What to Know in Washington: Political Battle on Border Sharpens

Lawmakers are flocking to the US-Mexico border this week, as Republicans wield immigration politics against the Biden administration and Democrats rush to soften the blow.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) plans to tour border facilities with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) in Laredo, Texas, on Friday.

His trip comes a day after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined by freshman GOP lawmakers during his first border trip as speaker, toured US Customs and Border Protection operations in Cochise County, Ariz., on Thursday.

“This has all got to change, that’s our commitment, and that’s what we’ll make happen,” McCarthy said during a press conference, referencing drug trafficking and border-crossers who evade authorities.

John Moore/Getty Images

Immigrants in keep warm by a fire at dawn after spending a night in El Paso alongside the Texas-Mexico border fence on Dec. 22, 2022.

Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, whose district includes much of the Arizona-Mexico border, was also in the region Thursday to tout investments in CBP facilities.

The competing messaging underscores how lawmakers have locked in border security as a key political battleground in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. Congressional delegations and committees have taken or announced at least a half-dozen border trips so far this year. Ellen M. Gilmer previews the border battles to come.

Elections, Politics & Probes

Ahead of 2024, Biden’s Doctor Says He’s ‘Healthy’ and ‘Vigorous’

Joe Biden’s doctor says he is “healthy” and “vigorous” following a routine physical Thursday that comes as the oldest ever US president eyes a widely expected 2024 reelection bid, where he will face scrutiny over his fitness.

Nikki Haley Spars With Don Lemon Over His Comments About Her Age

Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is hitting back at CNN anchor Don Lemon, who is walking back comments he made about her age.

Trump 2020 Lawyer John Eastman Fights California Ethics Case

John Eastman, the conservative lawyer who helped lead former President Donald Trump’s failed legal strategy to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election, is fighting efforts by California regulators to strip his law license.

Corruption Probe of Texas AG Taken Over by DOJ in Washington

The US Justice Department is shifting its corruption probe of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from federal prosecutors in the state to investigators in Washington, DC, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Prosecutor DeSantis Axed Over Abortion Sues in State High Court

A Florida state attorney fired by Gov. Ron DeSantis for refusing to bring criminal abortion cases is asking the state’s high court to order his reinstatement.

Fox Knew It Was Airing Bogus Vote-Fraud Claim, Dominion Says

The voting-machine company falsely accused of rigging the 2020 presidential election against Donald Trump said it uncovered “a mountain of direct evidence” that Fox News knew the conspiracy theory was bogus even as it broadcast the claims over and over.

Around the Administration

BIDEN’S AGENDA

• Biden has no public events scheduled. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a briefing at 1:30 p.m.

Private Medicare Plans See Scrutiny as 50% Enrollment Mark Nears

Medicare managed care plans are nearing a major enrollment milestone just as the Biden administration is pushing for tighter oversight of the popular plans.

Law Professor Lands High Court Tech Cases Due to Conflict Rules

Attorney conflict rules landed law professor Eric Schnapper a pair of blockbuster US Supreme Court social media cases that could limit the scope of tech company protections.

US Says G-20 to Address China Blockage on Debt-Relief Roadmaps

China’s objections over the proposed restructuring of Zambia’s debt are just the type of issues that US officials hope to see addressed when global finance leaders take up the roadblocks preventing debt relief for poor nations during meetings next week in India.

US Sending Pentagon Official to Taiwan Soon, FT Reports

The US is sending its top China defense official to Taiwan, according to the Financial Times — though it’s unclear how Beijing will respond given the softer tone it has adopted in its diplomacy with the US and allies recently.

To contact the reporter on this story: Giuseppe Macri in Washington at gmacri@bgov.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Katrice Eborn at keborn@bgov.com