Category: Uncategorized

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VIDEO: Following Trump’s Budget Release, Michiganders Hosted Roundtable to Slam Rep. Barrett and Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
700,000 in Michigan Could Lose From GOP Medicare Plan

✹ Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist
Candidate for Governor

In the News

Michigan Politics and Policy

• VIDEO: Trump Just Sold Out Michigan. I Spoke With Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist About It. – Meidas+
• U.S. auto industry concerned over Trump’s U.K. deal, wants priority – Detroit Free Press
• Trump approval rating lags in new Michigan poll – Detroit Free Press
• Report: Michigan residents could health coverage amid Medicaid cuts – Detroit Free Press
• MDHHS Report: 30% of Michigan Medicaid Recipients Will Lose Coverage Under GOP Budget
• Michiganders Hosted Roundtable to Slam Rep. Barrett and Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare – Michigan Democratic Party
• Debbie Dingell: GOP Medicaid cuts would devastate Michigan – Detroit Free Press
• Three-quarters of Americans oppose Medicaid cuts, poll shows – News From The States
• Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Opens Up About Miscarriage, Makes Health Care a Campaign Priority – Benson for Governor
• Gov Says No On Backup Budget, Road Funding Done By End Of June Is ‘Ideal’ – MIRS Blog
• Whitmer: Trump’s invasive carp action a ‘huge win’ for Michigan, Great Lakes – Bridge Michigan
• Trump’s plan hits Michigan with education, housing, EPA cuts – Detroit News
• ‘Gutted.’ Michigan losing $200M in fed research funding, with more in limbo – Bridge Michigan
• Federal funding cuts at MSU included ‘DEI’ research projects – Lansing State Journal
• Senate Dems Try Again To Pass New Consumer Protection Act Authorities For AG – MIRS Blog
• Michigan Republicans aim to ban gender-affirming medication, surgery for minors – Bridge Michigan
• Celebrating transgender people in Michigan and beyond — despite upset – Detroit Free Press
• Election transparency – Michigan Secretary of State
• What’s a ‘purposeful warrior’ anyway? Takeaways from Jocelyn Benson’s new book – Bridge Michigan
• Mallory McMorrow Wants Power—and Yes, That Is a Good Thing – The New Republic
• Michigan’s APA Legislative Caucus Slams House’s Discriminatory “Alien Land Law” Bills – Senator Stephanie Chang
• Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Moss announces run for U.S. House – Detroit Free Press

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• You Won’t Believe How Much Richer the Trumps Have Gotten This Year – The New Republic
• Karoline Leavitt Snaps When Asked About Trump Profiting Off Presidency – The New Republic
• Trump’s Automobile Tariff Exemption Only Benefits Tesla – Crooks and Liars
• Donald Trump Jr. Starts $500K Members-Only Club Called Executive Branch in Georgetown – Eater DC
• 58 crypto wallets have made millions on Trump’s meme coin while 764,000 have lost money, data shows – CNBC
• $TRUMP meme coin dinner brings crypto grift to the White House – Noah Bookbinder/ Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics
• As Trump’s Family Crypto Business Gains Steam, Ethical Concerns Mount – WIRED
• Donald Jr. and Eric Trump Pursue New Deals That Would Enrich President Trump – The New York Times
• TRUMP Token News: A Tiny Company Wants to Buy $20M TRUMP Token to Change U.S.-Mexico Trade Deals – Coindesk.com
• James Comer Is Brushing Off Concerns Around the Trump Family’s Business Deals – NOTUS
• Trump promised no new business deals with foreign governments. He lied. – Popular Information Substack
• Michael Cohen: This Ain’t The Godfather, Morons – Meidas+
• A map of the ethical minefield Elon Musk’s business interests create for the US government – CNN Politics
• How RFK Jr.’s Rise Could Benefit the ‘Food Babe’ and Other MAHA Acolytes – Wall Street Journal
• Trump Is Destroying the Data that Keeps the Country Running – The New Republic
• DOGE’s Gavin Kliger Received Conflict Warnings Before CFPB Firings — ProPublica

Trump’s Economy

• Fact Checker from The Washington Post – Howard Lutnick’s Non-Truths
• Data reveals Musk has delivered 0.25% of promised federal spending cuts – Musk Watch
• GM CEO Mary Barra says tariffs will cost the company up to $5 billion this year – CNN Business
• Ford raising prices on Mexico-produced models, citing tariffs – Detroit Free Press
• Trump Admits He’s Wildly Exaggerating Benefits of U.K. Trade Deal -The New Republic
• States sue Trump administration for blocking the development of wind energy – AP News
• Fact check: Trump makes more false claims about Canada in advance of meeting with prime minister – CNN Politics
• Raising Top Ordinary Rates: Options under TCJA Extension (Updated) — Penn Wharton Budget Model
• Lawmakers and Safety Advocates Fight to Save the Consumer Product Safety Commission – Consumer Reports

Trump/Musk Administration’s Assault on Government, the Constitution and Truth

• ‘I don’t know’: The problem with Trump leaning into his new favorite phrase – Maddow Blog
• NOAA will stop tracking billion-dollar weather disasters – The Washington Post
• Trump administration to stop US research on space pollution, in boon to Elon Musk – The Guardian
• Trump admin turns to far right outlet to distribute news through Voice of America – POLITICO
• The war on free speech – Popular Information Substack
• Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s treatment of colleges, new poll finds – AP News

The Nation

• <White> Afrikaners refugees status due to arrive in U.S. on Monday – NPR
• 2026 is shaping up as a ‘Year of the Woman’ for Democratic primaries – Roll Call
• Military parade to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary will be held on Trump’s birthday – AP News
• Trump Administration Slashes Research Into L.G.B.T.Q. Health – The New York Times
• Republican concedes long-unsettled NC court election to Democratic incumbent – AP News
• Election director in North Carolina ousted after Republican power play – AP News
• Nikole Hannah-Jones: Trump Is Erasing Black History – Mother Jones
• Biden BBC interview: Trump appeasing Putin with pressure on Ukraine – BBC
• Anti-abortion faction wants criminal charges for abortions – AP News

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
Trump Betrays Michigan Workers

✹ State House Democrats
The Do-Nothing State House

In the News

VIDEO: Community Members Slam Trump Policies – CBS News/Detroit
VIDEO – Sen. Elissa Slotkin – Alpha Energy, Tuning In & Responsible vs. Reckless Change – The Daily Show
VIDEO – Gretchen Whitmer on Balancing Donald Trump, Tariffs and a Constitutional Crisis – Pod Save America
VIDEO – House Democrats on GOP Budget

Michigan Politics and Policy

• F-15 Eagle Fighter Jet Is Landing At Selfridge – MIRS Report
• Whitmer hopes open approach to Trump will open more doors – Detroit Free Press
• Opinion: The Ballad of Big Gretch – Jonathan Cohn/The Bulwark
• Opinion | For Democratic governors, managing Trump is a fight or flight choice – Karen Tumulty/The Washington Post
• Election transparency – Michigan Secretary of State
• Drug affordability legislation gets second pass through Michigan Senate • Michigan Advance
• Trump’s plan hits Michigan with education, housing, EPA cuts – Detroit News
• Democrats Have Picked Four House Republicans <including Tom Barrett> to Target In Their Push Against Reconciliation – NOTUS
• Voter Citizenship Constitutional Amendment Fails; Dems Have A ‘SANE’ Alternative – MIRS Blog
• John James Runs for Another Office – Jack Lessenberry Substack
• John James holds narrow, soft lead in GOP race
• Michigan’s High Court Is Charting a Course Against Punitive Excess – State Court Report
• State Rep. Donavan McKinney challenges US Rep. Shri Thanedar – Detroit Free Press
• Republicans were not laughing about Brixie’s parking lot prank – Lansing City Pulse

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• Trump’s Automobile Tariff Exemption Only Benefits Tesla – Crooks and Liars
• $TRUMP meme coin dinner brings crypto grift to the White House – Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics
• Trump’s Corruption Hits Next Level With Shady $2 Billion Crypto Deal – The New Republic
• Trump’s Shady Crypto Business Partner Exposed in Shocking New Report – The New Republic
• An unprecedented scheme to profit from the presidency – Popular Information Substack
• Opinion | Donald Trump Is Selling the White House to the Highest Bidder – The New York Times
• Donald Trump Jr. Starts $500K Members-Only Club Called Executive Branch in Georgetown – Eater DC
• Trump’s Mob-like Shakedown: A Scandal Starring “60 Minutes,” Paramount, and the FCC – Mother Jones
• Trump Organization strikes deal for luxury golf resort in Qatar – AP News

Trump’s Economic Meltdown

• Trump promised Day 1 economic boom. Americans are still waiting. – USA Today
• U.S. economy shrinks 0.3% in first quarter as Trump trade wars disrupt businesses – AP News
• Tariff Costs for U.S.-Assembled Vehicles Drop Under “Adjusted” Policy – Anderson Economic Group, LLC
• GM CEO Mary Barra says tariffs will cost the company up to $5 billion this year – CNN Business
• Head Start’s success undermines Trump’s narrative on waste, fraud and abuse – MSNBC
• Michael Steele: The children’s book that explains the Trump White House (and Bezos’ Amazon reversal) – MSNBC

Trump/Musk Administration’s Assault on Government, the Constitution and Truth

• Trump questions need to uphold Constitution in NBC interview – The Washington Post
• One hundred days of Trump 2.0: falsehood after falsehood, again and again – The Washington Post
• Mistakes Were Made. And Made. And Made Again. – Mother Jones
• Trump Makes Alarming Confession on Wrongly Deported Immigrant – The New Republic
• Medicaid cuts: Republicans’ plan for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is becoming clearer. – Slate
• Early Victory for Voting Rights – Brennan Center for Justice
• Microsoft drops a law firm that appeased Trump, hires firm that’s fighting Trump – Maddow Blog

The Nation

• Scientists Find Measles Likely To Become Endemic in the US Over Next 20 Years – WIRED
• Military parade to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary will be held on Trump’s birthday – AP News
• Pete Hegseth Ends “Woke” Military Program Created by Trump – The New Republic
• Harris Emerges From the Political Shadows to Call Out Trump by Name – Daily Beast
• House votes to block California from banning sales of gas cars by 2035 – The Washington Post
• Trump Administration Dismisses Authors Working on Federal Climate Change Report Required by Congress – Wall Street Journal
• Grid-Scale Battery Storage Is Quietly Revolutionizing the Energy System – WIRED
• A ‘great move,’ or revisionist history? Indiana’s LG Beckwith sparks Three-Fifths Compromise debate • Indiana Capital Chronicle
• Groups condemn Indiana lt gov who defended Three-Fifths Compromise – The Washington Post
• New Oklahoma curriculum includes pro-Trump conspiracy theories – Popular Information Substack

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:09 — 26.0MB)

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
Trump’s Politicized DOJ Attack on ActBlue

✹ Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
U.S. Senate Candidate

In the News

Nessel vs. Trump et. al.: Federal Actions Tracker – Attorney General’s Office

Trump orders Justice to investigate Democratic fundraising platform – AP News
Trump Plans to Direct DOJ to Investigate ActBlue, a Democratic Fundraising Platform – Wall Street Journal

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Michigan donors — and Gotion — pumped millions into Trump inauguration – Bridge Michigan
• Rogers campaign suggests Gotion should have given more to Trump inauguration – Detroit News
• Prescription price cap plan passes Michigan Senate as Dems decry ‘exploitation’ – Bridge Michigan
• Big Ten university faculties push for defense compact against Trump – The Washington Post
• Trump budget cuts target Great Lakes science – Detroit Free Press
• University of Michigan shifts DEI money to low-income students – Detroit Free Press
• Lansing town hall hosted by union, NAACP targets Rep. Tom Barrett – Lansing State Journal
• Haley Stevens runs for US Senate, vowing to fight ‘Trump-Musk chaos agenda’ – Bridge Michigan
• VIDEO – Haley Stevens: Fighting For Michigan – Stevens for U.S. Senate
• Opinion – How many has Trump deported so far? Enough to shred US norms – John LIndstrom via Detroit Free Press
• Whitmer, Nessel pursue different strategies in Trump’s 2nd term – Detroit Free Press

Trump’s Economic Meltdown

• Dow Headed for Worst April Since 1932 as Investors Send ‘No Confidence’ Signal – Wall Street Journal
• US auto industry warns new auto parts tariffs will hike prices, cut sales – Reuters
• Most Americans expect higher prices as a result of Trump’s tariffs – AP News
• America’s Richest 19 Households Control a Record Share of Wealth: The Rise of the Ultra Wealthy – Wall Street Journal

Trump/Musk Administration’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Trump’s poll numbers sink – Fox News
• Trump’s immigration ratings turn negative, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds – The Washington Post
• Elon Musk and DOGE’s Savings May Be Erased by New Costs – The New York Times
• A Judge Told Florida Not to Arrest Undocumented Immigrants. The State Did Anyway. – Mother Jones

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• VIDEO – Busted: Report paints vivid picture of Trump corruption – YouTube
• China-tied company gives $1M to Trump inaugural after GOP criticism – Detroit News
• How Trump team turned a dinner invite into a crypto boon worth millions – The Washington Post
• Trump Crypto Coin Buyers Offered VIP Tour of White House – Mother Jones
• The Real Winners of the Trump Memecoin Feeding Frenzy – WIRED
• Trump Tariff Exemptions Benefit Politically Connected Firms — ProPublica

The Nation

• Millions of U.S. measle
• North Dakota’s GOP governor vetoes library restrictions, school voucher program – AP News
• Supreme Court rejects Minnesota effort to revive ban on young adults from carrying guns – NBC News
• How the War Over Trans Athletes Tore a Volleyball Team Apart – The New York Times
• George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud and identity theft – AP News

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
Trump’s Tariffs Punish Michigan Farmers, Michigan Tourism

✹ Representative Phil Skaggs
Our Universities Join the Resistance

In the News

Cognitive Decline? Trump Goes on Bizarre Rant About His Enemies
The New Republic

Egg Prices Continued to Rise in March
The New York Times

Michigan Politics and Policy

• MSU faculty join call for Big Ten ‘mutual defense compact’ against Trump administration – MSU State News
• MSU president pushes back on Trump administration’s student visa revocations – The State News
• Harvard pushes back against Trump administration’s demands for changes – The Washington Post
• MSU student suing Trump administration to restore visa record – The State News
• Elissa Slotkin: How Democrats Can Play Offense Against Trump – TIME
• AG Nessel Supports Challenge to Trump Administration’s Unconstitutional Ideological Deportation Policy – Attorney General
• AG Nessel Joins Multistate Effort to Protect Affordable Health Coverage from Federal Attack – Attorney General
• AG Nessel Joins Multistate Coalition Opposing Drastic Staffing Cuts to Social Security Administration – Attorney General
• Thanedar calls for Trump impeachment over immigration saga – Detroit News
• Trump’s anti-trans push changes Michigan’s transgender community – Detroit Free Press
• Longtime House Republican weighs run to flip Dem-held Senate seat in key battleground – Fox News
• Republican Mike Cox enters Michigan governor’s race – Detroit Free Press
• Abdul El-Sayed on US Senate run: ‘If you want a fighter, I’ve got receipts’ – Bridge Michigan
• Former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten launches campaign for Michigan Attorney General – Michigan Public Radio
• Adam Hollier to challenge Rep. Shri Thanedar for 3rd time

Trump’s Economic Meltdown

• VIDEO – Chaos, confusion, reversals: The story of Trump’s second term so far – NBC News
• Travel to U.S. is falling under Trump. It could cost billions in tourism. – The Washington Post
• Trump’s Order to Cut Drug Prices Would Raise Drug Prices – The American Prospect
• Elissa Slotkin cosponsors bill to crack down on large pharmaceutical price increases – The Michigan Independent
• Elon Musk’s DOGE “Savings” Aren’t New. Here’s Where They Come From – The New Republic
• Trump’s auto tariffs led Stellantis to lay off 370 employees in Kokomo, Indiana – The Washington Post

Trump/Musk Administration’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Trump’s Wildly Unconstitutional Plot to Banish U.S. Citizens to Gulags – The New Republic
• DOGE Is Building a Master Database to Surveil and Track Immigrants – WIREDTrump admin plans to eliminate federal health programs, including Head Start – Axios
• The White House is starting a new media policy that restricts wire services’ access to the president – AP News
• Trump’s order could force states to buy costly new voting machines – The Washington Post

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• Exclusive: Musk’s SpaceX is frontrunner to build Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield – Reuters
• Trump Has Eyewateringly Corrupt Scheme to Get Rich Off Tariffs – The New Republic
• U.S. intelligence contradicts Trump rationale for mass deportations – The Washington Post
• Trump appointee asked IRS to review audit of MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell – The Washington Post

Climate Change

• Trump’s Order Targeting State Climate Laws Is Probably Unconstitutional – Mother Jones
• Trump boosts dying coal industry, environment be damned – Daily Kos
• Voters Want to Make Polluters Pay, Oppose Efforts to Grant Oil and Gas Companies Immunity for Climate Damages- Data for Progress
• Trump boosts dying coal industry, environment be damned – Daily Kos
• Trump plan would eliminate NOAA climate research, slash agency budget – The Washington Post
• New Trump EO Would Punish States for Combating Climate Change – Mother Jones
• Trump’s new energy order puts states’ climate laws in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice – AP News
• Trump’s Dumbest Order Is Hiding His Most Dangerous Rule Change Yet – The New Republic
• Trump moves to hobble major US climate change study – POLITICO
• The Dubious Legal Theory Republicans Are Using to Kill Climate Progress – Mother Jones
• EPA Plans to End Greenhouse Gas Reporting for Most Polluters — ProPublica
• USDA order paves way for clearing of federal forests, including Michigan lands – Detroit News

The Nation

• Biden, breaking his silence, slams Trump on Social Security cuts – The Washington Post
• Some Democrats in Congress are starting to talk about impeachment. They’re right. – MSNBC
• Riggs v. Griffin North Carolina election fight judge should heed Bush v. Gore – Slate
• Trump administration cancels program to protect Alabamans from raw sewage – Popular Information Substack

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:52 — 23.8MB)

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
Trump’s one-person Economic Meltdown
The non-citizens-are-voting myth
Reaching out to rural Michigan

✹ Senator Mallory McMorrow
Candidate for United States Senate

In the News

We Are All Living in George Orwell’s World Now – The New York Times

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Non-citizens voting in Michigan: 0.00028% of the total vote – Michigan Secretary of State
• Peters blasts ‘crazy’ daily cost of detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay – Detroit News
• Michigan’s top court says police can’t search cars solely because of marijuana odor – AP News
• Two laws in 90 days: Michigan’s new divided Legislature off to slow start – Bridge Michigan
• ‘Slap in the face’: Black legislators condemn University of Michigan’s DEI cuts – mlive.com
• Michigan Democrats vow to focus on ‘results’ in bid to bounce back – Detroit News
• Democrat Mallory McMorrow jumps into Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race – Detroit News

Trump’s Economic Meltdown

• Trump Stomps Workers – The American Prospect
• U.S. Stocks Post Worst Quarter Since 2022 on Threat of Trade War – Wall Street Journal
• Stellantis idling some plants in Canada, Mexico; impact on US, too – Detroit Free Press
• Trump’s pitch on tariffs was built on a foundation of strange lies – Maddow Blog
• Trump’s tariff hikes raise fears of impact on schools, economy: Whitmer – Detroit News
• Trump administration ramps up farm aid discussions amid tariff fallout – POLITICO
• Trump Left a Key Country Out of His Extreme Tariffs – The New Republic
• Stable Genius Trump Just Put Tariffs on a U.S. Military Base – The New Republic
• Trump Tariffs Hit Antarctic Islands Inhabited by Zero Humans and Many Penguins – WIRED
• Trump Picks Golf Dinner Over Dignified Transfer of U.S. Troops’ Bodies – The Daily Beast

Trump/Musk Administration’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Trump claims a Michael Jordan tattoo is evidence of Venezuelan gang membership – Popular Information Substack
• Top FDA Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’ – The New York Times
• RFK Jr.’s Bogus Vitamin A Claims Are Making Some Measles Patients More Sick — And Medical Experts Have Thoughts – HuffPost Life
• The CDC Has Been Gutted – WIRED
• Tuberculosis is the world’s top infectious killer. Aid groups say Trump’s funding freezes will cause more deaths – CNN
• With his choice for drug czar, Trump adds to his team of Fox-affiliated amateurs – Maddow Blog
• SSA acting chief faces calls to resign over decision to cut Maine contracts – AP News
• Dozens of free measles vaccine clinics close in Texas as federal funding is cut – NBC News
• Trump touted their ICE arrests. Half of these immigrants were already in prison. – Washington Post
• Cybersecurity Professor Mysteriously Disappears as FBI Raids His Homes – WIRED
• Leaked Emails Expose Trump’s Devastating Revenge Plot on Dem. Governor – The New Republic
• Princeton Says Trump Administration Is Halting Research Grant Funding – Wall Street Journal
• Waltz and staff used Gmail for government communications, officials say – The Washington Post
• Trump administration fires 50 attorneys and deputies in Justice Department – AP News
• ‘Mission South Africa’: How Trump Is Offering White Afrikaners Refugee Status – The New York Times

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• States sue to block Trump’s election order, saying it violates the Constitution – AP News
• As Musk buys votes, it’s time to answer which shall rule: Wealth or the people? – WI Dem Chair Ben Wikler via Daily Kos
• Trump Family Starts Bitcoin Mining Venture in Further Push Into Crypto – The New York Times
• Justice Department instructed to dismiss legal challenge to Georgia election law – AP News

The Nation

• VIDEO – Amber Ruffin Defends Both Sides After Her Cancelled White House Correspondents’ Gig
• VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Which Speech Is Free and Which Will Cost You in Trump’s America – The Daily Show
• How North Korea Cheated Its Way to Crypto Billions – Wall Street Journal
• Indiana transgender collegiate sports ban sent to Mike Braun’s desk – IndyStar
• Indiana Sen. Jim Banks won’t apologize for comments to federal employee – IndyStar

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
    The Macomb County Town Hall:
Frustration, Anger, John James MIA

✹ Representative Matt Koleszar
   The Inane House Elections Integrity Committee

In the News

Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if auto prices rise because of his tariffs – The Washington Post

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Wooden, Koleszar Denounce Republican Weaponization of House Elections Integrity Committee – housedems.com
• Why many Americans don’t have documents to prove citizenship to vote – The Washington Post
• Tariffs threaten to cut US auto sales by 700,000 in 2025 – Detroit Free Press
• Trump’s Tariffs Leave Automakers With Tough, Expensive Choices – The New York Times
• Trump Warned U.S. Automakers Not to Raise Prices in Response to Tariffs – Wall Street Journal
• Fact check: Donald Trump’s tariff claims on auto industry – Detroit Free Press
• Travel from Canada to Michigan dips 10% amid boycotts, border security fears – Bridge Michigan
• Michigan farmers facing ‘uncertain future’ amid funding freezes, tariff tensions – Bridge Michigan
• Increased unemployment benefits and added weeks go into effect April 2 – DLEG
• DOGE lays out $394M in Michigan health cuts. But what does it mean? – Bridge Michigan
• USDA cancels $4.3M in poultry, cheese, eggs to Michigan food banks – Detroit Free Press
• McDonald Rivet Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency for Prescription Drug Prices – Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet
• Opinion | Michigan’s Kristen McDonald Rivet should inspire Democrats – Karen Tumulty/The Washington Post
• VIDEO – ‘Unheard of’: Slotkin says Trump war plans breach endangers ‘human beings’ – MSNBC “All In with Chris Hayes”

Trump/Musk’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Which Speech Is Free and Which Will Cost You in Trump’s America – The Daily Show
• Trump and Musk’s New Corruption Scandal: DOGE is a Scheme to Gut Social Security – Meidas+
• Trump’s promise to preserve Social Security may not survive DOGE – Michele Norris/MSNBC
• U-M halts DEI plans as Trump administration takes aim at diversity efforts – Bridge Michigan
• Two law firms targeted by Trump sue over executive orders that sought to punish them – AP News
• Three Michigan law school deans say Trump’s sanctions on law firms violate the Constitution – mlive.com
• Trump order on Smithsonian targets programs with ‘improper ideology’ – AP News
• “A Sicker America”: RFK Jr.’s HHS Will Lay Off 10,000 Staff – Mother Jones
• FDA’s Top Vaccine Official Forced Out – Wall Street Journal
• Kansas measles cases double to 23 and new Ohio outbreak sickens 10 – AP News
• FCC Chair Opens Investigation Into Walt Disney Co. Over DEI Programs – Deadline.com
• Texas lawmakers advance bill that makes it a crime for teachers to assign “Catcher in the Rye” – Popular Information Substack

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• Taxpayers’ Tab For Trump’s Second-Term Golf Excursions Crosses $26 Million Mark – HuffPost
• Taxpayers helped finance Kristi Noem’s extensive travel and political rise – AP News
• Using Starlink Wi-Fi in the White House Is a Slippery Slope for US Federal IT – WIRED
• Musk’s SpaceX Could Secure Billions in New Contracts Under Trump – The New York Times
• Trump Blurts Out Revealing Aim of Law Firm Shakedown Right to Media – The New Republic
• Trump’s hostile takeover of big law – Lisa Needham/Public Notice Substack
• Law firm Paul Weiss agrees to deal with Trump, prompting criticism – The Washington Post
• Trump pumps eponymous meme coin – Judd Legum/Popular Information
• Dr. Oz’s health benefits company sparks conflict of interest concerns – The Washington Post

The Nation

• SignalGate Isn’t About Signal – WIRED
• All the laws flouted during SignalGate – Lisa Needham/Public Notice Substack
• Opinion | Hillary Clinton: This Is Just Dumb – The New York Times
• DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Code Base in Months, Risking Benefits and System Collapse – WIRED
• To boost banks, Republican restore one of the ‘junk fees’ targeted by Biden – Maddow Blog

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:57 — 29.6MB)

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
    Contest Every Race

✹ Representatives Erin Byrnes, Julie Brixie
and Jason Morgan
   Exposing Dark Money in Politics

In the News

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Michigan Sets New Record for Food, Ag and Forestry Exports – Michigan Department of Agriculture
• House Dems Re-Introduce Government Transparency Bills – House Democrats
• Voters Agree K-12 Education Is Off Track, Oppose Eliminating the Department of Education – Data for Progress
• Lawmaker targeting voter fraud ran in different precinct than wife – Detroit News
• Mitchell Poll: Gubernatorial race – MIRS
• People Are “Terrified.” Mallory McMorrow Has a Democratic Blueprint for Hope – Vanity Fair
• The list: The 26 House Dems the NRCC is targeting – Punchbowl News
• DCCC announces 26 vulnerable members for Frontline program in 2026 – Roll Call
• How Elissa Slotkin, a Moderate Michigan Democrat, Is Fighting Trump Tooth and Nail – Vanity Fair

Trump/Musk’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Trump Goes to DOJ for Bonkers Rant Berating his ‘Illegal’ Media Enemies – The Daily Beast
• Memo details Trump plan to sabotage the Social Security Administration – Judd Legum/Popular Information Substack
• Musk group offers $100 to Wisconsin voters ahead of pivotal state Supreme Court election – AP News
• With Orders, Investigations and Innuendo, Trump and G.O.P. Aim to Cripple the Left – The New York Times
• In Deportations, Trump Tied Gang to Venezuela’s Government. Intelligence Contradicts Him. – The New York Times
• French Scientist Reportedly Denied U.S. Entry Due to Trump Criticism – The New Republic
• As Powerful Law Firms Roll Over for Trump, One Lawyer Has Had Enough – Mother Jones
• White House rescinds executive order targeting prominent law firm – AP News
• CBS’ ’60 Minutes’ is unflinching in its White House coverage in the shadow of Trump’s $20B lawsuit – AP News

Trump/Musk/GOP Lawlessness and Corruption

• US taxpayers have shelled out tens of millions of dollars for Trump’s golf trips – The Guardian
• Trump moves to destroy Columbia University – Public Notice Substack
• Decades Ago, Columbia Refused to Pay Trump $400 Million – The New York Times
• Trump administration freezes federal funding for Penn over transgender swimmer – AP News
• Trump Ban on Transgender People Serving in Military Blocked by Federal Judge – Wall Street Journal
• Elon Musk’s DOGE Uses Police to Seize Independent Nonprofit – The New Republic

The Nation

• ICE Barbie Kristi Noem Is Sure Enjoying a Wild Week of Cosplay Stunts – The Daily Beast
• Exclusive | Trump Administration Weighing Major Cuts to Funding for Domestic HIV Prevention – Wall Street Journal
• Appeals court blocks Ohio’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors – AP News
• IRS Retreats From Some Audits as Agency Slashes Workforce – Wall Street Journal
• Minnesota Republicans seek to codify ‘Trump derangement syndrome’ as mental illness – Minneapolis Star Tribune
• Keeping With Kennedy’s Advice, Measles Patients Turn to Unproven Treatments – The New York Times
• RFK Jr. touts french fries and casts doubt on vaccines in first month – AP News

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:22 — 27.5MB)

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
 Republicans Hide from the Voters

✹ Representative Penelope Tsernoglou
Another GOP Voter-Suppression Proposal

In the News

Republicans in Hiding

• Town hall takes place without Bergman – Escanaba Daily Press
• Protesters again demand in-person town hall from Rep. Huizenga – Fox 17 Grand Rapids
• Barrett stays silent as pressure mounts for a town hall – Lansing City Pulse
• More than two-thirds of Rep. Barrett town hall attendees say they don’t support DOGE – WKAR Public Media
• Technical difficulties plague Barrett’s telephone town hall – Lansing City Pulse
• North Carolina GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump – AP News

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Senator Peters Statement on Vote to Prevent Government Shutdown
• Whitmer blasts Trump’s tariffs, education department cuts – Detroit Free Press
• Republican Medicaid cuts could shutter rural hospitals, maternity care – Detroit News
• What Trump’s pledge to repeal EV, climate regulations mean to Michigan – Bridge Michigan
• Buttigieg won’t run for Michigan US senator or governor in 2026 – Detroit Free Press
• Garlin Gilchrist, who’d be Michigan’s first Black governor, launches bid – The DownBallot Substack
• Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor’s Race – Deadline Detroit
• Elissa Slotkin Is a Voice of Reason. She Can’t Save the Democrats Alone – The Daily Beast
• Takeaways, fact-checks: Vance defends tariffs, urges patience in Michigan – Bridge Michigan
• Tax relief, road projects competing for dollars in Lansing – Detroit News
• Help wanted: Michigan election clerks willing to face workload, harassment – Bridge Michigan
• Insider: Michigan lawmaker says he’s prepping proposal to ban porn – Detroit News
• Voters Oppose Deportations of Undocumented Immigrants — Regardless of Their Job or Years in the U.S. – Data for Progress

Trump/Musk’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts – AP News
• Trump and Musk’s Plan to Destroy Social Security Started Tuesday Night – The New Republic
• Trump Goes to DOJ for Bonkers Rant Berating his ‘Illegal’ Media Enemies – The Daily Beast
• Trump calls his opponents ‘scum’ and lawbreakers in bellicose speech at Justice Department – POLITICO
• Trump Orders Gutting of 7 Agencies, Including Voice of America’s Parent – The New York Times
• A Free White House Press Corps is In Peril. I Demand to Meet Trump – April Ryan via The Daily Beast
• Hundreds of federal offices could begin closing this summer at DOGE’s behest – AP News
• Education Department layoffs: Cuts leave civil rights cases in limbo – AP News

Lawlessness and Corruption

• Donald Trump is speedrunning the history of presidential scandals – MSNBC
• Justice Department is expected to slash public corruption unit, AP sources say – AP News
• Exclusive | Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance Following Crypto Exchange’s Guilty Plea – Wall Street Journal
• Inside Trump’s War on the I.R.S.: Dropped Audits and a Skeleton Staff – The New York Times
• Inside Elon Musk’s ‘Digital Coup’ – WIRED
• Critics say Trump threatens free speech amid arrest of Mahmoud Khalil – AP NewsEx-Tennessee lawmaker says Trump pardoned his 21-month prison sentence – AP News
• Trump’s FBI Moves to Criminally Charge Major Climate Groups – The New Republic
• USPS Reaches Cost-Cutting Deal With Elon Musk’s DOGE Team – The New York Times
• Jeff Bezos takes another pathetic step in his march toward MAGA – Daily Kos
• How the White House launched its anti-migrant ad campaign – AP News

The Nation

• Bernie Sanders takes leadership of the anti-Trump resistance – AP News
• VIDEO – AFT ad singles out Musk – YouTube
• Senate GOP’s Tax-Cut Wishlist Heads North of $5 Trillion – Wall Street Journal
• New CNN poll: Americans are negative on Trump’s handling of economy – CNN Politics
• Consumer Sentiment Tanks as Americans Expect More Pain Ahead – Wall Street Journal
• Trump’s fantastical claim of a $200 billion ‘subsidy’ to Canada – The Washington Post
• Johns Hopkins cuts 2,000 jobs after USAID cuts under Trump – The Washington Post
• The Trump EPA’s Baffling New Agenda Consists of Throttling Major Environmental Rules – Mother Jones
• EPA administrator announces huge rollback of environmental regulations – NBC News
• As measles cases soar, RFK Jr. declares war on science – Popular Information Substack
• Supreme Court rejects Republican-led effort to halt climate change lawsuits in Democratic-led states – AP News

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Welcome to version 2.0 of our podcast:
“Party on the Peninsulas with Curtis Hertel”!

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
 Dangerous GOP Budget Games in Lansing

✹ Representative Jason Morgan
Protecting marriage equality

✹ Senator Elissa Slotkin
Full video: where Trump got it wrong

In the News

Elissa Slotkin Trolls Donald Trump From First Line of Democratic Rebuttal Speech – The Daily Beast

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Gary Peters: Trump’s Latest Tariffs Are Bad for Michigan – Wall Street Journal
• Trump Tariffs Set to Send Car Prices Soaring Up to $12,000 Higher – The Daily Beast
• Tariffs: Trump’s trade wars threaten US auto industry – AP News
• VIDEO: AG Nessel Files Suit Against Trump, Federal Agencies to Stop Mass Firings
• 318,000 inactive voter registrations to be removed in Michigan – Detroit News
• Morgan Introduces House Joint Resolution to Repeal Michigan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban – Representative Jason Morgan
• Far-right campaign to overturn gay marriage ruling hits statehouses – The Washington Post
• Dozens fired from Michigan veteran care facilities as Trump cuts continue – Bridge Michigan
• Trump cuts hit Forest Service in Michigan; critics fear ‘catastrophic’ loss – Bridge Michigan
• Republican lawmakers hold telephone town halls as protesters demand more – AP News
• Michigan lawmakers consider more subsidies, incentives for nuclear power – Bridge Michigan
• Trump calls for CHIPS Act cuts, sparking economic concerns in Michigan – Michigan Now
• Great Lakes scientists among latest round of Trump cuts in Michigan – Bridge Michigan
• Attorney General: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Launch New Podcast ‘Pantsuits and Lawsuits’ – Attorney General
• Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist takes step to run for Michigan governor – Detroit Free Press
• Pete Buttigieg met with Chuck Schumer to discuss potential Senate bid – POLITICO

Trump/Musk’s Assault on Government and the Constitution

• Trump and Musk’s Plan to Destroy Social Security Started Tuesday Night – The New Republic
• Opinion: Trump is dismantling the free press. We all must fight back. – Dana Milbank/The Washington Post
• Trump breaks promise not to cut Social Security – The Michigan Independent
• Email shows Trump officials are lying to federal court, directing CFPB staff to ignore law – Popular Information Substack
• Opinion | The MAGA War on Speech – The New York Times Editorial Board

Fact-Checking Trump’s 99-minute Performance

• Fact Checker from The Washington Post – Trump’s 99-minute speech to Congress
• Fact-Checking Trump’s Address to Congress – The New York Times
• CNN Fact Checker: Trump Speech Made These ‘Dishonest’ Claims
• Did Donald Trump mistake transgenic mice for ‘transgender mice’ in his speech? – The Times of India
• Trump speech fact check: 12 lies he told during his joint address to Congress – Maddow Blog
• Trump’s false claim that Stacey Abrams headed a group that got $1.9 billion – The Washington Post
• AOC called out Trump’s biggest weakness in her speech rebuttal on Instagram – MSNBC

Lawlessness and Corruption

• Trump’s “Crypto Reserve” is a world historical grift – Public Notice
• Strategic corruption reserve – Popular Information Substack
• BREAKING: SEC halts fraud prosecution of Chinese national who sent Trump millions – Popular Information Substack

The Clown-Car Cabinet

• As Measles Spreads, Kennedy Embraces Remedies Like Cod Liver Oil – The New York Times
• Pete Hegseth Banned Images of ‘Enola Gay’ Plane in DEI Crackdown – Daily Beast
• Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs – AP News
• Here’s a Map of the For-Sale Government Properties the GSA Pulled From Its Website – WIRED

The Nation

• Trump Takes the Dumbest Tariff Plunge – Wall Street Journal
• GOP must cut Medicaid or Medicare to achieve budget goals, CBO finds – The Washington Post
• Exclusive | U.S. Suspends Costly Deportation Flights Using Military Aircraft – Wall Street Journal
• Officials knew Trump’s order would waste water in California, memo shows – The Washington Post
• The Words Federal Agencies Are Discouraged From Using Under Trump – The New York Times
• Social Security Workers Aren’t Allowed to Read This Story – WIRED
• Supreme Court rules Clean Water Act doesn’t require clean water. – Slate Plus
• Democrats Block Bill to Bar Transgender Girls From Female Sports Teams – The New York Times
• China dominates the world in renewable energy, including solar and wind – The Washington Post
• A Right-Wing Group Accused NASCAR of Discrimination Against White Dudes. It’s a Blueprint for Trump. – Mother Jones

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Governor Whitmer delivered her 7th annual update on Michigan’s progress and needs this last week. We have extended highlights of her presentation.

But there’s also important work from the 2024 session hanging over Lansing: the refusal, to date, of newly elected Republican Speaker Matt Hall to send 9 bills enacted by the Legislature to the Governor for signing or vetoing. The state Senate has taken the unusual step of suing the state House and Speaker Hall to force the Speaker to comply with the state constitution’s requirement that the bills go down the hall to the Governor’s office for final action. The lead attorney for the state Senate is former MDP chair Mark Brewer, commenting on the ruling this past week by Court of Claims judge Sima Patel:

“We had a great decision from the judge. People should understand the context of this lawsuit.

It’s very difficult for legislators to bring lawsuits. particularly against the other house. There’s always questions where they have what’s called standing to even be in court. And then people always throw up, well, this is just a political fight, political dispute, court doesn’t have any business doing that.

And so we had to cut through all of that. The judge rejected those defenses. Hall had also thrown up a lot of objections about the quality of the bills and other kinds of things. She would cut through all of that. And she said she set a deadline. She said the Constitution requires that these nine bills be presented to the Governor.

And the House has until March 19th to do that. It’s a very strong decision. It applies not just to these nine bills, but to all bills going forward. She was very clear. If bills pass the legislature, they have to go to the Governor. In this case, by March 19th, so the Governor has enough time.

To consider them before they’re supposed to take effect, which will be April 2nd, if the governor signs them. So, it was a great victory. We’re not there yet. I’ve been telling people, if you use a football metaphor, we executed an option play. We got to the red zone. We got to the red zone. And we’re gonna keep pushing.

We’re not gonna let the Speaker off the hook here. And I know there is and should be lots of public pressure on him. To obey the Constitution, which is what the judge told him to do yesterday.

There were parts of the judge’s decision yesterday that she disagreed with us. For example, she said the speaker is immune from liability here. We’ve got other defendants. We’re suing the house and the clerk. So we’ve got other ways to get. Get those bills presented. My clients, the Senate, could appeal that.

The House and the Speaker and others could appeal the judge’s decision, that they only have until the 19th. Both sides have 21 days from yesterday to decide whether to appeal. But you’re right, Jeff, this could quickly be resolved by the Speaker simply doing the right thing, and Sending those bills to the governor.”

House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri added: “Holding these nine bills hostage came at the cost of Michigan taxpayers. The bills, if signed into law, would lower health care costs, add pension benefits for corrections and conservation officers, help to financially protect struggling workers and more. I applaud the ruling today and call on Speaker Hall to comply with the court’s decision.”

In the News This Week…

Governor Whitmer’s 7th Annual State of the State Address

• FULL VIDEO – 2025 Michigan State of the State
• FULL TEXT – Gov. Whitmer’s 2025 State of the State Address as Prepared for Delivery
• Highlights from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State – Detroit Free Press
• State of the State: Takeaways, fact-checks from Gretchen Whitmer’s big speech – Bridge Michigan
• Gretchen Whitmer: I want to find ‘common ground’ with Donald Trump – Bridge Michigan

Michigan Policy and Politics

• A fired federal worker grapples with her vote for Trump in Michigan – The Washington Post
• Polling shows strong support for clean energy among Michiganders amid state and federal GOP pushback – Michigan Advance
• As a Michigan Republican made his case to ban same-sex marriage, a gay Democrat stole the show • Michigan Advance
• Walberg: Schools should ‘suffer consequences’ if trans kids play sports – Detroit News
• 7 Michigan Republicans push to ban gay marriage. It’s likely going nowhere – Bridge Michigan
• Rep. James, Republicans prep effort to cancel California ‘EV mandate’ – Detroit News
• Barrett stays silent as pressure mounts for a town hall – Lansing City Pulse
• House Republicans hit the brakes on town halls after blowback over Trump’s cuts – NBC News
• Chatfield case reveals ‘erratic’ movement of secret money in Lansing – Detroit News
• Judge says 9 delayed bills should be sent to Whitmer, but won’t order it – Detroit News
• Michigan lawmaker bashes federal worker ‘sob stories’ amid Musk cuts – Detroit News
• Livengood: GOP House Speaker Matt Hall’s FOIA flip-flop doesn’t add up – Detroit News
• AG Nessel Re-issues Tax Season Consumer Alerts – Attorney General

The Musk/Trump Administration’s Assault of Democracy

• 2/19/25 – Majority Say System Of Checks & Balances Not Working Well, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Congressional Job Approval: Democrats Hit All-Time Low, Republicans Hit Record High – Quinnipiac University Poll
• Woman Dragged Out of Republican Town Hall After Asking Question – The New Republic
• Bolton on Trump’s mental fitness: “his mind is full of mush” – The New Republic
• Donald Trump and Elon Musk are ushering in a new age of bribery, graft, and corruption to American politics. – The New Republic
• FAA close to canceling $2.4 billion Verizon contract in favor of Musk’s Starlink – The Washington Post
• Elon Musk’s business empire is built on $38 billion in government funding – Washington Post
• Uncovering Conflicts of Interest and Self-Dealing in the Executive Branch – Brennan Center for Justice
• What Can House Republicans Cut Instead of Medicaid? Not Much. – The New York Times
• DOGE Gains Access to Confidential Records on Housing Discrimination — ProPublica
• Democratic National Committee Files Lawsuit Against Trump – The New York Times
• Mattis, former defense secretaries denounce Trump’s Pentagon firings – The Washington Post
• 23 Dem AGs think they’ve cracked the code to fighting Trump – POLITICO
• USAID cuts: Here are 20 projects that have closed – AP News
• Judge finds mass firings of federal probationary workers to likely be unlawful – AP News
• DOGE touts billions in canceled government contracts. Where are the numbers coming from? – PolitiFact
• Trump White House Takes Over Press ‘Pool’ From Nonpartisan Media Group – Wall Street Journal
• The White House takeover of the press pool is a brazen attack on the First Amendment – Simone D. Sanders/MSNBC
• Jeff Bezos Reveals Sick MAGA Takeover of Washington Post – The New Republic
• Jeff Bezos’ Directive for Washington Post Opinion Pages Leads to Editor David Shipley’s Exit – The New York Times
• Kash Patel Wants to Work From Home for FBI. But Who Does He Live With? – The New Republic
• Hundreds of weather forecasters and NOAA staff fired in DOGE cuts – AP News

The Trump/GOP Assault on Americans

• VIDEO: Health Insurance – House Majority Forward
• The FY2025 House Budget reconciliation and Trump Administration Tax Proposals: Budgetary, Economic, and Distributional Effects — Penn Wharton Budget Model
• Michigan will be hit hard if Trump restarts Canada, Mexico tariffs – Detroit Free Press
• MSU professors, international food security programs in limbo amid USAID freeze – MSU State News
• U-M squeezed by Trump cuts; Social Security research project halted – Bridge Michigan
• RFK Jr. Has Horrific Response to Measles Death – The New Republic
• Judge blocks Trump order threatening funding for trans youth care – AP News
• Voters Do Not Approve of Trump’s Immigration Crackdown When Confronted With Real-World Examples. – Data for Progress
• Iowa governor signs bill removing gender identity protections – AP News

The Trump Assault on Ukraine

• ‘The insolent pig finally got a proper slap’: Russia celebrates Trump’s Zelenskyy takedown – POLITICO
• Vladimir Putin’s Investment in Donald Trump Pays Off Bigly – Mother Jones
• European leaders renew support for Ukraine after Zelenskyy’s stormy meeting with Trump – NPR