American Fever Dream

Today’s Headlines: President Trump announced a plan to send weapons to Ukraine via NATO and threatened 100% tariffs on Russia—or “secondary tariffs” on countries buying Russian oil—if a ceasefire isn't reached in 50 days. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s xAI secured a $200M Defense Department contract days after Grok declared itself “MechaHitler” and spewed antisemitic content. The Supreme Court paused an order blocking 1,400 layoffs at the Education Department, just as 24 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over $7B in frozen education funds. The administration is also appealing a court order banning immigration arrests without probable cause, even as ICE agents express deep dissatisfaction with the politically driven deportation focus. In Congress, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez proposed giving the ethics office power to review lawmakers’ cognitive fitness. And in New York, Andrew Cuomo—undeterred by his primary loss—launched an independent bid for mayor, joining a crowded field for November’s ballot. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: Trump announces novel plan to send weapons to Ukraine and gives Russia new deadline to make peace The Verge: US government announces $200 million Grok contract a week after ‘MechaHitler’ incident AP News: How Trump plans to dismantle the Education Department after Supreme Court ruling WaPo: States sue to force feds to release $7 billion in education funding Axios: Trump admin to appeal order barring race-based immigration arrests alleged in LA area The Atlantic: Trump Loves ICE. Its Workforce Has Never Been So Miserable. Axios: House Democrat floats radical solution to Congress' age problem WSJ: Andrew Cuomo Will Run in NYC Mayor’s General Election as an Independent Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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