It’s Wednesday. Hurricane Erin is certainly making waves, even though it hasn’t actually reached the US yet.
In today’s update:
- Trump demands resignations from Fed members
- Rezoning votes in Texas and California
- NATO conference in Ukraine and Russia
- Hurricane Erin’s massive impact
- Newsom responds to Trump’s antics
- Videos from detention centers trending online
Morning News Highlights
On Trump’s “To Fire” list.:
President Trump called this morning for the resignation of Federal Reserve member Lisa Cook, accusing the president’s supporters of being involved in mortgage fraud.
Trump shared a Bloomberg article highlighting his claims, stating that Cook should step down as he seeks an investigation into her mortgage dealings.
It’s worth noting that Trump has recently been quite critical of the Fed: “Pulte, a close ally, has often attacked the Federal Reserve and its chair, Jerome Powell, pressuring them to lower rates, and even called for scrutiny of costly renovations at their DC headquarters.” (CNN)
What’s happening with the peace deal?
There’s ongoing discussion aimed at brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia, as President Trump engages with leaders from both nations.
Are Putin and Zelensky set to meet? Trump is advocating for a three-way summit, but mentioned it would be “better” if the two leaders met first without him.
What’s the plan for today? “NATO military leaders will gather today to explore options regarding the proposed Russian-Ukraine peace agreement.” Defense officials noted that Dan Kane, the chairman of the co-chief of staff, engaged with top European military figures the previous evening. (The Hill)
The DOJ investigating DC’s crime data:
The Justice Department is looking into Washington, DC’s crime data, coinciding with Trump’s disputes with local leaders over police takeovers, reports Rebecca Beitsch.
Timing matters: The investigation comes from the DC US Attorney’s Office, which recently reported a 30-year low in violent crimes in the city.
Trump’s view: Trump continues to assert that crime in the capital is more severe than statistics suggest, despite official reports showing declines in many crime categories. He often leverages these claims to justify a heightened police presence, even as local residents raise concerns.
How do people feel about the changes?
A recent investigation by the Washington Post indicates that DC residents largely oppose Trump’s efforts to assume control of the local police department.
Plus:
Vice President Vance recently appeared at Union Station, as reported by HuffPost’s Igor Bobic.
In other news: A National Guard truck was involved in an accident in Southeast DC, resulting in one hospitalization, according to DC News Now.
Constituency Changes Taking Center Stage:
As state lawmakers deliberate on how to redraw their districts, significant developments are occurring in both California and Texas.
In California, the proposed changes would favor Democrats, while California Republicans are pushing back against these moves.
In Texas, the new maps could bolster Republican influence, especially around the Dallas-Fort Worth region, as they aim to capture five additional seats next year.
The Hill’s Caroline Vakil notes that Texas’ decisions are triggering repercussions across other states, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play.
Democrats Reacting on Social Media
Many have been watching Gavin Newsom’s social media activity, as he teams up with political trolling against Trump. Some observers find his posts amusing, mixing satire with political commentary.
For instance, he recently posted a staged photo of himself at Mount Rushmore, adding a caption that pokes fun at Trump.
Latest on Hurricane Erin
The East Coast is closely monitoring Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm. Although it’s not expected to make landfall, coastal regions are bracing for dangerous weather, including high waves and strong winds.
Current status: Tropical storm warnings are in place for parts of North Carolina and Virginia as Erin is anticipated to strengthen.
Despite Hurricane Erin’s intensity: NBC News’ Dennis Chou notes that climate change may be contributing to such rapid storm developments.
This Afternoon’s Agenda
4 PM: Trump meets with the ambassador from the EU.
4 PM: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 will host a press conference.
Finally…
For something different, check out this intense tug-of-war competition.
