Republican men often express exaggerated fear of American cities, as exemplified by Senator Markwayne Mullin’s refusal to wear a seatbelt in Washington, D.C. This fear, echoed by figures like Donald Trump and others, is a tactic to justify their desire to exert control over and inflict violence on liberal cities, particularly those that embody cosmopolitan values. Despite the fact that crime rates are actually declining in many areas, they are deploying government resources to the cities they dislike. This pattern mirrors historical conservative tendencies towards violence against disfavored groups and suggests a desire to maintain control over these diverse communities. Ultimately, Republicans plan to expand their control over Democratic cities, increasing the potential for violence.
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Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, recently stated that he never met Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, and only worked on one case involving allegations of sexual misconduct. This comes amid public scrutiny of Trump’s ties to Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Cohen discussed a case involving an anonymous plaintiff, “Katie Johnson,” who alleged sexual abuse involving Trump and Epstein, a claim Cohen has disputed. Cohen has criticized those who attempt to link him to the alleged claims.
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Maricopa County, Arizona is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with over 400 suspected heat-related deaths this summer. August is on track to be the hottest on record, with daily temperatures reaching at least 110F. While the current death toll is slightly lower than last year, the county is still on track to be the deadliest place for heat in the U.S. due to factors such as the unhoused population, substance misuse, and the impacts of climate change. Despite efforts like cooling centers, the rise in deaths are a result of several factors in the region.
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During the upcoming summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to present U.S. President Donald Trump with materials aiming to portray Ukraine as an artificial state, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation. The center warns that these materials, including geographical maps, are intended to justify Russia’s territorial claims and ongoing aggression. This move aligns with Russia’s historical narratives used to rationalize its actions, while Trump has previously indicated he would prioritize a ceasefire and suggested land swaps as part of a peace deal, raising concerns in Kyiv.
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Protesters in Anchorage, Alaska, rallied against the potential meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, citing concerns over Putin’s status as a war criminal. The Native Movement NGO condemned hosting Putin in Alaska as a betrayal of historical values. Following the Alaska meeting, Trump planned a trilateral summit with the Ukrainian president. While European allies expressed cautious optimism, it was clarified that land-for-peace swaps would not be discussed with Putin without the Ukrainian president’s presence.
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After claiming official jobs data was “rigged,” Donald Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner Erika McEntarfer, sparking concern about the integrity of US economic data. Replacing her is EJ Antoni, a vocal Trump supporter known for misrepresenting statistics and advocating for significant changes to the agency. Antoni’s nomination has raised alarm among economists due to his lack of credibility and partisan views, alongside his past calls to halt the publication of monthly jobs reports and questionable claims about the BLS. These actions have led to worries about the accuracy and reliability of future economic data released under his leadership.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders announced plans to introduce legislation to counteract the Trump administration’s cuts to Social Security, which impacted staffing and accessibility. The proposed bill, “Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act,” aims to prevent office closures without congressional approval, maintain staffing levels, and increase funding. Furthermore, the bill seeks to expand Social Security benefits by removing the income cap on taxable income, ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share. This is intended to extend the life of Social Security and benefit the millions of Americans who rely on it.
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President Trump is scheduled to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on August 15th. According to senior administration officials, Trump intends to greet Putin personally upon his arrival, though the specifics of the meeting are still being finalized. As of August 14th, the president was not expected to consult with Ukrainian or European leaders before the meeting, although this could change during his flight.
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According to Justice Democrats executive director Alexandra Rojas, the Democratic Party must redefine itself to regain power, starting with the 2026 midterms. Rojas suggests that the party needs to replace “corporate-funded” candidates with a new generation of leaders unbought by corporate PACs. This is especially important because polls show that a majority of voters, including young voters, feel unrepresented by current Democratic leadership. To achieve this, Rojas advocates for progressive primary challenges, taking on special interest groups that are currently influencing the party.
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Republican populists are reportedly gearing up to take matters into their own hands, aiming to sidestep House Speaker Mike Johnson on some crucial issues. The focus is on forcing votes regarding the release of the Epstein files and a ban on congressional stock trading. It seems a growing faction within the GOP is frustrated with the current leadership and is choosing a more direct route to address these matters, potentially using a procedural tool known as the discharge petition.
The discharge petition is a mechanism that allows rank-and-file House members to compel a vote on legislation, provided they can gather enough signatures, specifically a majority of the House, which is 218 members.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood