Trump and the midterm elections
I’m grateful for the investigative reporters bringing this to our attention, though it’s un-fun to think about:
Reuters says it’s uncovered a “broader‑than‑previously known” Trump administration effort to gain federal control over elections, in at least eight states: Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Missouri, Connecticut, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan.
Even though elections are run by states and local governments, “Trump administration officials and investigators have fanned out across the country, seeking confidential records, pressing for access to voting equipment and re-examining voter-fraud cases that courts and bipartisan reviews have already rejected,” Reuters says.
Meanwhile, ProPublica reports that at least 75 career officials who once had roles at federal agencies related to election integrity and safety now are gone. Two dozen appointees — including many who either worked to reverse the 2020 election or are associates of those people — have been hired to replace them.
As the midterm elections approach, current and former government officials and election security experts have expressed concerns that Trump appointees who’ve espoused debunked conspiracy theories about balloting are now in positions to control the narrative around the vote, ProPublica says.
Mexico City is sinking nearly 10 inches a year, according to new NASA satellite imagery
U.S. kicks off effort to ‘guide’ stranded ships from Strait of Hormuz
U.S. to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in next 6-12 months, Pentagon says, fulfilling Trump threat
Pentagon says it’s reached deals with 7 tech companies to use their AI on classified computer networks
NYTimes Magazine: Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the ‘profitable business of peace’
Trump signs executive order to help more people get retirement savings plans in time for a new federal match
Senate bans its members and staff from betting in prediction markets
WSJ: Why almost everyone — except a few sharks — loses on prediction markets
Alabama, Tennessee moving to draw new congressional districts in wake of Supreme Court ruling
Louisiana voters, voting rights groups file state suit challenging governor’s executive order to postpone House primaries
Louisiana Republicans eliminate elected position days before exoneree Calvin Duncan was to take office
Maryland is first state to ban ‘surveillance pricing’ on some food products
Former Florida GOP Rep. David Rivera convicted of secretly lobbying U.S. officials on behalf of Venezuela
Robert Reich on the Supreme Court’s voting rights ruling and the meaning of injustice
Thousands in U.S. join ‘no school, no work, no shopping’ May Day events
Spirit Airlines shuts down as the company says it can’t keep up with higher oil prices
The whistleblower who uncovered the National Security Agency’s ‘Big Brother Machine’
Scott Bessent wants Americans to avoid easy-money traps, invest in financial literacy
After waiting years for justice, many Purdue opioid victims are defeated — by paperwork requirements
Why nearly 4.3 million people no longer are receiving food stamps
Delays in visa program threaten placement of hundreds of doctors in underserved areas of U.S.
Appeals court issues nationwide order blocking telehealth distribution of abortion pill mifepristone
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune