kmusser

Monday 8/31

DJT blames Portland for not controlling DJT-instigated violence and threatens to send in military (source, source on threat).
DJT peddling Covid-19 conspiracy theories (source).

Tuesday 9/1

DJT visits Kenosha to laud police for shooting an unarmed black man in the back (source).
DJT implementing tax deferral plan for Federal employees (source).
DoJ implements FISA reforms regarding investigations of candidates (source).
Court blocks Border Patrol agents from making asylum determinations (source).
Bureau of Land Management lowers royalty rates for mining on Federal lands (source).
Kushner meeting with Saudi crown prince and murderer Mohammad bin Salman (source).
USPS inspector general says they are not ready for election (source).

Wednesday 9/2

White House confirms that it is not joining worldwide Covid-19 vaccine effort (source).
Dems questioning why DHS is withholding reports on Russian attempts to influence election (source).
White House imposes sanctions on ICC for daring to investigate U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan (source).
Voice of America being turned into a DJT propaganda vehicle (source).
CDC beginning plans for eventual Covid-19 vaccine distribution (source).
Data quality of the Census may be compromised (source).
Administration is letting oil drilling projects bypass environmental review (source).

Thursday 9/3

DJT tells his voters to vote twice, don't do this, it's a felony (source).
WH press secretary says that DJT did not just say that (source).
Barr refuses to say whether trying to vote twice is illegal (it is) (source).
Election officials plead for people not to do this, the system is designed to catch such attempts, but doing so will use up already strained resources and will slow down a count that's already going to be slowed by Covid-19 (source).
USDA food box program overpays for food that often doesn't actually make it to food banks (source).
Court rules that NSA's telephone surveillance program was illegal (source).
Dems think GOP should be accountable for the constant Hatch act violations (source).
WH believes the most important news story of today is that Pelosi got a hair cut (source).

Friday 9/4

DJT's new Covid advisor has no relevant experience, is pushing the herd immunity response (which would require a vaccine first to actually work) (source).
DHS chief pushing law and order response and blaming protesters for DJT instigated violence (source).
WH asking agencies to report on all China related funding (source).
DJT refers to American soldiers that died in the World Wars as "losers" (source, DJT denial).
NATO protests Putin poisoning his critics, DJT still silent on the matter (source).

Maps of the week

New interactive Covid-19 map, zoom in for the county level data.
Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update - no action

Legislation signed into law
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - no action
- 442 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House - no action
- 166 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 8/24

GOP decides it doesn't need a platform, pledges blind obedience to DJT (source).
Lots of businesses are taking advantage of EPA's moratorium on environmental laws (source).
Postmaster General caught lying about USPS overtime (source) and claims he didn't know sorting machines and mailboxes were being removed (source).
Court blocks DJT lawsuit against Pennsylvania over absentee ballots (source).
Kellyanne Conway is out (source).

Tuesday 8/25

USPS delays are hitting prescription drug deliveries (source).
Environmentalists sue administration over Alaska oil drilling plans (source).
Social Security Administration reports that DJT's plan to cancel payroll taxes would run Social Security out of money by 2023 (source).
Former DHS official claims that DJT offered pardons for officials willing to violate the law in carrying out his policies (source).
Tony Pham is the new chief of ICE source).

Wednesday 8/26

CDC recommends fewer Covid-19 tests, immediate backlash against new guidelines (source, backlash).
The U.S. condemns the UN's condemnation of the U.S. restricting abortion access (source).
Environmentalists sue administration over allowing the hunting of bear cubs and wolf pups (source).
Administration announces additional funding for computing research (source).

Thursday 8/27

DJT accepts GOP nomination while protests continue at the White House (source).
DoJ pursuing charges against protesters in Portland (source).
Court blocks EPA's loosening of power plant air quality regulations, decision likely to be appealed (source).
U.S. joins global tree planting initiative (source).
DJT's businesses are gauging the U.S. government (source).

Friday 8/28

Maps of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- Bill that would reverse changes made to USPS https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr8015
- Bill to prevent furloughs for agency handling immigration claims https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr8015
- 1 minor bill
- 442 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House - no action
- 166 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 8/17

Post Office situation summary.
Some fact-checking on the Post Office situation, there is a lot of false info flying on social media and a lot of the changes were in motion well before DeJoy's appointment. Take the fact-checking with a grain of salt though too as I noticed it's wrong about the USPS board (better source about that) and it also doesn't address the widespread reports of delays already happening.
House recess is cut short as representatives return to DC to try and stop changes to the Post Office, postmaster is to testify next week (source, source).
States are suing administration over Post Office changes (source).
Administration planning on opening Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling (source).
DHS to ignore ruling that two of its executives (Wolf and Cuccinelli) are in their positions illegally (source).
DJT adds a new political appointee to Census Bureau leadership (source).
Court blocks administration rule allowing discrimination against transgender people in health care (source).
New SEC commissioners sworn in, potentially returning it to functionality for first time since 2018 (source).

Tuesday 8/18

USPS suspending all changes until after the election, not taking back what they've already done though (source).
Senate Intelligence Committee report details Paul Manafort's connections to Russian intelligence agencies (source).
The Senate Intelligence Committee also reports making criminal referrals to the DoJ for Don Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Erik Prince, and Sam Clovis last year. Not surprisingly it does not appear that the DoJ has acted on those referrals (source).
A look at DJT's record of naming donors as ambassadors, many of who are particularly bad at diplomacy.
Administration expands hunting at wildlife refuges (source).

Wednesday 8/19

DJT sues New Jersey over plan to mail out absentee ballots (source).
DJT press secretary won't say whether he'll accept election results (source).
DJT urges boycott of Goodyear because they won't allow employees to wear political campaign gear while on the job (source).

Thursday 8/20

Steve Bannon is arrested for fraud (source).
U.S. asks the UN to re-impose sanctions against Iran (source).
Court case over DJT's tax returns still pending, not likely to be resolved before the election (source).

Friday 8/21

DJT threatens to send police to polling places in November (source).
Administration to allow Covid-19 tests to be used without any FDA review (source).
DJT vows to complete troop withdrawal from Iraq (source).
DJT says that California is on fire because they haven't cleaned their floors (source).

Maps of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- 3 minor bills
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- DJT cleared his desk!
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - no action
- 439 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House - no action
- 166 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the Weekend

Postmaster fires or demotes 23 USPS executives, consolidating power around himself (source).
DJT issues an executive order and a series of memo regarding Covid-19 relief, the legal authority of the orders is questionable, so it's unclear whether they'll actually go into effect or not. They include diverting FEMA funds in order to extend unemployment benefits, extending a moratorium on evictions, and a deferment on paycheck contributions to medicare and social security until next year (source).

Monday 8/10

Tuesday 8/11

Summary of ways that the GOP is seeking to undermine the 2020 election.
Census Bureau rushing to try and finish Census on shortened schedule, it is not going well (source).

Wednesday 8/12

Thursday 8/13

DJT says he's blocking USPS funding so that USPS won't be able to handle the volume of ballots they'll be receiving - says he would not veto a bill over USPS funding though (source, source).

Friday 8/13

EPA rolls back methane emission standards (source).

Maps of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- 3 minor bills
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 3 total pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - no action
- 439 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 1 minor bill
- 166 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Previously

Whatever happened to Kushner's pandemic response plan? - the depth of ineptitude here is stunning. That there is still basically no Federal response to something that has killed over 150,000 people is just crazy.

Monday 8/3

DJT threatening to ban TikTok, and possibly other China-based apps (source).
DJT threatening to sue Nevada over voting by mail (source).
House issues subpoenas in Pompeo investigation (source).
New York is investigating criminal conduct by the Trump Organization (source).
DJT executive order limits the use of foreign workers (H-1B visa holders) by Federal agencies (source).

Tuesday 8/4

DJT says its safe to vote by mail in Florida, but not anywhere else (source).

Wednesday 8/5

Fauci and his family have been getting death threats (source).
State Dept. Inspector General is quitting, no, this is a different one (source).

Thursday 8/6

New York seeks to dissolve the NRA (source).
State Dept. says it now ok for Americans to go and infect other countries, not that those other countries are letting Americans in (source).

Friday 8/7

DJT bans TikTok, lawsuits in response seem likely (source).

Maps of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- Great Outdoors Act, expanding funding for parks and conservation https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr1957
- Bill extending Covid-19 aid for non-profits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4209
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 6 total pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- DoD appropriations https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7617
- 439 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 9 minor bills
- 165 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Previously

New DJT appointed postmaster general making some drastic changes at USPS including slower delivery (source, another take).

Monday 7/27

New GOP Covid-19 aid bill proposed - notably it would cut unemployment benefits, Dems not onboard (source, comparison of GOP and Dem plans).
Mayors ask Congress to help stop the unidentified Federal agents instigating violence (source).
Protesters sue DHS for violating first amendment (source).
Administration not going to enforce clean water act violations where states are doing their own investigations (source).

Tuesday 7/28

FEC complaint accuses DJT of using his campaign fund for money laundering (source).
Barr defends administration's use of Federal agents against protesters to Congress (source).
Another difference in the proposed aid bills, the Dems include an extension for the Census, the GOP do not. The Census claims they can't do an accurate account without one (source).
DJT still hawking hydroxychloroquine (source).
DJT continues attack on Dreamers program (source).

Wednesday 7/29

DJT proceeds with withdrawing troops from Germany (source).

Thursday 7/30

U.S. economy records its worst loss in gross domestic product ever (source).
Covid-19 has now killed over 150,000 people in the U.S. (source).
DJT floats idea of delaying the election, senate GOP says that isn't going to happen (source).
A new NASA mission is on its way to Mars (source).
Flynn case is still in limbo (source).
Nobody seems to know what's going on with the Census (source).

Friday 7/31

Congress appears to still be deadlocked on aid bill, so it looks like unemployment benefits are ending today (source).
That puts 40 million Americans at risk of eviction (source).
DJT continuing to try and de-legitimize the election (source).
While companies are racing to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, the administration has no plans to distribute vaccine once we have one (source).
So having hospitals report directly to HHS and bypassing CDC . . . that's going really well, NOT (source).
ICE chief retires (source).

Maps of the week

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 minor bill
- 8 total pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- Two child care bills https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7027, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7327
- State dept. appropriations bill, includes a bunch of other agencies as well https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7608
- 7 minor bills
- 438 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 10 minor bills
- 156 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 7/20

DHS defends having unmarked secret police snatch people off the streets, plans to expand operation to more cities (source).
More of DJT's threat to attack more cities.
Chicago appears to be next (source).
State and local officials are not down with this plan (source).
Covid-19 unemployment benefits to expire at the end of the week unless Congress gets its act together (source).
States sue EPA over rollback of power plant emissions regulations (source).

Tuesday 7/21

DJT wants the census to not count immigrants, following through on that would be blatantly unconstitutional (source).

Wednesday 7/22

More details on our new secret police.
DHS spinning secret police kidnappings as "proactive arrests", which, yeah, that's not a thing, that's doublespeak for arresting people that haven't done anything (source).
DJT resumes giving daily Covid-19 briefings, and they are entirely filled with nonsense just like they were before (source).
Canadian court rules that U.S. is unsafe for immigrants (source).
DJT brags about passing cognitive test (source, here's the test, I'll let you judge for yourself how difficult it is, as a P.S. this is a test for seeing if someone has dementia, passing it doesn't mean you're some sort of genius, it just means you probably don't have dementia).
State Dept. closes China consulate in Houston, China vows retaliation (source).

Thursday 7/23

Federal agents tear gas the mayor in Portland (source).
DHS being sued for refusing to release records about deaths in their custody (source).
Administration announces $2 billion vaccine deal with Pfizer (source).
2nd day of Covid-19 deaths being over 1,000/day (source).
DJT attacks Liz Cheney for being opposed to his troop withdrawals (source).
Administration repeals rule against housing discrimination (source).
ICE has not followed court order to release detainees (source).

Friday 7/24

Federal judge issues order blocking Federal agents from attacking journalists - that we should need such an order is not normal (source).
Federal agents continuing to attack protesters (source).
DJT continues to push for schools re-opening, floats an exemption for schools in Covid-19 hotspots (source).
To that end, CDC issues new DJT-approved guidelines for opening schools (source).
DJT cancels Jacksonville GOP convention (source).
China closes a U.S. consulate in China (source).
Congress is supposedly working on a new Covid-19 aid bill that would among other things continue unemployment benefits, but nothing definite to report yet.

Maps of the week

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- 1 minor bill
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- Bill extending Covid-19 relief to non-profits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4209
- 5 minor bills
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- Defense spending authorization bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7573
- 1 minor bill
- 428 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 149 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the weekend

DJT commutes sentence of Roger Stone (source).

Monday 7/13

U.S. protests China's militarization of South China Sea islands (source).
White House begins smear campaign against Dr. Fauci (source).
Military deploys medical staff to Covid-19 hot spots (source).
Government budget deficit for June larger than typical yearly deficit (source).
States sue administration over student visas (source).
Number of DJT lies exceeds 20,000, now averaging 23 lies a day over the last year (source).

Tuesday 7/14

Administration backs down on student visas (source).
DJT proceeding with eliminating environmental review requirements for energy and infrastructure projects (source).
Administration follows through on ending Hong Kong's special status (source).
Trade talks with China are dead (source).
DJT brings Sebastian Gorka back (source).
White House tells hospitals to stop sending Covid-19 data to the CDC (source).

Wednesday 7/15

DJT continuing smear campaign against Vindman even though he's resigned (source).
U.S. follows through on Afghanistan withdrawal (source).

Thursday 7/16

Federal officers are grabbing people off the streets in Portland (source).
Supreme Court allows Florida law stripping ex-felons of their voting rights to stand (source).
Court blocks rollback of methane regulations (source).

Friday 7/17

Oh, hey, remember the opioid crisis? That's still going on (source).
ICE is speading Covid-19 with detainee transfers (source).
U.S. sets a new record of new Covid-19 cases at 75,600 confirmed yesterday alone (source).

Maps of the week

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- Bill imposing sanctions on China because of Hong Kong https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7440
- Bill involving Covid-19 relief for people returning from overseas https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4091
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- Bill extending Covid-19 relief to non-profits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4209
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - no activity
- 426 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House - no activity
- 151 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 7/6

Supreme Court upholds faithless elector laws (source).
U.S. says it'll deport foreign students that are attending schools that are going on-line only in the fall (source).
Court has ordered the Dakota Access Pipeline shutdown while a new environmental review is done (source).

Tuesday 7/7

Administration pushing for a normal re-opening of schools in fall regardless of Covid-19 risk (source).
DJT follows through on threat to leave the WHO, will take effect next year (source).
Administration releases data on who got Covid-19 aid (source, another take).
Explanation of why mail-in ballots do not have a voter fraud issue.

Wednesday 7/8

Supreme Court upholds rule allowing employers to block their employees access to birth control (source).
DJT's response to previous intelligence reports about Russia arming the Taliban was to share that intelligence with Russia (source).
Harvard and MIT sue administration over student visas (source).
CDC issues guidelines for schools and then immediately retracts them when DJT slams them (source).
Vindman quits military due to administration's bullying (source).

Thursday 7/9

Supreme Court rules that DJT's "because I'm president" is not a good enough reason to withhold tax returns from prosecutors, case will go back to lower court - not likely to see a result before the election (source).
Voice of America won't extend visas for its journalists (source).
Supreme Court finds in favor of Native American tribes giving them jurisdiction over certain issues across half of Oklahoma (source).
TSA adds Covid-19 restrictions after 1,000 agents test positive (source).

Friday 7/10

So far 352 facilities have taken advantage of EPA's decision to drop pollution monitoring (source).
I need to post this a bit early, if more happens today it'll go on next weeks.

Map of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- Bill extending provisions from the last Covid-19 relief bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4116
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- Bill extending Covid-19 relief to non-profits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4209
- 2 minor bills
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 426 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 151 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the weekend

Russia has been offering bounties to Taliban for killing U.S. soldiers, sources disagree on whether DJT has ever been told about it or not, intelligence agencies have known since March and have not done anything in response (NYT source, WSJ source, source on response).
Judge orders ICE to release immigrant children in detainment centers back to their parents (source).
Administration standing by decision to do nothing about Covid-19, leaving everything up to the states (source).
Russian jets intercepted in Alaska airspace (source).
DoJ charges protesters in DC with attempt to destroy Jackson statue (source).

Monday 6/29

Supreme Court strikes down anti-abortion law (source).
EU to start allowing tourists again, but not from the U.S. (source).
Congress would like to know more about this whole Russia paying to kill Americans business (source).
Supreme Court rules that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief can be fired and possibly opens up the agency to lawsuits (source).
Iran issues arrest warrant for DJT for the assassination of their general back in January (source).
Governors would really like DJT and Pence to do something useful regarding Covid-19 (source).

Tuesday 6/30

Fauci says Covid-19 going to get worse (source).
Supreme Court okays tax money going to religious schools (source).

Wednesday 7/1

DJT calls report of Russian bounties on soldiers a hoax as intelligence community is currently briefing congressional leaders on the matter (source).
DJT promises to veto defense bill if it includes renaming of bases named for confederates (source).

Thursday 7/2

DJT may be coming around on masks, still thinks Covid-19 is going to magically disappear on its own (source).
White House has no regrets over pushing states to re-open prematurely (source).
In case it isn't obvious, there is no "flattening of the curve" happening (source).
Naturalizations resume (source).
Without any immigrants available farmers are having trouble finding any workers (source).
Former officials say DJT wouldn't listen to any reports involving Russia (source).
Mueller's redacted material likely to stay secret until after the election (source).
Tammy Duckworth puts all military promotions on hold because promotion of officer who testified against DJT has been on hold (source).

Friday 7/3

U.S. sets a new record for number of Covid-19 cases in a day (source).
Much more in depth report on the Russian bounty situation including timeline.

Map of the week

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- Bill extending provisions from the last Covid-19 relief bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4116
- 2 minor bills
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 7 minor bills
- 427 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 7 minor bills
- 152 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the weekend

DJT fires NY District Court Attorney Berman after he refuses to resign, Berman had been investigating Giuliani. DJT nominates SEC chairman Clayton as Berman's replacement. Berman's deputy Strauss will be acting in the meantime. Administration does not offer any explanation for the firing that makes any sense (source, analysis, more analysis).
DJT "jokes" about reducing Covid-19 testing, because more Americans dying is apparently funny (source).
Navy decides it will not reinstate captain fired for trying to protect his crew after all (source).
Judge refuses to block Bolton's book (source).
DJT delayed sanctions against China in order to try and get a better trade deal (source).

Monday 6/22

Administration won't issue work visas through the end of the year (source).
Administration has yet to disburse money Congress approved to help state and local governments improve Covid-19 testing (source).
Pence has another call with governors were he encourages them to lie about Covid-19 (source).

Tuesday 6/23

Fauci warns of Covid-19 spikes in southern and western states, says they are not slowing down testing (source).
CDC says it needs to have more contact tracers in order to control Covid-19 (source).
DJT threatens prison for people toppling statues (source).

Wednesday 6/24

Appeals court orders dismissal of Flynn case (source).
Priority in the Senate continues to be approving DJT's judicial nominees (source).
National Guard deployed in DC to protect monuments from protesters (source).

Thursday 6/25

CDC estimates 20 million Americans may have had Covid-19, many of them probably without realizing it (source).
Supreme Court okays fast-tracked deportations (source.
White House continues to be in denial regarding Covid-19 (source).

Friday 6/26

Administration asks Supreme Court to strike down Obamacare (source).
Administration proposes opening Alaska reserve to drilling (source).
Executive order asks Federal government to favor skills over degrees in hiring decisions (source).

Map of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 minor bill
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- police reform bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr7120 (not likely to go anywhere)
- Statehood for DC https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr51 (not likely to go anywhere)
- 2 minor bills
- 420 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 5 minor bills
- 146 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Friday 6/12

DJT removes anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for health care (source).
DJT delays rally a day so it's not on Juneteenth (source).

Monday 6/15

Supreme Court rules that civil rights law protects gay and transgender people from being fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity - this is a landmark ruling and may have ramifications beyond workplace protections (source).
Supreme Court refuses to hear "qualified immunity" case, leaving the doctrine in place (source).
Supreme Court also refuses to hear "sanctuary cities" cases, meaning cities can continue to refuse to cooperate with ICE (source).
Supreme Court also refused a whole pile of guns rights cases leaving the status quo (source).
Supreme Court upholds permit for pipeline going under the Appalachian Trail (source).
FDA revokes authorization for hydroxychloroquine to be used for Covid-19 (source).

Tuesday 6/16

DJT executive order on police reform to create a database of police misconduct and support including social workers on some calls (source).
Administration to resume use of the death penalty (source).
Administration is not planning any action in response to new Covid-19 outbreaks, DJT blames too much testing (source).
Pence encouraged governors to lie about the spread of Covid-19 (source).
Bolton's book set to be released next week, DJT still trying to block it (source).
Voice of America executives resign rather than work for DJT appointee (source).

Wednesday 6/17

Judge orders Treasury to release Covid-19 relief funds for Native American tribes that Congress approved and it has been sitting on (source).
GOP senate proposes police reform bill, Dems say it doesn't do enough (source).

Thursday 6/18

Supreme Court upholds DACA, dreamers can stay (source).
Bolton's book confirms impeachment charge was true, also alleges that DJT tried to bribe China into helping with his re-election as well as Ukraine and that he approved of Chinese prison camps (source, another summary).
DJT campaign uses Nazi symbol in its marketing (source, FB removes the ads).
DJT's Voice of America appointee fires the rest of the executives that didn't already quit. (source).

Friday 6/19

DJT not going to give up on trying to kick out dreamers (source).
DJT continues to campaign against absentee ballots (source).
DJT has not followed through on threat to pull troops from Germany (source).

In news elsewhere

A medical breakthrough in the treatment of Covid-19 (source).

Maps of the week

Covid-19 changes over the last 2 weeks, not looking good for the South.
Racial covenants in Minneapolis housing.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- Bill condemning Chinese human rights abuses https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3744
- 2 minor bills
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 minor bill
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 1 minor bill
- 416 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- Bill dedicating permanent funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr1957 (I had the wrong bill last week, this one also expands other funding for various agencies tasked with conservation).
- 2 minor bills
- 141 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the weekend

Pentagon orders the National Guard deployed in DC to disarm (source).
Park Police say, ok, maybe they used a little tear gas after all. (source).
DJT opens 2 marine national monuments to commercial fishing (source).

Monday 6/8

Judge says the DoJ has some explaining to do regarding the Mueller report (source).
DJT vows to reduce number of troops in Germany (source).
Barr denies there's institutional racism in law enforcement (source).
DJT to go back on the campaign trail regardless of pandemic risks (source).
Administration to remove migratory bird protections (source).

Tuesday 6/9

Still no signs of any antifa related groups being involved in the current protests despite Barr's claims (source).
DJT spinning conspiracy theories about senior citizen attacked by Buffalo police (source).
HHS to release Covid-19 relief funds to Medicaid providers that were approved in March (source).

Wednesday 6/10

Army proposes renaming bases that are named after Confederate generals, DJT says no (source).
Number of U.S. Covid-19 cases passes 2 million (source).
Fed planning on keeping interests rates near 0 through 2021 (source).
Budget deficit hits $1.9 trillion, a new record (source).
ACLU asks U.N. to look into U.S. human rights abuses in its treatment of protesters (source).
Many folks, including the Administration, are acting like the Covid-19 pandemic is over. Someone forget to tell the virus (source).

Thursday 6/11

DJT praises the Minneapolis PD for its brutality (source).
DJT issues sanctions against the International Criminal Court for daring to investigate the U.S. (source).
Mnuchin says Administration will not disclose the recipients of Covid-19 loans (source).
DJT planning rally in Tulsa for 6/19, yes that's the site of one of the largest massacres of African-Americans on the anniversary of emancipation, also attendees will need to sign a waiver in case they get Covid-19 (source).
U.S. has not followed through on threat to leave the World Health Organization (source).
GOP Senate supports renaming bases (source).
U.S. general apologizes for participating in DJT photo op (source).
GOP convention moving to Jacksonville, sort of, business end of convention will stay in Charlotte, DJT acceptance speech/rally will be in Jacksonville (source).
GOP votes to keep its 2016 platform for 2020, leaving in many items criticizing the government for things DJT has continued to do (source).

Friday 6/12

DJT planning on ~~breaking~~ re-interpreting arms control agreement in order to sell more drones abroad (source).

Map of the week

Confederate statues.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- 1 minor bill
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 minor bill
- 4 pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - no action
- 416 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- Bill dedicating permanent funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s1081
- 3 minor bills
- 139 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Last weekend and Monday have their own post at https://kmusser.dreamwidth.org/499507.html in case you missed it.

Tuesday 6/2

Detailed account of the attack against protesters in DC from eyewitnesses.
Pentagon, governors, and senators speak out against DJT's use of military against protesters (source).
Park Police deny using tear gas on protesters despite the on camera evidence from a half dozen different news organizations (source).
DC National Guard to investigate inappropriate use of their helicopter against protesters (source).
Customs and Border Patrol troops deployed in DC (source).
Governors are still having difficulties getting medical supplies from Federal stockpiles (source).
DJT executive order tasks State Dept. with promoting religious freedom abroad (source).

Wednesday 6/3

Defense Secretary Esper does not support the use of military against U.S. civilians (source).
Barr maintaining heavy Federal troop presence in DC (source).
DC mayor protests Federal troop presence in DC (source).
Public health workers trying to contain Covid-19 being harassed and threatened (source).
DJT bans Chinese airlines from the U.S. (source).
DHS finds no evidence of antifa groups behind last weekends violence (source).
GOP pull their national convention from North Carolina (source).
West Point cadets forced back to campus to hear DJT speak test positive for Covid-19 (source).
DJT to invite Russia to join G7, UK to veto any such invitation (source).
Bureau of Land Management makes their move to Colorado, most leadership positions vacant (source).
Fed expands emergency loan program to local governments (source).
James Mattis, DJT's previous Defense Secretary, denounces DJT as a threat to the Constitution (source).
Secretary of the Army re-affirms the Army's oath to defend the Constitution (source).

Thursday 6/4

Barr denies that protesters were attacked for DJT's photo op, despite all evidence to the contrary (source).
DJT executive order to waive environmental reviews for infrastructure projects, would essentially nullify the National Environmental Policy Act, which is the one that requires Environmental Impact Statements for things (source).
DJT backs down on threat to deploy active military (source).
Active military in the DC area remains on alert however source).

Friday 6/5

Economy may be recovering as Dept. of Labor reports hiring uptick (source).
DJT fortifies the White House (source).
Barr's personal army available for patrolling DC now numbers 7,600 (source).
Esper decides to send the active military home after all (source).
Protests continue (source).
DJT promises to campaign against Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) in Alaska over disloyalty (source).
Court rules against absentee voting in Texas (source).

Map of the week

Pandemic status.

Legislative update

Legislation signed into law
- 1 minor bill
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 2 minor bills
- 5 pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 2 minor bills
- 416 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 2 minor bills
- 135 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Over the weekend

Civil rights protests and violence in many cities across that country that I'm not really going to attempt to summarize because there is too much and I have not found a good summary article. Suffice it to say there is a lot of false information flying around. Many cities seeing multiple events in completely different parts of town, often the protests and the riots are not in the same time and place, but the media has trouble telling the difference, much of the violence appears to be police instigated and often targeting the press, and there is evidence of white nationalist provocateurs infiltrating both sides to escalate the violence. DJT has also been encouraging the escalation of violence. All because black people have the audacity to want to be able to live. Would also like to note that not all the protests are the same, the media likes to focus on violence because that's what the media does, but many have remained peaceful, and some have even had the police join the protesters. #BlackLivesMatter.
DJT designates antifa as a terrorist organization, which considering that antifa is an adjective and not an organization probably doesn't have any real meaning (source).
DJT hiding in his underground bunker while there are protests outside the White House (source).
National Guard units have been deployed in many cities (source).
Pentagon readies military police for possible deployment to Minneapolis - but they have not been deployed yet (source).
NASA and SpaceX have a successful launch, NASA's first manned space mission not depending on the Russians since 2011 (source).
U.S. Covid-19 death toll passes 100,000 (source).
U.S. to withdraw from the World Health Organization (source).
White House sends medical aid to Brazil (source).
Top FBI lawyer resigns (source).
DeVos threatens to withhold funding from states that don't ban transgender athletes, is promptly sued by ACLU (source).
DJT vetoes bill that would aid veterans screwed over by for-profit schools (source).

Monday 6/1

DJT calls state governors to urge them to more violence (source).
DJT has Park Police and National Guard attack peaceful protesters in DC so that he can get a photo op - this, along with the threat in the next link are the most brazenly fascist actions DJT has taken to date (source).
DJT threatens to deploy the U.S. military against U.S. citizens, regardless of the state's wishes (source).
Justice Dept. to follow DJT's lead in protest response (source, source).
Arlington County withdraws police from DC in protest (source).
Administration ending Federal oversight over Covid-19 testing efforts (source).
DoJ appeals court decision that would allow Congress to access unredacted Mueller report (source).
China to boycott U.S. farm products, but they appear to still be buying for now (source, source).
EPA proposes removing states' rights over energy infrastructure projects in their state (source).
Supreme Court rules that immigrants can appeal their deportations if at risk of torture in their home countries (source).

Maps of the week

Mapping police violence, yes it is systemic, no it is not only isolated incidents.
Minneapolis/St. Paul map of riots and protests.

Monday 5/25

DJT imposes travel restrictions on Brazil (source).
DJT busy playing golf (source).
DJT calls absentee ballots a scam, despite the fact that that's how he votes (source).
Pentagon is planning on living with Covid-19 restrictions going into 2021 (source).
Back in 2017 the administration killed a regulation that would've required health care institutions to have a plan in case in pandemic (source).

Tuesday 5/26

Justice Dept. drops insider trading investigations on 3 senators, the one on Senator Richard Burr is continuing (source).
DoD Inspector General resigns (source).
Status of DJT's wall: 178 miles of replacing existing wall, 16 miles of new wall (source).

Wednesday 5/27

Justice Dept. now opposes FISA re-authorization bill (source).
DJT threatens to shut down Twitter after Twitter labels one of his tweets as false (source).
U.S. to end Hong Kong's special legal status in U.S. law (i.e. we'll stop treating it like its own country rather than as part of China) (source).
23 states sue DJT over fuel efficiency standards (source).
FDA loosens food labeling requirements (source).

Thursday 5/28

DJT executive orders weakens legal protections for social media companies, unclear if it'll have any actual impact (source).
DJT extends National Guard deployments (source).
White House to stop issuing economic forecasts (source).
Naturalization process still frozen due to Covid-19 restrictions source).
FISA re-authorization bill is dead (source).
Justice Dept. investigating death of George Floyd who was killed by Minneapolis cops while unarmed (source).
State Dept. approves Kuwait arms deal (source).

Friday 5/29

DJT threatens to shoot Minneapolis protesters, Twitter hides DJT tweets as inciting violence (source).

In other news

Probably obvious to my readers, but misinformation about Covid-19 is killing people.

Maps of the week

Covid-19 is now moving into rural America.

Legislative update

Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- Bill condemning Chinese human rights abuses https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3744
- 2 minor bills
- 5 pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 4 minor bills
- 418 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 133 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Last week

Flynn case might not be dropped after all (source).
DJT fires State Dept. Inspector General for daring to investigate Pompeo (source).
Fired official was also investigating DJT's Saudi arms deal (source).
DJT assigns pharmaceutical executive to anti-vaccine effort (source).

Monday 5/18

FDA approves at-home testing kit, puts the brakes on Bill Gates' antibody testing effort (source, source).
Treasury Department's coronavirus relief fund is not being disbursed (source).
Administration downgrades economic projections (source).

Tuesday 5/19

U.S. threatens to leave World Health Organization (source).
Administration ends National Guard deployments one day early to deny veteran and GI benefits to guardsmen working on the pandemic front line (source).

Wednesday 5/20

Brief summary of DJT's war against government accountability.
DJT threatens to pull Federal funding from Michigan and Nevada because they're using absentee ballots, and then immediate backs down from said threat (source, source).
GOP to spend $20 million in campaign against absentee ballots. Fact check: absentee ballots are not fraud prone, nor do they particularly favor one party over the other (source).
Senate beginning Burisma/Hunter Biden investigation (source).
Supreme Court blocks release of unredacted Mueller report (source).
Administration has not cut Afghan funding despite repeatedly saying that it was going to (source).
Administration cuts oil and gas drilling royalty rates on Federal lands (source).

Thursday 5/21

source

U.S. sends Covid-19 aid package to Russia (source).
DeVos plan to funnel Covid-19 aid to private schools meeting some resistance (source).
Planned Parenthood asked to return SBA Covid-19 aid that it took (source).
Calls to poison control centers more than doubled after DJT's suggestion of ingesting disinfectant (source).
Senate confirms John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence (source).

Friday 5/22

Administration supports lawsuit against Illinois stay at home order (source).
DJT pushes for churches to re-open (source).

Maps of the week

Legislative update

Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 2 pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- Another Covid-19 spending bill, not that it looks likely to go anywhere https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6800
- 414 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 137 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 5/11

Covid-19 outbreak in the White House (source).
DJT continues to be more concerned about looking bad than about people dying (source).
DJT kills funding for researcher working on a Covid-19 cure (source).
Back in January the administration declined proposal to start ramping up mask production (source).
U.S. blocks motion for worldwide cease fire (source).
Treasury tells states to take out loans if they need help with Covid-19 costs (source).
Administration is warning states against online voting (source).
FEMA is not operating its usual legal aid helplines (source).

Tuesday 5/12

Fauci warns Senate against re-opening too soon (source).
DJT makes evidence-free murder accusation against MSNBC reporter (source).
DJT asks board of Federal retirement fund not to invest in China (source).

Wednesday 5/13

McConnell claims Obama did not leave the White House a pandemic game plan, when in fact Obama lift a literal book on what to do which the administration has ignored (source).
Kushner floats idea of cancelling election (source).
Fed asks Congress to do another stimulus bill (source).
GOP blocks release of CDC guidelines on re-opening (source).

Thursday 5/14

DJT says we don't need Covid-19 testing (source).
Senator Burr steps down from from Senate intelligence committee amid insider trading inquiry (source) (no word on whether he gave away his shot).
Senate votes to extend government surveillance, House has not passed bill yet (source).
Appeals court allows emoluments case to continue on to the Supreme Court (source).
USDA appeals case preventing it from kicking people off food stamps (source).
CDC posts re-opening guidelines (source).

Friday 5/15

The Lancet medical journal opposes DJT's re-election (source).

Map of the week

Not a map, but CDC re-opening guide check lists.
Status of the pandemic.
Maryland map.

Legislative update

Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 minor bill
- 2 pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - still in recess
- 413 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- FISA reauthorization https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6172 (with significant changes from House version so back to House)
- Bill condemning Chinese human rights abuses https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3744
- 6 minor bills
- 131 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 5/4

White House blocks Fauci from talking to House of Representatives about Covid-19 response, okays talking to the Senate (source).
U.S. to stop tracking Taliban attacks (source).

Tuesday 5/5

DJT ok with more deaths in order to re-open (source).
White House planning to disband coronavirus task force this month (source).
Fired vaccination official files whistleblower complaint alleging that the administration ignored his warnings (source).
DJT busy raging against group of anti-DJT Republicans (source).
Senate holding hearings on John Radcliffe's nomination for Director of National Intelligence (source).
Fact check on NYT article claiming administration internal memo projects 3,000 deaths a day, TL;DR, NYT guilty of fake news here (source).
U.S. continues to decline to participate in world-wide anti-coronavirus efforts (source).

Wednesday 5/6

National Parks are starting to re-open (source).
White House not planning on disbanding coronavirus task force this month (source).
Mnuchin threatens legal action against big companies that took advantage of the emergency small business loan program, most are returning the money (source).
DJT vetoes bill that was passed months ago restricting his use of military force without Congressional approval (source).
Supreme Court upholds state's lockdown orders (source).
DeVos issues new guidelines for school sexual misconduct investigations (source).

Thursday 5/7

Charges against Michael Flynn are dropped (source).
DJT appoints GOP fundraiser as Postmaster General (source).
Over 33 million have filed for unemployment, about 20% of the workforce (source).
U.S. prepped some temporary field hospitals, which mostly aren't being needed (source).
CDC prepped detailed guidelines for re-opening which the White House has chosen to ignore (source).
States are all doing their own thing regarding re-opening guidelines anyways - many are re-opening despite not meeting the loose White House guidelines (source).

Friday 5/8

Legislative update

Legislation vetoed
- Resolution forbidding military action against Iran that had not been approved by Congress https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/sjres68
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 1 pending bill sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - still in recess
- 415 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 1 minor bill
- 124 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Monday 4/27

The U.S. opts out of the global effort to develop treatments and vaccines for Covid-19 (source).
Round 2 of SBA loans ready to go (source).
DJT accuses FoxNews of disloyalty (source).
Poison control centers see rise in people poisoning themselves with disinfectant (source).
West Point graduates to get exposed to virus so they can hear DJT speak (source).
Airlines get bailout money (source).
CDC expands list of Covid-19, significant because their list determines who can get tested (source).

Tuesday 4/28

SBA is overwhelmed, again (source).
DJT orders meat plants to stay open regardless of risk (source).
Pentagon redirects funding from European bases to DJT's wall (source).
Pence refuses to follow Mayo Clinic rules regarding wearing masks on visit (source).

Wednesday 4/29

Fauci says we will get a 2nd wave of Covid-19 in the fall (source).
Fauci says potential treatment for Covid-19 shows promise (source).
Fauci says we're still a month away from having widespread testing available (source).
Not sure how seriously to take this, but report that Kushner is running the day to day operations at the White House and he delayed the administrations's coronavirus response (source).

Thursday 4/30

Intelligence agencies debunk virus made in lab theory that DJT is passing around (source).

Friday 5/1

Dept. of Justice in support of anti-lockdown protests (source).

Map of the week

Not a map, but NYT infographics on Covid-19 death toll, suggesting it is much higher than being reported.

Legislative update - Congress still in recess, Senate comes back next week.

Legislation signed into law
- 2 Covid-19 relief bills https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr266, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6322
Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
- 2 total pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
- 415 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
- 123 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk

Profile

kmusser

June 2025

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Syndicate

Page Summary

Style Credit

Base style: Leftovers by sforzinda
Theme: Elegant Brown by krja

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Page generated 15 July 2025 07:56

Entries tagged with cabbagenewsnetwork

Cabbage News Network Week #187

Cabbage News Network Week #186

Cabbage News Network Week #185

Cabbage News Network Week #184

Cabbage News Network Week #183

Cabbage News Network Week #182

Cabbage News Network Week #181

Cabbage News Network Week #180

Cabbage News Network Week #180

Cabbage News Network Week #179

Cabbage News Network Week #178

Cabbage News Network Week #177

Cabbage News Network Week #176

Cabbage News Network Week #175.2

Cabbage News Network Week #175.1

Cabbage News Network Week #174

Cabbage News Network Week #173

Cabbage News Network Week #172

Cabbage News Network Week #171

Cabbage News Network Week #170

Profile

June 2025

Syndicate

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags