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June 17, 2025
Trump 'Reamed Out' Hegseth for Flop Birthday Parade: Author
(Daily Beast) Biographer Michael Wolff told The Daily Beast Podcast that Trump wanted a “menacing” show of force to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary and his 79th birthday on Saturday—but got a “festive” parade instead. “He’s p---ed off at the soldiers,” Wolff said. “He’s accusing them of hamming it up, and by that, he seems to mean that they were having a good time, that they were waving, that they were enjoying themselves and showing a convivial face rather than a military face.”
Go to discussionU.S. Senate GOP wants to hike debt limit by $5 trillion in mega-bill
(Nebrasker Examiner) U.S. Senate Republicans unveiled Monday that they plan to raise the country’s debt limit by $5 trillion in the “big, beautiful bill,” a full $1 trillion more than House GOP lawmakers proposed in their version. The provision is tucked into the Senate Finance Committee’s 549-page section of the package, which also includes tax law changes and how Republicans in the upper chamber plan to rework Medicaid. The bill is one of 10 the Senate will bundle together in the days ahead before bringing the full package to the floor for debate and amendment votes.
Go to discussionTrump is counting on economic growth to offset his tax cuts. But his big, beautiful bill likely wouldn't deliver
(CNN) President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are promising that their sweeping tax and spending cuts package will usher in an era of historic economic growth. But a multitude of economic experts across the ideological spectrum doubt that’s going to happen. While independent estimates vary somewhat, most find that the House-passed package would only give a small nudge to economic growth and fail to offset its trillions of dollars of tax cuts.
Go to discussionRetail sales fell 0.9% in May, worse than expected as consumers pulled back
(CNBC) Consumers spending pulled back sharply in May, weighed by declining gas sales and a looming unease over where the economy is headed, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Retail sales declined 0.9%, even more than the 0.6% drop expected from the Dow Jones consensus, according to numbers adjusted for seasonality but not inflation. The decline followed a 0.1% loss in April and came at a time of unease over tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Excluding autos, sales fell 0.3%, also worse than the estimate for a gain of 0.1%.
Go to discussion'No safe spaces': ICE raids will target farms and hotels despite Trump's vow
(Raw Story) The Department of Homeland Security on Monday reversed internal guidance that would have shielded farms, hotels and restaurants from workplace immigration raids – a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that he was sympathetic to concerns from agricultural and hospitality industries. ICE agents were told in an agency-wide call Monday to continue workplace enforcement operations at agricultural businesses, hotels and restaurants, the Washington Post reported, citing multiple officials familiar with the directive.
Trump says he won't call Minnesota Gov. Walz after lawmaker shootings because it would 'waste time'
(AP) The Republican president spoke to reporters early Tuesday aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington after abruptly leaving an international summit in Canada because of rising tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. Asked if he planned to call Walz, Trump said the Democratic governor is “slick” and “whacked out” and said, “I’m not calling him.” Presidents often reach out to other elected officials at times of tragedy to offer condolences. Trump added, “The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call him, but why waste time?”
Go to discussion4-star generals, admirals serving from JFK to Obama say Los Angeles ICE protests don't warrant deployment of Guard
(Law & Crime) Ahead of a Zoom hearing scheduled for Tuesday at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a group of retired four-star generals and admirals who served under presidents ranging from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama filed court documents warning that President Donald Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard and deployment of U.S. Marines poses “potentially grave risk of irreparable harm.”
Go to discussionOfficers who cover their faces could be charged with a misdemeanor under California proposal
(AP) Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who cover their faces while conducting official business could face a misdemeanor charge in California under a new proposal announced Monday. If approved, the bill would require all law enforcement officials to show their faces and be identifiable by their uniform, which should carry their name or other identifier.
Go to discussionNAACP won't invite Trump to its national convention. He will be 1st president excluded in 116 years
(Scripps) The NAACP announced Monday the group will not invite President Donald Trump to its national convention next month in Charlotte, North Carolina, the first time the prominent civil rights organization has opted to exclude a sitting president in its 116-year history. NAACP President Derrick Johnson announced the move at an afternoon press conference, accusing Trump of working against its mission. "This has nothing to do with political party," Johnson said in a statement. "Our mission is to advance civil rights, and the current president has made clear that his mission is to eliminate civil rights."
Go to discussionTrump Mobile's made-in-US iPhone 17 competitor is really made in China
(Apple Insider) The Trump Organization has launched Trump Mobile and plans to release the T1, a smartphone that it says is "made in USA" at the same time that the iPhone 17 will launch. The problem is, the phone was made in China. In a post to X by analyst Max Weinbach, it seems that the T1 closely resembles the T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G. The specifications of the display and the odd camera resolutions match up with the T-Mobile device, along with other details.
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