It’s Monday. Residents in DC—have you observed more law enforcement around? How does that make you feel? Got any photos to share? Send them over!
In today’s issue:
- Trump set to negotiate in Ukraine
- Is Trump leaning towards a partnership with Russia?
- The president aims to eliminate mail-in voting
- Texas Democrats are back in their state
- MSNBC plans a name change
- Latest updates on Hurricane Erin
🤝 At the White House
Now, let’s look at what Zelensky has to say.
The White House is buzzing today with the arrival of European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. After a heated meeting with President Trump, it looks like tensions were high.
💻 Catch the 1 PM meeting live
It’s important to note: European leaders are focusing on keeping discussions productive, aiming to prevent another explosive situation like what occurred in February. They won’t meet Trump publicly until after he speaks with Zelensky.
Current status: Following Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there’s a sense he may be aligning more with Putin.
- Before the meeting: Trump expressed frustration if Putin didn’t agree to a ceasefire during talks in Alaska, insisting he wouldn’t give up territory.
- Afterwards: However, he seems to have shifted his stance, posting that a simple ceasefire might not resolve the conflict.
On things off the table: Trump stated that Crimea and NATO membership are ruled out. Yet, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff noted an agreement about Ukraine’s “robust” security measures, hinting at Article 5 protections for Ukraine like those from NATO.
What’s next: Trump is set to greet Zelensky at 1 PM followed by a bilateral meeting. He’ll meet European leaders around 2:15 PM and later have group discussions at 3 PM. 📝 Check the schedule
🗨 Showa Follow today’s live blog
This evening: There will be a recap of the Trump-Zelensky meeting in tonight’s update.
Tidbit: Axios reports The White House inquired if Zelensky would wear a suit, recalling his all-black outfit at their first meeting with Trump.
➤ Related Reading
CNN: Body language experts analyze the Trump-Putin meeting.
Atlantic: Why Putin doesn’t need to negotiate with Trump.
New York Times: Trump’s land proposal for Ukraine puts pressure on Zelensky.
Axios: Overview of Trump’s strategy for peace talks in Ukraine.
📫 This morning’s news
Trump wants to ban mail-in voting:
President Trump announced intentions to eliminate mail-in voting and controversial voting machines.
How? Through an executive order:
Trump stated on True Social: “Everyone else has given up on it due to extensive voter fraud. We are taking action against it. This is heavily opposed by Democrats, who are in for a surprise…”
^Keep in mind: CNN fact checks indicate several inaccuracies in Trump’s statements. Many countries utilize mail-in voting, including Canada, the UK, and Germany.
For context: Around a third of votes cast in the 2024 election were via mail. Trump has long made unsubstantiated claims about widespread voter fraud related to mail-in ballots, especially during the pandemic.
Texas Democrats have returned:
Texas House Democrats, who left the state to block Republican plans, have now returned to Austin.
Why did they leave? To prevent the legislature from achieving a quorum.
Next meeting: Scheduled for 1 PM EDT during the next special session.
From Jean Wu, Texas Democrats’ Caucus Chairman: “We overcame corrupt sessions, faced unprecedented surveillance and threats, united Democrats nationwide, and engaged in a crucial battle to reshape the 2026 landscape,” Wu said.
Background: Efforts to pass a GOP legislative map stalled when Democrats fled to hinder Republicans’ progress.
MSNBC is rebranding:
MSNBC plans to drop “NBC” from its name as it separates from NBC News. The channel will become My Source News Opinion World (MS Now) later this year.
More media news: Conservative channel News Max has settled $67 million owing to a lawsuit about its election coverage from 2020.
Washing in Washington, DC
Impressive scenes in DC:
Attorney General Pam Bondy reported over 300 arrests in Washington during a federal operation targeting crime, with 68 arrests occurring just Saturday night.
Trump faced significant resistance: After the District’s attorney general sued the Trump administration over police leadership, the administration backed down following judicial concern.
City life feels the strain: According to OpenTable data, restaurant attendance has noticeably dropped. You can check a chart showing the decline since June.
➤ Scenery and sound throughout the district:
📹 Lincoln Memorial Military Vehicles
Reports from the Washington Post: “On 14th and R in DC, police detained an individual on a moped after a passerby intervened.”
📸 National Guard positioned at Union Station
📹 National Mall law enforcement streaming live:
📸 Federal agents in Dupont Circle addressing an incident
📸Protest in Dupont Circle: “Trump has to go”
Hurricane Erin
Erin’s trajectory:
Hurricane Erin is currently a Category 4 storm in the Caribbean, expected to head north until mid-week. Though it briefly hit Category 5, it’s weakened slightly now.
Current forecasts: Erin isn’t projected to make landfall directly but could bring significant winds and flooding to North Carolina’s coast.
It’s approaching
The House and Senate are not in session. President Trump remains in Washington. (All times EST)
Noon: European leaders arrive at the White House.
1 PM: Trump welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 💻 Live stream
1:15 PM: Trump and Zelensky engage in bilateral discussions.
2:15 PM: Trump meets with European leaders.
2:30 PM: Trump poses for family photos with European leaders.
3 PM: Trump participates in multilateral talks with European leaders. 💻 Live stream
🐝 Internet topics
🌮 Today we celebrate: It’s National Fajita Day!
📕 Over 6,000 new words: The Cambridge Dictionary has added an array of terms, including “Skibidi” and “TradWife.”
Bama Rush is captivating: Wall Street Journal examines “How Sorority Rush Videos Became the Ultimate Reality TV Show,” showcasing students from Southern universities as they navigate competitive recruitment.
👋 And finally…
Who else would join this dog for a game of poker? Check it out!
