Daniel Lippman

SCOOP: A former employee of Rep. Eric Swalwell signed an agreement with confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses as part of a workplace discrimination case, despite the CA Dem gov candidate’s claim that no staffer signed an NDA. (W/ @melmason) politico.com/news/2026/04/1…

The agreement pertained to a workplace discrimination dispute and was not related to sexual harassment, according to the employee. The document is dated within the last five years; POLITICO agreed not to disclose the specific year to protect the employee’s anonymity.

SCOOP: A former employee of Rep. Eric Swalwell signed an agreement with confidentiality and non-disparagement requirements when they left his office, despite the CA Dem gov candidate’s claim that no staffer signed an NDA during his tenure. (W/ @melmason) politico.com/news/2026/04/1…

A former Swalwell staffer agreed not to disparage him in discrimination settlement, document shows dlvr.it/TRzMWw

“It was a disappointing and hurtful experience, and the arrogance with which they deny the claims brings it back,” the ex-employee who signed the agreement told us. “The ease and arrogance with which they lie made me want to come forward.”

The agreement has multiple provisions regarding confidentiality and non-disclosure. It says that the employee “will not voluntarily disseminate or publish, or cause anyone else to disseminate or publish … disparaging, threatening, defamatory, or negative remarks or comments.”

SCOOP: Since Trump announced a plan to ban large investors from acquiring single-family homes, AEI has railed against the proposal. But several AEI board members have deep ties to the investors that stand to profit from the status quo. (W/ @jacob_wendler) politico.com/newsletters/po…

SCOOP: Kevin Warsh’s Senate hearing to become Fed chair has been set for April 16. His sherpa team has been headed by Deputy Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Derek Theurer — who returned to his role to focus on Warsh’s nomination + Samantha Schwab. politico.com/newsletters/pl…

However, three people close to the administration said Cassidy will be on a temporary 30-day leave. The HUD spokesperson said Ginnie Mae President Joseph Gormley will lead the Office of Housing and the Federal Housing Administration “following an orderly handoff.”

SCOOP: Frank Cassidy, HUD’s top mortgage insurance official, is taking a leave of absence effective immediately. He will leave his position “for the foreseeable future” due to family matters, a department spokesperson told me and @cassandra_dumay. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026/0…

NEW: CA Dem gov candidate Eric Swalwell dramatically reduced his withholdings from his congressional salary in 2022 and 2023, per newly released tax returns. He and his wife also paid several thousand $$ in underpayment penalties combined over that time. politico.com/newsletters/ca…

SCOOP: Tucker Carlson, the close ally (and sometimes critic) of Trump, took his anti-war message to an elite Washington audience on Friday: the Metropolitan Club, whose selective ranks include top lobbyists, ambassadors and business leaders. politico.com/newsletters/pl…

SCOOP: Manny Rutinel, who’s running a progressive populist congressional campaign in Colorado and has said that “billionaires” are not “powering this campaign,” has received a number of donations from billionaires and their relatives, per FEC records. politico.com/newsletters/po…

Exclusive: Politico has named Jonathan Greenberger as its new editor in chief, selecting an insider to lead the political publication and to continue to grow its footprint around the world on.wsj.com/4s0oedm

In a texted statement, Dale said: “It was the financially responsible thing to do considering the Center will be shutting down shortly. I’m looking forward to attending Chicago next week and even more excited about the re-opening in a couple of years! It’s going to be amazing!”

SCOOP: Lisa Dale, the Kennedy Center’s embattled head of development, was laid off on Thursday, three people familiar with the matter told me. The center laid off a number of staffers yesterday as it prepares to shut down for a planned two-year renovation. politico.com/newsletters/we…

EXCLUSIVE: The acting ICE head, Todd Lyons, has been hospitalized at least twice for stress-related issues as he has carried out Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda — a strain that has caused him to struggle to make key decisions for the agency, officials say. During these episodes, current and former officials said they saw Lyons break out into a full sweat, with his face turning deep red. They also attributed the source of the pressure to ramp up deportations to the White House and Stephen Miller. politico.com/news/2026/03/2…

My story last month on the Kennedy Center’s fundraising woes: politico.com/news/2026/02/1…

‘Visibly upset and struggling’: Acting ICE head hospitalized twice over stress, officials say dlvr.it/TRknSG

After we asked the White House about the reporting, the press office arranged interviews with three senior admin. officials who disputed that Miller yells at Lyons, with one saying he is “passionate” and another that he asks “very pointed questions in a very assertive tone.”

SCOOP: Acting ICE head Todd Lyons has been hospitalized at least twice for stress-related issues during the Trump admin., 4 sources told me. They also said that the White House places lots of pressure on him and that Stephen Miller yells at him on calls. politico.com/news/2026/03/2…