According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, rising beef prices are due to a disease called screwworm brought in by immigrants, necessitating a halt to Mexican beef imports. Experts disagree with the claim, however, with risks stemming from the livestock trade rather than individual migrants. While the screwworm has caused some supply issues, the primary factors driving up beef prices include shrinking cattle herds and increased demand, as noted by Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe. President Donald Trump has acknowledged the issue and has taken steps to import more beef and investigate meatpacking companies to address the rising costs.
Read More
David Richardson, the acting chief of FEMA, will step down after hurricane season amidst public criticism and internal frustration. Richardson, lacking disaster management experience, faced scrutiny for his handling of the Texas floods and was often absent from the public eye. His departure is a precursor to sweeping reforms led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is planning significant changes to the agency. These changes include a new FEMA Review Council, with the possibility of the agency being removed from the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the reassignment of his closest allies. The administration’s focus on shifting disaster responsibility to states has raised concerns among current and former officials about FEMA’s ability to respond to future crises.
Read More
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to lower tariffs on specific imported goods, including coffee, beef, and fruit, as part of new trade deals with Central and South American countries. This move comes in response to rising grocery prices and political pressure, particularly concerning the cost of coffee. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have hinted at these reductions, acknowledging the impact of tariffs on consumer costs. While this action could offer some relief, it is a limited measure, as most imports will still face higher tariffs, though it does represent a small step towards correcting the effects of the administration’s tariff policies.
Read More
Canadian travel to the US has been declining for ten consecutive months, with air and car travel significantly dropping compared to last year. This trend reflects a broader response to US policies and trade actions, particularly tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The US Travel Association notes a 3.2% decrease in international spending, largely due to fewer Canadian visitors who previously represented a significant portion of international tourism. Despite some efforts by US destinations to attract Canadians, the relationship remains strained, and the boycott appears to be continuing.
Read More
An AP investigation has revealed that Bill Pulte, a confidant of the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential Fannie Mae mortgage pricing data to a competitor, sparking concern among senior officials. Fannie Mae executives raised alarms over the disclosure of sensitive, competitive information by Lauren Smith, acting on Pulte’s behalf. Following this incident, key senior Fannie Mae officials who raised concerns were removed from their positions, raising questions about Pulte’s use of his position. The investigation also reveals Pulte’s efforts to align himself with Trump by using social media and potentially leveraging his role for political aims.
Read More
The Trump administration has implemented new guidelines for visa officers, instructing them to consider certain chronic health conditions when reviewing applications. These conditions include obesity, along with other serious ailments such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The new policy allows visa officers to deny applications from individuals deemed likely to become a public charge due to their health. This directive underscores the administration’s focus on the financial burden immigrants may place on the US healthcare system.
Read More
The Trump administration has designated four European left-wing groups as terrorist organizations, targeting groups in Italy, Greece, and Germany, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. These groups are linked to acts of political violence including bombings, explosive packages, and attacks on neo-Nazis. The designations allow the administration to target any financial support these networks may have in the U.S. This decision follows a history of left-wing political violence in Europe and previous actions by the Trump administration to target left-leaning groups.
Read More
Following criticism from the Trump administration, California officials announced the revocation of 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants. The licenses were found to have expiration dates that extended beyond the drivers’ legal authorization to be in the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated California’s action is an admission of improper conduct, after earlier defending its standards. This situation stems from concerns raised after fatal truck crashes in multiple states and has led to tightened restrictions on immigrant eligibility for commercial driver’s licenses.
Read More
Top Trump administration officials met with GOP Representative Lauren Boebert to discuss the House effort to force a vote on releasing Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This meeting, confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, aimed to address concerns regarding transparency. The push to release the files gained momentum after a new Democratic member of Congress provided the necessary signature to trigger a House vote, potentially including details not previously obtained. While the meeting’s specifics remain undisclosed, it demonstrates the administration’s concern about the Epstein saga, which also includes the President’s efforts to communicate with other supporters of the measure.
Read More
Seventeen transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a lawsuit alleging the Air Force unlawfully revoked their approved retirement orders. The plaintiffs, with 15-18 years of service, were granted retirement dates, but those orders were rescinded following the Trump administration’s transgender military ban. The complaint argues the reversal violated the Air Force’s own rules, as the orders were valid and revocation should only occur in narrow circumstances that did not apply. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of the original retirement orders, restoration of benefits, and compensation for lost pay.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker