Financial Times: “Russia intends to double the number of its troops stationed along its border with the Baltic states and Finland as it prepares for a potential military conflict with NATO within the next decade, according to Estonia’s foreign intelligence service.”
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France Uncovers Vast Russian Disinformation Campaign
The Economist: “Russia has been at the forefront of internet disinformation techniques at least since 2014, when it pioneered the use of bot farms to spread fake news about its invasion of Crimea. According to French authorities, the Kremlin is at it again.”
“On February 12th Viginum, the French foreign-disinformation watchdog, announced it had detected preparations for a large disinformation campaign in France, Germany, Poland and other European countries, tied in part to the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the elections to the European Parliament in June.”
“Viginum said it had uncovered a Russian network of 193 websites which it codenames ‘Portal Kombat.'”
Lindsey Graham Says Foreign Aid Should Be a Loan
“Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Monday he will not support the $95 billion foreign aid bill moving through the Senate — following President Trump by demanding that aid be given in the form of a loan,” Axios reports.
“It’s a notable stance for Graham, who has been one of Senate Republicans’ most ardent supporters of Ukraine.“
House GOP Plans Intense Focus on Biden’s Age
“House Republicans are activating a weekslong, perhaps monthslong, plan to keep questions about President Biden’s mental state in the spotlight,” Axios reports.
“The GOP planning includes hearings and possibly even subpoenas for documents and recordings.”
“Sources close to House GOP leaders are blunt that they don’t think it even matters what they find. These sources think that any fight will make the White House look bad — and keep a huge Biden vulnerability in the headlines.”
New Yorkers Vote in Special Election
“Polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday in the consequential special election to replace expelled former Rep. George Santos in the 3rd Congressional District, after eight weeks of intense campaigning by Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican-backed Mazi Pilip,” Newsday reports.
Playbook: “Be prepared for a long night. Polls on Long Island close at 9 p.m., and Nassau County is not known for its speedy tabulation of votes.”
Trump’s Mouth Helps Biden Again
“If anyone gets a thank-you note from President Biden for helping get him out of a jam in recent days, it should probably be former President Donald Trump,” the New York Times reports.
“Just when Mr. Biden was swamped by unwelcome questions about his age, his predecessor and challenger stepped in, rescuing him with an ill-timed diatribe vowing to ‘encourage’ Russia to attack NATO allies that do not spend enough on their militaries.”
“The stunner from Mr. Trump over the weekend not only drew attention away from the president’s memory problems, as detailed in a special counsel report, but also provided a convenient way for Mr. Biden’s defenders to reframe the issue: Yes, they could now say, the incumbent may be an old man who sometimes forgets things, but his challenger is both aging and dangerously reckless.”
All of Trump’s Criminal Cases Reach Inflection Point
“Donald Trump’s muddled calendar of criminal cases may get a lot clearer this week,” Politico reports.
“Each of Trump’s four criminal cases is set to reach a clarifying inflection point over the next few days as he barrels toward a rematch with President Joe Biden.”
NOTUS: Trump’s trials are on a collision course with November.
Senate Passes Foreign Aid Bill
The Senate has passed a $95 billion foreign aid package to send money to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, 70 to 29, Punchbowl News reports.
The bill will now go to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has effectively said it’s dead on arrival.
Democrats Call for Trump-Proofing NATO
“Congress needs to take new steps to protect NATO after Donald Trump said he would ‘encourage’ Russia to attack member countries that don’t meet their financial commitments, several Democratic senators said Monday,” Politico reports.
“The former president’s comments raised fresh concerns among NATO supporters that Trump could still dramatically undermine the pact without withdrawing if he returns to the White House next year. And allies who have reassured themselves that Trump can’t do anything radical if reelected need to be on watch.”
Biden Isn’t Going Anywhere
Jonathan Martin: “The short answer as to why Biden is almost certain to be the Democratic nominee again is Donald Trump. The former president effectively controls both parties.”
“Trump is the Democrats’ best fundraiser, organizer, mobilizer and, importantly, force for unity. He is the adhesive that binds a coalition that ranges from the DSA to Bush Republicans, who are about to go over a decade since having voted for the nominee of their (old) party.”
“This centrality of Trump — and Democrats’ determination to block his return — is what insulates Biden within his own party. The proverbial moat around the Biden White House is stocked with very classy, Trump-branded alligators. No major Democrat dares question the president because that risks weakening him and helping Trump.”
Senate GOP Campaign Arm Endorses Kari Lake
“Kari Lake’s months of courting the Republican establishment in D.C. are paying off,” Politico reports.
“Once the consummate outsider, Lake has been maneuvering since even before launching her Arizona Senate bid last fall to show party leaders she’s ready to play nice — and move beyond her antagonistic and election-denial-centered 2022 run for governor.”
“It’s a move that indicates top Republicans believe she has put together a serious campaign, and it sends a strong message to donors that she is worth their investment. And it’s a sign that this time, Lake is ready to work with the D.C. establishment.”
Republicans Are at War
Punchbowl News: “The war inside former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party is playing out in real-time on Capitol Hill — and it continued on the Senate floor while you were sleeping.”
“The Senate is on the brink of passing a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The effort has bitterly divided Republicans for months as they fought over conservatives’ demands to link any aid package to border security before eventually killing a bipartisan border bill intended to unlock support for both.”
“Despite those obstacles, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will ultimately help push a national security supplemental through the chamber — thanks to overwhelming Democratic support.”
GOP Senators Continue to Break with Trump on Foreign Aid
“Senate Republican Ukraine advocates swept away a last-minute cavalcade of attacks on Monday evening, defeating a conservative filibuster of the $95 billion aid package and putting it on a glide path to clearing the chamber,” Politico reports.
“The 66 to 33 vote advanced the bill toward final passage, which is expected to take place by midweek, if not earlier. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has objected to moving forward more quickly, and conservative opponents have used the delay to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the proposal.”
Nikki Haley Faces Tough Road Back Into GOP
“Republican lawmakers see a clear path back into Donald Trump’s Republican Party for one of his former primary foes – but perhaps excommunication for his lone remaining challenger,” The State reports.
“Some Republican members said it was a wise move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to end his presidential bid after finishing second to Trump in the Iowa caucuses. His exit and immediate endorsement of the former president means a return to bigtime GOP politics – and even, eventually, Trump’s orbit was possible, lawmakers said.”
“But the Republican lawmakers predicted a much different future for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Trump’s former United Nations ambassador and only primary foe still standing. She has chosen to continue her primary campaign, pivoting to a message critical of Trump’s age and mental status – and that she alone could take down Biden in November.”
GOP Lawmaker Loses Staff After Sharing Racist Conspiracy
“Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver (R) lost his staff and his spot on a legislative committee as punishment for sharing a social media post amplifying a racist conspiracy theory,” the Detroit Free Press reports.
Bonus Quote of the Day
“Shout out to all the Democrats living in Mom’s basement that like to talk shit on the Internet. You know, no matter how hard you try, arguing on the Internet, it’s like being in the Special Olympics. No matter how good you perform, you still have… you’re still fucking retarded at the end of the day.”
— Ohio congressional candidate J.R. Majewski (R), quoted by Business Insider.
Johnson Says House Won’t Take Up Foreign Aid Bill
Speaker Mike Johnson signaled that the House will not put the Senate’s foreign aid supplemental on the floor because it is “silent” on provisions to secure the border, Punchbowl News reports.
In a statement, Johnson said the “mandate” of the supplemental was to “secure America’s own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world.”
Trump to Attend Hearing on Complaint Against Prosecutors
“Donald Trump plans to attend a Thursday hearing in Atlanta on allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis engaged in an improper personal relationship with the lead prosecutor on the election interference case,” the Washington Post reports.
“Trump has a scheduled appearance in New York the same day for a pretrial conference in a case that’s slated to go to trial on March 25.”
