The Miami City Commission voted to postpone the November 2025 election to 2026, a move that extends the terms of current officials, including term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo. While proponents argue the change will increase voter turnout, critics, including candidates and some residents, label it a “power grab” and question the legality of altering the election date without voter approval. Despite concerns raised by the Florida Attorney General and opposing commissioners, the city’s legal counsel believes the change is permissible, citing a precedent set by North Miami. The postponement significantly impacts the political landscape, potentially affecting candidates and setting the stage for a vote on lifetime term limits for city officials in a special election.
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The proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” is facing significant challenges in the Senate, with estimates from the Congressional Budget Office indicating that it could lead to nearly 12 million Americans losing health insurance coverage and increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion. The bill narrowly passed a preliminary vote, but faces strong opposition from Democrats, who criticize the proposed cuts to healthcare funding and tax benefits for the wealthy. With a narrow Republican majority, the bill’s passage remains uncertain, as the Senate debates the legislation and Democrats employ tactics to delay a final vote. The bill, if passed, would require House approval before reaching the president.
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The Trump administration is on pace to have one of the worst years for deaths in immigrant detention in decades, with at least 12 deaths in ICE custody since Trump took office. Recent deaths include a Cuban man and a Canadian citizen, and at least 15 people have reportedly died in detention this fiscal year. Critics accuse the administration of worsening conditions in overburdened detention centers as the White House pushes to deport millions of migrants. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s spending package could direct an unprecedented $168 billion towards immigration and border law enforcement over the next five years.
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According to a report in *The Washington Post*, Iranian officials, in a private phone call, expressed surprise at the limited damage caused by U.S. military strikes on their nuclear facilities, contradicting the Trump administration’s claims of complete destruction. This revelation undermines the administration’s narrative, as confirmed in a statement from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who labeled the reporting “shameful.” The strikes targeted facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, though the extent of the damage is still debated. Concurrently, Donald Trump threatened to jail Democratic lawmakers and force journalists to reveal their sources if they published leaked intelligence about the strikes.
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President Trump stated he would withhold funding from New York City if Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, becomes mayor. Trump labeled Mamdani a “pure communist” and claimed he would be detrimental to the city. Mamdani responded on Meet the Press, denying the communist label and emphasizing his focus on working-class issues and advocating for a fairer distribution of wealth. Mamdani also addressed the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada,” stating he does not use the language, but understands and is working to address the concerns of Jewish New Yorkers through increased funding for anti-hate crime programs.
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In a recent interview, Senator Lindsey Graham announced that former President Trump supports a new sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy trade. The legislation proposes a 500% tariff on countries purchasing Russian energy, aiming to curb funding for the war in Ukraine. Graham specifically noted China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, as targets. The bill, postponed previously, is expected to be voted on after the July recess and is designed to pressure Russia into peace negotiations.
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In response to Senator Thom Tillis’s decision to vote against his proposed bill, former President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with potential primary challengers. Trump criticized Tillis on Truth Social, citing disagreements over a debt extension, perceived harm to the tobacco industry, and the senator’s handling of recent flooding. Tillis’s opposition stems from concerns over proposed cuts to Medicaid, which he believes would negatively impact North Carolina’s funding. Despite other Republicans supporting the bill, Trump’s displeasure suggests potential primary challenges for Tillis, who is up for reelection next year.
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Elon Musk has criticized President Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill” on X, calling it “utterly insane and destructive.” Musk argues the bill will destroy jobs, harm future industries, and lead to unsustainable debt, including a $5 trillion increase to the debt ceiling. He further asserted that the bill is “political suicide” for Republicans, citing polling data reflecting negative public sentiment. Musk’s condemnation follows similar criticism earlier in the month, and contrasts with the bill’s provisions to extend Trump’s tax cuts and raise the government’s borrowing authority.
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Recent polls indicate a potential erosion of President Trump’s support base following his decision to conduct airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Approval ratings among those who voted for him in 2024 have decreased, signaling a shift in attitudes, even among Republicans. Analysts suggest a disconnect between Trump’s actions and voter priorities, particularly regarding foreign entanglements, as a key factor. Despite the shifts, support for military action against Iran remains strong within his most devoted base, highlighting a complex interplay of partisanship and loyalty.
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The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), a 940-page budget reconciliation bill, proposes $3.8 trillion in tax cuts and spending that could add $4.5 trillion to the national debt. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are delaying the bill’s passage by requiring it to be read aloud in its entirety, a process estimated to take at least 15 hours. This move aims to highlight the bill’s contents, which include tax breaks for billionaires, potential cuts to healthcare and food assistance, and giveaways to fossil fuel companies. Some Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have admitted to not fully understanding the bill’s contents before voting on it, further intensifying the debate surrounding its weighty consequences.
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John Q. Hosedrinker