<p><span class="citation-169 citation-end-169">A trans-identified shooter kills two children and injures 17 others in a horrific attack on a Catholic school in Minneapolis</span>. <span class="citation-168 citation-end-168">The Department of Justice finalizes settlements with ten FBI whistleblowers who were punished by the Biden administration for exposing political weaponization</span>. <span class="citation-167 citation-end-167">A patriotic &#8220;flagging&#8221; movement sweeps the U.K. as public backlash grows against the government&#8217;s mass migration policies and a surge in migrant crime</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-166 citation-end-166">It’s Thursday, August 28, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day</span>.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Tragedy Strikes Minneapolis &amp; Whistleblowers Receive Settlement" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ToR07YwBg8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Trans-Identified Gunman Murders Two Children at Catholic School</b></h2>
<p><b><span class="citation-165">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-165 citation-end-165"> Two children are dead and 17 others are injured after a 23-year-old trans-identified gunman opened fire on a Catholic K-8 school in Minneapolis during its opening Mass on Wednesday</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-164 citation-end-164">The gunman, identified by police as Robin Westman, began firing a semi-automatic rifle through the church’s windows as students were gathered for Mass</span>. <span class="citation-163 citation-end-163">Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed as they sat in the pews</span>. <span class="citation-162 citation-end-162">Another 14 children were among the 17 injured, four of whom are in critical condition</span>. <span class="citation-161 citation-end-161">The shooter was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound</span>. <span class="citation-160 citation-end-160">The gunman&#8217;s mother reportedly worked at the school from 2016 to 2021</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-159 citation-end-159">The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics</span>. <span class="citation-158 citation-end-158">Prior to the attack, the shooter uploaded a video to YouTube displaying firearms scrawled with anti-Christian, anti-conservative, and antisemitic language</span>. <span class="citation-157 citation-end-157">One rifle magazine had the words “Where is your God?</span><span class="citation-156 citation-end-156">” Others said, “Kill Donald Trump,” and “6 million wasn’t enough</span>.”</p>
<p><span class="citation-155 citation-end-155">The tragedy comes after Catholic school leaders in Minnesota pleaded with Governor Tim Walz for additional security following the 2023 mass shooting at Covenant Christian School, which was also carried out by a trans-identified shooter</span>. <span class="citation-154 citation-end-154">One of the letter&#8217;s authors told The Daily Wire that Walz did not provide any additional security, despite the state having an $18 billion budget surplus that year</span>. <span class="citation-153 citation-end-153">Instead, Walz signed legislation making Minnesota a &#8220;transgender refuge state</span>.&#8221;</p>
<h2><b>Trump DOJ Settles With FBI Whistleblowers</b></h2>
<p><b><span class="citation-152">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-152 citation-end-152"> The Department of Justice has finalized settlements with ten FBI whistleblowers who faced retaliation from the Biden administration after they sounded the alarm on the political weaponization of the agency</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-151 citation-end-151">The settlements include payments for damages, full backpay and benefits, and reinstatement for at least three of the agents</span>. <span class="citation-150 citation-end-150">Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who advocated for the whistleblowers, praised the Trump DOJ for prioritizing &#8220;accountability&#8221; and bringing &#8220;closure&#8221; to the cases</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-149 citation-end-149">The whistleblowers were punished for speaking out against the previous administration&#8217;s politically motivated actions</span>. <span class="citation-148 citation-end-148">Special Agent Stephen Friend was suspended without pay after he objected to using a SWAT team to arrest a J6 defendant for a misdemeanor charge</span>. <span class="citation-147 citation-end-147">Special Agent Garret O’Boyle was also suspended after raising concerns about politicized investigations into parents at school board meetings and pro-life activists</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-146 citation-end-146">The settlements are part of President Trump’s broader effort to end government weaponization, which includes his pardons of J6 defendants and his DOJ’s narrowing of FACE Act enforcement</span>. <span class="citation-145 citation-end-145">A new AP-NORC poll shows strong public support for the president&#8217;s law and order agenda, with 53% of Americans—including about half of independents—approving of his methods for taking on crime</span>.</p>
<h2><b>‘Flagging’ Movement Sweeps U.K. Amid Migrant Backlash</b></h2>
<p><b><span class="citation-144">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-144 citation-end-144"> A new patriotic movement known as “flagging” is sweeping the United Kingdom, as public anger grows over the government&#8217;s mass migration policies and a surge in violent crime committed by migrants</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-143 citation-end-143">The organic movement involves citizens raising the Union Jack and the St. George’s Cross flags on lampposts across the country</span>. <span class="citation-142 citation-end-142">It grew out of protests against the government&#8217;s practice of housing illegal immigrants in local hotels, which has led to a number of rapes and assaults on local people</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-141 citation-end-141">Critics have labeled the movement &#8220;xenophobic,&#8221; but supporters point to a double standard, as local councils that have been quick to take down British flags have been afraid to remove Palestinian flags from heavily Muslim areas</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-140 citation-end-140">The backlash comes as government data shows a surge in crimes committed by foreign nationals</span>. <span class="citation-139 citation-end-139">According to the Centre for Migration Control, convictions of foreign nationals for sexual offenses increased by a &#8220;staggering 62%&#8221; between 2021 and 2024</span>. <span class="citation-138 citation-end-138">A recent viral video from Scotland shows a 14-year-old girl brandishing an axe and a machete to defend herself and her 12-year-old sister from a man with a foreign accent who was harassing them</span>. <span class="citation-137 citation-end-137">The girl has since been charged by police with possession of a knife</span>.</p>
<div class="source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted"></div>


MRN 8.28.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Shooter Targets Catholic School, DOJ Settles With FBI Whistleblowers, Flags Sweep UK

Media

Morning Wire

Politics

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The following is a portion of an edited transcript from a </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/mrn-250824-member-exclusive?elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+Show+Episodes+Carousel"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Weekend Edition of Morning Wire</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> where Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley sat down with Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for Responsible Federal Budget.</span></p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p><b>JOHN: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joining us now is Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for Responsible Federal Budget. Maya, thanks so much for coming on. First, tell us, what exactly is the <a href="https://www.crfb.org/">Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget</a>?</span></p>
<p><b>MAYA: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks for having me. Other than a mouthful of a name, i</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">t&#8217;s a bipartisan nonprofit watchdog group. Basically, we&#8217;re very concerned about fiscal policy, meaning how big our debt and deficits are and we don&#8217;t have a political agenda at all. I&#8217;m a political independent. Our board and our staff are from across the political spectrum. But we are deeply concerned that our political environment now focuses on borrowing when we shouldn&#8217;t be because of the political benefits of not actually dealing with trade-offs. And that concern has been growing over time.</span></p>
<p><b>JOHN:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I wanted to ask you exactly about that. You&#8217;ve been warning about borrowing. Why is the growing debt so dangerous for the U.S. economy? What specific ways will it actually impact Americans?</span></p>
<p><b>MAYA:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I think that&#8217;s one of the biggest challenges about this whole issue. It&#8217;s really not something that feels directly related to us as individuals, but it&#8217;s directly related to everything we care about. The fiscal health of the country is really the underpinning of both our economic and our national security strength. So, if your debt is too high — and ours without question is — every warning sign that there is is blinking bright, bright red right now. But if your debt is too high, it actually means that the government borrows so much money, it squeezes out the investment possibility and the private sector. It slows growth and slows productivity, it pushes up inflation, pushes up interest rates, all sorts of things that slow economic growth, which translates into lower wages, lower standard of living, and less job security. Nothing good on the economic front. That&#8217;s one. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two, it means that our budget has huge pressure because interest payments start to absorb more and more of our resources. Whether you want huge tax cuts or huge growth in spending, we can fight about those things, but interest payments get the first claim on the dollar in the budget. Right now it&#8217;s our second largest item in the budget and the single fastest growing item. It also means that when we have national emergencies where you should be borrowing, it&#8217;s more difficult to do so. And it means that, if you&#8217;re trying to fight a recession or a pandemic or a national emergency, you may have high pressure on upward interest rates when you&#8217;re trying to borrow. Whereas, if your debt&#8217;s lower, that doesn&#8217;t happen. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But it&#8217;s also expanded now where it&#8217;s not just an economic issue, it is a national security issue. We are borrowing from countries with whom we are not aligned. We are not able to make our own national security decisions just from a strategic and security perspective, we have to think about budget resources and you don&#8217;t want to be in that position. So it weakens our ability to respond to emergencies, take advantage of opportunities. But bottom line, we can do fewer things and we become poor as a nation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And finally, for those people who worry about the next generation, it&#8217;s really, really [hosing] a generation that&#8217;s already facing so many challenges. They are facing a much more difficult, fast-paced, changing world and we have tied up their budget with interest payments and promises to seniors. They don&#8217;t have the fiscal flexibility to respond and they owe a whole lot of debt because of the borrowing we took on.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/debt-deficits-disaster-can-washington-change-course/id1576594336?i=1000723297012" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></p>
<p><b>JOHN:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Like you said, it&#8217;s insidious because you don&#8217;t feel a lot of the effects. There are a lot of things that we can&#8217;t do now, things that we could have done if we had more money available. And then, kicking the can down the road. We&#8217;re not feeling it now – but our kids will feel it, and their kids will feel it. Is there any progress on this in Washington? Anyone paying attention to this?</span></p>
<p><b>MAYA: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, it&#8217;s so discouraging, honestly, because the situation is getting worse. Our debt to GDP is getting worse. Our annual deficits are getting worse, and this is outside of emergencies. And, frankly, our political environment and willingness to talk about this is much, much worse. We&#8217;re so polarized. You have both parties basically fighting with each other by giving away more things. &#8220;I&#8217;ll give you tax cuts, no taxes on this.&#8221; &#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll give you bigger tax cuts, and I&#8217;ll increase the spending.&#8221; &#8220;I&#8217;ll also increase the spending.&#8221; It used to be that you thought of Republicans as wanting tax cuts and Democrats as wanting spending increases. It&#8217;s literally both now. So, they fight for these huge giveaways. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, no, the situation is frankly very troubling both from an economic, national security, but also a political perspective. And internally, because it&#8217;s frustrating to work on an issue where you know we&#8217;re not going to have the big debt deal that we really need to have this year, for instance, a lot of times the best we can do and sort of why we&#8217;re able to pat ourselves on the back for some work is when things would have been worse without the kind of fiscal pressure we put on. But it&#8217;s really frustrating to say, &#8220;Well, we borrowed a trillion dollars, but we might have borrowed a trillion and a half if it weren&#8217;t for our pushing against this issue.&#8221; We&#8217;ve got to do better than that. We&#8217;ve got to start actually turning the ship around and bringing the debt as a share of GDP trajectory down instead of continuing to grow it&#8230;</span></p>
<p>* * *</p>
<h3><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/debt-deficits-disaster-can-washington-change-course/id1576594336?i=1000723297012">Catch the full interview with Maya MacGuineas on Morning Wire.</a></h3>


National Debt

‘Blinking Bright, Bright Red’: Maya MacGuineas On America’s Debt, Deficits, And Disaster

'Blinking Bright, Bright Red': Maya MacGuineas On America’s Debt, Deficits, And Disaster

Budget

Congress

Federal Government

finance

Spending Bill

U.S. House of Representatives

<p>Following a dramatic drop in crime in Washington, D.C., President Trump signals he may launch similar federal crackdowns in other crime-ridden cities like Chicago. Moscow pushes back on a swift timeline for a trilateral peace summit as the White House remains confident in President Trump&#8217;s diplomatic efforts. Spain&#8217;s pro-immigration policies make it a European outlier, but growing public backlash and government corruption scandals suggest a rightward shift is coming.</p>
<p>It’s Monday, August 25, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Trump’s Safety Blueprint &amp; Russia Peace Talks Pending" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YVl4YyeXZMo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
<p><iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trumps-safety-blueprint-russia-peace-talks-pending-8-25-25/id1576594336?i=1000723413629" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Trump Eyes Chicago for Next Crime Crackdown</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-964629" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> After a successful federal takeover of Washington, D.C., has led to a dramatic drop in crime, President Trump is now signaling he may use the city as a blueprint for similar crackdowns in other crime-ridden cities.</p>
<p>It has been nearly two weeks since the federal government took control of the D.C. police force, and the results have been stark. Carjackings are down over 80%, robberies have plummeted by over 40%, and there has not been a single homicide in the city for the last ten days. The White House reported Sunday that nearly 1,000 arrests have been made. &#8220;Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN!&#8221; Trump posted on social media.</p>
<p>The president now says he may expand the crackdown nationwide. &#8220;Chicago&#8217;s a mess,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;We&#8217;ll straighten that one out probably next … and then we’ll help with New York.” The threat has prompted furious backlash from Democrats. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called it “an authoritarian power grab,” while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his city would &#8220;rise up against tyranny.&#8221;</p>
<p>The administration&#8217;s law and order push also saw the FBI raid the home of former National Security Advisor and vocal Trump critic John Bolton on Friday. The DOJ is reportedly investigating whether Bolton illegally shared classified documents using a private email server. &#8220;No one is above the law,&#8221; said FBI Director Kash Patel.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Russia Pushes Back on Swift Peace Summit</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-964627" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> Moscow is tamping down expectations for an imminent trilateral peace summit, even as the White House expresses confidence that President Trump’s diplomatic efforts are bringing the war in Ukraine closer to an end.</p>
<p>While President Trump has pushed for an immediate meeting between himself, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscow says the talks have not progressed enough. &#8220;Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda would be ready for&#8230; a summit,&#8221; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with NBC News. &#8220;And&#8230; this agenda is not ready at all.&#8221;</p>
<p>Despite the apparent slowdown, the White House remains confident. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to eventually be successful or we&#8217;ll hit a brick wall,&#8221; Vice President JD Vance said Sunday. &#8220;And if we hit a brick wall, then we&#8217;re going to continue this process of negotiation of applying leverage. This is the energetic diplomacy that&#8217;s going to bring this war to a close.&#8221;</p>
<p>To avoid derailing the sensitive negotiations, the U.S. appears to be keeping its strategy close to the vest. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon has blocked Ukraine from using long-range missiles to strike inside Russian territory for the past month. According to CBS News, DNI Tulsi Gabbard has also ordered that information on the talks be withheld from the &#8220;Five Eyes&#8221; intelligence-sharing alliance. DNI Spokeswoman Olivia Coleman has <a href="https://x.com/DNIspox/status/1959003071373074728">called</a> CBS&#8217;s reporting &#8220;Completely false&#8221; and added that &#8220;relationships with our allies have never been stronger.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Spain’s Pro-Immigration Stance Sparks Backlash</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-964631" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.25.25-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> While much of Europe cracks down on immigration, Spain’s left-wing government is making it easier for migrants to gain residency, but growing public backlash and corruption scandals suggest the country’s outlier status may not last.</p>
<p>Spain&#8217;s socialist government has pursued a pro-immigration policy, particularly for migrants from Latin America who share a common language and culture and can apply for citizenship after just two years. While this has provided an economic boost, nearly 20% of the country&#8217;s population is now foreign-born, leading to growing social tensions.</p>
<p>Recent flashpoints include riots in the town of Torre Pacheco after a Moroccan immigrant beat a local pensioner, and a vote in the town of Jumilla to ban public Islamic religious festivities to &#8220;defend the Christian character of Spain.&#8221;</p>
<p>The socialist government is also dropping in the polls as it faces a raft of corruption scandals that reach all the way to the Prime Minister&#8217;s wife. With the populist right Vox party polling well, Spain is predicted to shift to the right in its next election, likely aligning its immigration policies with the more restrictionist trend seen across the rest of Europe.</p>


MRN 8.25.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Trump Plots Chicago Crackdown, Russia Stalls Peace Talks, Spain Invites Migrants

<p>Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announces a massive overhaul of the intelligence community, slashing her agency&#8217;s size by almost 50% and revoking the security clearances of 37 officials. The Texas House passes a new GOP-drawn congressional map that is expected to net Republicans five more seats, following a chaotic end to a two-week Democrat walkout. Democrats are losing millions of registered voters nationwide as the party&#8217;s popularity hits record lows, according to a new analysis.</p>
<p>It’s Thursday, August 21, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Gabbard Overhauls ODNI &amp; Democrats Lose Ground" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KRrAWL2V4RA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
<p><iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gabbard-overhauls-odni-democrats-lose-ground-8-21-25/id1576594336?i=1000722926178" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Gabbard Slashes Spy Agencies, Revokes Clearances</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-963323" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-191">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-191 citation-end-191"> Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced a massive overhaul of the intelligence community on Wednesday, which includes cutting her agency&#8217;s size nearly in half and revoking the security clearances of 37 officials for abusing the public trust. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-190 citation-end-190">Dubbed “ODNI 2.0,” the plan will shrink the Office of the Director of National Intelligence by almost 50% by the end of the fiscal year, a move that will save an estimated $700 million annually. </span><span class="citation-189 citation-end-189">The overhaul, which was personally green-lit by President Trump, includes a 30-40% reduction in personnel.</span></p>
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<p><span class="citation-188 citation-end-188">Gabbard also announced she has revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials for &#8220;politicizing and manipulating intelligence, or leaking classified intelligence without authorization.” </span><span class="citation-187 citation-end-187">The list includes officials who aided former DNI James Clapper in creating the 2016 Obama-era intelligence assessment on Russian election interference, a report Gabbard has called part of a &#8220;treasonous conspiracy.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-186 citation-end-186">Any of the 37 individuals who are currently employed by the U.S. government have been terminated, effective immediately. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-185 citation-end-185">In a separate announcement, Gabbard said she had successfully negotiated with the U.K. to get the country to drop its demand for Apple to create a &#8220;backdoor&#8221; into the encrypted data of American citizens, a move she said protects constitutional rights. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Texas Passes New GOP Map After Democrat Walkout Ends</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-963321" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-184">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-184 citation-end-184"> The Texas House of Representatives passed a new Republican-drawn congressional map on Wednesday that is expected to give the GOP as many as five more House seats, ending a chaotic two-week standoff with Democratic lawmakers who fled the state. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-183 citation-end-183">After a two-week walkout, the protesting Democrats returned to the state capitol, allowing Republicans to pass the new map, which now heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. </span><span class="citation-182 citation-end-182">The returning lawmakers were met with new rules requiring them to sign an &#8220;adult hall pass&#8221; to leave the chamber and to be assigned a police chaperon. </span><span class="citation-181 citation-end-181">The tense atmosphere was heightened on Tuesday by an active shooter threat made on social media against Republican lawmakers. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-180 citation-end-180">One Republican state representative dismissed the Democrats&#8217; protest as &#8220;crocodile tears and bad, bad kabuki theater,&#8221; pointing out that Democrats have gerrymandered their own states for decades. </span><span class="citation-179 citation-end-179">During the walkout, former Vice President Kamala Harris called one of the protesting Democrats to praise her as a &#8220;hero of this moment.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-178 citation-end-178">The national redistricting battle is set to continue, as Republicans in California have already filed a lawsuit to block Governor Newsom’s proposal to gerrymander his state&#8217;s map in retaliation for the new map in Texas. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Democrats Hemorrhage Millions of Registered Voters</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-963319" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.21.25-Show-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-177">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-177 citation-end-177"> The Democratic Party has lost millions of registered voters nationwide over the last four years while Republicans have seen significant gains, according to a new analysis of voter data that signals trouble for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-176 citation-end-176">An analysis by The New York Times of the 30 states that track party affiliation found that from 2020 to 2024, Republicans added more voters than Democrats in every single one of those states. </span><span class="citation-175 citation-end-175">All told, the GOP gained 2.4 million new voters while Democrats lost 2.1 million, a 4.5 million vote swing that has nearly cut the Democrats&#8217; registration advantage in half. </span><span class="citation-174 citation-end-174">The losses were most pronounced among men and young voters. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-173 citation-end-173">This trend coincides with the party&#8217;s favorability ratings hitting record lows. </span><span class="citation-172 citation-end-172">A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that common words voters associate with the party are &#8220;woke,&#8221; &#8220;weak,&#8221; and &#8220;out of touch.&#8221; </span></p>
<p>The party is also struggling with an internal strategy debate. <span class="citation-171 citation-end-171">After attempting a moderate approach, California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently adopted an aggressive, Trump-like attack style, launching a social media account to troll the White House. </span><span class="citation-170 citation-end-170">In another sign of the shifting political landscape, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk is pausing his third-party plans and is looking to build a relationship with Vice President JD Vance, who many see as the heir apparent to Trump. </span></p>
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MRN 8.21.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Gabbard Cleans House And Yanks Clearances, Texas Redistricts, Dems Hemorrhage Voters

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The following is an edited excerpt from a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/mrn-250810-member-exclusive?elementPosition=3&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Morning+Wire&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">Morning Wire Weekend Edition interview</a> where Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley sat down with U.S. Navy retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">They discussed his recent trip to Taiwan, where he had meetings with senior officials, including the president and senior military leadership. Here are five key takeaways.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
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<h3><b>1. America Is Taiwan’s Primary Key Ally</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, they&#8217;re very appreciative of the United States. They understand the United States is their key ally and they make that very clear. No one else sells them weapons. No one else stands by them when they&#8217;re threatened by the Chinese. That doesn&#8217;t mean they don&#8217;t get some rhetorical support from the Australians or the Japanese on occasion or from European countries. But when it comes to ship movements, aircraft movements, it&#8217;s us. So number one, they get that.</span></p>
<h3><b>2. Taiwan Will Increase Defense Spending — But Only Buys From America</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Number two, Taiwan understands that we expect them to spend more on their defense. So they&#8217;re taking their defense spending from about 2.5% this year to 3% next year. Then, I think, they&#8217;ll go to 4% and eventually 5%. The irony is, to get the spending up that high, they can only buy the weapons from us. We&#8217;re the only country who sells to them.</span></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-threats-we-face-how-we-win/id1576594336?i=1000721366067" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></p>
<h3><b>3. America’s Foreign Military Sales Program Is A “Dumpster Fire”</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I say this gently, our foreign military sales program is a dumpster fire. As a result, it takes seven years to get them javelin missiles; eight years to get them stinger, man-portable air missiles. These should take two, three years. So, part of the problem is U.S. foreign military sales and delivery. But the Taiwanese are going to do everything they can to get themselves to three, four, and eventually 5% [Defense spending] by the end of the Trump administration. So that&#8217;s a big deal. </span></p>
<h3><b>4. It Could Take Nine Years For American Weapons To Arrive In Taiwan</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our foreign military sales overseas are hampered by a bureaucratic process inside the Department of Defense and Department of State. They have to work together. They don&#8217;t do a great job. It&#8217;s also hampered by how we integrate with the weapons providers, like Raytheon or Lockheed Martin, and the back and forth with the host country. For example, we recently did a harpoon sale with Taiwan, an anti-ship cruise missile that&#8217;s really critical to the fight. The sale was locked and first approved in 2020. And I&#8217;d say the delivery is going to be completed by 2029, if we&#8217;re lucky. That should take two, three, four years max — not nine years. So, for military sales, we have a backed up docket with Taiwan alone of $12 billion – it was $18 billion just four years ago. This is way too much. Countries cannot rely on us for timely delivery of weapons if it takes five, seven, or nine years to get weapons.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_960047" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-960047" class="size-large wp-image-960047" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2224992177-864x576.jpg" alt="KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN - JULY 14: Taiwan President, Lai Ching-te, inspects the Han Kuang 41 exercise - Naval defensive mine-laying drill on July 14, 2025 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Taiwan. Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercise kicked off July 9 as the island steps up preparations against a potential invasion by China. Touted as the largest and longest iteration to date, this year’s drill will span around 10 days—roughly double the length of last year’s exercise. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2224992177-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2224992177-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2224992177-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2224992177.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /><p id="caption-attachment-960047" class="wp-caption-text">Annabelle Chih/Getty Images</p></div>
<h3><b>5. Taiwan Must Prepare For Non-Military Attacks</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taiwan really understands that, in addition to preparing for the most likely, most dangerous scenario of a cross-strait invasion, t</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">hey also have to prepare for another most likely scenario  — China attacking their societal resilience, their financial systems, their communication systems, their energy systems with diplomatic, economic, cyber and influence operations, not military attacks. While the CCP would hope to break the societal resilience of Taiwan. Taiwan has to fight that. They need to make a lot of investments in that kind of domestic resilience. And then the United States can help as well.</span></p>
<p>* * *</p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/mrn-250810-member-exclusive?elementPosition=3&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Morning+Wire&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">Catch the full interview with retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery on Morning Wire.</a></strong></h3>


Taiwan Holds Defense Drills

‘Nine Years To Get Weapons’: An American Admiral On Defending Taiwan From China

'Nine Years To Get Weapons': An American Admiral On Defending Taiwan From China

China

interview

Military Weapons

Pentagon

Taiwan

U.S. Military

U.S. Navy

<p>President Trump signs executive orders to overhaul 401(k) investing and ban ideological &#8220;de-banking,&#8221; as India&#8217;s Prime Minister defies new U.S. tariffs. Amid a surge in youth crime, President Trump threatens to &#8220;federalize&#8221; Washington, D.C., and take over the city&#8217;s police force. The U.S. divorce rate hits a 50-year low as new research shows a surprising resurgence in family stability, particularly in the black community.</p>
<p>It’s Friday, August 8, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<h2><b>Trump Signs Sweeping Banking Orders, Faces Off With India</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-958529" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> President Trump signed two major executive orders on Thursday aimed at reshaping the American financial system by overhauling 401(k) investment rules and banning the practice of ideological “de-banking.”</p>
<p>The first executive order directs the SEC to remove regulations that currently prevent Americans from investing their 401(k) retirement funds in private assets, such as private equity funds, gold, and cryptocurrencies. The White House says Americans should be able to decide for themselves where to put their money, while critics warn of the higher risks associated with such investments. The move is a major win for private equity funds, which have long sought access to the $12 trillion in American 401(k)s.</p>
<p>The second order targets the practice of “de-banking.” It directs federal regulators to remove “reputational risk” as a legitimate reason for denying financial services. The move comes after numerous reports of banks closing the accounts of conservative individuals and non-profits for their political views. The president also ordered the Small Business Administration to ensure those who have been de-banked are reinstated.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a trade standoff with India is intensifying. After Trump imposed a 50% tariff on the country for continuing to purchase Russian oil, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded defiantly. &#8220;I know I&#8217;ll have to pay a heavy price, but I&#8217;m ready. India is ready,” Modi said Thursday, adding that his country &#8220;will never compromise” on its interests.</p>
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<h2><b>Trump Threatens Federal Takeover Of D.C. Amid Crime Wave</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-958531" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> Following a surge in violent youth crime in Washington, D.C., President Trump has threatened to “federalize” the nation’s capital and potentially take control of the city&#8217;s police force.</p>
<p>While a complete federal takeover of the city would require an act of Congress, President Trump has the authority to temporarily take over the D.C. police or call in the National Guard, options he confirmed on Thursday he is considering. &#8220;The crime is ridiculous,&#8221; Trump said, adding that he also wants to &#8220;beautify the city&#8221; by cleaning up graffiti and repairing crumbling roads.</p>
<p>The president&#8217;s threat was sparked by a recent attack on a government staffer by a gang of teenagers. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said that such crimes are rampant because violent teens are sent to family court for &#8220;rehabilitation&#8221; instead of being charged as adults. &#8220;I&#8217;m tired of having these kids commit crimes,&#8221; Pirro said, calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be lowered to 14.</p>
<p>Crime statistics show the city&#8217;s justice system is lenient on violent offenders. Between 2018 and 2022, less than 2% of people arrested in D.C. for carrying a pistol without a license were sentenced to prison. The city’s Democratic mayor, Muriel Bowser, has remained publicly silent on Trump&#8217;s threat, but is reportedly working with the White House to address the crime issue.</p>
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<h2><b>U.S. Divorce Rate Plummets To 50-Year Low</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-958527" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.8.25-Fri-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b>Topline:</b> The U.S. divorce rate has fallen to a 50-year low, and new research from the Institute for Family Studies indicates a surprising trend toward greater family stability, particularly in the black community.</p>
<p>The divorce rate has plummeted by around 40% from its peak in 1980. While the decline is partly due to fewer people getting married, sociologist Brad Wilcox of the Institute for Family Studies says it also reflects a genuine cultural shift. “Divorce is down, single parenthood is coming down, family stability is going up,&#8221; Wilcox told Morning Wire. &#8220;More kids are being raised by their own married, biological parents, and that&#8217;s good news for kids.&#8221;</p>
<p>The most surprising finding, according to Wilcox, is the &#8220;uptick in the share of kids being raised in black married families.&#8221; Over the last decade, there has been a six-percentage-point increase in the share of black children living in married-parent households.</p>
<p>The research also indicates a generational shift in attitudes toward marriage, with Gen Z being more positive about the institution than Millennials and Gen X were. Today, only 20% of 18- to 27-year-olds say marriage is irrelevant, compared to nearly 40% of young adults 20 years ago. Researchers are now watching to see how new technologies, such as AI companions and pornography, may threaten these positive trends in the future.</p>


MRN 8.8.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Trump’s Financial EOs, Threatened Federal Takeover Of D.C., Divorce At 50-Year Low

Morning Brief: Trump's Economic EOs, Threatened Federal Takeover Of DC, Divorce Rate At 50-Year Low

<p><span class="citation-401 citation-end-401">A U.S. envoy&#8217;s meeting with Vladimir Putin yields &#8220;great progress&#8221; on peace talks just before President Trump&#8217;s deadline, as the U.S. hikes tariffs on India for buying Russian oil</span>. <span class="citation-400 citation-end-400">President Trump is set to sign an executive order targeting &#8220;de-banking&#8221; to protect Americans from being denied financial services based on their political or religious beliefs</span>. <span class="citation-399 citation-end-399">NASA announces an accelerated plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, driven by a new space race with China</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-398 citation-end-398">It’s Thursday, August 7, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day</span>.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Witkoff Meets Putin &amp; NASA’s Nuclear Moon Plan" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ps5PxPW_Gz8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>U.S. Envoy Meets With Putin Ahead Of Peace Deadline</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-957941" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.7.25-Thu-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-397">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-397 citation-end-397"> U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held a &#8220;highly productive&#8221; meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, just two days before President Trump’s deadline for a ceasefire in Ukraine</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-396 citation-end-396">On Wednesday, Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin held a nearly three-hour meeting that both the White House and the Kremlin described as &#8220;constructive&#8221; and &#8220;useful&#8221;</span>. <span class="citation-395 citation-end-395">Following the discussion, President Trump announced that &#8220;great progress&#8221; was made and that he intends to meet with Putin personally as soon as next week, before bringing both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together for talks</span>. <span class="citation-394 citation-end-394">The diplomatic push comes just before Trump’s shortened deadline of this Friday for Russia to agree to a ceasefire</span>. <span class="citation-393 citation-end-393">While Putin is <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/russia-weighs-ukraine-air-truce-offer-to-trump-without-ending-war">reportedly</a> not ready for a full ceasefire, he may agree to de-escalate by pausing airstrikes</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-392 citation-end-392">As part of a &#8220;carrot and stick&#8221; approach, the Trump administration increased pressure on Russia&#8217;s allies immediately following the meeting</span>. <span class="citation-391 citation-end-391">On Wednesday, the president signed an order to raise tariffs on goods from India by an additional 25%, bringing the total tariff to 50%</span>. <span class="citation-390 citation-end-390">National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1953116777103106303">explained</a> that the move was intended to close a &#8220;release valve for Russia,&#8221; which has been funding its war effort by selling oil to India</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-389 citation-end-389">There has also been significant misinformation surrounding the war in Gaza</span>. <span class="citation-388 citation-end-388">The New York Times recently ran a front-page story featuring a photo of an emaciated child, implying starvation caused by Israel</span>. <span class="citation-387 citation-end-387">It was later revealed that the child suffered from preexisting medical issues</span>. <span class="citation-386 citation-end-386">While conditions in Gaza are dire, hundreds of tons of aid enter the territory daily, but according to the U.N., nearly 90% of it is looted by Hamas</span>. <span class="citation-385 citation-end-385">As one Gazan native told <a href="https://grabien.com/story?id=538958">MSNBC</a>, &#8220;Hamas wanted to see the deterioration of the humanitarian conditions in Gaza&#8221; to create &#8220;horrendous imagery&#8221; and turn the international community against Israel.</span></p>
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<h2><b>Trump To Sign Order Targeting ‘De-Banking’</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-384">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-384 citation-end-384"> President Trump is set to sign an executive order to ban the practice of “de-banking,” which denies customers access to financial services based on their political or religious beliefs</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-383 citation-end-383">The practice of &#8220;de-banking&#8221; grew under the previous administration and has targeted numerous conservative individuals and organizations</span>. <span class="citation-382 citation-end-382">Ryan Bangert of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) told Morning Wire that the executive order is &#8220;very needed,&#8221; because &#8220;access to financial services is absolutely essential to be able to function&#8221; in the modern economy</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-381">Bangert pointed to several documented cases of de-banking, including the Supreme Court case  </span><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-842_6kg7.pdf"><i><span class="citation-381">NRA v. Vullo</span></i></a><span class="citation-381 citation-end-381">, where New York regulators pressured financial institutions to cut ties with the National Rifle Association</span>. <span class="citation-380 citation-end-380">He also cited a congressional report that found Treasury Department officials had pressured banks to surveil customers who shopped at sporting goods stores like Cabela&#8217;s or were associated with groups labeled as &#8220;hate groups&#8221; by far-left organizations, including ADF</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-379 citation-end-379">While some states like Tennessee and Idaho have passed laws to prohibit ideological de-banking, this executive order will provide federal protection</span>. <span class="citation-378 citation-end-378">Bangert dismissed concerns that the order would infringe on the rights of private businesses, arguing that this type of discrimination is already unlawful and that the order would relieve banks from pressure from &#8220;leftists and elitists in government&#8221;</span>.</p>
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<h2><b>NASA Announces Plan For Nuclear Reactor On The Moon</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-377">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-377 citation-end-377"> In a major push to win the new space race, the Trump administration has directed NASA to build a nuclear reactor on the surface of the moon by 2030</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-376 citation-end-376">This week, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy issued a directive to build a 100-kilowatt nuclear micro-reactor on the moon within the decade</span>. <span class="citation-375 citation-end-375">The ambitious plan is driven by a renewed space race with China and Russia, both of whom have announced their own intentions to put reactors on the moon by the mid-2030s</span>. <span class="citation-374 citation-end-374">Duffy stressed the urgency, <a href="https://x.com/UAPJames/status/1952770864555971018">saying</a>, &#8220;We want to get there first and claim that for America,&#8221; to prevent adversaries from declaring a &#8220;keep-out zone&#8221; that would inhibit U.S. operations</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-373 citation-end-373">Nuclear power is considered the most efficient option for a long-term lunar base because the moon experiences two weeks of continual darkness every month, making solar power impractical</span>. <span class="citation-372 citation-end-372">The reactor is a key component of NASA’s Artemis Program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2027 and eventually establish a permanent base</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-371 citation-end-371">The lunar base will serve as a critical staging point for future deep-space exploration, particularly missions to Mars, as launching from the moon&#8217;s lower gravity is far more efficient than from Earth</span>. <span class="citation-370 citation-end-370">While the mission&#8217;s stated purpose is exploration, it also has potential military implications, as a lunar presence would be of significant interest to the Pentagon in an era of increasing weaponization of space by adversaries like China and Russia</span>.</p>
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Morning Brief: ‘Productive’ Peace Talks With Putin, De-Banking Ban, NASA Plans Lunar Nuclear Reactor

<p><span class="citation-305 citation-end-305">Senator Elizabeth Warren embraces a Democratic socialist mayoral candidate in New York, highlighting a growing rift between the Democratic Party&#8217;s far-left and establishment wings. </span><span class="citation-304 citation-end-304">The standoff over Texas redistricting continues as blue state governors like Gavin Newsom threaten to gerrymander their own maps in retaliation. </span><span class="citation-303 citation-end-303">Oklahoma will require teachers from blue states to pass an &#8220;America First&#8221; test to screen out woke ideology before they can teach in the state&#8217;s classrooms. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-302 citation-end-302">It’s Wednesday, August 6, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. </span></p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Warren Embraces Socialist &amp; Woke Teacher Litmus Test?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oFU5Wpsx8C4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<h2><b>Warren Embraces Socialist, Deepening Democrat Divide</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-957327" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-301">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-301 citation-end-301"> Senator Elizabeth Warren has endorsed self-described Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, signaling her support for a sharp leftward turn that many in the Democratic party establishment fear will alienate moderate voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-300 citation-end-300">While senior Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have remained silent on Mamdani&#8217;s candidacy, Warren has come out in strong support of his most controversial policies, including rent control, government-run grocery stores, and massive tax hikes on high earners. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-299 citation-end-299">&#8220;<span style="font-weight: 400;">When someone stands up and says, I will lead this city by making it more affordable&#8230; </span>that is the democratic message,&#8221; Warren <a href="https://x.com/RNCResearch/status/1952434936805507334">said</a> on the campaign trail. </span><span class="citation-298 citation-end-298">Her stance has drawn criticism, with Obama’s Treasury Secretary Jack Lew warning that Mamdani’s proposed tax hikes will drive businesses out of New York. </span></p>
<p>The divide highlights a larger struggle within the party. <span class="citation-297 citation-end-297">Younger, far-left figures like Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett are gaining prominence with extreme rhetoric, such as calling Donald Trump a &#8220;piece of s***&#8221; and claiming the Supreme Court is &#8220;complicit&#8221; in his actions. </span><span class="citation-296 citation-end-296">Mamdani has also courted controversy by refusing to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” claiming it reflects a “desperate desire for equality.” </span><span class="citation-295 citation-end-295">This embrace of the far-left comes as the Democratic Party’s popularity has hit a record low, with a recent Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/democratic-party-poll-voter-confidence-july-2025-9db38021?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAh983zeN-pajxwwBuInVP0DmkmLRKuURGEK8NjaN7UyiZjsZtrUCkPlN9Q-Ed8%3D&amp;gaa_ts=68928860&amp;gaa_sig=mF2dUi-FYoszQ7mUjyioT-TazGT9c_t6AZLgZn3iKG86q4nFloe_8ciLvsxVqiwp0YRIK2lyvjraSvre80ABnw%3D%3D">poll</a> finding that many voters view the party as too extreme. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Texas Redistricting Standoff Continues</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-294">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-294 citation-end-294"> The political standoff in Texas continues as Democratic lawmakers remain out of state to block a Republican redistricting plan, while blue state governors are now threatening to gerrymander their own maps in retaliation. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-293 citation-end-293">The Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to break quorum remain in a stalemate with Republicans, who are exploring legal options to compel their return. </span><span class="citation-292 citation-end-292">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office is considering trying to have the lawmakers arrested or even removed from office. </span><span class="citation-291 citation-end-291">The lawmakers face a $500-a-day fine for breaking quorum, a measure instituted after a similar walkout in 2021. </span><span class="citation-290 citation-end-290">Paxton defended the need for redistricting, citing the state’s massive population growth of several million people over the last five years. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-289 citation-end-289">The fight has escalated to the national level, with Democratic governors threatening to retaliate. </span><span class="citation-288 citation-end-288">California Governor Gavin Newsom promised to “fight fire with fire,” saying any gains Republicans make in Texas “will be neutered in the state of California.” </span><span class="citation-287 citation-end-287">Meanwhile, some Democrats in Texas have resorted to extreme rhetoric, with state congresswoman Jolanda Jones comparing the redistricting effort to the Holocaust. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Oklahoma to Require ‘America First’ Test for Teachers</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-957331" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.6.25-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-286">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-286 citation-end-286"> Oklahoma will now require teachers moving from liberal states to pass an &#8220;America First&#8221; test to ensure they do not bring woke ideology into the state&#8217;s classrooms. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-285 citation-end-285">Starting this school year, teachers who move to Oklahoma from blue states like California, Maine, and New York will be required to pass a test to prove they align with Oklahoma&#8217;s curriculum standards. </span><span class="citation-284 citation-end-284">Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, told Morning Wire the test was created in response to &#8220;the insanity coming outta California,&#8221; such as requirements to teach &#8220;27 genders.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-283 citation-end-283">&#8220;We are absolutely not going to take social justice Warrior, woke indoctrinated into our classrooms,&#8221; Walters said. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-282 citation-end-282">The pass/fail written test is being developed with PragerU, an organization also in partnership with The Daily Wire. </span><span class="citation-281 citation-end-281">According to Walters, it will cover &#8220;the biological differences between men and women&#8221; as well as an &#8220;understanding of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence&#8230; [and] American exceptionalism.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-280 citation-end-280">The move is part of Walters&#8217; broader effort to bring &#8220;free market principles to the classroom.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-279 citation-end-279">He noted that Oklahoma is actively recruiting the top 10% of teachers in the country and has implemented a merit pay system, with over 1,000 teachers now on track to make $100,000 a year for achieving &#8220;exceptional results.&#8221; </span></p>


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Morning Brief: Warren Backs Mamdani, Texas Redistricting Standoff, Oklahoma’s ‘America First’ Test

Morning Brief: Warren Backs Mamdani, Texas Redistricting Fight, Oklahoma's 'America First' Test

<p><span class="citation-311 citation-end-311">Texas Democrats flee the state to block a Republican redistricting plan, sparking a high-stakes political showdown with national implications. </span><span class="citation-310 citation-end-310">The U.S. is on track for negative net migration for the first time in 50 years, a result of the Trump administration&#8217;s border crackdown and record deportations. </span><span class="citation-309 citation-end-309">HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. orders a mercury-based preservative removed from all U.S. flu vaccines and plans an overhaul of the &#8220;vaccine court.&#8221; </span></p>
<p>It’s Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Texas Census Battle Begins &amp; Net Migration Negative" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S12KI2kVxKI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<h2><b>Texas Democrats Flee State Over Redistricting</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-308">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-308 citation-end-308"> Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers have fled the state in a dramatic effort to block the Republican-led legislature from passing a new congressional map, prompting threats of arrest and felony charges from Governor Greg Abbott. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-307 citation-end-307">In a longshot bid to prevent a quorum, dozens of Texas Democrats fled the state over the weekend to stop Republicans from passing a new district map that could give the GOP more seats in the U.S. House. </span><span class="citation-306 citation-end-306">Governor Greg Abbott threatened the lawmakers with felony bribery charges and directed state law enforcement to arrest them upon their return. </span><span class="citation-305 citation-end-305">The fleeing Democrats, who held a press conference in Illinois, claim they are fighting a &#8220;corrupt process&#8221; and that Texas Republicans&#8217; &#8220;loyalty and fealty to Donald Trump overrides all other interests.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-304 citation-end-304">The showdown in Texas is having national repercussions. </span><span class="citation-303 citation-end-303">Democratic governors like New York’s Kathy Hochul have threatened to &#8220;fight fire with fire&#8221; by gerrymandering their own states in retaliation. </span><span class="citation-302 citation-end-302">The battle has also intensified calls from prominent Republicans, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for a new census that would only count legal U.S. residents. </span><span class="citation-301 citation-end-301">DeSantis argues such a count is what the framers intended and would cause sanctuary states like California to lose congressional seats while states like Florida would gain them. </span></p>
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<h2><b>U.S. on Pace for Net-Negative Migration</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-300">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-300 citation-end-300"> The United States is on track to experience negative net migration in 2025 for the first time in at least 50 years, a stunning reversal driven by the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and record-setting deportations. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-299 citation-end-299">After an estimated 16 to 25 million people entered the U.S. between 2020 and 2024, the nation is set to see more people emigrate out of the country than into it this year. </span><span class="citation-298 citation-end-298">The trend is the result of President Trump making border security his top priority. </span><span class="citation-297 citation-end-297">Since Trump took office, border crossings have fallen by nearly 95%, and the Department of Homeland Security says it has deported more than a quarter-million illegal migrants in the last six months. </span><span class="citation-296 citation-end-296">The administration has also slashed work permits and visas while offering stipends for those who self-deport. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-295 citation-end-295">Supporters of the crackdown argue that less immigration will open up more jobs for Americans and force employers to raise wages. </span><span class="citation-294 citation-end-294">White House data shows that since March, the foreign-born workforce has declined by over a million people, while all net job growth has occurred among native-born Americans. </span>Parallel efforts are also underway at the state level. <span class="citation-293 citation-end-293">With support from the DOJ, Texas recently repealed its &#8220;Dream Act,&#8221; ending in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrant students, and similar efforts are now underway in states like Kentucky and Minnesota. </span></p>
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<h2><b>RFK Jr. Continues Vaccine Policy Shakeup</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-956743" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/MRN-8.5.25-Tue-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-292">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-292 citation-end-292"> HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ordered the removal of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from all flu vaccines distributed in the U.S. and is planning a major overhaul of the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-291 citation-end-291">In his latest move to reshape U.S. vaccine policy, Kennedy has ordered the removal of the mercury-based ingredient thimerosal from all flu vaccines, which were the last vaccines in the country to contain it. </span><span class="citation-290 citation-end-290">The decision was based on a recommendation from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which Kennedy recently reconstituted with his own appointees. </span><span class="citation-289 citation-end-289">&#8220;Injecting any amount of mercury into children when safe mercury-free alternatives exist defies common sense and public health responsibility,&#8221; Kennedy said in a statement. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-288 citation-end-288">Kennedy is also blocking personnel from major medical groups, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, from having input during ACIP meetings. </span><span class="citation-287 citation-end-287">A statement from HHS said the old panel was &#8220;plagued by conflicts of interest, influence, and bias.” </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-286 citation-end-286">In addition to these changes, Kennedy plans to overhaul the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, often called the &#8220;vaccine court.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-285 citation-end-285">He says the current system is biased against claimants and wants to make the process faster and less adversarial. </span><span class="citation-284 citation-end-284">Kennedy also intends to expand the program to include potential injuries from COVID vaccines, which are currently handled by a separate program that critics say is rife with conflicts of interest. </span></p>


MRN 8.5.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Texas Sees Red As Democrats Flee, Migration Plummets, RFK Orders Vaccine Overhaul

Morning Brief: Texas Seeing Red, Net-Zero Migration, Vaccine Shakeup

<p><span class="citation-1757 citation-end-1757">The U.S. economy grew by an unexpected 3% last quarter, but the Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady, drawing criticism from President Trump</span>. <span class="citation-1756 citation-end-1756">The Trump administration moves to repeal a key Obama-era EPA finding, a move that would end the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act</span>. <span class="citation-1755 citation-end-1755">Flush with new funding, ICE launches a major recruitment campaign to hire thousands of new agents to secure the border</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1754 citation-end-1754">It’s Thursday, July 31, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day</span>.</p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Trump’s Economy Roars &amp; ICE Seeks Recruits" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hkXgDtPNnF0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>GDP Soars, But Fed Holds Rates Steady</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-954667" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-1753">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-1753 citation-end-1753"> The U.S. economy grew at a much faster-than-expected 3% pace last quarter, but the Federal Reserve on Wednesday opted to hold interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, defying pressure from President Trump</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1752 citation-end-1752">On Wednesday, the Commerce Department announced that the U.S. GDP grew by 3% in the second quarter, significantly beating economists&#8217; predictions of 2.3% and marking a major turnaround from the first quarter’s contraction</span>. <span class="citation-1751 citation-end-1751">The strong report, which also showed a nearly 1.5% rise in consumer spending and an increase in consumer confidence, indicates that American businesses and consumers have weathered fears over Trump’s trade reset</span>. <span class="citation-1750 citation-end-1750">National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett called it &#8220;one of the best GDP announcements &#8230; you could imagine because there&#8217;s blockbuster growth &#8230; and there&#8217;s also a real, real almost collapse in inflation.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-1749 citation-end-1749">Despite the positive economic data and low inflation, the Federal Reserve chose to hold its benchmark interest rate in the 4.25% to 4.5% range</span>. <span class="citation-1748 citation-end-1748">Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that while the economy is in a &#8220;solid position,&#8221; inflation is still &#8220;running somewhat above our 2 percent long run objective.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-1747 citation-end-1747">In a rare public dissent, two Fed Governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, voted in favor of rate cuts</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1746 citation-end-1746">President Trump, who has been publicly pleading for a rate cut, blasted Powell’s decision</span>. <span class="citation-1745 citation-end-1745">&#8220;2Q GDP JUST OUT: 3%, WAY BETTER THAN EXPECTED! &#8216;Too Late&#8217;… MUST NOW LOWER THE RATE,&#8221; Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that high rates are &#8220;hurting people from buying houses.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-1744 citation-end-1744">That claim was supported by new data showing that pending home sales fell by nearly 1% in June, hitting their lowest pace in nine months</span>.</p>
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<h2><b>Trump EPA Moves to End Climate Regulations</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-954665" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-1743">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-1743 citation-end-1743"> The Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency has proposed repealing the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a move that would dismantle the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases and effectively end federal climate change policy</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1742 citation-end-1742">The endangerment finding, established by the Obama administration, determined that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide endanger human health by contributing to climate change, which allowed them to be regulated under the Clean Air Act</span>. <span class="citation-1741 citation-end-1741">EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said that repealing the finding &#8220;will be the largest deregulatory action in the history of America.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-1740 citation-end-1740">The administration argues that CO2 is a naturally occurring gas with no direct toxicological effects at ambient levels, unlike the pollutants the Clean Air Act was designed to address</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1739 citation-end-1739">According to Zeldin, recent Supreme Court decisions that overturned the Chevron doctrine and limited the EPA’s authority would likely prevent a future administration from unilaterally reinstating the finding without a new act of Congress</span>.</p>
<p>The move aligns with President Trump’s broader energy agenda. <span class="citation-1738 citation-end-1738">While in Scotland earlier this week, the president outlined a new test for energy sources: &#8220;energy should not need subsidy.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-1737 citation-end-1737">He used this to dismiss wind power, stating, &#8220;wind doesn’t work,&#8221; and vowed that the United States would not build a single additional wind turbine under his administration</span>.</p>
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<h2><b>ICE Launches Massive Recruitment Campaign</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-954669" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/MRN-7.31.25-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-1736">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-1736 citation-end-1736"> Flush with billions in new funding from the &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill,&#8221; the Department of Homeland Security has launched a major recruitment campaign to hire new ICE agents and attorneys to bolster border enforcement</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1735 citation-end-1735">This week, DHS unveiled a new website encouraging Americans to &#8220;choose your mission&#8221; and apply for roles as a deportation officer, criminal investigator, or general attorney</span>. <span class="citation-1734 citation-end-1734">The campaign slams the prior administration’s &#8220;disastrous immigration policies&#8221; and reaffirms President Trump’s commitment to law enforcement professionals</span>. <span class="citation-1733 citation-end-1733">In a post on X, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called on Americans to join ICE to remove terrorists, pedophiles, and gang members from the country</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-1732 citation-end-1732">The recruitment push is funded by the &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill,&#8221; which allocated over $165 billion to DHS, with $75 billion specifically earmarked for ICE on top of its existing budget</span>. <span class="citation-1731 citation-end-1731">Of that sum, $30 billion will go toward hiring, training, and retaining new agents</span>. <span class="citation-1730 citation-end-1730">The new funding allows ICE to offer lucrative sign-on bonuses of up to $50,000 for certain agents</span>.</p>
<p>The campaign appears to be paying off. <span class="citation-1729 citation-end-1729">Border Czar Tom Homan said on Newsmax that recruiting offices are &#8220;swamped&#8221; and have &#8220;more people than they can handle.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-1728 citation-end-1728">The hiring push comes as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised the &#8220;brave men and women of DHS&#8221; for their successful operations countering human trafficking and smuggling rings</span>.</p>


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Morning Brief: GDP Up, Interest Rates Steady, EPA Rolls Back Regulations & ICE Is Recruiting

Economics

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Immigration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

<p><span class="citation-221 citation-end-221">President Donald Trump finalizes a historic trade deal with the European Union and brokers a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. </span><span class="citation-220 citation-end-220">The Department of Justice questions Ghislaine Maxwell for the first time, as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino issues a cryptic warning about government weaponization. And</span><span class="citation-219 citation-end-219"> Trump slams California Governor Gavin Newsom after nearly $100 million in celebrity-raised wildfire aid reportedly fails to reach victims. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-218 citation-end-218">It’s Monday, July 28, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. </span></p>
<p>Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Trump’s EU Trade Win &amp; Ghislaine Maxwell Questioned" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DrYwQjirTxM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:</p>
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<h2><b>Trump Strikes EU Trade Deal, Brokers Ceasefire</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-952873" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADERS0.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
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<p><b><span class="citation-217">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-217 citation-end-217"> President Trump secured a historic trade agreement with the European Union over the weekend and successfully brokered a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-216 citation-end-216">On Sunday, President Trump finalized a massive trade deal with the EU just four days before his August 1 deadline. </span><span class="citation-215 citation-end-215">Under the terms of the agreement, the United States will set a baseline tariff of 15% on most European goods, while the EU will open its markets to American products at a zero-percent tariff. </span><span class="citation-214 citation-end-214">The EU also agreed to purchase $750 billion in energy and defense products from the United States. Collectively, the nations in the EU bloc are America&#8217;s largest trading partner.</span></p>
<p><span class="citation-213 citation-end-213">Announcing the deal, Trump <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1949527667478319115">said</a>, “It’s great that we made a deal today instead of playing games.” </span><span class="citation-212 citation-end-212">The agreement is a significant win for the White House, as the EU had initially proposed a lower 10% tariff rate.</span></p>
<p>The deal capped off a weekend of foreign policy wins for the president. <span class="citation-211 citation-end-211">After a long-disputed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/very-good-conversation-trump-says-peace-between-cambodia-and-thailand-imminent-after-phone-calls">border conflict</a> between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into a firefight that killed at least 35 people, Trump intervened. </span><span class="citation-210 citation-end-210">The president threatened both nations with 36% tariffs if they did not immediately begin peace talks. </span><span class="citation-209 citation-end-209">Within hours, the two countries agreed to negotiations, which are set to take place on Monday.</span></p>
<p>With the deadline just days away, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued a firm warning to other trading partners that have not yet reached an agreement with the United States. <span class="citation-208 citation-end-208">&#8220;No extensions, no more grace periods — August 1st, the tariffs are set,&#8221; he said. </span></p>
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<h2><b>DOJ Questions Ghislaine Maxwell For The First Time</b></h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-952871" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-2jpg0.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
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<p><b><span class="citation-207">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-207 citation-end-207"> The Department of Justice has interviewed Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell for the first time, a development that legal experts find remarkable, as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino issued a cryptic warning about government corruption. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-206 citation-end-206">The DOJ met with Maxwell last week, with her attorney David Oscar Markus confirming that prosecutors questioned her about &#8220;100 different people.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-205 citation-end-205">Markus noted that it was the &#8220;first opportunity she&#8217;s ever been given to answer questions about what happened.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-204 citation-end-204">George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley called the development remarkable, expressing shock on Fox News that Maxwell, &#8220;the one who knows the most,&#8221; had been an untapped resource for so long. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-203 citation-end-203">It&#8217;s very likely that Maxwell hopes to trade her testimony for clemency &#8211; she&#8217;s currently serving a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-sentenced-20-years-prison-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually-abuse">20-year sentence</a> for her role in Epstein&#8217;s sex trafficking ring. President Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, but her attorney stated that there have been no discussions on this point. </span><span class="citation-202 citation-end-202">Maxwell was reportedly offered limited immunity for the interviews. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-201 citation-end-201">As the DOJ began questioning Maxwell, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino released a statement on X regarding his discovery of political corruption within the government. </span><span class="citation-200 citation-end-200">Bongino said that the information he has seen relating to government weaponization &#8220;shocked [him] down to [his] core&#8221; and that he would &#8220;never be the same after learning what I’ve learned.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-199 citation-end-199">He urged patience and promised answers would come after a full investigation is completed &#8220;by the book and in accordance with the law.&#8221; </span></p>
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<h2><b>California Wildfire Aid Reportedly ‘Disappears’</b></h2>
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<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-952875" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/07/SEGMENT-HEADER-30.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
<p><b><span class="citation-198">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-198 citation-end-198"> President Trump is criticizing California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom after nearly $100 million in aid raised by the &#8220;FireAid&#8221; celebrity concert reportedly failed to reach the wildfire victims it was intended to help. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-197 citation-end-197">The &#8220;FireAid&#8221; concert, featuring A-list artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, raised money for residents impacted by the devastating Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires earlier this year. </span><span class="citation-196 citation-end-196">Celebrity spokespeople, including actors Miles Teller and Samuel L. Jackson, assured the public that &#8220;All the money raised will go directly to people who need it.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-195 citation-end-195">However, victims on the ground say they have not received any of the money. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-194 citation-end-194">President Trump took to social media to blast the situation, calling it &#8220;A TOTAL DISASTER&#8221; and &#8220;ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-193 citation-end-193">He also slammed Newsom’s forest management, which he said allowed the fires to happen in the first place. </span><span class="citation-192 citation-end-192">FireAid has since issued a statement claiming the plan was never to make direct payments to individuals, but to work through local non-profits. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-191 citation-end-191">An investigation by local news editor Sue Pascoe, who lost her home in the Palisades fire, found that some of these nonprofits appear to be using the funds for their own social and political causes. </span><span class="citation-190 citation-end-190">One group promised to use the money to &#8220;cultivate egalitarian relationships based on trust and respect,&#8221; while another said it would work to build &#8220;a more humane and democratic society.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-189 citation-end-189">Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is now pushing for an investigation into where the funds went. </span></p>


MRN 7.28.25 Thumbnail V1

Morning Brief: Trump’s EU Trade Deal, Ghislaine Maxwell’s Interview & California’s FireAid Meltdown

California

Dan Bongino

Donald Trump

European Union

Gavin Newsom

Ghislaine Maxwell

Jeffrey Epstein

Tariffs

Thailand

Wildfires

<p>President<span class="citation-188 citation-end-188"> Trump personally inspects the Federal Reserve amid a pressure campaign on its chairman, as his administration secures major trade deals with Japan and Indonesia. </span><span class="citation-187 citation-end-187">New declassified documents suggest Russia possessed damaging information on Hillary Clinton in 2016 but chose not to release it. </span><span class="citation-186 citation-end-186">Columbia University agrees to a $200 million settlement with the federal government over antisemitism on campus, while Harvard continues its legal battle. </span></p>
<p>It&#8217;s Friday, July 25, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.</p>
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<h2><b>Trump Pressures Fed, Secures Major Trade Deals</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-185">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-185 citation-end-185"> President Trump escalated his pressure campaign on the Federal Reserve by personally touring its headquarters on Thursday, as his administration announced major new trade deals with Japan and Indonesia. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-184 citation-end-184">In an extraordinary move, President Trump visited the Federal Reserve building, the first sitting president to do so since 2006. </span><span class="citation-183 citation-end-183">The visit is the latest step in his public feud with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whom Trump has accused of keeping interest rates high to damage the economy. </span><span class="citation-182 citation-end-182">The president has also launched an investigation into the renovation of the Fed headquarters, which is over budget by more than $2.5 billion, accusing Powell of mismanaging taxpayer funds to build a &#8220;palace&#8221; for himself and hinting at fraud, which would be a fireable offense. </span></p>
<p>The pressure campaign comes as the White House touts significant economic victories. <span class="citation-181 citation-end-181">With an August 1 tariff deadline looming, the administration finalized a massive trade deal with Japan that will lower tariffs on Japanese imports to 15% in exchange for Tokyo opening its markets to American cars and trucks. </span><span class="citation-180 citation-end-180">Japan has also agreed to a $550 billion investment in the U.S. economy, which includes purchasing 100 Boeing aircraft and billions in American rice and defense contracts. </span><span class="citation-179 citation-end-179">A separate deal was reached with Indonesia, which will eliminate tariffs on 99% of American imports. </span><span class="citation-178 citation-end-178">The news sent global stocks rallying, with the S&amp;P 500 hitting another record high. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-177 citation-end-177">While the broader economy shows strength, the U.S. housing market has been cooling. </span><span class="citation-176 citation-end-176">Sales have been sluggish for three straight years, largely due to a lack of affordability. </span><span class="citation-175 citation-end-175">The median existing home price hit a record high of $435,000 in June, and high interest rates—which have remained over 6% since 2022—have kept many prospective buyers and sellers on the sidelines. </span></p>
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<h2><b>New RussiaGate Revelations Surface</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-174">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-174 citation-end-174"> Newly declassified documents released by DNI Tulsi Gabbard suggest that Russia possessed damaging information on Hillary Clinton in 2016 but chose not to release it, further complicating the origins of the Russia-collusion narrative. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-173 citation-end-173">According to a declassified House Intelligence report, Russia had obtained hacked DNC emails that allegedly showed potential criminal bribes within Clinton&#8217;s State Department, where taxpayer funds were offered to religious groups in exchange for campaign support. </span><span class="citation-172 citation-end-172">Other emails allegedly detailed Clinton&#8217;s &#8220;&#8216;psychoemotional problems, uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness'&#8221; and claimed she was on a &#8220;daily regimen of heavy tranquilizers.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-171 citation-end-171">Gabbard said Russia likely planned to use the information against Clinton had she won. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-170 citation-end-170">According to investigative correspondent Jerry Dunleavy, former President Obama was &#8220;deeply involved in the Russiagate scandal,&#8221; was aware of the Clinton campaign&#8217;s plan to link Trump to Russia, and &#8220;personally directed the creation of the Intelligence community assessment in December 2016.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-169 citation-end-169">DNI Gabbard has characterized the affair as a &#8220;treasonous conspiracy against the American people.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-168 citation-end-168">However, some legal analysts are skeptical that the actions, while corrupt, amount to a prosecutable crime. </span><span class="citation-167 citation-end-167">In a recent column, National Review&#8217;s Andrew McCarthy wrote, &#8220;political smears and appalling misjudgments are not violations of the criminal law, absent some statutory federal offense. If there were a criminal offense that fit, Gabbard and Trump would cite it, rather than chanting &#8216;treason.'&#8221; </span><span class="citation-166 citation-end-166">Attorney General Pam Bondi is reportedly looking into the matter. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Columbia Settles With Feds; Harvard Fights On</b></h2>
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<p><b><span class="citation-165">Topline:</span></b><span class="citation-165 citation-end-165"> Columbia University has agreed to pay a more than $200 million settlement to the federal government over its failure to stop antisemitism on campus, while Harvard University continues its legal fight against the Trump administration. </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-164 citation-end-164">On Wednesday, Columbia University announced it will pay the massive settlement to restore federal funding that the Trump administration had frozen over the antisemitism allegations. </span><span class="citation-163 citation-end-163">The school will also pay an additional $21 million to settle investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. </span><span class="citation-162 citation-end-162">Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the settlement a &#8220;seismic shift&#8221; and a &#8220;monumental victory for conservatives,&#8221; adding that it ensures &#8220;students and faculty know that they&#8217;re going to be evaluated on merit.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-161 citation-end-161">Meanwhile, Harvard was back in court this week, fighting to unfreeze more than $2 billion in its own federal funding. </span><span class="citation-160 citation-end-160">Harvard argues the funding freeze is a &#8220;blatant and unrepentant violation&#8221; of its First Amendment rights. </span><span class="citation-159 citation-end-159">The Trump administration contends that Harvard failed to protect its students under civil rights law. </span><span class="citation-158 citation-end-158">&#8220;This is about civil rights. This is about safety on campuses,&#8221; Secretary McMahon said. </span><span class="citation-157 citation-end-157">President Trump said that Columbia was working toward a solution while &#8220;Harvard wants to fight &#8230; and they&#8217;re getting their a** kicked.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span class="citation-156 citation-end-156">Despite its combative public stance, there are signs Harvard may be &#8220;bending the knee.&#8221; </span><span class="citation-155 citation-end-155">The university is reportedly considering opening a new conservative center and is closing multiple diversity offices. </span><span class="citation-154 citation-end-154">The administration is also exerting pressure on the university by launching a new investigation into Harvard&#8217;s compliance with a government visa program and threatening to revoke the school&#8217;s accreditation. </span></p>


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