FEMA email: Firings will affect ‘majority of our staff'
The already-strapped disaster agency is being directed to 'come up with employee reductions far beyond the probationary list,' a top FEMA official wrote in an internal email sent recently to senior agency staff.
'Direction is to make a list of anyone who worked on or works on climate, environmental justice, equity, DEIA,' the email reads, referring to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The email obtained by E&E News was cropped to not include the name of the sender.
Another internal email, sent on Wednesday, told rank-and-file employees to 'scrub' terms from agency records that Trump highlighted in his executive orders on climate change and diversity. Any document with taboo phrases will be put into an archive folder that will be deleted in three years.
'They're trying to systematically erase everything that happened before,' said one FEMA employee who is posted at a disaster site and has been pulled away from helping survivors get their damaged homes inspected so repairs can begin. 'It is taking away from time doing on-the-ground disaster-recovery work.'
The firings could impair an agency that has faced chronic staffing shortages amid intensifying disasters and heightened scrutiny. FEMA employees were so overwhelmed in October responding to severe hurricane damage in six states that the agency was forced to seek help from other federal agencies.
'The next time there's a major catastrophic event that requires extensive manpower, FEMA's going to be at a disadvantage,' said Michael Coen, the agency's chief of staff in the Biden administration.
Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement that "FEMA was actually short-staffed before Elon and his minions went to FEMA headquarters, and now the agency will be further hampered."
FEMA confirmed to E&E News that it had fired more than 200 employees and that other agencies in the Department of Homeland Security had fired another 200.
'Under President Trump's leadership, we are making sweeping cuts and reform across the federal government to eliminate egregious waste and incompetence that has been happening for decades at the expense of the American taxpayer,' a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. They said the firings will cut roughly $50 million in personnel costs.
The department said it fired 'non-mission critical personnel in probationary status' and is 'actively identifying other wasteful positions and offices that do not fulfill DHS' mission.'
President Donald Trump has assailed FEMA since taking office, suggesting he might shut down the agency, targeting its response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and creating a review council led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The upcoming firings could have a broad reach because under then-President Joe Biden, FEMA emphasized climate change and equity.
'This will impact the majority of our staff,' the FEMA email says, noting that climate and equity were prioritized in the latest agency strategic plan, released in 2022 and recently removed from FEMA's website.
FEMA leadership will "compile the names of ALL employees that worked on these topics," according to the email, written by a member of FEMA's senior executive service. The official wrote that the agency will make a distinction between employees with "significant involvement" in the targeted programs and those with "insignificant involvement."
"I know this feels like a shock to many of you and is an exceedingly difficult task," the official wrote in the email.
The firings 'put a lot of really important programs on life support,' a former senior FEMA official said. 'If you care about government efficiency, you don't indiscriminately fire. You focus on honing your capabilities to be more efficient.'
The upcoming firings appear likely to target FEMA's resilience directorate, which includes the agency's grant programs and flood insurance program. FEMA has three other directorates including the Office of Response and Recovery, which deals with immediate disaster response.
On Monday, FEMA sent emails with the subject line 'Termination Notice' to more than 200 probationary employees in agency offices around the country.
'Your position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will end on Tuesday, February 18, 2025,' an email obtained by E&E News says.
The email notes that after the Office of Personnel Management received a list on Jan. 24 of FEMA probationary employees, 'a decision was reached that it is not in the best interest of the government to retain you in your current role.'
'Thank you for your contributions furthering the FEMA mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters,' the email concludes.
The fired employees worked full-time jobs in FEMA headquarters and its 10 regional offices. The FEMA employees who respond on the ground to disasters — reservists who are called up as needed — were not targeted.
The targeting of probationary employees resulted in the dismissal of senior FEMA employees with significant roles.
Christopher Page, who had worked at FEMA since 2011, mostly as a lawyer, was fired Monday because he had changed positions recently inside the agency and was on probationary status in his new job.
'It's weird to spend nearly 15 years dedicated to public service, a decade of which I spent working specifically in the flood insurance space, and then get terminated for being a 'new' employee,' Page wrote Monday on his LinkedIn page. Page led a team that worked to improve public access to FEMA's flood insurance program, which covers 4.7 million properties.
David Maurstad, a FEMA veteran who ran the insurance program before retiring in July, called Page's firing 'a travesty.'
'Chris was among the finest I worked with,' Maurstad, a former Republican lieutenant governor of Nebraska, wrote on LinkedIn. 'I hope everyone truly understands what collateral damage looks like.'
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Hamilton Spectator
a minute ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ex-Israeli hostage struggles to move on while brother remains captive in Gaza
KFAR SABA, Israel (AP) — As Israel has announced steps to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza, a former Israeli-Argentinian hostage knows firsthand what that could mean for captives of the Hamas militant group. Iair Horn, who spent a year and a half in captivity, said hostages could tell when more aid was available because they would receive more food. 'When there's less food, then there's also less for the hostages. When there's aid, there's a possibility you might get a cucumber,' said Horn, 46. Hamas militants kidnapped Horn from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz , along with 250 other people , during the group's cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023. He was released Feb. 15 after 498 days in captivity. For most of that time, he was held in an underground cell in a tunnel with several other hostages, including his younger brother Eitan Horn, 38. Since his release, Iair Horn has deferred his own recovery to fight for the release of his brother and the other 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive. Negotiations collapse again Hearing that negotiations between Israel and Hamas were once again frozen over the weekend was devastating for his family, Horn said. Since his release, he has made four trips to the U.S., where he has met with President Donald Trump and other American leaders to plead for the hostages. He wasn't sure what to make of a comment Thursday by Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff , who said the U.S. would consider 'alternative options' after recalling its negotiating team from Qatar. 'I'm not a politician, and I'm not getting into those things because I don't understand them. What I understand is very simple: I want my brother back,' Horn said. 'My life is frozen right now. I live in a nightmare that every day they are kidnapping me anew,' he said. Horn, who is single, is currently living with family in Kfar Saba, a city near Tel Aviv. Previously, he worked a variety of jobs in Kibbutz Nir Oz, including in education, maintenance and the kitchen. He also ran the kibbutz pub. Every morning when he opens his eyes, he must think for a few moments to remember where he is, to remember he is no longer a hostage, Horn said. He's gained back some of the weight he lost in captivity, but his list of physical and psychological ailments is long. He does not know where he will live, what he will do in the future, or if he will go back to Nir Oz. The only thing he concentrates on is advocating for his brother's release. 'I never imagined that another half year would pass without seeing my little brother,' he said. Israel's war in Gaza has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The agency's count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children. The U.N. and other international organizations see the ministry, which operates under the Hamas government, as the most reliable source of data on casualties. Brothers were held together Iair Horn is the oldest of three brothers who grew up in Argentina. He moved to Israel at age 20, followed by his middle brother, Amos. Eitan and their parents, long divorced, joined later. On Oct. 7, 2023, Eitan was visiting Iair at his home on Kibbutz Nir Oz when the sirens started, warning of incoming missiles. Soon they received text messages alerting them to the fact that militants had infiltrated the kibbutz. Militants entered Iair's home, where he was hiding in the reinforced safe room with Eitan. Iair attempted to hold the door shut until the militants began shooting through the door. Then he decided to surrender, worried they might use grenades or stronger weapons. Iair, who was immediately taken into Gaza, didn't know what had happened to his brother until around the 50th day of his captivity, when the militants placed the two brothers together, and Iair realized Eitan had also been kidnapped. Being together, even in their small, barred room, was a stroke of luck, Iair said. 'There's a lot of time with nothing to do, and we talked a lot about our childhoods, about elementary school, about the youth movement, about soccer,' he said. 'We tried to keep our sense of humor. He would ask me, did you brush your teeth? And I'd ask him, did you wash your bellybutton?' 'It was silly things, silly things between siblings that I don't have right now. Many times it happens now that something happens to me on the street that I have to tell him. And I can't, and I'm so sorry,' he said, starting to cry. Captors tell hostages that two will be released For most of the time, the Horn brothers were held with three other hostages. In early February, their captors came to the group of five and said that two would be released. 'For four days, we're looking at each other and wondering if we can decide or influence the decision,' he said. After four days, the captors arrived with a small plate of snacks and a video camera. They announced that Iair and another hostage would be leaving and filmed the emotional interaction between Iair and Eitan. Hamas later released the video on its social media channels, as it has with other videos of the hostages filmed under duress. Their last night together, Eitan and Iair laid side by side in silence. 'There was no conversation because in your head you don't want to have a conversation as if it's your last conversation,' Iair said. When their mother, Ruty Chmiel Strum, learned that Iair was coming out but not Eitan, she said to anyone who would listen, 'Why are you doing this to my sons? They are together and you're separating them?' No one gave her an answer, but Strum clung to hope that Eitan would be released soon. Now she mostly ignores news about the negotiations, tuning out the information to protect herself. She said she raised her three boys 'as a single body,' and their support for each other is unshakable. She clasps Iair's hand as they sit together on the couch in her home and looks forward to the day Eitan returns. 'I will feel the hug of my three sons, enjoying life, each supporting each other,' she said. 'It will happen.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Hit With Epstein Question During EU Deal Announcement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump hit back at a reporter who asked a question about Jeffrey Epstein during a news conference announcing a trade framework between the United States and the European Union. "Mr. President, was part of the rush to get this deal done to knock the Jeffrey Epstein story [out of the headlines]?" the reporter asked during the news conference in Turnberry, Scotland, on Sunday. "Oh, you gotta be kidding with that," Trump said. "No, had nothing to do with it. Only you would think that. That had nothing to do with it." Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via an email sent outside regular business hours. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press briefing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after agreeing on a trade deal between the two economies following their meeting in Turnberry, Scotland, on... U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press briefing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after agreeing on a trade deal between the two economies following their meeting in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27. More Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Why It Matters In recent weeks, Trump has struggled to shift the conversation from the Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender who authorities said died by suicide behind bars in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The president has faced pressure from his supporters to release the government's files about Epstein, which they believe will reveal a cover-up in the case to protect Epstein's wealthy and powerful friends. Trump's personal relationship with Epstein has also come under fresh scrutiny. The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump that his name was in the files during a briefing in May. Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and the inclusion of someone's name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise. What To Know As he departed the White House for the trip to Scotland on Friday, Trump faced numerous questions about the Epstein case and whether he would pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex offender's imprisoned accomplice. "People should really focus on how well the country is doing," Trump said in response to one question. He shut down another, saying, "I don't want to talk about that." He faced another round of questions as he stepped off Air Force One in Scotland. "You're making a big thing over something that's not a big thing," he told one reporter. To another, he said, "I'm focused on making deals, not on conspiracy theories that you are." Previously, the Trump administration had promised to release more documents in the case, including an alleged list of clients involved in Epstein's sex trafficking operation. However, in an unsigned memo issued on July 7, the FBI and the Justice Department said Epstein did not have a list of clients and that no additional records would be released to the public. Since then, the Trump administration has received a bipartisan backlash and has scrambled to appear transparent, including by seeking the unsealing of grand jury transcripts in the case—which a judge has rejected. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thursday: "The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America, results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history. They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM." The Democrats' X account wrote on Saturday, alongside a video detailing Trump's relationship with Epstein: "No matter how much he tries to distract from it, Trump's connection to Jeffrey Epstein spans decades." Democratic Representative Jason Crow of Colorado said on Fox News Sunday, discussing the Trump administration's allegations that the Obama administration manufactured intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election: "This is being reinvigorated and concocted because Donald Trump doesn't want to talk about the Epstein files. He doesn't want those files released. In fact, I'm sitting here right now instead of in Washington because House Republicans released the Congress. We went on recess early to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files." What Happens Next Trump is likely to continue receiving questions about the Epstein case. The president is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday before traveling to Aberdeen, Scotland. This article contains reporting from the Associated Press.
Politico
12 minutes ago
- Politico
Thune's pre-recess game plan
IN TODAY'S EDITION:— Thune's 'minibus' dream for this week— Grassley's willing to cancel August recess— GOP blames Hamas as conditions in Gaza worsen Senators are racing the clock to make a dent in both the government funding process and President Donald Trump's backlog of nominees before heading home for August recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is hoping to get the first appropriations package through the chamber by the end of this week, with lawmakers on the hook for landing a deal to avoid a shutdown come Sept. 30. To that end, GOP leaders are negotiating with members of their conference over a 'minibus' of three bills that would, collectively, fund the departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, as well as key military construction projects and the FDA. Sen. John Kennedy's opposition to including legislation that would fund congressional operations will likely force leadership to postpone debating a fourth bill at this time. The pending package will require senators to run out two, 30-hour debate clocks; the ability to move faster will require buy-in from all 100 senators. It will also take time for lawmakers of both parties to agree on amendments and then hold votes, and Democrats are still deliberating their strategy, a person granted anonymity to share private negotiations tells Jordain. Republican leadership still believes it can pass the mini-bus before leaving town, according to a second person granted anonymity. But one potential fallback option, according to two people granted anonymity, could be for the Senate to schedule a final passage vote before they leave town for the first week back in September. Senate Republicans are also under pressure from Trump to confirm more of his nominees before heading home for recess. Thune has warned his members to prepare to vote at least through this weekend after the president urged senators to stay in Washington through August to wrap up the work, though many lawmakers aren't pleased with that idea. They're eager, instead, to get back to their home states, especially as they look to counter Democratic messaging against the freshly-passed GOP megabill. Other Senate Republicans say they're ready to give Trump what he's after. Over the weekend, Sen. Mike Lee repeatedly urged his colleagues to either work through August to advance nominations or cancel all pro-forma sessions over the next month to allow Trump to make recess appointments. 'The Senate can't have it both ways,' Lee said in a post on X. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley also said he's on board with the president's call for the Senate to stick around to vote on nominations through August, writing on X, 'Trump needs his administration in place.' Republicans have typically been unenthused by the idea of recess appointments, though, and it's unlikely they'd go along with that plan. And while Thune is threatening to keep the Senate in session deeper into August, many lawmakers view it as just that: a threat to get Democrats to cut a deals on nominations to get out of town. 'I think it's fair to say that we're going keep the pressure on the Democrats to, you know, stay here until either they cooperate or we're just going to grind it out and do it the old fashioned way,' Thune told Jordain. GOOD MONDAY MORNING. Email us at mmccarthy@ jcarney@ crazor@ and bguggenheim@ Follow our live coverage at WHAT WE'RE WATCHINGWith help from Jordan Williams The House will meet for a pro forma session at 2 p.m. The Senate is in session and will vote to move forward with David Wright's nomination to be a Nuclear Regulatory Commission member at 5:30 p.m. Lawmakers will vote to confirm Wright and move forward with Earl Matthews' nomination to be DOD general counsel at 8 p.m. — Senate Agriculture will consider the nominations of Brian Quintenz to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Michael Boren to be under secretary of agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment at 5:30 p.m. The rest of the week: The Senate will continue marking up government funding bills and confirming the president's nominations. Pro subscribers receive this newsletter with a full congressional schedule and can browse our comprehensive calendar of markups, hearings and other notable events around Washington. Sign up for a demo. THE LEADERSHIP SUITE Johnson pans bipartisan push for a vote to release Epstein files Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday criticized an ongoing effort from Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna that would force a House floor vote to compel the release of more files related to the charges against the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bipartisan duo's proposal is 'reckless,' Johnson said on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' arguing it would force the DOJ and FBI to release information 'that was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings.' He also said it wouldn't do enough to protect Epstein's victims. 'These are minors in many cases who were subjected to unspeakable crimes, abject evil,' Johnson said. 'They've already suffered great harm. We do not need their names being unmasked. The Massie and the Khanna [bill] ... does not have adequate protections.' Asked whether Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell would be deserving of a pardon — something Trump has yet to rule out — Johnson said: 'I think 20 years was a pittance. I think she should have a life sentence at least ... I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would.' Johnson last week suggested the House Oversight effort to subpoena testimony from Maxwell might be a waste of time since she could not be counted upon to serve as a 'credible witness.' Massie and Khanna, in a separate, joint interview on the same program Sunday, rejected the argument that their bill would put Epstein and Maxwell's victims at risk. 'That's a straw man,' Massie said. 'Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims' names will be redacted and that no child pornography will be released. So [leadership is] hiding behind that. But we're trying to get justice for the victims.' Khanna argued that many of the victims 'do want these files released for closure and for healing.' The two lawmakers predict they will easily collect the 218 signatures required to circumvent leadership and force a floor vote on the matter upon the House's return from recess in September. Republicans blame Hamas as starvation conditions in Gaza worsen As the U.S. pulls out of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, GOP leaders say Hamas' inability to cooperate is damaging any hopes of progress in the region. Last week, a U.N. World Food Programme official said about a quarter of the population in Gaza is facing famine-like conditions. Yet as global condemnation sharpens against the Israeli military's limit on aid routes, Trump and Republican leaders continue to insist Hamas is to blame for the fact that civilians, including children, are dying of hunger. 'People are stealing the food, they're stealing the money,' Trump told reporters Sunday. 'They're stealing weapons. That whole place is a mess… the Gaza Strip.' Johnson echoed those talking points on NBC: 'Israel, since this war began, has supplied over 94,000 truckloads full of food,' he said Sunday. 'But Hamas has stolen the food, a huge amount.' (The New York Times reported Saturday that the Israeli military has not found proof that Hamas has systematically stolen aid from the U.N.) The Israeli military on Sunday paused fighting in various population centers across Gaza to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid. Airdrops of aid have resumed. Still, some congressional Democratic leaders who have typically been mindful not to appear unsupportive of a longtime U.S. ally are sending dire warnings to Israel about the starvation crisis — and telling Trump his administration needs to take urgent action. 'The starvation and death of Palestinian children and civilians in an ongoing war zone is unacceptable,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement late Friday. 'The Trump administration has the ability to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis. ... It is imperative that humanitarian aid be surged into Gaza immediately, the remaining Israeli hostages be released and the ceasefire negotiated by the Biden administration restored.' POLICY RUNDOWN SMITH ENDORSES ROLLBACK OF GAMBLING DEDUCTION CHANGES — House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith said Friday he supports reversing a new policy that got shoehorned into the GOP megabill that will curtail tax deductions for gambling losses. 'The version of the one big, beautiful bill that passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee did not make any changes to the tax treatment of gambling losses,' Smith said at a field hearing in Las Vegas, the tax-writing panel's first stop in a recess campaign to sell the sweeping domestic policy package. The provision, which has caused an uproar in the gambling community, will reduce the amount of gambling losses that taxpayers can deduct — from 100 percent to 90 percent — beginning in 2026. It would effectively mean that an individual could still owe taxes on their gambling activities even if they break even. Smith blamed Senate Republicans for inserting the provision, adding that 'many members on both sides of the aisle are open to working to address it before it goes into effect on January 1.' Rep. Dina Titus, who has introduced legislation in the House that would reverse the policy change, made a guest appearance at the committee event in her home state and thanked Smith for his support. She noted that Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, along with the Resorts Association and the American Gambling Association, all came out in support of reversing the new tax rules. RSC LAUNCHES TASK FORCE FOR SECOND MEGABILL — Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger on Friday announced the creation of the 'RSC Reconciliation 2.0 Working Group,' which will focus on crafting a policy framework for the next legislative package Republicans want to pass through the party-line budget reconciliation process. Pfluger touted the conservative coalition's role in driving down the deficit impact of the final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. GOP leaders and committee chairs in both chambers have indicated over the past month there is ample opportunity to legislate further in the arenas of tax, trade and particularly health care. But it's not yet clear what the broader political appetite will be to pursue a second partisan package after the intraparty strains the process put on Republicans the first time around this year. JIM JORDAN IN EUROPE — House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan will meet with the European Commission's executive vice president for tech policy, Henna Virkkunen, today after leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to London and Brussels over the weekend, Anthony Adragna reports. That sit-down will come as Jordan has used his gavel to condemn European tech laws, which he has accused of censorship against American social media companies. He's also expected to tout a Judiciary committee staff report that was released this past Friday, which knocks the European Union's Digital Services Act as a 'foreign censorship threat' and alleges that 'overzealous European bureaucrats' are being 'empowered' to 'impose global censorship standards,' including on the U.S. BIPARTISAN SCRUTINY ON USDA SHAKEUP — Democrats and Republicans on Senate Agriculture have serious questions about the USDA's recent shakeup that would shift most of its Washington-area staff among five regional hubs around the country. The top committee Democrat, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, called the relocation plan 'half-baked,' while Chair John Boozman expressed disappointment he wasn't consulted on the plan. Bipartisan scrutiny of the proposed agency reorganization will come to a head during a committee hearing Wednesday, where lawmakers will hear from Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden. Best of POLITICO Pro and E&E: CAMPAIGN STOP THE GOP'S MASTRIANO PROBLEM — Trump's advisers privately fear far-right firebrand Doug Mastriano could make Republicans lose the Pennsylvania governor's seat and drag down the GOP ticket in the midterms if he wins the nomination, Holly Otterbein reports. Republicans blame Mastriano for costing the party a Senate contest, multiple House seats and a state legislative chamber in 2022 when he lost the gubernatorial race by 15 points. Trump initially endorsed him in the primary at that time but came to regret the decision as Mastriano raised little money and aired almost no TV ads. Now, as he teases a comeback bid against Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, people close to Trump's political operation tell Holly the president's team thinks Mastriano 'could jeopardize multiple down-ballot congressional races.' NORMAN MAKES IT OFFICIAL — Rep. Ralph Norman is entering the race for South Carolina governor, setting up a competitive Republican primary in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, Jacob Wendler reports. Norman, a House Freedom Caucus stalwart who has represented South Carolina's 5th District since 2017, has already changed his X handle to 'Ralph Norman for Governor' and launched his campaign website. He's poised to primary Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson, the son of S.C. GOP Rep. Joe Wilson. Rep. Nancy Mace has previously said she is 'seriously considering' entering the race as well. COOPER MAKES IT (SORT OF) OFFICIAL — Former Gov. Roy Cooper seemingly announced his bid for Senate in North Carolina this past weekend at a Democratic state party dinner. 'Everybody who is planning to run for office next year, please stand up!' Cooper told the crowd on Saturday night — then added, to enthusiastic cheers from the audience, 'Hey, I'm not sitting down. Am I?' Democrats, who see North Carolina as one of the party's best opportunities in an otherwise challenging Senate midterm map, have been eagerly awaiting Cooper's decision about whether to run for the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis. Trump has endorsed RNC chair Michael Whatley on the Republican side. THE BEST OF THE REST Democrats Get More Vocal About 'Horrors Upon Horrors' in Gaza, from Brett Bachman at NOTUS Democratic candidates are posting weightlifting videos in search of a midterm lift, from David Wright at CNN JOB BOARD Joel Valdez is now acting deputy press secretary for the Pentagon. He most recently was comms director and senior adviser for Rep. Lauren Boebert and previously worked for former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Devyn Shea is now press secretary for Sen. Dan Sullivan. He most recently was press secretary for Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rep. Gabe Evans … former Rep. Liz Cheney … former Sen. Bill Bradley … NBC's Courtney Kube … Mark Meadows … Richard Haass … Kathy Dedrick (5-0) … Josh Bell of Rep. Ron Estes' office … Abigail Kane … Patrick Boland … Tanya Snyder … Stacy McBride of HB Strategies … Michael Herald of Sen. Todd Young's office TRIVIA FRIDAY'S ANSWER: Dale Marsico correctly answered that George Washington did not visit Rhode Island during a congressional recess in 1789 because the state had not ratified the constitution yet. TODAY'S QUESTION, from Dale: What occupation did Franklin Delano Roosevelt claim when he voted, even while serving as president? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to insidecongress@
