Elena Schneider
@ec_schneider
@politico national political reporter, formerly @nytimes, @TexasTribune, @MedillSchool. North Carolina native. Let's talk: [email protected]
Remembering my Grandpops today: General J. Lawton Collins — Lightning Joe. He commanded the Army’s VII Corps and led the #DDay invasion at Utah Beach 80 years ago today. (Please indulge me in a personal 🧵.)
Scoop: A WSJ reporter was slated to be part of the travel pool this weekend when Trump travels to Scotland. After the paper's Epstein story last week, the WH booted them from the pool. w/ @iriesentner politico.com/news/2025/07/2…
Here's Trump essentially telling his supporters — and members of Congress, by extension — that if they care about Jeffrey Epstein, they aren't MAGA anymore and he doesn't need them.
Great story by @ec_schneider and @nicholaswu12 looking under the hood at Dems’ plans to capitalize on Epstein drama unfolding within MAGA. (Not that the Dems are without their own vulnerabilities here.) They got some interesting internal polling/memos to illuminate the strategy.
'The powerful protecting the powerful': Democrats see an opening on Epstein ow.ly/n8io106fWXQ
Scoop - Internal Dem polling from Blue Rose & Future Forward memo explain why Dems are trolling GOP hard on Epstein. “It’s a way into, ‘maybe this guy doesn’t have your back,’ and that’s been one of the hardest things for Dems to do.” W/ @nicholaswu12: politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
TEXAS redistricting news in Midday: TRUMP said Rs will try to squeeze out 5 more red seats We hear tentative plan is to draw them in: 1. Cuellar's #TX28 2. Gonzalez's #TX34 3. Julie Johnson's #TX32 4. Houston area 5. TBD - possibly Austin area w @JakeSherman + @MicaSoellnerDC
Also on Air Force One: WESLEY HUNT 👀
JOHN CORNYN and TED CRUZ are flying on AF1 to texas today with President TRUMP.
in the inbox: REP. RO KHANNA TO HOST SOUTH CAROLINA “BENEFITS OVER BILLIONAIRES” TOWN HALLS IN REPUBLICAN-HELD DISTRICTS
news - Democratic Rep. Don Davis is exploring a run for the North Carolina Senate seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, according to a spokesperson. Davis is “looking at all options and not ruling anything out,” said spox Hannah Spengler politico.com/live-updates/2…
NEW: The GOP delivered Trump a “big, beautiful” legislative win. They’re fretting Medicaid and SNAP cuts could lead to some ugly electoral losses. “You would be foolish not to worry about it,” said a GOP senator. w/@andrewjfhoward @ec_schneider @politico politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
Jared Golden not mincing words on messaging against the megabill back home. “This is a giant tax giveaway to wealthy people. Everyone fucking knows it.” Read @ec_schneider on how Dems are panning to use the bill in their effort to take back the House. politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
Scoop - Dems prep to weaponize GOP’s megabill ahead of 2026 midterms. Attack ads cut for post holiday weekend, August recess seen as opening salvo. & Dems recruiting anew deep into Trump territory, including: MO-02 TN-05 FL-27 CA-03 NY-01 CO-05 politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
very tense scene right now on the House floor. vote is at 192-213. Republicans are losing this rule vote now. 4 GOP no votes on the rule right now: Fitzpatrick, Self, Spartz and Clyde. MIKE JOHNSON is sitting with ANDREW CLYDE in the middle of the chamber, showing him…
SCOOP: DOD has stopped shipments of some air defense missiles & precision munitions to Ukraine over worries that US weapons stockpiles are low - but decision not shared throughout US gov, catching some by surprise. w/ @JackDetsch @reporterjoe politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
NEW: All eyes are on @RoyCooperNC as he decides whether to run for @SenThomTillis’ seat, all but freezing the Dem field in the meantime, @ec_schneider reports: politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
NEW: Colin Allred's running @ec_schneider politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
New: Dwight Evans' retirement could kick off a fierce battle between establishment Dems and progressives. PA Dem Party chair Sharif Street could launch as soon as Tuesday, sources said. Pro-Israel groups are reportedly eyeing the race. w/ @nicholaswu12 politico.com/live-updates/2…
The country's biggest Republican donor says Republicans who vote for the bill will "lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth."
Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.
Got to cover Texas again for today’s Early Brief. Colin Allred plans to announce another Senate bid, expected in early July, two people with direct knowledge of his plans told me washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/…
“North Carolina could become a rare bright spot for Democrats on what is otherwise a very difficult Senate map,” @lisakashinsky @nicholaswu12 @ec_schneider @DashaBurns write, following @SenThomTillis news: politico.com/news/2025/06/2…
NC SEN: Dems see a prime pickup opportunity w/ Tillis retiring. But the race could draw heavyweights on both sides: Roy Cooper possible for Dems; Lara Trump, Michael Whatley, Pat Harrigan for Rs w/@nicholaswu12 @ec_schneider @DashaBurns + @politico team politico.com/news/2025/06/2…