INSIDE D.C. WITH JOHN GIZZI NEWSMAX WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT
The Donald vs. Mitch • Donald Trump has left no doubt he wants a Republican-controlled U.S. Senate this fall — without Mitch McConnell as its leader. The former president has clashed with McConnell on everything from the Capitol melee last January to the Republican National Committee censure of Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Trump is backing Senate hopefuls who want McConnell replaced. McConnell, in turn, is poised to back at least two Republicans facing challenges from Trump-backed contenders: Alabama’s Katie Britt, longtime top aide to retiring GOP Sen. Richard Shelby, who is locked in a primary battle with Trump-endorsed Rep. Mo Brooks, and former Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina, who is
facing off against Trump- backed Rep. Ted Budd and former Rep. Mark Walker for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr.
Braun Out? • As the Federal Election Commission continues its probe of alleged use of illegal corporate donations in 2018 by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., there’s speculation he may choose not to seek a second term in 2024. According to a 57-page FEC report, Braun’s campaign used “apparent prohibited loans and lines of credit” totaling $8.5 million. These include, the report concluded, a $1.5 million donation from Meyer Distributing — the equipment and truck parts company founded and run by multimillionaire businessman Braun before he was elected senator. Democrats led by Mike Schmuhl, the state party
GOP Cools on Craig
• For several months, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig — “the toughest cop in America” to his admirers — appeared to be a cinch for the Republican nomination to face Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Most of the big GOP money in the state was behind Craig, and polls showed him tied with or slightly trailing Whitmer. But a few months before the August 2 primary, monied Republicans and party elders are having second thoughts. “Chief Craig comes into a room with a bodyguard, gives a speech, and then leaves without staying to chat with potential supporters,” said one party offi cial of the chief’s campaign style, “and he’s already shaken up his campaign team.” Longtime Michigan consultant John Yob left Team Craig late last year to sign up with multimillionaire entrepreneur and late entry Perry Johnson. Both Johnson and wealthy auto dealer Kevin Rinke are expected to put $4.5 million each from their own wallets into their primary bids. Thirteen Republicans are now vying for nomination to oppose Whitmer, who is widely disliked for her iron-fi sted lockdown policy to deal with COVID-19.
CRAIG WHITMER 46 NEWSMAX | APRIL 2022
chair, have charged that Braun’s apparent use of millions of dollars in funds banned by federal election law “very likely changed the outcome of the race.” Braun, 68, and other Hoosier Republicans insist this was a clerical error on the part of his campaign, but continued negative publicity about the funding could lead the senator to call it quits.
Ronna Running Again? • Based on Ronna McDaniel’s remarks last year at a Christian Science Monitor press breakfast, most observers believe she will decide whether to seek a fourth two-year term as Republican National Committee chair after the midterms. Sources close to McDaniel say her decision will be determined in part by whether she still maintains the support of
Donald Trump and if she feels staying on will spare the committee a divisive battle to succeed her as chair. Already gearing up for a race if McDaniel opts out are state party chairs Kyle Hupfer of Indiana and Drew McKissick of South Carolina — both considered solid Trumpers — and California’s Jessica Millan Patterson, considered more of a moderate and past backer of Arizona Sen. John McCain and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Biden’s ‘Inside Guy’ • Despite Secretary of State Tony Blinken’s years-long association with Joe Biden, White House watchers increasingly agree that the person closest to the president on international issues is CIA Director William J. Burns. As the Ukraine crisis deepened, sources tell Newsmax, it was Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, who oversaw back-channel contacts with the Kremlin and did the behind-the- scenes work preceding the call between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The soft-spoken CIA chief is said to have a close relationship with Biden akin to that of CIA directors William J. Casey and Mike Pompeo with presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, respectively. Should Blinken opt for early retirement, odds are strong his successor will be Burns.
WHITMER/CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGE / CRAIG/AP IMAGES
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