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Headline Highlights
This weekend, President Donald Trump took a controversial step by ordering the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard personnel to address protests related to immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, sidestepping California Governor Gavin Newsom (D). This action has sparked swift criticism from state and national leaders, illustrating Trump’s ongoing efforts to expand the scope of presidential authority.
According to Justin Jouvenal and Alex Horton, Trump invoked a provision of the Armed Forces Act that permits the president to activate National Guard units without gubernatorial approval when deemed necessary to defend against invasion or quell insurrection. Newsom responded by formally requesting the return of the troops to state control, condemning the move as “dictatorial” and “unconstitutional,” and announced plans to file a lawsuit against the federal government.
This incident is likely to dominate political discourse this week, as it raises questions about the potential for similar federal interventions in other jurisdictions. When asked about deploying troops to California, Trump indicated, “We’re going to have troops everywhere,” and when pressed on the criteria for such actions, he replied, “The bar is what I think it is.”
Michigan’s Governor Race: An Independent Candidate’s Impact
The upcoming Michigan gubernatorial election is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the nation, especially with the entry of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan into the race as an independent candidate. Duggan, a former Democrat, announced his bid after criticizing the Democratic Party for what he perceives as increasing intolerance and ideological rigidity.
“Reflecting on the 2016 Democratic convention’s slogan, ‘Love Trumps Hate,’ I see how the party has shifted towards intolerance,” Duggan explained. “If you don’t toe the party line, you’re vilified. This has alienated many voters, including some Democrats.”
He also acknowledged that Republicans are angry, creating a political environment ripe for a third option. Duggan, who has served as Detroit’s mayor since 2013, has been credited with revitalizing the city through economic development and environmental initiatives. While he initially supported Trump’s tariffs on manufacturing, he criticized the administration’s tariffs on Canada as ineffective.
Despite his popularity in Detroit, Duggan faces skepticism statewide, as independent candidates rarely succeed in gubernatorial races. The last independent governor was Bill Walker in Alaska in 2014, and historically, independent runs have been challenging, with mixed results. Nonetheless, Duggan believes his campaign could disrupt traditional partisan dynamics, aiming for a broad coalition of support.
“My goal is to secure 20% support from Democrats, 20% from Republicans, and win with 40% of the vote,” Duggan stated. His campaign emphasizes Detroit’s economic resurgence and his outsider status as advantages in the race.
Fiscal Policy Spotlight: The ‘Big, Beautiful’ Tax and Spending Bill
Jacob Bogage from our economic policy team examines the recent legislative proposal dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which aims to overhaul federal tax and spending policies. The key question: Will this bill genuinely reduce the national deficit?
Supporters claim the bill will cut $1.3 trillion in spending over a decade, based on projections from the Congressional Budget Office. However, critics point out that the bill also increases spending by hundreds of billions and cuts taxes by approximately $2.4 trillion, potentially offsetting any savings and expanding the deficit.
The bill’s proponents cite the Laffer curve, a conservative economic theory suggesting that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes revenue. They argue that reducing tax rates could stimulate economic growth enough to increase overall revenue. Yet, past evidence, such as the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, indicates that such growth incentives often fall short of paying for themselves.
As debates continue, the true impact of this legislation on the federal budget remains uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates on this critical fiscal issue.
Upcoming International Trade Negotiations
Today, U.S. officials-including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer-will meet with Chinese representatives to explore the possibility of a new trade agreement. While the Trump administration initially aimed to finalize 90 trade deals within 90 days, progress has been slow, making a deal with China particularly significant for global markets.
Voter Engagement Campaigns
Somos Votantes, an organization dedicated to increasing civic participation among Latino communities, has launched a six-figure bilingual digital advertising campaign targeting Trump’s failure to fulfill promises of lowering prices. The ads, titled “Promised”/”Prometió,” will run across YouTube and streaming platforms in key states like Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The ads criticize Trump for escalating trade conflicts that have driven up costs for consumers and for allowing Elon Musk to cut jobs and dismantle cost-saving initiatives. “Donald Trump promised to lower prices on groceries and healthcare from day one-yet what has he delivered?” the narrator questions. “His trade wars and policies have only made things worse.”
Melissa Morales, founder of Somos Votantes, emphasizes that this campaign is about holding leaders accountable, not partisan politics. “It’s about the promises made and broken,” she asserts.
Community Voices: Perspectives on Voting Outside the Two-Party System
Many individuals express openness to supporting candidates beyond the traditional Democratic and Republican parties. Terri McKenney, a realtor from Gilbert, Arizona, states, “Voting as an Independent might be the way forward. The two-party system feels like a game where the players only care about winning, not the voters.”
Courtney Marsh, from Springfield, Virginia, recalls her high school fascination with Jesse Ventura, the independent governor of Minnesota, noting how his election challenged conventional expectations and inspired her to consider third-party candidates for state offices.
Kristen Smith, representing the main parties’ viewpoint, argues that “In a two-party nation, Independent votes often go to waste,” highlighting the systemic challenges faced by third-party candidates.
Local News Highlights
- West Central Tribune (Willmar, MN): Local officials in Stearns County were surprised to find themselves listed among sanctuary jurisdictions in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement list.
- Las Vegas Review Journal: The recent legislative session exposed deep partisan divides in Nevada, setting the stage for a competitive gubernatorial race next year.
- Ventura County Star (Camarillo, CA): The ongoing feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk could influence California’s electric vehicle industry and broader political landscape.
Share Your Insights
Later this week, we plan to explore how potential Medicaid cuts could impact rural hospitals. Do you rely on a rural hospital for healthcare? Are you concerned about its financial stability? Do you use Medicaid to access care? Share your experiences with us at [email protected].
Thanks for reading. Follow our reporters Dan and Matthew on X: @merica and @matthewichoi for more updates.
