Former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, after the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Photo: Melina Mara via Pool/Getty Images216 Simon & Schuster employees and over 3,500 outside supporters submitted a petition on Monday to senior executives asking the company to stop publishing books from figures linked to the Trump administration, the . Driving the news: The petition demands the company sever ties with former Vice President Mike Pence, who ahead of a possible 2024 presidential campaign.What they're saying: “When S&S chose to sign Mike Pence, we...…Former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, after the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Photo: Melina Mara via Pool/Getty Images216 Simon & Schuster employees and over 3,500 outside supporters submitted a petition on Monday to senior executives asking the company to stop publishing books from figures linked to the Trump administration, the . Driving the news: The petition demands the company sever ties with former Vice President Mike Pence, who ahead of a possible 2024 presidential campaign.What they're saying: “When S&S chose to sign Mike Pence, we...WW…

Photo courtesy of Mondale.Former Vice President Walter Mondale wrote a farewell letter to his staff, sent upon thanking them for years working together. Dear Team, Well my time has come. I am eager to rejoin Joan and Eleanor. Before I Go I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. Never has a public servant had a better group of people working at their side! Together we have accomplished so much and I know you will keep up the good fight. Joe in the White House certainly helps. I always knew it would be okay if I arrived some place and was greeted by one of you! My best to all of...…Photo courtesy of Mondale.Former Vice President Walter Mondale wrote a farewell letter to his staff, sent upon thanking them for years working together. Dear Team, Well my time has come. I am eager to rejoin Joan and Eleanor. Before I Go I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. Never has a public servant had a better group of people working at their side! Together we have accomplished so much and I know you will keep up the good fight. Joe in the White House certainly helps. I always knew it would be okay if I arrived some place and was greeted by one of you! My best to all of...WW…

Walter Mondale, left, with former President Jimmy Carter in Jan. 2018 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota's campus in Minneapolis. Photo: Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty ImagesWalter Mondale, who transformed the role of U.S. vice president while serving under Jimmy Carter and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, died Monday at 93, according to a family spokesperson.The big picture: President Biden, who was mentored by Mondale through the years, that the former vice president gave him a "roadmap" to successfully take on the job. Backstory: Mondale...…Walter Mondale, left, with former President Jimmy Carter in Jan. 2018 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota's campus in Minneapolis. Photo: Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty ImagesWalter Mondale, who transformed the role of U.S. vice president while serving under Jimmy Carter and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, died Monday at 93, according to a family spokesperson.The big picture: President Biden, who was mentored by Mondale through the years, that the former vice president gave him a "roadmap" to successfully take on the job. Backstory: Mondale...WW…

The Biden administration warned the Russian government "that there will be consequences" if jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday. The big picture: Sullivan also defended President Biden for not mentioning Navalny in a Thursday speech about Russia or in a Tuesday call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the White House aims to deal with the issue "privately and through diplomatic channels."Where it stands: Navalny — Putin's fiercest and most organized domestic political critic, who previously attempted a...…The Biden administration warned the Russian government "that there will be consequences" if jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday. The big picture: Sullivan also defended President Biden for not mentioning Navalny in a Thursday speech about Russia or in a Tuesday call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the White House aims to deal with the issue "privately and through diplomatic channels."Where it stands: Navalny — Putin's fiercest and most organized domestic political critic, who previously attempted a...WW…

Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the media in Mission, Texas. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesA campaign finance watchdog filed two ethics complaints on Wednesday accusing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) of "illegally using campaign funds to promote his book."Why it matters: Using campaign funds to ask supporters to buy Cruz's book, as the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) alleges, would break the Federal Election Commission's rule barring candidates from using political contributions for personal gain.Details: The CLC alleges Cruz spent up to $18,000 in Facebook ads to ask supporters to buy a copy of his latest...…Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the media in Mission, Texas. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesA campaign finance watchdog filed two ethics complaints on Wednesday accusing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) of "illegally using campaign funds to promote his book."Why it matters: Using campaign funds to ask supporters to buy Cruz's book, as the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) alleges, would break the Federal Election Commission's rule barring candidates from using political contributions for personal gain.Details: The CLC alleges Cruz spent up to $18,000 in Facebook ads to ask supporters to buy a copy of his latest...WW…

Former President Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Aug. 2020. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA former Trump appointee who served as a regional administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development was fined $1,000 and barred from federal employment for four years for violating the Hatch Act.Why it matters: Lynne Patton, who recruited people living in the New York City Housing Authority to participate in a video later shown at the Republican National Convention, is the latest in a long list of Trump officials to violate the Hatch Act, which...…Former President Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Aug. 2020. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA former Trump appointee who served as a regional administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development was fined $1,000 and barred from federal employment for four years for violating the Hatch Act.Why it matters: Lynne Patton, who recruited people living in the New York City Housing Authority to participate in a video later shown at the Republican National Convention, is the latest in a long list of Trump officials to violate the Hatch Act, which...WW…

Gov. Asa Hutchinson at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesArkansas' Republican-controlled House and Senate on Tuesday overrode of a bill that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender children.Why it matters: The bill, which is among the first of its kind in the U.S. to pass amid a targeting trans children, was harshly rebuked by the governor as an "extreme" government overreach. What they're saying: In a call with reporters earlier on Tuesday, Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David denounced the bill as "so extremely...…Gov. Asa Hutchinson at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesArkansas' Republican-controlled House and Senate on Tuesday overrode of a bill that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender children.Why it matters: The bill, which is among the first of its kind in the U.S. to pass amid a targeting trans children, was harshly rebuked by the governor as an "extreme" government overreach. What they're saying: In a call with reporters earlier on Tuesday, Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David denounced the bill as "so extremely...WW…

Gov. Hutchinson. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesArkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on Monday vetoed a bill that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender kids, saying the bill is "a product of the cultural war in America" and a "vast" government overreach and "extreme." Why it matters: LGBTQ advocates consider the veto a win, although Hutchinson called on lawmakers to "think through the issue again" and take another approach.The big picture: Over 20 bills have been introduced this year to criminalize gender-affirming care for trans kids. Many would make a misdemeanor...…Gov. Hutchinson. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesArkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on Monday vetoed a bill that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender kids, saying the bill is "a product of the cultural war in America" and a "vast" government overreach and "extreme." Why it matters: LGBTQ advocates consider the veto a win, although Hutchinson called on lawmakers to "think through the issue again" and take another approach.The big picture: Over 20 bills have been introduced this year to criminalize gender-affirming care for trans kids. Many would make a misdemeanor...WW…

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. on Feb. 10. Photo: Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe Pentagon plans to provide gender-affirming healthcare to transgender Americans serving in the military, as part of its on trans service members, press secretary John Kirby announced Wednesday. Why it matters: The Biden administration is returning to an Obama-era rule to cover medical costs for service members' gender transition as it engages in a broader effort to more vocally support the trans community.Details: The policies announced Wednesday, which...…Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. on Feb. 10. Photo: Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe Pentagon plans to provide gender-affirming healthcare to transgender Americans serving in the military, as part of its on trans service members, press secretary John Kirby announced Wednesday. Why it matters: The Biden administration is returning to an Obama-era rule to cover medical costs for service members' gender transition as it engages in a broader effort to more vocally support the trans community.Details: The policies announced Wednesday, which...WW…

In Florida and Kentucky, teachers are struggling under the weight of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ+ education laws in the country. And some of them are leaving — either their profession or their state. Nick Clarkson, a transgender man who has been teaching for 13 years, resigned last month from the New College of Florida after the college voted to eliminate the gender studies program where he taught. The 19th thanks our sponsors. Become one. School Board Policies enacted this year by the state’s board of education, or signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, would keep Clarkson from telling...…In Florida and Kentucky, teachers are struggling under the weight of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ+ education laws in the country. And some of them are leaving — either their profession or their state. Nick Clarkson, a transgender man who has been teaching for 13 years, resigned last month from the New College of Florida after the college voted to eliminate the gender studies program where he taught. The 19th thanks our sponsors. Become one. School Board Policies enacted this year by the state’s board of education, or signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, would keep Clarkson from telling...WW…