Today’s Headlines: President Trump spent the weekend firing off social media rants, watching FIFA with a celebrity entourage (including Melania and Pam Bondi), and threatening Rosie O'Donnell’s citizenship. Behind the scenes, tensions rose within the DOJ as FBI deputy Dan Bongino considered resigning over internal clashes about the Epstein investigation, and new reports revealed Kash Patel’s FBI is forcing agents to take polygraphs over disloyalty suspicions. Elsewhere, a deadly shooting in Kentucky left four dead, and two major wildfires destroyed historic structures at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. More flash flood warnings hit already-devastated parts of Texas, where FEMA is under fire for letting a flood-prone summer camp avoid safety requirements. Globally, a Palestinian-American was killed by Israeli settlers, as Israel-Hamas talks remain stalled and airstrikes intensify. Trump threatened more tariffs—including 200% on pharmaceuticals—while hinting at a major Russia-related announcement today. NATO’s new chief will visit DC this week, just as the State Department undergoes 15% staff cuts. Meanwhile, House Republicans kick off “Crypto Week” ahead of a key vote on the GENIUS Act.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Axios: Trump threatens Rosie O'Donnell's citizenship: "She is a Threat to Humanity"
AP News: Trump marks one-year anniversary of assassination attempt at the FIFA Club World Cup final
NBC News: Dan Bongino weighs resigning from FBI after heated confrontation with Pam Bondi over Epstein files
NYT: The F.B.I. Is Using Polygraphs to Test Officials’ Loyalty
NBC News: Three dead, including gunman, in Kentucky shootings at church and airport
NBC News: Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon Lodge, forces North Rim closure for the season
TPR: Flood watch extended through 9 a.m. Monday: Recovery operations expected to restart in Kerr County later Monday
NPR: Camp Mystic asked to remove buildings from government flood maps despite risk
WSJ: U.S. Citizen Among Two Palestinians Killed in Israeli Settler Attack
NPR: At least 30 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza as war deaths top 58,000, officials say
WSJ: Where Things Stand With Trump’s Tariffs
Yahoo: Trump to make major Russia address Monday
NYT: King Charles to Host President on State Visit in September
NPR: Hundreds laid off in State Department overhaul
Axios: House "crypto week" could change how Americans use, save money
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson