Occupy Banksters & Crony Capitalism & GREED

Why has the shutdown gone 31 days? Look at Mark Warner.
Politico | Jordain Carney and Nicholas Wu | 10/31/25

The Virginia Democrat used to be a reliable participant in bipartisan Senate talks. This time, he doesn't see the point.

Not so long ago, if there was a bipartisan group getting together to solve a problem in the Senate, you could count on Mark Warner to be involved.

The Virginia Democrat was part of the "talking stick" gang that helped quickly end a brief 2018 funding lapse. He was a part of a crew that helped cut a major infrastructure deal under former President Joe Biden, and he's currently working with Republicans to forge an agreement on cryptocurrency regulation.

But as his colleagues hunt for a way out of the 31-day-and-counting government shutdown, Warner this time is hanging on the sidelines.

It's a twist not only because of Warner's history as a card-carrying bipartisan "gang" member who would frequently host gatherings at his Old Town Alexandria home. It’s also because of who he represents: His home state has the third-highest number of civilian government workers, plus tens of thousands more in military uniforms. Lawmakers from the Washington area have historically been voices of moderation urging both parties to avoid brinkmanship that could harm the federal workforce. ... Read more

Trump muddles nuke-testing message
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Axios | Colin Demarest | 10/31/25

President Trump's post announcing the U.S. would resume nuclear testing featured some inaccuracies, and introduced quite a bit of uncertainty.

Why it matters: Nuclear rhetoric is closely scrutinized - by governments, by defense contractors, by outside analysts - and can have unintended consequences. Trump's Truth Social shocker will have generated significant debate in Moscow and Beijing over the past 24 hours.

Reality check: Trump began his announcement by claiming the U.S. has more nukes than any other country. Russia, in fact, has the largest stockpile. ... Read more

Trump sets lowest-ever refugee cap. See how other presidents compare.
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Axios | Josephine Walker | 10/31/25

The Trump administration won't allow more than 7,500 refugees to enter America in FY2026, a record-low cap that prioritizes admitting Afrikaners, or white South Africans, into the country.

Why it matters: The plunge cements the president's sharp pivot away from America's historic refugee policies and stands in stark contrast to the 125,000 refugees admitted under the last year of the Biden administration.

What they're saying: "The Trump administration has long expressed its intention to end Biden's abuse of the refugee program," a senior administration official told Axios in an emailed statement. ... Read more

How Bill Gates is reframing the climate change debate
Axios | Amy Harder | 10/30/25

Bill Gates' shift from "doomsday" climate warnings to a focus on improving human lives is triggering sharp reactions from scientists and activists.

Why it matters: As one of the world's most prominent funders of both climate and global health efforts, Gates' positioning influences the political and philanthropic center.

The big picture: In his open memo released Tuesday, Gates urged leaders to focus less on emissions targets and more on tangible improvements in human welfare - echoing his dual role leading the Gates Foundation and Breakthrough Energy.

What they're saying: Some scientists - including some of the best-known figures in the climate field - say the memo risks framing climate action as a rival to poverty alleviation. ... Read more

Trump Plotted Secret White House Teardown: Wolff | Inside Trump's Head | The Daily Beast | 10/28/25 | 48:24

How an AI job apocalypse unfolds
Axios | Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen | 10/29/25

One of the most important real-time, real-world debates in America is whether AI causes a short-term job apocalypse among white-collar workers.

Two developments unfolding this week show urgent reasons for acute concern:

Amazon announced yesterday that it's cutting 14,000 white-collar jobs. JPMorgan, Walmart, Accenture and others have revealed plans to slow hiring. All cited AI. PwC, the accounting and consulting giant, cut staff globally, partly because of AI. Nestlé cut jobs, blaming automation.

As importantly, a 2-year-old company with a 22-year-old CEO, founded by three college dropouts, was just valued at $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. The San Francisco company, Mercor, pays doctors, lawyers and others to train AI so machines can perform like human professionals. This is part of a mad rush to fine-tune AI with true human expertise so it can do for free what junior employees do now - and, later, what senior ones get paid good salaries to do. ... Read more

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after pummeling Jamaica
Axios | Avery Lotz | 10/29/25

... Earlier Wednesday morning, Melissa made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. It struck Cuba as a Category 3 storm and was centered 20 miles east of Chivirico, Cuba, and about 60 miles west-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba.

The core of the storm is expected to move away from Cuba Wednesday and move into the Bahamas. Late Thursday, it is projected to pass near Bermuda.

The storm is expected to drop 10 to 20 inches of rain on eastern Cuba, with up to 25 inches over the mountains. This could cause "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides," per the NWS. ... Read more

"Catastrophic" Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica (Note: 1 day ago)
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 10/27-28/25

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on Facebook ahead of the strongest storm to make landfall in the country in 174 years, that the country was likely to experience hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall and flooding.

Background: The storm killed three people in Haiti and another person in the Dominican Republic last week.

Melissa rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane over the weekend, with its maximum sustained winds increasing from 70 mph to 140 mph in 18 hours before further strengthening into a Category 5 storm, with wind speeds of up to 185 mph, according to a Tuesday update.

Between the lines: "During Melissa's rapid intensification the storm drifted slowly over exceptionally warm ocean waters that were 1.4°C (2.5°F) warmer than average - these conditions were made up to 700 times more likely because of human-caused climate change," per analysis from research group Climate Central. ... Read more

Netanyahu orders "powerful" strikes in Gaza as ceasefire breaks down
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Axios | Barak Ravid | 10/28/25

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that he had ordered "powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip immediately."

The big picture: The deal to end the war in Gaza was easily President Trump's biggest diplomatic achievement this term. It's now looking incredibly fragile.

The Trump administration has been focusing over the last several weeks on stabilizing the ceasefire and pressing both parties to avoid steps that could detonate it.

As part of that mission, the White House sent several top officials to Israel and established a U.S. command center in Israel to oversee it and monitor the situation on the ground. ... Read more

What's REALLY Happening with Trump's $250M White House Ballroom | Fixx Tunes | 10/24/25 | 8:03

Rump, wanta be Hitler | Fixx Tunes | 10/24/25 | 8:03

Trump Builds SECRET BUNKER under BALLROOM as Protests SCARE HIM | MeidasTouch| 10/26/25 | 18:39

America Doesn't Have Enough Weapons for a Major Conflict. These Workers Know Why.
Politico | Christopher Leonard | 10/27/25

The Lockheed strike was part of a wave of labor unrest that swept America's military-industrial complex over the past year. On May 1, about 4,000 workers went on strike. Nearly 1,000 of them worked for Lockheed Martin, both at Tejada's facility in Orlando and at another complex in Denver. It was the first labor strike at the Orlando factory since 1963. Another 3,000 employees went on strike in Hartford, Conn., against Pratt & Whitney, which makes engines and other critical components of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet. In mid-May, about 2,500 employees of General Dynamics nearly went on a strike at a nuclear submarine factory, before reaching a last-minute deal that kept them on the factory line. Last fall, 33,000 workers went on strike at Boeing, affecting production of both commercial and military aircraft and winning a 38 percent pay raise after seven weeks.

... Read more

WATCH: Bernie Sanders interview on The Axios Show
Sen. Sanders on AOC, AIPAC and the AI revolution | The Axios Show | 10/24/25 | 24:35

Axios | Kathleen Hunter | 10/24/25

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) critiqued the Democratic Party, blasted the pro-Israel lobby and warned about dangers of the AI revolution during an interview on "The Axios Show."

Inside the room: Sanders told Axios' Alex Thompson that President Trump's political success and 2024 victory stem from his understanding that voters are unhappy with the status quo - which Democrats have failed to connect with Americans on.

"Trump understood the system is broken. His solutions make it worse. Democrats do not acknowledge that reality, tinker around the edges and people say, 'Trump may be crazy, but at least he's trying to do something.'" the longtime progressive told Thompson.

Sanders - whose new book "Fight Oligarchy" is out this week - attributed Kamala Harris' loss last year to caution toward offending big businesses and corporations.

"It's very hard to say that Kamala Harris ran a campaign that spoke to the needs of the working class and was prepared to take on corporate greed and the oligarchs," he said. ... Read more

A President argueing the Bible
A President argueing the Bible

Exclusive: How Palantir's Alex Karp went full MAGA
Axios | Maria Curi | 10/23/25

In a new book about Palantir and its CEO Alex Karp, journalist Michael Steinberger chronicles how a self-described leftist who said his "biggest fear is fascism" became one of the tech leaders powering President Trump's agenda.

Why it matters: Karp is among a host of tech billionaires who were once harsh critics of Trump, but now fully embrace him.

The company has been at the center of issues dominating Trump's presidency, including DOGE, ICE deportations, Gaza, Iran and AI.

Behind the scenes: In "The Philosopher in the Valley," shared first with Axios, Steinberger offers extraordinary access to the CEO of one of the most powerful data software companies. ... Read more

Spies in the White House? Russian agents in the US | DW Documentary | DW Documentary | 10/23/25 | 42:25

Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows
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TheGuardian | Oliver Milman... | 01/23/25

LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says

The first half of 2025 was the costliest on record for major disasters in the US, driven by huge wildfires in Los Angeles and storms that battered much of the rest of the country, according to a climate non-profit that has resurrected work axed by Donald Trump's administration that tracked the biggest disasters.

In the first six months of this year, 14 separate weather-related disasters that each caused at least $1bn in damage hit the US, the Climate Central group has calculated. In total, these events cost $101bn in damages - lost homes, businesses, highways and other infrastructure - a toll higher than any other first half of a year since records on this began in 1980.

The bulk of this toll was caused by the ferocious wildfires that razed parts of Los Angeles in January, a disaster that destroyed about 16,000 buildings and resulted in the indirect deaths of around 400 people. At $61bn in damages, the LA fires are one of the most expensive climate-related disasters on record in the US, and the only top 10 event that is not a hurricane. ... Read more

Most Americans say U.S. on wrong track on economy, immigration and more: poll
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Axios | Russell Contreras | 10/22/25

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction, fueled by dissatisfaction with President Trump's impact on the economy, immigration, race relations and the nation's global standing, according to a new poll with a big, broad sample.

Even among Republicans, a significant share - nearly 30% - gave Trump low marks on the economy and how the government is functioning.

Why it matters: The survey offers a snapshot of the nation's sour mood just more than a year before the 2026 midterms - and suggests that anger could rewire political alliances and test the durability of Trump's support. ... ... ... Read more

Meta slashes jobs in its AI operations
Axios | Ina Fried | 10/22/25

Meta is cutting several hundred roles from its AI unit even as it continues to hire for its newer TBD Lab, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The company concluded that its long-standing AI efforts had become overly bureaucratic and hopes the reorganization will create a more agile operation, according to an internal memo seen by Axios.

"By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact," Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang wrote in the memo.

Driving the news: Meta is cutting roughly 600 positions out of the several thousand roles within Meta's superintelligence lab. ... Read more

In a shift, White House says no plan for Trump-Putin summite
Axios | Barak Ravid | 10/21/25

The White House has halted its work on a second summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. officials said.

Why it matters: The change of plans is an acknowledgment by the White House that the gulf between Russia and Ukraine is too wide to reach a deal to end the war.

"There are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future," a White House official said.

Driving the news: Trump said last week that he would meet with Putin in Budapest within two weeks. ... Read more

ICE windfall from Trump megabill fuels surveillance juggernaut
Axios | Brittany Gibson | 10/21/25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on a surveillance spending spree:

The agency is using much of its windfall from this summer's One Big Beautiful Bill Act to fund a major expansion of biometric identification, cellphone tracking and other electronic capabilities.

Why it matters: The megabill's $75 billion cash infusion for ICE was sold by Congress as a way to speed up hiring new agents and adding detention space. But ICE is also going big on surveillance.

... Read more

Warren Buffett: "Most Seniors Will Lose Their Homes In The Coming Crash!" | The Financial Hub | 10/21/25 | 31:21

Independent newspapers disappear as private investment firms take over
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Axios | Sara Fischer | 10/21/25

Newspapers owned by small, independent groups - often families or businesses invested in their local communities - are shuttering at an alarming pace compared to those owned by large investment companies, according to a new report from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.

Why it matters: Independent newspapers are more likely to represent rural communities that are at greater risk of becoming "news deserts," or areas with extremely limited or zero access to local news sources.

Zoom in: The erosion of small, independent newspapers means that the majority of remaining papers in the U.S. will be even more heavily concentrated among larger hedge funds and private-equity-backed groups that tend to be less invested in local communities.

"The scary thing about that is that those are the owners that have been doing it, many cases, for decades," said Tim Franklin, a senior associate dean, professor and John M. Mutz Chair in Local News at Medill. "They're the most passionate about their publications, and even those folks are beginning to throw up their hands." ... Read more

Rump hawking Watches
Rump halking watches

Why credit risks are jarring Wall Street
Axios | Madison Mills | 10/20/25

... ... ... Several strategists contend that First Brands, Tricolor and the bad loans that rocked two regional banks last week were one-offs.

While there could be more issues, "we don't see these as signs that there's going to be a broader default cycle in private credit or credit," Robson says.

BlackRock's credit team writes that the peak in corporate default activity is likely behind us.

And Siebert Financial CIO Mark Malek writes that "there aren't any signs of imminent collapse," as financial conditions remain loose, credit spreads are tight, and consumers are resilient. ... ... ... Read more

Andrew Ross Sorkin on worrying similarities between Wall Street today and 1929's pre-crash market | 60 Minutes | 10/13/25 | 13:11

Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, Oct. 17, 2025 | Washington Week PBS | 10/18/25 | 26:46

Rump dropping his poop on 'No Kings Day' protesters

Rump hawking Watches

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Donald Trump: America First??
Axios | Marc Caputo | 10/17/25

There's a shutdown in D.C., clashes in Chicago, and economic worries bubbling up all over the country - but at the moment, President Trump seems more focused on Gaza, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Why it matters: Trump's foreign policy focus - and the peace deals he has secured - is the stuff of presidential legacy building. But the globe-trotting risks blurring his "America First" brand.

"Voters reward winners and Trump is a winner," said one Trump adviser. "But I'd be lying if I said none of us wish he would talk a little more about the economy and things back home."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was more blunt: "It's a revolving door at the White House of foreign leaders when Americans are, you know, screaming from their lungs," the Georgia Republican, who has increasingly grown estranged from Trump, told Axios. ...

1. Monday: Addressed Israel's Knesset, then flew to Egypt to sign the historic peace agreement.
2. Tuesday: Arrived back in D.C. and met with Argentina's president to discuss a $20 billion currency bailout, then announced the U.S. military had destroyed another alleged drug-running boat off of Venezuela, killing six people.
3. Wednesday: Confirmed he'd authorized covert action in Venezuela.
4. Thursday: Spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than two hours, and announced he'd soon meet him in person to discuss the path to peace in Ukraine.
5. Friday: He'll meet Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House.

"No Kings" protest: What to know about your rights, safely protesting
Axios | Julianna Bragg | 10/17/25

Millions are expected to protest nationwide this weekend for "No Kings Day," raising questions about how to demonstrate safely amid President Trump's law enforcement crackdowns. The big picture: While most "No Kings" protests in June were peaceful, scattered incidents of violence in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Culpeper, Virginia have renewed focus on protest preparation and demonstrators' rights. ... Read more

No Kings protest "Know your rights to protest safely".pdf

U.S. forges ahead on Gaza deal amid disputes, clashes and executions
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Axios | Dave Lawler, Barak Ravid | 10/16/25

The Trump administration is working to help establish a multinational security force for Gaza, vet potential Palestinian civilian leaders, and take the first steps toward rebuilding the enclave, two senior advisers to President Trump told reporters.

The big picture: The first week of peace in Gaza has been marked by joyful reunions as well as public executions. An Israeli withdrawal but also deadly clashes. And a peace process that is proceeding as envisioned but is already facing its first potential crisis.

Two years of war are over, the exchange of live hostages and prisoners is complete, aid is flowing and bulldozers are arriving to begin clearing away the rubble.

But Gaza's future - who governs, who provides security, what happens to Hamas and to the Israeli occupation force - is still unsettled. ... ... ... Read more

Axios-Ipsos poll: Trump, RFK Jr. lose America's trust on health care
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Axios | Adriel Bettelheim, Margaret Talev | 10/16/25

Americans who say the U.S. is less healthy under the leadership of President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now outnumber believers 2-to-1, per the latest Axios-Ipsos American Health Index.

The big picture: Skepticism over child vaccine requirements has ticked up since Trump took office in January, while Americans' trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration is declining.

Driving the news: Confusion, suspicion and partisan cues are creating a deep divide between the public and the medical establishment, driven by the Trump administration's proposed changes to childhood vaccination schedules and promotion of an unproven link between Tylenol and autism.

"It should be easier to make sense of how we live healthy lives - there's agreement across the board on that," said Mallory Newall, Ipsos vice president for U.S. public affairs.

"There certainly is an erosion of trust, primarily driven by Democrats, but Republicans are not immune." ... ... ... Read more

What to know about Oct. 18 "No Kings" protests
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Axios | April Rubin | 10/15/25

No Kings protest organizers expect millions to gather across the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18 in an event Republican lawmakers decry as a "a hate America rally."

Why it matters: The latest round of protests comes amid growing frustration about the ongoing government shutdown and widespread opposition to President Trump's military crackdown on Democratic-led cities across America.

State of play: More than 2,500 events are planned across all 50 states as of Monday, organizers said.

"Together, millions will send a clear and unmistakable message: we are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force," their statement said.

Participating groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible and MoveOn. ... Read more

2025's big ad spender: The U.S. taxpayer
Axios | Brittany Gibson | 10/15/25

The most expensive political ad campaign of the year is being run by the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters: DHS disputes that its ads are political. But it has spent at least $51 million this year on ads thanking President Trump for securing the border, according to AdImpact.

1. The next closest ad campaign is the $41 million effort to support California's redistricting measure, according to AdImpact.
2. The DHS ads promote Trump's mass deportation agenda in a series of direct-to-camera videos starring the face of the policy, Secretary Kristi Noem.
3. They're part of a $200 million fast-tracked contract pushing self-deportation. ... ... ...

N.Y., N.J. streets flooded as nor'easter slams U.S. East Coast
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 01/14/25

A days-long powerful, deadly storm was slamming the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains, coastal flooding and gusty winds into early Tuesday.

The big picture: The nor'easter that lashed the Carolinas over the weekend continued to hit communities across the Northeast and New England, with flooded streets in New Jersey, New York City and the surrounding region, which were under states of emergency Sunday into Monday evening.

The extreme weather led to thousands of flight delays and hundreds of cancelations at airports across the Northeast - with the New York City area's LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport and Massachusetts' Boston Logan International Airport among those affected. ... Read more

JPMorgan announces $1.5 trillion U.S. investment initiative
Axios | Madison Mills | 10/13/25

JPMorgan announced Monday that it's planning a $1.5 trillion investment initiative aimed at bolstering sectors critical to the U.S. economy over the next decade, including up to $10 billion in direct equity and venture investments.

Why it matters: The announcement comes on the heels of President Trump's threat to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in response to Beijing's expansion of rare earth export controls — one of the most heated exchanges since the trade war began.

What they're saying: "It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security," JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in a statement.

"America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need," Dimon added. ... Read more

Powerful storm threatens U.S. East Coast with flooding rains
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 10/13/25

A powerful storm was pummeling the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains, gusty winds and coastal flooding Sunday, with states of emergency declared in New Jersey and New York City and the surrounding region.

The big picture: Coastal flood warnings were in effect for much of the East Coast, including NYC, from the nor'easter that began slamming parts of the Carolinas on Saturday, and which prompted water rescues in Columbus County, N.C., and Georgetown, S.C., on Sunday.

Coastal flood-related advisories stretched from northern Florida to New England from the storm that's set to linger into Tuesday, according to a Sunday National Weather Service forecast discussion. ... Read more

China hacking America's critical infrastructure, retired four-star general warns | 60 Minutes | 10/12/25 | 13:23

Investigating how crypto is making the Trumps hundreds of millions | ABC News | 10/13/25 | 45:26

Crypto: The World’s Greatest Scam. | James Jani | 2024 | 54:18

Trump demands Defense secretary "get our Troops PAID" amid government shutdown
Axios | Lauren Floyd | 10/13/25

President Trump has issued the Defense secretary a directive to find funding to pay U.S. troops, given dollars earmarked to do so are set to run out on Wednesday due to the government shutdown.

The big picture: The Trump administration began announcing expected layoffs on Friday, saying in a court filing it is slated to fire at least 4,100 employees across multiple government agencies.

What he's saying: The president said in a Truth Social post demanding Defense "get our Troops PAID" on Saturday that he is using his "authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th."

"We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS," Trump added.

The money will come from research and development funding available for two years in the Defense Department, per a source with knowledge of the decision. ... Read more

Southwest U.S. faces "significant" flood threats from tropical storms
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 10/10/25

The Southwest U.S. is facing "significant" risks of heavy rainfall and flash flooding from Tropical Storm Priscilla and another storm system that's set to move in over the weekend, forecasters warn.

Why it matters: Rains from the former Category 2 Hurricane Priscilla are set to lash much of the Southwest, including some of the driest areas of the U.S., and flood watches were in effect for much of Arizona, including Phoenix and Flagstaff, and for parts of Southern California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.

Threat level: "Deep tropical moisture surging into the Southwest U.S. will lead to widespread showers and thunderstorms capable of producing flash flooding the next several days," per a National Weather Service Thursday forecast update.

The NWS' Weather Prediction Center issued a moderate (Level 3 out of 4) flood risk for Arizona for Friday, including for Phoenix and Flagstaff.

"Scattered instances of flash flooding will remain possible especially near urban areas, burn scars, and slot canyons," the NWS WPC said. ... Read more

Stephen Miller is the most dangerous man in the Trump administration
The Guardian | Judith Levine | 10/10/25

In an interview on Monday, CNN's Boris Sanchez asked Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, whether Donald Trump intended to abide by federal judge Karin Immergut's order blocking the deployment of the national guard in Oregon.

Miller said neither yes nor no. But the implication was no. The administration had already filed an appeal with the ninth circuit. He said: "I would note the administration won an identical case in the ninth circuit just a few months ago with respect to the federalizing of the California national guard." Actually, it didn't quite win. As I understand it (and lawyers, please correct me) the administration won a temporary stay on a temporary injunction against federalizing the California national guard in Los Angeles.

Then Miller continued: "Under Title 10 of the US Code, the president has plenary authority, has-"

There he abruptly stopped. The man whose entire head looks as if it's covered by a stocking mask seemed to betray a feeling. Maybe regret, maybe embarrassment. Maybe: On shit, I just gave away the game.

Miller blinked several times. Sanchez called his name and asked if he could hear him. Miller did not respond. Then Sanchez apologized for technical difficulties and cut to a commercial break. When the interview came back on the air, the words plenary authority were not uttered. The clip CNN posted to the internet deleted that bit of the conversation, but it was widely posted and viewed anyway. ... Read more

Why Are They Pretending Major Cities Are War Zones? | Explainer | Heather Cox Richardson | 10/10/25 | 14:45

The REAL Reason Trump Is Giving Argentina $20 Billion, Part 1 | More Perfect Union | 10/05/25 | 2:55

How Chicago became ground zero for Trump's military crackdown
Axios | Zachary Basu | 10/09/25

Chicago has become the ultimate proving ground for President Trump's domestic military experiment, pitting armed federal forces against a Democratic-led city determined to resist them.

Why it matters: The arrival of the National Guard - coupled with Trump's calls to arrest Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker - could open a volatile new chapter in American history.

Trump officials say the deployment, which relies on 200 National Guard troops from Texas, is meant to protect federal agents conducting immigration operations. Illinois has sued, calling it an illegal occupation.

The troops aren't supposed to engage in actual policing so as not to violate the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which generally forbids the military from civilian law enforcement activities. ... ... ... Read more

This central bank says what the Federal Reserve won't
Axios | Madison Mills | 10/09/25

The risk of a sharp market correction amid AI bubble risks and political pressure on the Federal Reserve has increased, according to the latest meeting summary from the Bank of England.

Why it matters: The Bank of England is sounding alarms the Fed isn't, warning investors they are underpricing large risks to this bull market.

What they're saying: "Uncertainty around the global risk environment increases the risk that markets have not fully priced in possible adverse outcomes, and a sudden correction could occur should any of these risks crystallize," its Financial Policy Committee wrote in its semiannual report.

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva mirrored these comments yesterday, saying, "Today's valuations are heading toward levels we saw during the bullishness about the internet 25 years ago," adding that any sharp correction could drag down growth.

This contrasts with what San Francisco Fed president Mary Daly told Axios in an interview earlier this week: "I do want to caution us against thinking all bubbles are financial…I don't see many signs that that's the case," she said. ... Read more

Judge blocks Trump's deployment of National Guard to Chicago
Axios | Carrie Shepherd | 01/09/25

President Trump is temporarily barred from sending the National Guard to Illinois to aid his immigration crackdown after a federal judge in part granted the state a temporary restraining order against the deployment.

Why it matters: The ruling will halt the president's plans - for now. The White House has indicated it will appeal the decision.

Trump could also tap other executive authority to mobilize troops to support his immigration crackdown.

Driving the news: Judge April Perry in her oral ruling Thursday, granted Illinois and co-plaintiffs in part, an emergency motion to stop the president from deploying troops. ... Read more

Trump Threatens Generals: (Martial Law) My Way, or the Highway - Wilkerson and Jay | theAnalysis-news | 10/03/25 | 34:52

Why the Stock Market Is So HIGH While the Economy Is COLLAPSING - The Great Financial Illusion | World Affairs In Context | 10/06/25 | 10:51

Trump baselessly calls for Pritzker, Chicago mayor to be jailed
Axios | Avery Lotz | 10/08/25

President Trump on Wednesday said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for "failing to protect Ice Officers."

The big picture: Trump, who has a long history of saying political opponents should be put behind bars, is escalating his feud with leaders in Chicago, where his administration's immigration crackdown and troop deployment have been met with fervent opposition.

Neither man has been accused of committing a crime.

Trump's combative rhetoric follows a lawsuit from Illinois and Chicago seeking to block Trump's "unlawful" deployment of federalized National Guard troops to Chicago.

Driving the news: "Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers!" Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker also!" ... Read more

My Ultimate History Crash Course | Robert Reich | 2024 | 32:59

White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to back pay
Axios | Marc Caputo | 10/07/25

Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.

Why it matters: If the White House acts on that legal analysis, it would dramatically escalate President Trump's pressure on Senate Democrats to end the week-old shutdown by denying back pay to as many as 750,000 federal workers after the shutdown.

Trump wants the Democrats to back a continuing resolution to fund the government with no strings about healthcare subsidies attached.

"This would not have happened if Democrats voted for the clean CR," a senior administration official said.

The big picture: Under Trump, the executive branch is grabbing more power than ever - a trend that's accelerating during the shutdown that began last week.

Zoom in: At issue is the ''Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019" that Trump signed during the last government shutdown, which lasted a record 35 days. ... ... ... Read more

My Ultimate History Crash Course | Robert Reich | 2024 | 32:59

Meta and OpenAI lean into social AI video
Axios | Ina Fried | 10/06/25

Get ready for social media's user experiences and business models to reshape the chatbot-dominated AI world.

The big picture: New moves by OpenAI and Meta could add invasive advertising to AI's already-long list of problems, and the tech's power of persuasion and eagerness to please might supercharge the attention-grabbing capability of our social feeds.

Driving the news: OpenAI on Tuesday debuted Sora, an iOS app that combines an improved AI video engine with a variety of social media features, including video sharing, scrolling through a feed and remixing.

Meta last week introduced Vibes, its own AI-video app and plans to start serving up content and advertising across its services based on the interactions people have with the Meta AI chatbot. ... Read more

Trump says he will announce in five days which government programs and jobs will be 'permanently eliminated'
TheGuardian | staff | 10/07/25

Trump says he will announce in five days which government programs and jobs will be 'permanently eliminated'

Trump says his administration plans to eliminate a number of government programs as a result of the ongoing shutdown, adding that he would provide details on job cuts within the next four or five days.

He says he has identified programs to shut down, and he'll be "announcing it pretty soon, but we have a lot of things that we're going to eliminate and permanently eliminate."

He says the Democrats handed him the opportunity to do so "on a silver platter".

"I'll be able to tell you that in four or five days, if this keeps going on," he adds. "It'll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back."

Asked what his message was to Democrats ahead of another short-term spending bill vote, Trump accuses Democrats of a kamikaze attack.

This is like a kamikaze attack. Well, they're the ones that started it... and it's almost like a kamikaze attack by them. You want to know the truth, this is like a kamikaze attack... they have nothing to lose. ... Read more

Trump, tariffs and trans rights: The Supreme Court's history-making term
Axios | Sam Baker, Avery Lotz | 10/06/25

The Supreme Court's new term opens Monday and is poised to deliver conservatives a string of victories.

The big picture: The justices have loaded up their docket with issues that largely unite the right. Even more referendums on key parts of President Trump's agenda will almost certainly find their way to the high court's docket.

Here are some of the biggest cases to watch:

SCOTUS to rule on Trump's executive power

1. Legal challenges over Trump's tariffs, his attempts to fire an FTC commissioner and his firing of a Fed governor are among the most closely watch cases this term.
2. The high court last month permitted Trump's removal of Rebecca Slaughter from her role as Federal Trade Commission commissioner as it weighs executive authority over independent agencies.
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Why Everyone Around Trump is Paranoid Now: Michael Wolff | Inside Trump's Head | The Daily Beast | 10/04/25 | 36:35

Presidential Libraries: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | LastWeekTonight | 10/02/25 | 29:25

White House to begin firing federal workers within a "day or two"
Axios | Kate Santaliz | 10/02/25

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said the Trump administration will begin firing federal workers in a "day or two," sources told Axios.

Why it matters: It's the first day of a government shutdown, and the White House and GOP leaders are moving to maximize pressure on Democrats - aiming to make the fallout as painful as possible for them.

Vought made the comments on a House Republican conference-wide call Wednesday afternoon.

He offered no specifics on which agencies would be targeted, according to two people on the call.

The remarks coincided with Senate's third failed attempt to pass the GOP's stopgap funding plan. ... Read more

Lawrence: How many flashes of insanity from a president should we tolerate? | MSNBC | 10/01/25 | 14:52

Inside TrumpRx and its unusual launch
Axios | Herb Scribner | 10/02/25

President Trump announced "TrumpRx" Tuesday, a government-run website with Pfizer as its first partner, offering select drugs at discounts.

Why it matters: TrumpRx is the administration's latest move to bring down U.S. drug prices, but it's unlikely to save much for the 92% of Americans with health insurance.

The site, intended to launch next year, functions as a sidecar to recent White House agreements with drugmakers meant to cut U.S. costs.

The Wall Street Journal reported that most insured patients probably pay less through their plans than they would at cash prices on TrumpRx. ... Read more

Trump's MAGA-fied military prepares for "war from within"
Axios | Zachary Basu | 10/01/25

More than 800 top military brass sat quietly Tuesday as President Trump declared a new "war from within" - an American battlefield he claimed to be more dangerous than any foreign war zone.

Why it matters: In one historic speech at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Northern Virginia, Trump eviscerated decades of civil-military restraint and proclaimed the armed forces as his weapon of choice against domestic "enemies."

Both the content and setting were unprecedented: Generals and admirals flew in from across the globe to hear the president redefine the military's mission and attack his political enemies in blistering terms.

"We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don't wear uniforms," Trump mused during Tuesday's extraordinary hour-long address.

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 was designed to prevent presidents from using the armed forces as a domestic police force, a guardrail that has shaped American democracy for nearly 150 years.

Trump has treated it more as a nuisance than a constraint - sidestepping it with repeated National Guard deployments, and establishing a new "quick reaction force" for quelling domestic unrest. ... Read more

Trump, Hegseth address rare gathering of U.S. military leaders from around the world | PBS | 09/30/25 | 2:24:44

Hegseth Lectures "Fat Generals" and Trump Threatens War Against U.S. Cities | The Daily Show | 09/30/25 | 1:28

Trump says military should use U.S. cities as "training grounds"
Axios | Avery Lotz | 10/01/25

President Trump told the nation's top military officials Tuesday troops should use "dangerous" American cities as "training grounds."

The big picture: Trump has used crime as a pretext to deploy troops to Democratic-led cities, with the National Guard patrolling the streets of D.C. and Portland bracing to become the next target.

Driving the news: Trump, in a scattered speech during Tuesday's address to military leaders at Quantico, said forces would be "going into Chicago," which he described as a "big city with an incompetent governor."... Read more