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California Policy and Politics Thursday
Gavin Newsom: 'I don't think Donald Trump wants another election' -- Gavin Newsom warned the country is on the precipice of tipping into authoritarianism, predicting that President Donald Trump does not want to leave office after his term ends and accusing federal immigration officials of acting as “the largest private police force in history.” Melanie Mason and Dustin Gardiner Politico Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/28/25
The challenge facing the Democratic Party is ‘weakness,’ Newsom says -- Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that his social media posts mocking President Trump, his podcast interviews with right-wing influencers and his push to redraw California’s congressional districts are all in service of one goal: making the Democratic Party look anything other than weak. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Trump says Beverly Hills is crime-ridden. Really? ‘I’ve never felt unsafe here’ -- President Trump this summer has railed against American cities he says are beset by crime and disorder. Los Angeles: “Lawless.” Chicago: “A killing field.” Baltimore: “A hell hole.” Washington: “Out of control.” But Beverly Hills? Karen Garcia and Christopher Buchanan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Gavin Newsom teases he’s launching his own memecoin -- Gov. Gavin Newsom told Politico on Wednesday he is “about to come out” with his own memecoin in a jab at Donald Trump’s own cryptocurrency ventures as the California Democrat expands his online troll campaign against the president. Tyler Katzenberger Politico -- 08/28/25
Padilla’s options, Porter’s brushback, and Newsom’s crusade: 7 takeaways from Politico’s California summit -- Alex Padilla played it cool. Xavier Becerra and Katie Porter played nice. Steve Hilton played his Trump card. And Gavin Newsom just went off on Donald Trump. Jeremy B. White, Camille von Kaenel and Chase DiFeliciantonio Politico -- 08/28/25
'Fine for what'? Newsom doubles down on refusal to give in to Trump's UCLA demands -- Gov. Gavin Newsom forcefully doubled down Wednesday on his belief that California should not give into the Trump administration’s demand that UCLA pay $1 billion to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen research funding. Eric He Politico -- 08/28/25
Gaza war protesters occupy lobby of Sen. Padilla’s S.F. office, arrests made -- More than 200 protesters occupied the lobby of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla’s San Francisco office Wednesday — and some were arrested as they demanded that he vote against supplying arms to Israel and called for an end to the Gaza war. Jerry Wu in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
Padilla would back 'minor, negligible' UCLA deal with Trump over research cuts -- Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said on Wednesday that UCLA could consider reaching a settlement with the Trump administration to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen research funding, breaking from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hardline stance that California “will never bend the knee” to the federal demands. Eric He Politico -- 08/28/25
'They have a completely different playbook': California leaders acknowledge Trump's success -- Since returning to office in January, Trump has persuaded Congress to revoke federal waivers that give California authority to set vehicle emission rules and electric vehicle mandates, and gotten truck manufacturers to abandon a voluntary agreement to work with the state. Earlier Wednesday, the Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into California environmental agencies’ efforts to advance racial equity in the workplace. Camille von Kaenel and Alex Nieves Politico -- 08/28/25
Republicans’ plan to split California is doomed. But it does reveal a new reality -- The latest Republican-led attempt to let rural portions of California separate and form their own state is perhaps the least serious yet. Sara Libby in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
ICE
An ICE raid breaks a family — and prompts a wrenching decision -- Jesús Cruz came to Los Angeles 33 years ago. He was sent back to Mexico and his wife faced an impossible decision. Should she and their children join him in Mexico? Or stay in Inglewood? ‘I want them to have a better life,’ Cruz says of his U.S.-born children. ‘Not the one I had.’ Kate Linthicum in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
L.A. teen is moved to ICE detention center out of state without parents’ knowledge -- Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz’s family was stunned and heartbroken when the 18-year-old was grabbed by immigration agents while walking his dog in Van Nuys just days before he was set to start his senior year at Reseda Charter High School. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Immigration agents signed up to recruit at a California university. Then the protests started -- Social media swirled with rumors that ICE would be among the employers at the job fair, something the campus said is not true. Still, the campus postponed the event over concerns about Customs and Border Protection’s participation. Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters -- 08/28/25
$1.5 million ‘legal empowerment’ fund launched for low-income immigrants in Orange County -- About $1.5 million in public-private funds is now available to support groups that are assisting Orange County residents who lack legal representation as they navigate the immigration court system. Mona Darwish in the Orange County Register$ -- 08/28/25
Federal grand jury indicts two SoCal medical staffers on charges of interfering with ICE raid -- A federal grand jury has indicted two employees at a Ontario surgery center on charges of assaulting and interfering with U.S. immigration officers trying to detain landscapers who ran into the facility to escape the authorities. Summer Lin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Trump administration investigates California EPA over diversity practices -- The Trump administration on Wednesday announced it is opening an investigation into the California Environmental Protection Agency, including the powerful California Air Resources Board, over potentially discriminatory employment practices. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Judge grants Fresno a restraining order against Trump in fight over ‘woke’ terms -- A federal judge granted Fresno a temporary restraining order on Tuesday against the Trump Administration in a courtroom fight over grant funding and so-called “woke” language. Thaddeus Miller in the Fresno Bee -- 08/28/25
San Mateo County claims State of California owes it and its 20 cities $38 million after ‘raid’ -- San Mateo County in a lawsuit filed this week claims the State of California “shorted” it and its 20 cities $38 million in funds distributed annually under a decades-old deal involving vehicle-license fees that is now enshrined in law. Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/28/25
COVID
Under RFK, feds could make it harder for some to get COVID vaccines -- New federal guidance surrounding COVID vaccine authorization could make it more difficult for many people to be inoculated against the circulating — and seasonally spiking — coronavirus. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Hospitality
S.F. tourism to grow in 2025 despite Trump’s hostility, declines from Canada and Mexico -- San Francisco’s critical tourism sector is growing in 2025 thanks to more conferences and domestic visitors, but President Donald Trump’s hostility toward foreigners is taking a toll, experts said. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
Workplace
Citing changes to its operating structure, Dexcom cutting 350 jobs, mostly in San Diego -- Dexcom, the San Diego-based maker of continuous glucose monitors for diabetes patients and pre-diabetics, announced Wednesday that it is laying off around 350 workers, or 3% of its global workforce. Most of these reductions, or 196 people, are in San Diego, and of those, 134 are in operations and manufacturing. Roxana Popescu in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 08/28/25
Meteorologists now face a Trump ‘loyalty test’ when applying to National Weather Service jobs -- Some federal meteorologist jobs cut under President Donald Trump are open again at California National Weather Service offices — but there’s a catch. Applicants are being asked to describe their support for the president’s policies and executive orders. Anthony Edwards, Sara DiNatale in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
Google is training its AI tools on YouTube videos. These creators aren’t happy -- Some YouTubers want an opt-out option or a way to get compensated specifically for AI training. They’re also worried that they’ll eventually get muscled out by AI competition. Wendy Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Homeless
This Bay Area city passed one of the region’s harshest anti-camping laws. Has it worked? -- Nearly six months after Fremont passed one of the harshest anti-camping ordinances in the Bay Area, little has changed. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
Education
Hundreds of thousands fewer students, but few closed schools. Can LAUSD make the math work? -- A steep drop in Los Angeles Unified student enrollment — 27% over about 10 years and 44% over about 20 — has not been matched by a proportionate drop in the number of campuses or employees, one of several markers indicating difficult decisions ahead for the nation’s second-largest school system, a report released Thursday shows. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
These are best high schools in California, new report says -- California is home of some of the nation’s top high schools, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report. To rank the best public schools in the United States, the media company analyzed data from more than 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Angela Rodriguez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 08/28/25
California forests
Trump administration presses rollback of ‘Roadless Rule’ on wild lands -- The Trump administration on Wednesday took formal steps to rescind a decades-old rule that protects 58.5 million acres of wild areas in national forests, including 4.4 million acres in California. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Super Bowl LX
Santa Clara says Super Bowl LX will cost $6.3 million as it negotiates agreements to shift the financial risk -- As Santa Clara prepares for its second Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium next year, city officials project the big game will cost $6.3 million to host, with the expense and financial risk expected to fall on the Bay Area Host Committee and the San Francisco 49ers. Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/28/25
Burning Man
Burning Man attendee electrocuted as gates close again amid storms -- A Burning Man attendee was electrocuted and flown to a trauma center Tuesday night, authorities said, as organizers again shut down the gates to Black Rock City on Wednesday after fresh rain and thunderstorms soaked the playa. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/28/25
Burning Man’s infamous Orgy Dome won’t reopen, organizers say -- Since 2003, the Orgy Dome has been a fixture at Burning Man, offering an air-conditioned, sex-positive space where couples and groups gather under strict consent rules. Operated by the nonprofit And Then There’s Only Love, it has hosted thousands each year, with as many as 8,000 participants in recent festivals. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/27/25
Also
How a Beautiful Summer Day on Lake Tahoe Suddenly Turned Deadly -- Eight people died after boaters were caught off guard. A Times investigation revealed a rare set of circumstances that led to the dangerous conditions. Amy Graff and K.K. Rebecca Lai in the New York Times$ -- 08/28/25
Inside the fight over the recycling label on your milk carton -- A battle has been waging in Sacramento over whether beverage cartons — the ones used for milk, juice, broth, wine, even egg whites — should get the coveted chasing arrows recycling label. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
Walters: California schools reverse truancy trends. Improving reading scores could be next -- Good news is a rarity in California’s massive public school system, which purports to educate nearly 6 million students but struggles to improve chronically subpar academic achievement levels on state and federal tests. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 08/28/25
More dust storms called haboobs are coming to California, thanks to climate change -- For anyone wondering whether intense dust storms, such as the haboob that enveloped Phoenix this week, are possible in Southern California, the answer is yes. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
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Fired Fed board member sues Trump to try to keep her job -- In a federal lawsuit, Lisa Cook says the attempted dismissal is an “unprecedented and illegal” attempt to seize control of the Federal Reserve. Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein Politico Lydia Wheeler in the Wall Street Journal$ Andrew Ackerman in the Washington Post$ -- 08/28/25
CDC Director Susan Monarez Removed From Post, White House Says -- The White House said it fired the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, and several top CDC officials resigned, throwing the agency’s leadership into turmoil. Alyssa Lukpat, Josh Dawsey and Jennifer Calfas in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/28/25
In Trump’s Second Term, a Bolder President Charges Ahead Unchecked -- Some aides to Donald Trump warned the president that building a ballroom at the White House would force them to tear down part of the East Wing and disrupt daily operations and tours, according to people familiar with the discussions. Trump said he would build it anyway, and the contract was given to builders chosen by the White House. Josh Dawsey and Annie Linskey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/28/25
Trump, With Tariffs and Threats, Tries to Strong-Arm Nations to Retreat on Climate Goals -- President Trump is not only working to stop a transition away from fossil fuels in the United States, he is pressuring other countries to relax their pledges to fight climate change and instead burn more oil, gas and coal. Lisa Friedman in the New York Times$ -- 08/28/25
An Industry Insider’s Changes at the E.P.A. Could Cost Taxpayers Billions -- A Trump appointee has proposed rewriting a measure that requires companies to clean up “forever chemicals,” documents show. The new version would shift costs from polluters. Hiroko Tabuchi in the New York Times$ -- 08/28/25
When it comes to gilding the White House, Trump is just getting started -- Ostentatious and anachronistic Oval Office changes don’t bode well for a 90,000-square-foot addition to the executive mansion. Philip Kennicott in the Washington Post$ -- 08/28/25
White House fires CDC director who says RFK Jr. is ‘weaponizing public health’ -- The White House on Wednesday fired Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after she refused to resign amid pressure to change vaccine policy, which sparked the resignation of other senior CDC officials and a showdown over whether she could be removed. Lena H. Sun, Dan Diamond and Lauren Weber in the Washington Post$ Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Apoorva Mandavilli and Christina Jewett in the New York Times$ -- 08/28/25
Hiltzik: Why does Trump care so much about cash bail? -- States and cities nationwide have been doing away with cash bail for nonviolent crimes. Trump sees that as a problem, but has no evidence. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/28/25
California Policy and Politics Wednesday
California Supreme Court tosses second GOP effort to block redistricting -- California Republicans’ second lawsuit challenging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to ask voters to redraft the state’s House districts in Democrats’ favor suffered the same fate Wednesday as their first suit, a terse and speedy dismissal by the state Supreme Court. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/27/25
Padilla sidesteps questions about a possible run for governor, says he is focused on redistricting -- U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) on Wednesday brushed aside questions about whether he might jump into California’s 2026 governor’s race, but declined to rule out the idea. Seema Mehta and Julia Wick in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
‘Absolutely brain dead’: High-speed rail advocates push back as Trump administration cuts more funding -- The Trump administration is set to cancel grants for four major infrastructure projects associated with high-speed rail, including the extension of track into downtown San Francisco. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Laya Neelakandan CNBC -- 08/26/25
On U.S. direction under Trump, Californians split sharply along partisan lines, poll finds -- How California voters feel about President Trump and his agenda largely comes down to political party and partisanship, according to a new poll. Californians are heavily divided over the state’s efforts to build a high-speed rail line through the Central Valley. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Will your congressional district shift left or right in Newsom’s proposed map? -- Democrats to gain five seats despite two-thirds of proposed California congressional districts shifting red, Times analysis of redrawn map shows Four formerly Republican-leaning swing districts would tilt slightly Democratic, while two others would shift more heavily toward the left. Hailey Wang, Vanessa Martínez and Sandhya Kambhampati in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
ICE detention of student was ‘unconstitutional racial profiling,’ family alleges in claim -- Attorneys announced Tuesday that they have filed a $1-million damage claim against the Trump administration alleging that the recent detention of a 15-year-old boy outside Arleta High School amounted to the “unconstitutional racial profiling” of a U.S. citizen. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Husband of woman with chronic health condition who fainted while being arrested by ICE agents says “we haven’t committed any crimes.” -- He says couple came to California with 10-year tourist visas that expired two years ago. Julia Prodis Sulek, Jakob Rodgers, Jason Green in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/27/25
ICE Has Fined Immigrants $6 Billion. Now It’s Coming to Collect -- The Trump administration has issued $6.1 billion in fines to immigrants it says have ignored deportation orders. Now it is moving to collect those penalties. Jack Morphet in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/26/25
Newsom has touted AI’s lofty potential. Now he’s using it to post a stream of Trump memes -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed a very targeted approach to regulating AI, but his most public use of the technology has been images meant to mock President Trump. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/26/25
Ali: The art of the troll: Newsom is showing Democrats how to fight Trump -- After weeks of mocking tweets from Newsom that mimic Trump’s usage of ALL CAPS, multiple exclamation points and memes picturing the 79-year-old as a ripped young man, the governor took the next logical step in his get-under-their-skin campaign and launched his own store for merch, the Patriot Shop. Lorraine Ali in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Schwarzenegger’s Hall of Fame induction in limbo amid standoff with Newsom -- Alumni of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration gathered at the California Museum on Monday expecting to hear their former boss would be inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Jeremy B. White Politico -- 08/27/25
Law firm that sent L.A. a big bill in homeless case wants $5 million more for its work -- The Times reported last month that Gibson Dunn billed the city $1.8 million for about two weeks of work, with 15 attorneys charging $1,295 per hour and others charging lower amounts. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/26/25
California Republican leader calls for a ‘two state solution’ amid redistricting battle -- The top Republican in the California Assembly will propose splitting the state in two amid the state’s feud over redistricting, calling his proposal a ““two state solution.” Nicole Norman Politico -- 08/26/25
Walters: With candidates bowing out, California’s gubernatorial race remains wide open -- Given California’s size and its cultural and economic impact around the globe, whoever captures its governorship instantly becomes one of the nation’s most prominent politicians and a potential candidate for president. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 08/27/25
Wildfire
Wildfire milestone: After clearing nearly 10,000 homes, Army Corps says it’s close to finish line -- Federal contractors say they have cleared 2.5 million tons of fire debris, finishing roughly four months ahead of the Army Corps’ January 2026 goal. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/26/25
Geothermal
Clean electricity from the Earth: Bidders show interest in geothermal in the California desert -- For the first time in nearly a decade, federal officials on Tuesday auctioned off leases for new geothermal energy projects in California — and all 13 parcels offered received bids. Hayley Smith Calmatters -- 08/27/25
Workplace
22 TV series will receive a California film tax credit as applications increase 400% -- Nearly two dozen television shows will receive incentives for shooting in California — including two series that relocated from Texas and Canada — in the first award period since the state bolstered its film and TV tax credit program earlier this summer. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
These AI-Skilled 20-Somethings Are Making Hundreds of Thousands a Year -- Companies are snapping up ‘AI native’ talent straight out of college and grad school—no work experience required. Katherine Bindley in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 08/26/25
Employees are back, bosses say. In California? Not so much -- Even as bosses across the country report a jump in the number of people returning to the office, attendance in California remains less than half of what it used to be. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Kroger to lay off nearly 1,000 employees -- Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs and Food 4 Less, will lay off nearly a thousand corporate employees following a failed merger and store closures. Caroline Petrow-Cohen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Education
GOP probes UCSF on claims of ‘hostile environment’ for Jewish students -- In their latest effort to wield campus antisemitism as a tool of intimidation against prominent universities, House Republicans are giving UC San Francisco, UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine and the University of Illinois College of Medicine until Sept. 8 to produce detailed documentation of their responses to allegations of anti-Jewish behavior at their schools. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/27/25
California schools may soon phase out ultra-processed foods. Here’s what that means -- Ultra-processed foods — a recent target of both U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and California Gov. Gavin Newsom — could soon be phased out of school meals in California if proposed legislation moves forward. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/26/25
San Jose State University sees record enrollment despite Trump concerns -- The university said nearly 40,000 students enrolled at San Jose State for the fall semester — an 8% increase from last year. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 08/26/25
Homeless
Lawsuit: San Diego’s homeless camping areas are ‘anything but safe’ -- The two sleeping sites near Balboa Park have become a central part of the city's homelessness response. Blake Nelson in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 08/27/25
Oil
Methane leaks at California oil facilities are also spewing toxic chemicals -- Large methane leaks at oil and gas facilities across the United States not only unleash massive plumes of the potent greenhouse gas, but also carry a toxic mix of air pollutants that jeopardize the health of communities nearby, according to new research. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
Street
Massive Home Depot crime ring pulled off more than 600 SoCal thefts, D.A. says -- For years, a sophisticated retail crime ring plundered Home Depots across Southern California, pulling off more than 600 thefts and netting an estimated $10 million worth of merchandise without consequences — until now, authorities said. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/26/25
Hemet woman allegedly threatened to deport Latino investors as part of ‘Ponzi scheme,’ authorities say -- After a months-long investigation, authorities have arrested a Hemet woman of suspicion of extracting nearly $200,000 in a “Ponzi scheme” involving her wholesale avocado business. Christopher Buchanan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/26/25
An FBI agent killed a man after the Boston Marathon bombing. Oakland PD had helped hide his past -- Aaron McFarlane gained national attention in 2014 when law enforcement officials fouled up the redactions in an investigative report and mistakenly disclosed he was the FBI agent who killed an associate of the Boston Marathon bombers during an interrogation. But perhaps more remarkable was that McFarlane had become a federal agent at all. Katey Rusch, Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/26/25
Also
Hiltzik: Why are all these leading Democrats suddenly facing mortgage fraud charges? Guess who’s behind it -- Bill Pulte at the Federal Housing Finance Agency is hitting Democrats with criminal mortgage fraud charges. Here’s why they look ginned-up. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/26/25
Burning Man gates close again as thunderstorms swamp Black Rock City -- For the second time in four days, storms forced Burning Man to shut its gates Tuesday evening, stranding thousands of attendees on the road and warning those already inside Black Rock City to shelter in place. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/27/25
Will the Norco prison return to its glory days as a luxurious hotel? -- As the Norco prison prepares for a closing date in 2026, city leaders hope to overcome a number of hurdles to bring back its luxurious past. Deborah Brennan Calmatters -- 08/27/25
California swimmer breaks historic record for 30-mile ocean swim from Farallones to S.F. -- On Tuesday afternoon, after nearly 14 hours plowing through the frigid Pacific, Catherine Breed stroked to the mouth of San Francisco Bay, breaking the record for the fastest swim between the Farallon Islands and the California mainland, a notoriously challenging 30-mile feat completed by only a handful of swimmers. Gregory Thomas in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/27/25
Burning Man 2025: Orgy Dome destroyed by storm, organizers vow to rebuild -- Dust storms with gusts up to 50 mph tore through the Nevada desert, injuring at least four people, toppling campsites and destroying art installations, including Black Cloud, an inflatable sculpture by a Ukrainian team. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 08/26/25
POTUS 47
Trump privately presses top Indiana Republicans to redistrict during White House meeting -- The vice president also urged lawmakers to “fight and support Republicans and be real Republicans.” Adam Wren and Dasha Burns Politico -- 08/26/25
Trump Again Escalates Power Grabs in Bid to Fire Fed Member -- President Trump claimed he has cause to remove a member of the independent board who has not obeyed his demands to vote for lower interest rates. Charlie Savage in the New York Times$ -- 08/26/25
Trump’s Appointees Could Rule the Fed for Decades -- When President Trump took office in 2025, just two of the seven seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors were held by his appointees. He had also elevated Jerome H. Powell to the chair position during his first term. Lily Boyce and Christine Zhang in the New York Times$ -- 08/27/25
Trump’s move to take over the Fed adds more uncertainty to the economy -- President Donald Trump’s bid to oust Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook marks his boldest move yet to assert more control over the independent central bank. But undermining the bank’s autonomy, experts say, holds potentially dangerous long-term consequences for the fragile U.S. economy. Andrew Ackerman, Emily Davies and Liz Goodwin in the Washington Post$ -- 08/26/25
Trump wants to revamp the Fed. Here’s what that could mean for you -- Mortgage rates, inflation and the broader economy all stand to be affected by the president’s attempts to reshape the country’s independent central bank. Abha Bhattarai and Rachel Siegel in the Washington Post$ -- 08/26/25
Presidential approval rating -- Among younger Republicans — particularly those under 35 — Trump’s ratings have fallen dramatically. Still, his approval among older Republicans, who are the backbone of his support, remains steady and strong. Ruth Igielnik in the New York Times$ -- 08/26/25
Social Security official says DOGE compromised Americans’ data -- Chief Data Officer Charles Borges said sensitive data was uploaded to a digital cloud, risking the security of critical personal information for more than 300 million people. Meryl Kornfield in the Washington Post$ -- 08/26/25
Barabak: Pick for Nevada prosecutor shows justice under Trump isn’t blind — it’s been perverted -- The sole qualification of ‘acting’ U.S. Atty. Sigal Chattah appears to be her fealty to the vengeful president. The Las Vegas attorney has a long history of racially charged and inflammatory remarks. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 08/27/25
National Guard troops in D.C. assigned to trash pickup, landscaping duties -- Service members say they’re glad to help the National Park Service. But some question if trash removal and groundskeeping are an appropriate use of the military. Tara Copp in the Washington Post$ -- 08/27/25