memeorandum: GOP: Noem up in smoke; Scott, Burgum rise in Trump VP race (Alexander Bolton/The Hill)

3:15 PM ET, May 5, 2024

Top Items:

Barak Ravid / Axios:

Scoop: U.S. put a hold on an ammunition shipment to Israel … - The incident raised serious concerns inside the Israeli government and sent officials scrambling to understand why the shipment was held, Israeli officials said. — President Biden is facing sharp criticism among Americans who oppose his support of Israel.

Discussion: Washington Examiner, Fox News, New York Post, RedState, Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion, UPI and The Times of Israel

Rachel Scully / The Hill:

Here's who was with Trump at RNC's Spring Meeting at Mar-a-Lago — Former President Trump held a private lunch event at his Mar-a-Lago Club over the weekend that hosted many top GOP donors and high-profile party leaders. — The fundraiser was largely seen as an audition for Trump's vice president within the GOP.

Discussion: CNN

NBC News:

At a private donor event, Trump likens the Biden administration to the ‘Gestapo’ — Trump referenced the Nazi secret police as he was railing against the legal troubles he and his supporters are facing. — PALM BEACH, Fla. — Donald Trump compared President Joe Biden's administration …

Discussion: The Hill, Politico, New York Post, CNN, Washington Examiner, Raw Story and Business Insider

New York Times:

At Donor Retreat, Trump Calls Biden Administration the ‘Gestapo’ — The speech by Donald J. Trump at a Republican National Committee fund-raising retreat came during his criminal trial in New York. He faces a total of 88 criminal charges across four indictments.

Discussion: Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Politico, Reuters, NBC News, PoliticusUSA, The Hill, HuffPost, Mediaite, USA Today and Bloomberg

Washington Post:
Trump escalates attacks on prosecutors, says Democrats run ‘a Gestapo administration’

Discussion: Raw Story

Alexandra Marquez / NBC News:

Sen. Tim Scott dodges on whether he would accept 2024 election results — The senator, who ran for the Republican nomination for president last year, repeatedly refused to say whether he'd accept this year's presidential election results, regardless of who wins.

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Mother Jones, Forbes, USA Today, The Hill, Mediaite and PoliticusUSA

Alexander Bolton / The Hill:

GOP: Noem up in smoke; Scott, Burgum rise in Trump VP race — Republican senators say South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's (R) viability as a vice presidential candidate has gone up in smoke after she admitted to shooting a 14-month-old puppy, and they are looking to other contenders to round out former President Trump's ticket.

Discussion: Business Insider, Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Moderate Voice, Raw Story and HotAir

Alex Isenstadt / Politico:
Noem: 'They're just attacking me like crazy right now.'

Discussion: Raw Story, CBS News, Digby's Hullabaloo, Washington Examiner and New York Times

Robert Reich:

What I'm telling my graduating students — My students are graduating at a tremulous time. — The largest campus protest movement of the 21st century. The first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. The most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. Two horrific wars.

Washington Post:

Top RNC lawyer resigns after rift grows with Trump — The former president was angered by Charlie Spies's criticism of his false 2020 election-fraud claims. — The top lawyer at the Republican Party is resigning after he cited conflicts with his other work obligations and after Donald Trump grew angry …

Discussion: New York Times and Democrats

NBC News:
RNC lawyer Charlie Spies to step down just 2 months after taking the job

Discussion: Washington Examiner, The Gateway Pundit and Politico

Peter Baker / New York Times:

Gallows Humor and Talk of Escape: Trump's Possible Return Rattles Capital — At Washington dinner parties, dark jokes abound about where to go into exile if the former president reclaims the White House. — It has become the topic of the season at Washington dinner parties and receptions.

Gary Langer / ABC News:

6 months out, a tight presidential race with battle between issues and attributes: POLL — Trump has 46% support among U.S. adults and Biden 44% in a head-to-head matchup. — President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore at Bowie State University …

Discussion: Associated Press, National Review, The Guardian, The Post Millennial, Business Insider, Al Jazeera, RedState and AllSides Balanced

David Edwards / Raw Story:

RNC co-chair Lara Trump: ‘You cannot have ballots counted after elections are over’ — Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump argued Sunday that ballots should not be counted after elections are over. — While speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump explained why her party …

Discussion: Law & Crime, Crooks and Liars and HotAir

Declan Harty / Politico:

‘The law is catching up’: Gensler's SEC racks up legal wins against crypto — The clash underscores sharply different views of crypto: Many regulators see the industry as rife with corruption. Supporters hail it as the wave of the future. — The cryptocurrency industry is counting …

David Cohen / Politico:

Don't give in to ‘the smallest, angriest group,’ university president says — “We just don't negotiate with people who scream the loudest,” former Sen. Ben Sasse said. — University of Florida President Ben Sasse said Sunday that he won't copy other university leaders in prioritizing …

Discussion: The Hill, Washington Examiner and CNN

Washington Post:

How Pope Francis opened the Vatican to transgender sex workers — The outreach, reflecting the most radical stage of his papacy, has prompted backlash while also altering the lives of the nearly 100 people he has met. — VATICAN CITY — Sea gulls soared over St. Peter's Square as Laura Esquivel …