Ben Johansen

Scoop: Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) and other Republicans pressed DHS Sec Mullin for a breakdown of the $220 million for White House security, including the new ballroom, in a closed door meeting today, per 4 ppl on the room Mullin said he did not have the breakdown but that lawmakers would get one soon Mullin also told Republicans in the room that Congress needs to fund security aspects of Trump’s White House ballroom project because the Secret Service is prohibited from using private funds for that purpose, according to the people politico.com/live-updates/2… via @politico

New: Sen. Rand Paul’s son drunkenly accosted and hurled anti-Semitic insults at Rep. Mike Lawler at a Capitol Hill bar on Tuesday night. His son told Lawler that if Rep Thomas Massie loses, it’s going to be because of “your people.” “My people?” Lawler asked Paul. “Yeah, you Jews,” Paul responded.  “Do you think I’m Jewish?” Lawler asked. “I’m not.” “Oh wow, I’m so sorry for calling you a Jew,” Paul said.  He then said that Jews were “anti-American” and how Lawler and his “Jewish supporters” served Israel more than America. notus.org/congress/willi…

Like covering fast-paced news about Washington and the world? Come work for me! @politico is hiring a breaking news reporter. Details for the job are in the posting, but I am happy to answer questions. Application will close in ~2 weeks, don't delay! politico.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/POLITICO/job/A…

SCOOP: In late March, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles sent a blunt message to staff across the Executive Office of the President: Stop leaking to the press. In an email obtained by West Wing Playbook, Wiles warned that “no staff member within the Executive Office of the President is permitted to speak with members of the news media without the explicit approval of the White House Communications Office,” and that “unauthorized leaks will not be tolerated and are subject to sanction up to and including termination.” w/ @SophiaCai99 politico.com/newsletters/we…

Hello new World Cup followers 👋 POLITICO has a merry band of reporters covering the World Cup as a side hustle. Follow our coverage here: politico.com/news/world-cup…

🚨Virginia Supreme Court has overturned the redistricting ballot measure approved by voters last month. Massive blow to Dems ahead of midterms. First cut here: politico.com/news/2026/05/0…

Amid plenty of hantavirus headlines... The official leading CDC’s cruise ship program has retired, according to an internal announcement obtained by STAT statnews.com/2026/05/07/lui…

Do YOU miss the Biden-era West Wing Playbook? Are you Xavier Becerra? @EliStokols runs it back one more time: politico.com/news/2026/05/0…

As they canvas Washington, Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie, the two frontrunners to replace Mayor Muriel Bowser in City Hall, are both contending with the spectre of the district’s most famous — and powerful — resident. My story 👇 politico.com/news/2026/05/0…

If you read West Wing Playbook today, you’ll know @scottpwaldman caught Secretary Rubio making at least two 90s hip hop references today. Subscribe! politico.com/newsletters/we…

Scoop: Trump administration axes fast-track training for new ICE recruits, a change that stems from conversations Todd Lyons & Tom Homan had with lawmakers during funding negotiations politi.co/4dfAIZA via @politico w/ @jordainc @dlippman @ebazaileimil

A reporter at today's White House briefing featuring Sec. of State @marcorubio says "Thank you Mr. President."

I want people to become more informed about politics and I do think TMZ could help, but in order to do that, the outlet needs to make sure they're reporting accurately There are statements in this video that are just wrong First, Congress did pass a bill to fund DHS, which Trump signed into law yesterday — the shutdown is effectively over Second, framing recess as just a "vacation" is misleading, particularly since hill offices are continuing to offer constituent services Do better

Trump's face is on a new commemorative US passport design, per The Bulwark and Fox News. The State Department gave Fox this image:

SCOOP: Some members of DC’s elite Metropolitan Club have a message for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche: We don’t want you. At least six have written to its board to oppose his bid to join the club, saying he’s too polarizing and has politicized DOJ. politico.com/news/2026/04/2…

NEW: Senior officials inside the White House increasingly see Marco Rubio as a serious 2028 contender - his work on Venezuela & his steadfast loyalty to Trump have boosted him - “loyal, wicked smart, articulate and very seasoned,” one WH official - his role as NSC advisor means he has an office in the West Wing and regular access to Trump - “confident…competent and very relaxed” another WH official - “The Rubio of 2016 was a little tense, a little earnest took himself seriously. The Rubio of 2026 seems to know he has nothing to prove.” - allies also credit his disciplined messaging, particularly his ability to sell Venezuela and Iran operations as “America First” - he’s also avoided scandals and viral moments that embarrass the boss w/ @diana_nerozzi politico.com/news/2026/04/2…

New: As criticism spread from MAHA advocates frustrated with the White House’s pesticide policy, Erika Kirk encouraged a meeting at the White House that ultimately put top MAHA influencers face to face with Trump, Kennedy and senior advisers. Her efforts highlight how she might use her clout to unify MAGA factions ahead of the midterms, from me @SophiaCai99 @DashaBurns

Mood

New: Susie Wiles has told cabinet officials no more foreign travel unless absolutely necessary, and that all international travel must be approved by her. It comes after Sec. Brooke Rollins’ “aggressive international travel” last year to Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, Brazil, and the UK last year. Wiles wants the cabinet focused on domestic travel ahead of midterms w/ @dlippman politico.com/newsletters/we…

I spoke with @BillNye today on Capitol Hill about NASA’s potential budget cuts. Follow @playbookdc to see more and the rest in this afternoon’s @politico Playbook. @exploreplanets