California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Newsom made these remarks while urging California voters to approve mid-cycle redistricting to counter Republican efforts in Texas to redraw congressional maps. Trump is set to meet with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, a move Newsom found alarming. The White House responded, criticizing Newsom’s policies and accusing him of supporting the current administration’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
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According to administration sources, President Trump has authorized the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations. This directive comes amid heightened tensions with Mexico, with officials suggesting a strike is imminent unless significant changes occur. Despite Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s rejection of U.S. military intervention, Mexico has extradited alleged cartel members to the United States. Experts suggest that the new directive is not limited to Mexican cartels, with increased surveillance and potential for drone strikes.
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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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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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In response to pressure from the Trump administration, Eli Lilly & Co. has increased prices for its diabetes and anti-obesity drugs, including Mounjaro, in Canada and the UK. The company is aligning prices in these markets to offset potential lower revenue in the United States, where the administration aims to reduce drug costs. Consequently, the wholesale price of Mounjaro has more than doubled in Canada, with the Kwikpen format now costing up to $773 per dose depending on the dosage, which has raised concerns about accessibility. Although Lilly supports the administration’s goal of maintaining the US as a leader in biopharmaceutical research, the company does not support tariffs, which could raise costs and limit patient access.
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Rolling Stone reported that President Trump has privately expressed skepticism about accusers speaking out against him regarding his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. According to sources, Trump has dismissed some accusers as politically motivated and potentially in league with Democrats or liberal groups. He reportedly believes they are trying to make him look bad or imply wrongdoing. While the report did not name specific individuals, it noted that several Epstein accusers and their relatives have recently criticized the administration’s handling of the case.
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In a surprising move, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a special election for November 4th, proposing a mid-decade redistricting plan. This announcement comes amidst ongoing redistricting efforts in several states, potentially favoring Republicans, and follows Newsom’s criticism of Republican redistricting strategies in Texas. Newsom’s plan, if approved by voters, would allow for redrawing congressional maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections before returning the process to the state’s independent redistricting commission. The governor framed this as a way to combat partisan gerrymandering and called for a national redistricting commission, a move that was immediately criticized by Republicans.
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John Q. Hosedrinker