Happy Friday! Anyone in for a honey deuce? Just wondering if Jesse Pegra would join too.
In today’s issue:
- Weak job report for August
- White House seeks to lower interest rates
- Republicans on RFK Jr. watch
- Trump’s “War Club” announcement
- NYT reveals details on a 2019 North Korea mission
📰 Morning News
Gulp…:
The U.S. added merely 22,000 jobs in August, which fell significantly short of what analysts had expected. The unemployment rate also ticked up from 4.2% to 4.3%. This suggests the economy is losing momentum as autumn approaches, particularly regarding President Trump.
For context: Economists were actually looking forward to around 75,000 new jobs, similar to July’s figures.
🚨 Moreover, it’s notable that employment has declined for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Revised data also revealed a loss of 13,000 jobs in June, marking the first decline since December 2020. (New York Times)
🗨🗨️ Stay updated with our live blog today.
➤ How the White House is responding:
Before the report was released, Trump attempted to temper expectations, stating that “real” job increases would occur next year.
Specifically: Trump mentioned that when “a huge, beautiful place, palace of geniuses” opens, job numbers will improve, though he provided little detail on what that entails.
After the report: White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt called for a reduction in interest rates, remarking that, “Clearly, President Trump has pursued the most robust pro-growth agenda in our history, yet this continues to face Jerome Powell’s stubborn denial of Trump’s correctness in this matter.” (Posted on x)
➤ Update – Trump is set to wash away the pasture:
Athletic Report suggests Trump plans to attend the men’s singles final at the U.S. Open.
This will be his first appearance since 2015, when he faced boos from the crowd.
At the White House
⚔️ War’s Division ⚔️:
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order this afternoon, which confirms that the Department of Defense will be renamed the Department of War.
This means the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will now hold the title of War Chief.
What about congressional approval? It’s uncertain whether Congress will need to weigh in on this change, but Trump has previously asserted he wouldn’t require Congress for this, if needed. (Fox News)
Additionally, Fox News noted this will mark Trump’s 200th executive order since taking office in January.
Related Readings via the New York Times: The return of the War Department carries more than just nostalgia; it sends a message.
Capitol Hill ⏱§
RFK Jr. Hearing Surprising for All, Not Just Democrats:
Reports indicate that Republican senators have expressed discontent concerning the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regarding his attempts to adjust the nation’s vaccine policies.
Are Republicans calling for Kennedy’s resignation? Not currently; they’ve moved past that.
What do Republicans want? They are leaning on Kennedy to reevaluate his push to amend vaccine recommendations without scientific backing.
Orthopedic surgeon and Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (Wyoming): “I’m a firm supporter of vaccines as a doctor. They work. … Secretary Kennedy committed to holding the highest standards of vaccines during his confirmation hearing. I’m genuinely concerned since then.”
Moreover: Senate Health Committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) confronted Kennedy on vaccine-related issues, while Senator Tom Tillis (R-N.C.) questioned his adherence to previous commitments.
Remember: Cassidy had initially hesitated about confirming Kennedy due to his anti-vaccine stance but ultimately voted in favor.
This could become a concern for Republicans politically: Polling indicates that Kennedy’s handling of public health is rising as a significant political issue for the party.
Read more Republican reactions: they’re not particularly glowing.
➤ Former CDC officials challenge Kennedy’s statements:
Former CDC official Demetre Daskalakis criticized Kennedy’s claims during a CNN discussion.
“He misled Congress,” Daskalakis argued, challenging Kennedy’s assertion that he never consulted CDC experts about infections and vaccines. Read his full response.
Daskalakis appeared earlier on the “Hill Sunrise” morning show to unpack this further. 📹 Catch the segments
Efforts to Release Epstein Files May Renew Lives:
House Democrats are striving to move a law aimed at mandating the release of all documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. They are just two votes shy of reaching their target.
However, with four vacancies in the house currently—three of which lean Democratic—two special elections this month may allow them to hit the necessary 218 votes and prompt the vote, according to Hill’s Mike Lilith.
Read more: “Epstein’s Discharge Petition is close to success, bolstered by DEMS.”
🌏 Other News
This story is something else:
The New York Times reported on an exclusive about how in 2019, President Trump ordered a Navy SEAL team to place listening devices in North Korea. They selected the same unit that had previously taken down Osama bin Laden.
During the mission, the team mistakenly believed they were detected by a North Korean ship, leading them to fire and kill everyone aboard. The Navy SEAL team then sank.
Yikes: “The team later confirmed that they swam to the vessel to ensure there were no survivors. They found no weapons or uniforms. The mission details, however, were vague.”
This could be serious if proven accurate: The Times claims that Congress was not informed about this operation or its findings, which could breach federal law.
Worth a read: “How did Seal Team 6’s secret mission in North Korea go awry?”
➤ Quick Hits:
- The New York Times noted that President Trump is considering nominating Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, to end his re-election campaign and serve as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador.
- Federal authorities conducted a raid on a Hyundai Electric Vehicle (EV) factory in Georgia, resulting in over 400 arrests of alleged undocumented migrants, amidst Trump’s immigration enforcement push.
- Recent findings suggest that artificial sweeteners might hasten cognitive decline.
- Rising energy costs are increasingly weighing on Republicans, as reported by Rachel Frazin.
Upcoming:
Both the House and Senate are in recess. President Trump remains in Washington. (All Times EST)
Noon: Trump will take part in the ambassador swearing-in ceremony.
2 PM: Trump signs executive orders.
4 PM: An announcement from the Oval Office.
7 PM: Trump hosts a dinner.
Monday at 3 PM: The Senate returns. 📆
🐝 Internet Topics
🍕 Celebrate: Today marks National Cheese Pizza Day and National Chianti Day!
🎾 Friendships are great: 45-year-old tennis legend Venus Williams paired with 22-year-old rising star Leila Fernandez at the U.S. Open.
👑 New look: Kate Middleton has transitioned to a darker blonde hairstyle, prompting a mixed bag of responses online. What do you think of her new look?
🧓 Quite interesting: The Wall Street Journal’s Amy Docker Marcus spent a day in an MIT age simulation suit, aiming to recreate experiences for the elderly. Not to miss: My experience of a day at 80.
^ Notable quote: “A harness was attached around my waist with bungee cords connected to various limbs, slowing my movements and shortening my stride.”
👋 And finally…
The weekend is approaching, so if you need a smile, check out the Otter Basketball Game.
