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July 2, 2025
The private sector lost 33,000 jobs in June, badly missing expectations for a 100,000 increase, ADP says
(CNBC) Private sector hiring unexpectedly contracted in June, payrolls processing firm ADP said Wednesday, in a possible sign that the economy may not be as sturdy as investors believe as they bid the S&P 500 back up to record territory to end the month. Private payrolls lost 33,000 jobs in June, the ADP report showed, the first decrease since March 2023. Economists polled by Dow Jones forecast an increase of 100,000 for the month. The May job growth figure was revised even lower to just 29,000 jobs added from 37,000.
Go to discussionCities Are Canceling Fourth Of July Events Over Immigration Raid Fears
(Huff Post) Multiple cities in Southern California have canceled or postponed Fourth of July celebrations over fears that ICE could target large public gatherings. Canceled or postponed events have been reported in cities including Los Angeles, Huntington Park, Cudahy, Bell Gardens and Whittier after local officials said residents raised concerns.
Go to discussionPardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept.
(NY Time) A former F.B.I. agent who was charged with encouraging the mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to kill police officers has been named as an adviser to the Justice Department task force that President Trump established to seek retribution against his political enemies. The former agent, Jared L. Wise, is serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group, according to people familiar with the group’s activities.
Go to discussionGroups express 'deep concern' about 2026 World Cup in US due to Trump's policies
(USA Today) More than 80 civil rights and labor groups sent a letter to FIFA on July 1 expressing "deep concern" over the U.S. government's immigration policies ahead of the 2026 World Cup in men's soccer. In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Donald Trump's executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer. They called on FIFA to "use its influence to encourage the U.S. government to guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans."
Go to discussionJohnson faces new GOP revolt on Trump's Health Care Destroying, Deficit-Exploding Bill
(Axios) House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing an explosion of internal anger among his members over the Senate's changes to President Trump's "big, beautiful bill." The speaker has just days to pass the bill before Republicans' self-imposed July 4 deadline — which will require flipping dozens of "no" votes and overcoming numerous procedural hurdles. "We knew the Senate would amend the House product. I encouraged them to amend it as lightly as possible. They went a little further than many of us would have preferred," Johnson told reporters on Tuesday.
Go to discussionDems hatch plan to immediately force Murkowski to answer for 'selling out'
(Raw Story) Alaska Democrats have hatched a plan to target Republicans like Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for voting to pass President Donald Trump's budget bill on Tuesday. The state caucus plans to hold an emergency town hall on Wednesday to hold Republicans accountable for passing the bill and "let the people of Alaska know exactly how Murkowski and [Sen. Dan] Sullivan (R-AK) sold them out," according to an advisory shared with Notus.
Go to discussionTrump Wants to Deputize National Guard as Immigration Judges -- And Build More 'Alligator Alcatraz' Facilities in Florida
(Mediaite) During a trip to the migrant detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades, President Donald Trump declared Gov. Ron DeSantis had his approval to deputize National Guard members as immigration judges to speed up deportations — and also voiced his support for building another similar facility in Jacksonville, with a similarly rushed construction timeline.
Go to discussionParamount to Pay Trump $16 Million to Settle '60 Minutes' Lawsuit
(NY Times) Paramount said late Tuesday that it has agreed to pay President Trump $16 million to settle his lawsuit over the editing of an interview on the CBS News program “60 Minutes,” an extraordinary concession to a sitting president by a major media organization. Paramount said its payment includes Mr. Trump’s legal fees and costs and that the money, minus the legal fees, will be paid to Mr. Trump’s future presidential library.
Go to discussionTrump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.
(NY Times) Officials from both countries have said the gang leaders are being sent back to face justice. But the Trump administration has not acknowledged another reason Mr. Bukele would want them back: U.S. prosecutors have amassed substantial evidence of a corrupt pact between the Salvadoran government and some high-ranking MS-13 leaders, who they say agreed to drive down violence and bolster Mr. Bukele politically in exchange for cash and perks in jail, a New York Times investigation found.
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