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“If it’s a room of five people, Anita and Bob are two of them,” said a former White House aide, who asked to remain anonymous because the person was not authorized to speak on the record about White House business. The White House declined to comment for this piece. The group of White House aides that were looped in on the discovery immediately was slightly larger and included Dunn, this person said. “Whatever strategy they had has not served him well — the lack of transparency from November to January,” said a second former White House official. Bauer, who didn’t join the administration, has acted as a sounding board for White House lawyers on potential hires.

A "small number" of classified documents were discovered last week at former Vice President Mike Pence’s Indiana home, according to two letters Pence’s counsel sent to the National Archives obtained by NBC News on Tuesday. Pence's team “immediately” secured the classified documents in a locked safe, Jacob said. The transfer was facilitated by Pence’s personal attorney, who has experience in handling classified documents and was involved with the Jan. 16 discovery. Pence spokesman Devin O’Malley later told NBC News that “no potential classified documents” were found at the offices of Pence’s organization Advancing American Freedom after Pence’s team searched the offices and the former vice president’s home in Indiana. In a statement Tuesday, Comer said Pence reached out to the panel about classified documents found at his Indiana residence.

The investigation into a failed New Mexico political candidate and a string of shootings has expanded, with officials now looking to determine if contributions to the suspect's campaign were funneled by drug trafficking, police said. No one was hurt in the shootings, which all involved elected Democratic officials. But a man who police have said was allegedly involved, Jose Trujillo, donated more than $5,000 to Pena's campaign and that man's mother also donated about $4,000 to the campaign, officials said. Trujillo is listed as a cashier in Pena's campaign reports. In the following days, a shooting occurred outside the home of new state House Speaker Javier Martinez.

“Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms,” Mr. Biden said, using Mr. Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan to describe the former president’s allies. While he had repeatedly and consistently said he intended to run, Mr. Biden stoked renewed speculation by delaying his kickoff for months. Mr. Biden tapped Julie Chávez Rodríguez, a senior White House adviser and granddaughter of the iconic labor leader Cesar Chávez, as his campaign manager. But the operation is expected to be overseen from the White House by top presidential aides. While polls show that most Democrats have favorable opinions about Mr. Biden, a majority of them would still rather he not run again.

☆ Solomon Peña, New Mexico GOP candidate, visited homes of Democratic politicians to dispute election prior to shootings, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Deon J. Hampton | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A failed New Mexico state House candidate visited the homes of local Democratic leaders to vehemently dispute his election loss weeks before he allegedly orchestrated a series of shootings at the residences, elected officials said. “Peña came to my house right after the (November) election. Police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said at a news conference early Monday evening that Peña alleged his defeat was the result of election fraud. Peña lost his state House challenge to incumbent Democrat Miguel P. Garcia by 5,679 to 2,033, or 74% to 26%. He took his case to three county commissioners and a state senator — some whose homes were targeted in the shootings — to no avail, Gallegos said.

☆ Losing candidate arrested in string of shootings at New Mexico Democrats' homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Police in Albuquerque on Monday announced the arrest of a failed candidate for state Legislature in a string of shootings at locations associated with high-profile Democratic leaders. Republican Solomon Peña is accused of conspiring with and paying four men to carry out four shootings at the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two state legislators. But on Monday, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina described Peña as the initiator of the shootings. Ballistics evidence from one of the shootings connected the case to the suspect, Medina said. The Albuquerque Journal describes the suspect as unsuccessful candidate for New Mexico House District 14, which represents the Albuquerque area's South Valley.

☆ New Mexico leaders say they won't be intimidated by shots fired at their homes and offices
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Deon J. Hampton | Deon J. Hampton Is A National Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A county commissioner who was among six Democratic leaders in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose homes or offices were sprayed with gunfire said she won't let the attacks stop her from doing her job. Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa's home was the first to be targeted Dec. 4, when eight shots were fired. The shootings continued intermittently until Thursday, when shots were fired outside the downtown law offices of newly appointed state Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas. At least eight shots were fired at state Sen. Linda Lopez’s home on Jan 3. Neither she nor the state's newly elected attorney general, Raúl Torrez, whose former campaign office was targeted Dec. 10, could be reached for comment Tuesday.

☆ Suspect in custody after sixth shooting reported at New Mexico officials' homes, offices
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A suspect was in custody Monday in a string of shootings that may have targeted Democratic leaders in Albuquerque, officials said Monday. "Those elected officials deserve to be able to do their jobs as part of American democracy without fear, and especially without fear in their homes." Last week, after the other shootings were widely reported, Martinez asked officers to investigate the incident, police said. The Democratic Party of New Mexico said in a statement it is "deeply troubled" by the shootings. "I share the anger of my fellow elected officials and all those who have been targeted by such senseless acts of violence," he said.

Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say the homes or businesses of four local and state politicians have been shot at since early December. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina speaks with the media about the recent shootings at the homes and businesses of local elected officials. In the three cases that involved homes, the shootings involved eight to 12 rounds, police said. Eight shots were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa on Dec. 4. Most of the shootings happened in Albuquerque, which is in Bernalillo County.

☆ New Mexico Democrats' homes, offices shot at over past month
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Andrew Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A day after gunfire hit Torrez's office, over a dozen shots were fired at then-Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley's Albuquerque home on Dec. 11, police said. On Tuesday night, multiple shots were fired at the southwest Albuquerque home of state Senator Linda Lopez. On Thursday, the downtown law office of state Senator Moe Maestas was struck, police said. "They are all members of the Democratic Party that we know, so there's always that connection," Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina told the press conference. Reporting By Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Right-wing operatives sentenced to 500 hours of voter registration for 2020 election robocall scheme
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A pair of right-wing provocateurs were sentenced Tuesday to spend 500 hours registering voters after pleading guilty to telecommunications fraud in connection with robocalls made before the 2020 election. Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were also sentenced to two years of probation and 12 hours a day of electronic monitoring for six months, according to prosecutors in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. “These two individuals attempted to disrupt the foundation of our democracy," prosecutor Michael O’Malley said in a statement. Last year, New York Attorney General Letitia James sought $2.7 million in penalties over robocalls allegedly aimed at suppressing the Black vote ahead of the 2020 election. Burkman and Wohl gained attention for several unsuccessful schemes to attack opponents of former President Donald Trump with false accusations of sexual misconduct and other criminal activity.

They’re offering more policy briefings to longtime supporters, Zoom calls with top administration officials and White House tours, too. "The $500,000 people like me, we’re not going to be players in 2024," said Dick Harpootlian, a longtime Democratic donor and South Carolina state senator. For the White House, the shift is an acceleration of a courtship campaign that began more modestly before the midterm elections. Amid concerns about the omicron variant last year, the White House was forced to abandon plans for a more full set of holiday parties. Some of those same people were invited to the White House next month for an in-person policy briefing.

☆ Biden to give prime-time speech on threats to democracy in final midterms push
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Shannon-Pettypiece-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Shannon Pettypiece | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to deliver remarks Wednesday night on the importance of protecting democracy and the threat posed by election deniers as part of his final pitch to voters heading into midterms next week. Biden has repeatedly accused Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump of promoting "extremism." “He’ll be making the speech from Capitol Hill, and why will he be making the speech on Capitol Hill? In his remarks, Biden will also emphasize that it may take several days for all the votes to be counted in some key swing states, said O’Malley Dillon. In 2020, election deniers used that lagging in time needed to hand count absentee ballots to make false accusations against election officials.

☆ Fact Check-U.S. elections: What we know about a new Massachusetts law that allows undocumented migrants to get a driver's license
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

A law set to go into effect in 2023 in Massachusetts would enable immigrants with non-legal status to obtain a driver’s license. The bill would eliminate a restriction that says a driver’s license cannot be issued unless a person has lawful presence in the United States. “This bill [HB 4805] also fails to include any measures to distinguish standard Massachusetts driver’s licenses issued to persons who demonstrate lawful presence from those who do not. Cecilia Calabrese, a Republican candidate for Massachusetts State Senate, wrote on Twitter: “Because in Massachusetts when you get a Driver’s License you are AUTOMATICALLY registered to vote! Unlawful voter registration and unlawful voting are both deportable offenses (see “falsely claiming citizenship” and “unlawful voters”) (here).

☆ Two men indicted in Ohio on charges of cheating in fishing tournament
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 13 (Reuters) - Two men have been indicted in Ohio on criminal charges after being accused of cheating last month during a Lake Erie fishing tournament by placing weights in walleyes in a scheme to win prize money of more than $28,000 for landing the heaviest fish. A Cuyahoga County grand jury on Wednesday indicted Jacob Runyan, 42, and Chase Cominsky, 35, on felony cheating, attempted grand theft and possessing criminal tools charges. On Sept. 30, they competed in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament in Cleveland. Participants from several surrounding states competed in the tournament to see which team could catch five of the heaviest walleye fish in Lake Erie. The two men were immediately disqualified and instructed to leave the tournament, the prosecutor said.

Two fishermen captured in a viral video appearing to scam an Ohio fishing tournament were on the hook for multiple crimes, including cheating, authorities said in announcing their indictments Wednesday. Two fishermen were found to have weighed down their fish with lead weights in order to win a tournament in Cleveland. @walleyemafia1 via TikTokThe criminal tools charge stemmed from the pair allegedly using Cominsky’s boat during the competition, the release said. A scandal over the alleged crimes erupted Sept. 30, when a video showed a crowd gathering around the competition's proclaimed winners, Runyan and Cominsky. Ten weights were found inside the fish, with eight of them weighing 12 ounces and two weighing 8 ounces.

☆ Biden says the election is a battle against 'MAGA Republicans.' He’s been silent about Democrats elevating them.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

Democrats had been spending millions of dollars in Republican primaries elevating extreme candidates who falsely insist Donald Trump won the 2020 election, in hopes of facing weaker opponents in the general election. The raw political calculus that underpins the Democrats’ midterm election strategy is at odds with President Joe Biden’s core political message that democracy is in peril. Biden appears to have accepted the tradeoff involved: If boosting election-denying candidates saves even a few Democratic congressional seats, it’s worth the risk. NBC News asked the White House what Biden thinks of the practice and whether he’s ever voiced qualms about it. During the 2016 presidential campaign, many Democrats saw Trump as the weakest and, hence, most desirable opponent in the general election.

Curtis Ried, a career foreign service officer and veteran of the National Security staff for two presidents, has been named as the NSC’s new chief of staff, officials tell NBC News. He has traveled regularly with President Biden at home and abroad, another key factor in his selection. Ried in particular played a key role in working with the United Nations and rebuilding the refugee admissions program. That number doesn’t include so-called DNC “fellows” and other part time staff who are engaged in some of the key party efforts, especially voter registration. Obama has already done fundraisers for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (August 30 in Martha’s Vineyard) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (Sept. 8 in New York).

☆ Biden aides are quietly assembling a 2024 campaign as they await a final decision on his political future
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Carol E. Lee | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

But, they said, if Republicans win one or both chambers, that would likely trigger a quicker pivot to a Biden re-election campaign. Relying on the party apparatus would allow the Biden campaign to forgo trying to build up its own separate campaign infrastructure in each state. But while a DNC-centric campaign might seem to be a natural fit for Biden, relying on the committee poses risks. “The Biden approach is the more traditional approach.”Far more than Obama, Biden is a creature of the Democratic Party. Biden aides say no final decisions on campaign staffing have been made, and they’re not expected to be until after the midterms.

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