MORNING REPORT

Wednesday, April 15 | By Jared Gans

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In today's issue:

▪ China weighs in on Iran war

▪ Gallego distances from Swalwell

▪ New House Republican sworn in

▪ #MeToo returns to Congress

US-China tensions flare over Iran war

China is breaking from its mostly quiet stance on the Iran war amid the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, placing a strain on relations just weeks ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi railed against the breaking of the international rule of law Tuesday during a reception in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, an outspoken critic of the war himself, saying their two countries should work together to “oppose the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle.”

“Maintaining the authority of international rule of law means not using it when it suits us and abandoning it when it doesn’t,” Xi said during a meeting with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, also on Tuesday.

The comments are the most direct that the Chinese leader has offered about the U.S.-Iran war since it began at the end of February. China is a major importer of Iranian oil, which the U.S. is seeking to cut off with the blockade that began on Monday.

Even before the blockade, Beijing appeared to be getting more involved militarily. China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran in the next few weeks, CNN reported Saturday, citing U.S. intelligence. Beijing denied the report. That follows Iran reaching out to China and Russia for intelligence support during the war.

On the diplomatic front, Beijing has played a key behind-the-scenes role in trying to help reach a settlement in the conflict, calling for an end to hostilities on both sides.

Trump credited China with helping to establish the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and getting them to the negotiating table in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday.

Iranian officials told The New York Times that a last-minute push from China ultimately helped convince Tehran to diffuse tensions.

Beijing’s involvement in securing the ceasefire and Xi’s comments denouncing the blockade reflect China’s interest in seeing the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz come to an end soon.

Nearly half of China’s crude oil imports pass through the strait. While China’s economy is more diversified than many countries in Asia and Africa, it can’t avoid the economic costs of the war for long, CNN reported.

“With more Chinese interests at stake, the US may be able to get China more involved in pushing Iran toward a negotiated solution,” Yun Sun, the director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., told CNN. “China will resort to diplomatic pressure, including bilateral and multilateral to push for the speedy lifting of the blockade.”

Sánchez, during his meeting with Xi, praised China as the only major world power that could end the war in Iran and other conflicts such as in Ukraine.

“I find it very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pressed his Pakistani counterpart to help “preserve the hard-won momentum” of the talks it hosted over the weekend. On Tuesday, China called the U.S. blockade a “dangerous and irresponsible move."

Trump suggested Tuesday another round of peace talks could happen in the next two days in Pakistan. He told the New York Post talks are “happening” but have been a “little bit slow.”

Trump met with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue on Tuesday to prepare for the summit with Xi next month, which is focused on striking a trade deal. A tariff truce has largely held since their last meeting in October, but Trump threatened new 50 percent tariffs if China supplies arms to Iran.

Despite the war, both sides seem intent on moving toward a trade deal — so far.

▪ The Hill: Senate GOP divided on Iran war funding

▪ NPR: U.S. companies get windfall from global natural gas shortage

3 Things to Know Today

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has set a special election to fill the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's (D-Calif.) term for Aug. 18. A special election has yet to be set for the seat vacated by former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), whose resignation took effect just before midnight.
Two House Republicans who voted to subpoena former Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Epstein files investigation expressed skepticism about joining Democrats to hold her in contempt for refusing to comply. Bondi skipped her scheduled deposition Tuesday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) hinted a special session for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional lines ahead of the midterms could be delayed past the originally scheduled date on Monday. But he said the session will happen “one way or another.”

LEADING THE DAY

FORMER FRIEND: Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) expressed regret Tuesday for his close friendship with Swalwell, who resigned over multiple sexual misconduct allegations.

Gallego denied any prior knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged wrongdoing in comments to reporters, saying he “lied to all of us.”

“My friendship with him, our family’s friendship together with him, clouded my judgement, and I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that,” he said.

Gallego had for years kept a close relationship with Swalwell. He told reporters that he and his family were “as close as it gets.”

They shared meals and their kids went to baseball camp together, he said.

The Arizona Democrat chaired Swalwell’s unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.

He has faced growing scrutiny in recent days following the accusations that multiple women made against Swalwell, raising questions about whether he had any indication of his friend committing misconduct.

Gallego said “we all heard rumors” about Swalwell for “many years,” but he had no knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged actions. He said he asked Swalwell about rumors of his misconduct circulating online a few weeks ago and “he lied to me.”

“This man led a double life,” he said. “He lied to us, he lied to his family, he lied to his constituents, some of the most powerful people in this country.”

Gallego added that he would release any texts or communications he had with Swalwell if asked to do so as part of an investigation.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s (D) office said Saturday that it would launch an investigation into Swalwell, and Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that his office is also investigating him.

“When and if a case is presented, seasoned prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for charges to be filed,” he said. “When a filing decision is made, we will ensure the public is made aware.”

Hochman’s statement came in response to an inquiry about a fifth woman who came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell, accusing him of drugging and raping her in 2018.

▪ The Hill: Dems race to distance themselves from Swalwell

▪ The Hill: Former staffer says ‘rightfully’ no one working for Swalwell anymore

BREATHING ROOM: House Republicans gained one additional seat in the lower chamber Tuesday as Rep. Clay Fuller (R-Ga.) was sworn in to his seat after winning a special election to succeed former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) last week.

“You were sent a warrior to Congress, and I can’t wait to fight for you each and every day,” Fuller said, addressing his constituents at his swearing-in ceremony.

With Fuller in office, Republicans now hold a 217-213 edge in the chamber over Democrats. Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.) left the Republican Party to become an independent last month but still caucuses with the GOP.

The addition of Fuller gives House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) one more vote to work with in a narrowly divided body. But he still can only afford to lose two members in party-line votes and have measures pass.

Democrats are also likely to add another member to their ranks shortly with a special election Thursday to fill the seat vacated by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D).

JAN. 6 CASES: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal appeals court to vacate the convictions of the leaders of two right-wing groups charged with seditious conspiracy for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Prosecutors asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday to clear the convictions for the heads of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers so the DOJ can move to dismiss the cases with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled.

Four Proud Boys members — Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Ethan Nordean — were convicted of sedition for their role in trying to stop the certification of former President Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and his deputy, Kelly Meggs, were also convicted of sedition.

Other members of the groups were acquitted of sedition but found guilty of other charges.

Trump pardoned Tarrio on his first day back in office last year along with those he issued for 1,500 others charged in connection to the insurrection. But the other top Proud Boys and Oath Keepers had their sentences only commuted to time served.

If the DOJ request is approved, it could wipe out the final convictions tied to the attack.

▪ The Hill: DOJ accuses Biden administration of weaponizing abortion clinic law

BANK ORDER: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an executive order to require banks to collect citizenship information from customers is “in process” during an interview with Semafor on Monday.

“Why don’t we have information on who’s in our banking system? I have a place in the U.K.; they want to know who lives in every apartment. And how do we know that it’s not part of a foreign terrorist organization?” he said.

A draft of the order was first reported on earlier this year, the latest in the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. A White House spokesperson told NewsNation in February that any reporting on policymaking not announced by the administration is “baseless speculation.”

▪ The Hill: Bessent OK with Federal Reserve holding off interest rate cut

ANTI-NARCO MILESTONE: The U.S. military conducted its 50th lethal strike against alleged drug-trafficking boats during the Trump administration on Tuesday, killing four "narco-terrorists" in the Eastern Pacific.

The strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific have killed at least 174 alleged narco-terrorists since they first began on Sept. 2. The administration has argued the strikes have helped push back on the flow of illegal drugs in the region, but critics have alleged they violate international law.

U.S. Southern Command said the vessel hit on Tuesday was operated by a designated terrorist organization engaged in "narco-trafficking" operations but didn't specify which group it was referring to.

RETIREE DAY: Hundreds of advocates for AARP will head to Capitol Hill today for the organization’s Lobby Day to advocate for issues that concern Americans age 50 and older.

The group flew in hundreds of members, advocates and volunteers from all 50 states, setting them to meet with members of both chambers of Congress, including members of leadership. Their message will be to protect Social Security and families’ financial security and prevent fraud.

AARP will also have three billboard trucks circling around the Capitol throughout the day.

“As the voice for 125 million Americans 50+, our message to Congress is clear: protect Social Security, support family caregivers, and strengthen safeguards against fraud and financial exploitation,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a statement.

WHEN & WHERE

The president will participate in executive time at 8 a.m. He will participate in a policy meeting at 12:30 p.m. and in signing time at 3:30 p.m. He will participate in another policy meeting at 4:30 p.m.
The first lady will participate in a House Ways and Means Committee roundtable discussion at 2 p.m.
The House and Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

ZOOM IN

#METOO REVIVED: The resignations of Swalwell and Gonzales are triggering a reckoning among both Democrats and Republicans, years after the first wave of the #MeToo movement ended multiple members’ political careers.

The past few days have highlighted the anger that a vocal group of female lawmakers have expressed, arguing that sexual misconduct remains a more widespread problem on Capitol Hill than acknowledged. The Hill’s Emily Brooks reports this is raising questions about whether this will be another moment of reckoning leading to reforms on sexual misconduct policies or if Swalwell’s and Gonzales’s departures from Congress will defuse the effort.

“There are many young women over the last few months that have come forward about multiple MALE members of congress, both Democrat and Republican and the leadership on both sides has done nothing,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who took the lead in pushing for both Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or be forced out, said in a post on the social platform X.

The #MeToo movement led to multiple politicians’ resignations a decade ago, including former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

In 2018, the House changed its rules for handling allegations of sexual misconduct. Changes included an explicit prohibition on lawmakers having sexual relationships with their employees and a requirement that they reimburse the Treasury Department for settlements paid over allegations against them.

But both Swalwell and Gonzales were accused of having sexual relationships with staffers.

Gallego said at his Tuesday press conference that Congress should reevaluate its policies and procedures on sexual misconduct in light of the allegations against them.

“We have to go back and make that better because clearly, there’s holes in this,” he said. “We haven’t created an environment through the legislation to make women, especially staffers, feel like they could come and talk to somebody and not have any repercussions.”

▪ The Hill: Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) says he hasn’t heard talk of an expulsion effort

ELSEWHERE

POST-GAZETTE LIVES: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will remain open after it was sold to a nonprofit publishing group Tuesday.

The historic paper’s parent company, Block Communications Inc., sold the Post-Gazette to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, which is financed by hotel magnate and former Maryland state Sen. Stewart W. Bainum Jr. (D), the publisher of The Baltimore Banner.

The Post-Gazette, which was founded in 1786 and has operated under its current name since 1927, was set to cease operations early next month following a lengthy battle between its owners and its labor union. After the Supreme Court rejected the paper’s emergency appeal to block a lower court ruling requiring it to abide by an earlier labor agreement with the union, Block Communications said it would shutter the paper instead.

Post-Gazette workers had been on strike for more than three years over claims the publisher violated its collective bargaining agreement and “unilaterally” imposed new rules worsening health care coverage and other benefits. Employees returned to work in November.

The sale will be effective May 4, and the paper will keep its name and remain based in Pittsburgh. Bainum told the Post-Gazette in an interview that the new iteration of the paper may start out smaller, saying the current business model doesn’t support the size of the newsroom.

But he said the nonprofit wants to “build a culture that’s transparent, collaborative and ambitious and has a sense of urgency and respects everybody” at the Post-Gazette.

▪ The Hill: TMZ launches D.C. bureau

▪ The Hill: Top NFL reporter resigns following photos with head coach

OPINION

To understand Trump’s war, brush up on Shakespeare, James D. Zirin writes in The Hill.
Democrats can learn from Orbán’s defeat, William A. Galston writes in The Wall Street Journal.

THE CLOSER

And finally … Sharon Simmons, who became known as “DoorDash Grandma” after she delivered McDonald’s to Trump at the White House, is defending her praise of the president for his “no tax on tips” law.

Simmons told Fox News an interview that she didn’t want the focus of the event to be about her, responding to the online backlash to her staged White House delivery.

“I didn’t want to be part of any of the decisive issues because that’s just not me. I love everybody. I love people on every side of the fence about different issues because that’s how my parents brought me up, not to judge people,” she said.

Simmons told Trump during the visit that the no tax on tips provision of his One Big Beautiful Bill Act saved her $11,000.

Some online chimed in with criticism of the moment, arguing it was a stunt and questioning the validity of her story.

“I am not a paid actor,” Simmons said. “My life is just like everybody else’s.”