Extra, Extra
I’m the Taxman: As part of the war on Harvard and higher ed, Trump may be preparing to use the IRS as a weapon. IRS Making Plans To Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status. This would be outlandish, but sadly, it could be part of a broader effort to remove non-profit status from orgs that oppose the administration’s messaging or goals. From PBS (one of the orgs already in the financial crosshairs): What to know about the House bill that could punish nonprofits over alleged ‘terrorist’ ties.
+ Fed Ex? “In a social media post, Trump complained that Powell is ‘always TOO LATE AND WRONG,’ and he insisted the Fed chairman’s ‘termination cannot come fast enough!'” Fed Chair Jerome Powell broke the cardinal rule. He told the truth. WSJ (Gift Article): Trump Has for Months Privately Discussed Firing Fed Chair Powell.
+ King of the Hill: Weaponizing the IRS. Further destabilizing the international economy and risking America’s role in the world. Welcome to the new normal. “As the second Trump administration careens from one failure to another, as unhappiness with the president rises, as events and reality refuse to bend to his will, he will become darker and crueler and more unstable. His advisers, all of whom are afraid to stand up to him, will enable him. And the MAGA movement, more cult-like than ever, more walled off from reality than ever, will stay with him until the end.” Peter Wehner in The Atlantic (Gift Article): America’s Mad King.
+ Birthrights and Wrongs: Supreme Court will review Trump’s attempt to ban birthright citizenship. The case may be more about executive power than the core issue. “Based on the ask from Trump’s lawyers, the argument is expected to focus on the scope of the nationwide orders blocking Trump’s policy and whether individual states have legal grounds or standing to bring the challenge — rather than a direct review of the constitutionality of the administration’s proposal.”
+ FSU Shooting: At least six people were wounded in a mass shooting today at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The shooter has been aprehended. Here’s the latest from CNN.
+ It Ads Up: “The judge ruled that Google monopolized the market for two of three sets of products. It was the second time in a year that a U.S. court found it had acted illegally to remain dominant.” Google Is a Monopolist in Online Advertising Tech, Judge Says.
+ Bathroom Breakage: “To minimize disruptions for visitors, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has ordered park service staff to keep open as many amenities as possible, in some cases requiring scientists, park rangers and supervisors to help clean toilets.” Budget cuts and bathrooms: An ongoing struggle at US national parks.
+ Tunnel Vision: “The extravagant car cave has become the talk of the town, reigniting debate over whether a municipality famous for its black-tie opera festival has one rule for the rich and another for the rest.” WSJ (Gift Article): Porsche Heir’s Plan to Build a Private Tunnel Has His Alpine Neighbors Fuming.
