needle in a haystack." He said he had "instructed authorities to spare no resource or expense in finding those responsible and bringing them to swift and certain justice."

TRUMP: "We must never allow political violence to take root in America. Cannot happen. And I am committed to doing everything in my power as president to stop it -- and to stop it now."

EARLIER ... TODAY'S SPLIT SCREEN ... Around 10 a.m., cable news showed bomb squad-type police officers ensuring that mailed pipe bombs do not explode. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT is saying it is going to bring the bomber to justice. Meanwhile, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, at 10:05 a.m., complained about Twitter's effort to remove bots from its platform.

-- @realDonaldTrump: "Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join -- they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all. A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?"

AND THEN at 10:19 a.m., he seemed to indicate the bombs were phony: "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows -- news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!"

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REMEMBERING TYRONE GAYLE -- His wife, Beth Foster, emailed friends and family today about Gayle, press secretary for Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and an alum of Clinton 2016, DCCC and Tim Kaine: "Last night, our Tyrone passed away peacefully, surrounded by lots of friends, family, and love at Sloan Kettering in New York. Per usual, Tyrone exceeded everyone's expectations in this battle and his big heart fought hard until the end. While we thought he may have a couple more weeks in him, Tyrone decided on his own terms -- as he always did -- when it was time to go. 

"[H]e lived 30 years to their fullest. Every day counted and mattered, and he packed more into his 30 years than most people get in 80. ... Remember Tyrone as he was. To me, a loving husband and partner who made every day better, even in his darkest moments. A son and brother to an exceptional family. An exceedingly loyal friend who made us all a part of his family. And someone who, every day, woke up to make his world and all our worlds better. 

"For our political friends, don't you dare let this make [you] take your foot off the gas in these final couple of weeks. Just imagine the amount of side-eye Tyrone would give you ... This battle was never easy, but because of you all he had so much love and laughter right up until the end. I hope that Gayle Nation will endure long past Tyrone's passing. Nothing would make Tyrone happier."

-- HARRIS' statement: "I am heartbroken over the loss of our Press Secretary, Tyrone Gayle. ... Tyrone started with me on Day 1 in my Senate office and cared so deeply about the people we fight for every day. ... He did this work tirelessly, always with a smile or a kind gesture. And he never lost faith in our ability to do good for the people in this country."

RUSSIA WATCH -- REUTERS' MARGARITA ANTIDZE in Tbilisi, Georgia: "U.S. invites Putin to Washington, but says get out of Ukraine"

THE ECONOMY KEEPS GROWING ... "U.S. economy grew at annual rate of 3.5 percent in 2018's third quarter," by WaPo's David Lynch: "Growth dipped from the second quarter's 4.2 percent rate, but the economy still posted its best back-to-back quarters in four years. ... 

"Strong consumer spending and government outlays boosted growth in the July-September period. ... Business investment was surprisingly weak, growing by just 0.8 percent in the quarter after an 8.7 percent gain in the previous three months. The administration advertised last year's corporate tax cut as a spur to business spending on new machines, computers and factories. Yet any gains seem to be fading fast ... Another major negative: Trade sapped the $20.7 trillion economy's strength as imports outpaced exports by a rising margin." WaPo

WHAT ELSE IS ON THE PRESIDENT'S MIND -- @realDonaldTrump at 9:55 a.m.: "The United States has been spending Billions of Dollars a year on Illegal Immigration. This will not continue. Democrats must give us the votes to pass strong (but fair) laws. If not, we will be forced to play a much tougher hand."

BREAKING -- WSJ'S VIVIAN SALAMA and NANCY YOUSSEF: "Mattis Approves Sending More Troops to Mexican Border"

CASH DASH -- MAGGIE SEVERNS and LORRAINE WOELLERT, "Democratic groups outraise Republicans in October in wake of Kavanaugh fight": "GOP fundraisers said in recent weeks that the battle over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation galvanized their donors and gave the party momentum. But the largest Democratic committees and super PACs still outstripped them, raising $82.5 million in the first 17 days of October, compared to $73.9 million for their Republican counterparts ... 

"But while Democrats showed they could continue to rake in money as November nears, Republican groups had significantly more cash socked away for the final stretch. They started the last three weeks of the election with $139.8 million in cash on hand, while Democrats had $107.9 million." POLITICO

MENENDEZ IN TROUBLE? ... COOK POLITICAL REPORT'S JENNIFER DUFFY: "Senate: 11 Days Out; NJ Moves to Toss Up": "The contest isn't about anything else but Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his ethics problems. His opponent, pharmaceutical CEO Bob Hugin, has outspent the incumbent, $27.7 million to $11.8 million ... The biggest threat to Menendez's re-election is not so much Hugin than it is the voter who goes to the polls and decides to send Menendez a message, much the way many did in the primary when 38 percent voted for his unknown primary opponent." Cook Political Report 

2018 WATCH -- "A GOP Lawmaker's Battle to Turn Growth and Jobs Into Votes," by WSJ's Janet Adamy and Paul Overberg in Granite City, Ill.: Rep. Mike "Bost's fight for re-election shows how Republicans, with days to go, are still battling to translate a strong economy into wins at the ballot box. ... In battleground districts like Illinois's 12th congressional district, economic pain was acute in recent years. ... 

"Mr. Trump is visiting Murphysboro, which is in the 12th district, on Saturday to help Mr. Bost-co-chair of the congressional steel caucus-fend off a challenge by Democrat Brendan Kelly ... Mr. Bost emphasizes jobs on the campaign trail, particularly the 800 the steel plant is adding this year. ... Mr. Kelly says wages aren't keeping up." WSJ

-- WSJ'S JOSHUA JAMERSON in Sammamish, Wash.: "Outside Seattle, an Election Battle Between the Countryside and New Suburbia": "[Gigi] Morrison is part of the GOP-leaning faction that has kept Washington's Eighth Congressional District in Republican hands since it was first drawn in the early 1980s. The result is the encapsulation of a contest splitting communities, and the issues that are important to them, that will help define who wins in the midterm election Nov. 6: rural voters, who lean Republican, and voters in the suburbs, where Democrats are gaining ground.

"[D]espite its GOP bent in congressional races, this affluent district tends to vote for Democrats for president ... The trend mirrors polling that shows the GOP risks losing suburban women voters in Pennsylvania and outside Washington, D.C., among other areas. ... But the GOP remains strong in many rural areas nationwide ... and Democrats acknowledge they face a steeper challenge courting votes farther from city limits." WSJ 

-- BUZZFEED'S HENRY GOMEZ and STEVEN PERLBERG: "Fox News Is Helping These Republican Candidates Talk To Voters - And To Donald Trump" 

THE INVESTIGATIONS ... CAITLIN OPRYSKO: "Papadopoulos threatens to pull out of Mueller plea agreement": "'I believe there was tremendous misconduct on the government's behalf regarding my case,' Papadopoulos told 'Fox & Friends' host Brian Kilmeade. 'And given certain information I learned just yesterday that I can't publicly disclose right now, I'm actually even considering withdrawing my agreement I have come to with the government.' ... 

"'Let's just say maybe it was [a] chaotic moment when I pled and that's exactly why I have new counsel now,' he said. 'And we are actively looking into new options. And possibly withdrawing from this agreement right now.'" POLITICO 

SARAH KARLIN-SMITH: "Verdict on Trump drug plan: A tough sale ahead": "Conservatives and the drug industry say it's tantamount to government price controls and socialized medicine. Democrats are beating up the president for not going far enough and doctors are worried their patients could lose access to critical medicines.

"The Trump team will have to tackle political, legal and administrative obstacles, all while keeping voters enthused about a wonky plan that's limited to one segment of the Medicare program. Any rewards likely won't materialize for years." POLITICO 

THE LATEST ON JAMAL KHASHOGGI -- "'Where is the body?' Erdogan piles more pressure on Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi murder," by WaPo's Chico Harlan in Istanbul: "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intensified the pressure on Saudi Arabia in a speech Friday, demanding that the kingdom reveal the location of the remains of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and suggesting that Turkey has additional 'information and documents' about the killing that it would eventually reveal.

"Erdogan also repeated his call on Saudi Arabia to hand over the 18 people it has arrested in the case if the country's authorities could not 'make them talk.' 'Hand them over to us,' Erdogan said. 'The event took place in Istanbul. We will judge them.'" WaPo 

TRADE WARS ... "Trump's Trade War May Create New Auto Jobs. In China," by NYT's Jack Ewing: "Carmakers' early hopes that congressional Republicans who favor free trade could restrain Mr. Trump have faded. Instead, manufacturers are girding for a protracted period of conflict that will disrupt supply chains and change the companies' calculations about where to expand and where to cut back.

"BMW, the largest exporter of cars from the United States, has already moved some production of its popular X3 sport utility vehicle - once made exclusively in Spartanburg, S.C. - to a factory in Shenyang, China. ... Business leaders in South Carolina and other areas that depend on foreign carmakers are registering alarm. At the very least, they wonder if jobs to be created for future models will shift out of the United States. Their worst fear? Workers in places like Spartanburg could see jobs wither." NYT 

ON THE WORLD STAGE -- NYT'S DECLAN WALSH: "The Tragedy of Saudi Arabia's War in Yemen": "The devastating war in Yemen has gotten more attention recently as outrage over the killing of a Saudi dissident in Istanbul has turned a spotlight on Saudi actions elsewhere. The harshest criticism of the Saudi-led war has focused on the airstrikes that have killed thousands of civilians at weddings, funerals and on school buses, aided by American-supplied bombs and intelligence.

"But aid experts and United Nations officials say a more insidious form of warfare is also being waged in Yemen, an economic war that is exacting a far greater toll on civilians and now risks tipping the country into a famine of catastrophic proportions. ... Looking around her, Dr. [Mekkia] Mahdi could not fathom the Western obsession with the Saudi killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. 'We're surprised the Khashoggi case is getting so much attention while millions of Yemeni children are suffering,' she said. 'Nobody gives a damn about them.'" NYT 

AFTERNOON READ -- "This Is What It's Like to Be a Migrant in the Age of Trump," by Lauren Markham in Tapachula, Mexico, for POLITICO Magazine: "Most experts agree that would-be immigrants like Rosa [Gonzalez] aren't deterred in significant numbers by American policies, no matter how tough, because the threats they're fleeing at home are far more frightening. And the numbers certainly indicate migrants are still coming. ... 

"Yet Rosa's story suggests that the reality is more complicated-that would-be migrants are aware of these policies, and are, in fact, changing their plans. In certain ways, this deterrence strategy is working-yet not necessarily in the way the U.S. government may intend. ... The picture that emerged, as I spoke to migrants and prospective migrants, is of a set of nations-from El Salvador and Honduras up through the United States and Canada-becoming even more entwined than they already are, with families further stretched and spread across borders." POLITICO Magazine

MEDIAWATCH ... Yara Bayoumy will be national security editor at The Atlantic. She was previously deputy national security editor at Reuters.

SPOTTED: Chris Matthews at Dulles this morning.

TRANSITIONS -- DHS ARRIVAL LOUNGE: Andrea Palermo will join the Department of Homeland Security's public affairs office. She is currently press secretary for Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.). ... Kevin Benacci will be director of external affairs at the National Protection and Programs Directorate affairs at DHS. He was previously chief of staff to Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and deputy chief of staff for Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio).

                        
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