News & Brews May 28, 2025
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Shapiro’s office withheld metadata in Vereb scandal
The questions keep piling up for Gov. Josh Shapiro. Broad + Liberty reports this morning that “Shapiro’s office withheld rows of metadata in response to a document request from this organization — a striking departure from how it handled a similar request by another reporter well over a year earlier. The inconsistency again suggests that the administration may be selectively applying transparency rules when it comes to scrutiny of the Mike Vereb scandal.” Vereb, Shapiro’s former secretary of legislative affairs, resigned in 2023 after being accused of sexual harassment. This new information “comes just weeks after Broad + Liberty reported that the Shapiro administration deleted the email account of the young woman deputy who accused Mike Vereb of workplace sexual harassment —while preserving the accounts of other former staffers.” The story notes that under Pa. law, “it is a criminal offense to knowingly conceal or destroy public records.”
WSJ: ‘Trump takes a U.S. Steel mulligan’
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board takes note of President Trump’s recent approval of the U.S. Steel / Nippon Steel deal. “Mr. Trump opposed the deal during last year’s campaign as he vied with Mr. Biden to become protectionist-in-chief. But he has reconsidered and now appears inclined to take Nippon up on the deal that Mr. Biden refused…. While it would be better if the Administration weren’t trying to play deal-maker, Nippon’s concessions appear to have given Mr. Trump the political cover he wants to bless what he calls the ‘partnership.’” Meanwhile, the deal reportedly also requires “U.S. government approval over certain corporate functions.”
Dems’ problems go beyond money
The Hill spoke with Democrat strategists and large-dollar donors who “say the party’s problems run much deeper than raising money…. Operatives and donors in the party say they’ve concluded their messaging and failures to connect with voters are the roots of their deeper issues.” (One could also argue Democrats have terrible ideas, so they don’t have a good product to message.) The story acknowledges that last year, the Harris campaign broke presidential fundraising records. But according to one donor, “Why would I write a check when we’re losing everything? We’re losing the airwaves. We’re losing the tech battle. We’re losing the ground game. They [Democrats] have yet to prove that they have learned any real lessons yet.”
Former Pa. Supreme Court justice dies
Former Pa. Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin, who served 14 years on the state Supreme Court before being forced to resign as part of the porngate scandal, has passed away. He was 76. Former Chief Justice Ronald Castille “said Tuesday he strongly believes Eakin should be remembered for more than the controversy.” Castille stated, “His contributions to the law, and to the enforcement of the law as a district attorney, far outweigh his participation in what they called ‘Porngate.’”
Hearing delayed for gov.s’ mansion arson suspect
The preliminary hearing for 38-year-old Cody Balmer, the suspect accused of attacking the governor’s mansion, has been delayed from today, May 28, and rescheduled for August 20 at 2:00 p.m. Balmer reportedly sought the delay while he receives mental health treatment.