Category: Uncategorized

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
Working to get results for Michigan

✹ State Senator Sarah Anthony
Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee

In the News

VIDEO New concern over Trump’s rambling speeches, posts – Chris Hayes via MSNBC
Cognitive Decline? Trump Repeatedly Fumbles in Multiple Weird Rants – The New Republic
VIDEO: Trump gives DISASTER Speech leaving ARMY STUNNED – MeidasTouch

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Brinks: No Genuine Conversation Between House, Senate On Road Funding – MIRS Blog
• Michigan allots $5.4 million for worker housing, down payment help – Bridge Michigan
• Slotkin is testing a ‘war plan’ to beat Trump. She wants Dems to ditch wokeness and muscle up – POLITICO
• Whitmer Slams Trump for Plan to Pardon Kidnap Plotters Who Wanted to ‘Hog-tie’ Her
• Impact poll – Whitmer favorability at all-time high
• Whitmer Gets ‘Trump Bump’ for Cozying Up to President -Daily Beast
• Glengariff Group Poll – May 2025 ( U.S. Senate, Governor)
• Trump to Michigan: Comply with immigration, DEI orders or lose road funding – Bridge Michigan
• Nessel: Trump admin’s order to keep coal plant open ‘unprecedented’ – Detroit News
• Chinese Students Thriving At The University Of Michigan – ShunStudent
• International Students at MSU – MSU Office of International Students and Scholars
• Judge tosses wrongful prosecution lawsuit against Nessel’s Flint team – Detroit News

Trump Corruption

• Trump Has Dropped the Pretense of Ethics – Mother Jones
• Trump Profits Like No Other President, as Outrage Is Muted – The New York Times
• Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final despite U.S. claims – The Washington Post
• Rep. Jamie Raskin opens investigation into Trump’s crypto dinner – The Washington Post
• Trump’s New Pardon Attorney, Ed Martin, Is Eager to Target Biden-Era Cases – Wall Street Journal
• Trump Accused of ‘Unforced Error’ Over Latest Pardons – Daily Beast
• Trump set to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley – AP News
• Ex-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned amid a corruption scandal, pardoned by Trump – AP News
• Trump to pardon Virginia sheriff convicted on bribery charges – AP News
• Trump’s border czar consulted for immigrant detention firm GEO Group – The Washington Post
• Trump wants an investigation of Democrats’ fundraising. His own campaign has issues – AP News
• Three Coin Monte – The American Prospect
• The Golden Age of Scams – The American Prospect
• NPR sues Trump over executive order to cut funding to public media – AP NewsΩ

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” a.k.a. “Goodies for Billionaires”

• Trump’s tax cuts will be cripplingly expensive for most Americans – MSNBC
• How Trump’s Regulatory Rollbacks Are Increasing Costs on Americans – The New York Times
• NPR sues Trump over executive order to cut funding to public media – AP News

Trump’s Cabinet of Incompetents

• CDC Issues New Advice on Covid Vaccines for Children That Contradicted RFK Jr. – The New York Times
• The MAHA Report Cites Studies That Don’t Exist – NOTUS
• Leaked audio suggests Trump’s new Social Security chief had to Google his own job – Maddow Blog

Attacks on the Constitution

• Trump Administration Knew Most Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador Had No U.S. Crime Convictions — ProPublica
• Freedom of the Press Foundation Threatens Legal Action if Paramount Settles With Trump Over ’60 Minutes’ Interview – WIRED
• The Trump Administration Is Already Ignoring the Supreme Court – Mother Jones
• The Trump administration’s big week of gaslighting and censorship – MSNBC
• Trump’s clemency spree extends to ex-gangster, artist, former congressmen – Washington Post
• Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard – AP News

The Nation

• Missouri Supreme Court Defies Voters, Halts Abortions in the State – Mother Jones
• A Bipartisan Majority of Voters Do Not Want Congress to Repeal the Inflation Reduction Act – Data for Progress
• Voters Support Progressive Policy Alternatives to Trump’s Immigration Agenda – Data for Progress
• Earth will breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal by 2027, scientists say – The Washington Post
• The world could break another annual temperature record in the next five years – AP News
• Trump presented ‘evidence’ of ‘white genocide’ to South African president. The facts say otherwise – Snopes.com

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
More Money for Trump, Budget Cuts for Working Americans

✹ State Representative Joe Tate
U.S. Senate Candidate

In the News

A Complete List of Everything in the Republican Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save
The New York Times

House Budget Bill increases deficit
Penn Wharton Budget Model

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Michigan Chief Justice mourns the death of her father, a former Chief Justice – WLNS TV
• Protecting Michigan’s election security – Jocelyn Benson
• DeVos family plots new strategy ahead of Michigan 2026 election – Detroit News
• Michigan advocates, politicos slam James’ vote to approve proposed Medicaid cuts  • Michigan Advance
• US Supreme Court rejects Michigan GOP bid to overturn new voting rules – Bridge Michigan
• Northern travel to Michigan dips following Trump’s tariffs, threats to annex Canada -The Michigan Independent
• Michigan Senate: Give sexual assault survivors more time to sue |- Bridge Michigan
• Opinion | Trump just handed Democrats their midterm message – Rahm Emanuel/Washington Post
• Two new Democrats could challenge highly vulnerable Michigan Republican – The DownBallot
• Ranked choice voting backers plan campaign despite Trump opposition – Detroit News
• GOP lawmakers vote to hold Benson in contempt of the House over subpoena – Detroit News
• Peters Unveils New Investigative Report Finding Fired Inspectors General Identified More Savings than DOGE – Homeland Security Committee
• Reps. Borton, Martin: Senate DNR budget is dead on arrival in House – MI House Republicans
• MSU eyes $85 million in cuts, fewer staff over federal funding reductions – Bridge Michigan
• House OKs bills barring biological male athletes from women’s sports – Detroit News
• Ingham Co. clerk launches campaign to be Michigan secretary of state – Detroit News

Trump Corruption

• Trump Profits Like No Other President, as Outrage Is Muted – The New York Times
• Pentagon accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One – ABC News
• Why The Qataris Are Happy To Dump Their 747 On Trump – Forbes
• Eric Trump Breaks Ground on $1.5B Resort in Country Desperate for Tariff Relief From His Dad – Daily Beast
• 10 Ways to Enrich the Trumps and the MAGA Movement – Mother Jones
• Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster Clubs Are Taking In More Money Than Ever – Wall Street Journal
• The problem(s) with the White House’s defense of Trump’s scandalous crypto dinner – Maddow Blog
• A Helicopter, Halibut, and ‘Y.M.C.A’: Inside Donald Trump’s Memecoin Dinner – WIRED
• The Father Pursues Trump’s Diplomatic Deals. The Son Chases Crypto Deals – Wall Street Journal

Trump’s Budget

• The ugly truth about Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” – Judd Legum/Popular Information Substack
• Trump and the power of the big (fake) number – Public Notice Substack
• Here Are the Worst Things in Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill – The New Republic
• Voters Do Not Support the GOP Reconciliation Bill’s Tax and Spending Proposals – Data for Progress
• It’s not just Medicaid: Why the Republicans’ bill would likely force Medicare cuts, too – Maddow Blog
• Voters in Every Congressional District Oppose Cuts to SNAP – Data for Progress
• Hidden Threat to Democracy Slipped Into Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill – Daily Beast
• Trump Gets Huge Boost as GOP Slips New Court Rules Into Budget – The New Republic
• Dems Flabbergasted by Plan to Rename Baby Savings Accounts in Donald Trump’s Honor: ‘Treating Him Like a King’ – Daily Beast

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

• VIDEO: Trump gives DISASTER Speech leaving ARMY STUNNED – MeidasTouch
• Trump orders the government to stop enforcing rules he doesn’t like – The Washington Post
• Trump’s image of dead ‘white farmers’ came from Reuters footage in Congo, not South Africa – Reuters
• Dems Preparing to Go to War on Immigrant Detention Centers – The Bulwark
• Harvard Hits Back at Trump With Lawsuit Over International Student Ban – The New Republic
• The White House is Quietly Memory-Holing Transcripts of Donald Trump’s Words – Daily Beast

The Nation

• GOP won’t install Jan. 6 plaque honoring law enforcement, Dems say – The Washington Post
• Trump and Republicans are targeting blue states’ climate policies – The Washington Post
• Supreme Court deadlocks 4-4 on nation’s first religious charter school – NBC News

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This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas”

✹ Chairperson Hertel
The GOP Continued Attack on Medicare
Trump’s Record-Setting Corruption

✹ Congresswoman Haley Stevens
U.S. Senate Candidate

In the News

Attorney General Resouce Guide – Attorney General Dana Nessel

Michigan Politics and Policy

• Haley Stevens’ delicate primary dance – Punchbowl News
• DeVos Family Gives John James a $5 million contribution – Detroit News
• Michigan Congressman John James backs plan to strip healthcare from his constituents – The ‘Gander
• Senate Democrats Introduce the “Building Blocks” Needed to Cut Costs, Create Opportunity – MI Senate Democrats
• Trump tariffs prompt nearly $1B reduction in state revenue projection – Detroit Free Press
• Former legislative aide charged with embezzlement in $25M Clare earmark scandal – Bridge Michigan
• Michigan Court rules multiple state abortion regulations ‘unconstitutional’ – WILX TV
• In west Michigan, library that survived LGBTQ book flap closes as staffers quit – Bridge Michigan
• Thanedar pushes Trump impeachment but backs down from vote – AP News
• Former state House Speaker Joe Tate jumps into US Senate race – Detroit Free Press
• Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Moss announces run for U.S. House – Detroit Free Press
• Washtenaw Prosecutor Eli Savit joins Michigan attorney general race – Detroit Free Press
• Trott mulling a new campaign for Congress but not as a Republican – Detroit News
• VIDEO: Trump Just Sold Out Michigan. I Spoke With Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist About It. – Meidas+

Trump Corruption

• Trump orders the government to stop enforcing rules he doesn’t like – The Washington Post
• You Won’t Believe How Much Richer the Trumps Have Gotten This Year – The New Republic
• America Has Never Seen a President This Corrupt – The New Republic
• Opinion | There Are Conflicts of Interest. And Then There’s Trump. – The New York Times
• Trump’s Family Is Rapidly Striking Business Deals in the Mideast – Wall Street Journal
• Trump’s Middle East visit comes as his family business ties there grow – AP News
• ‘An Ethics Nightmare’: Trump’s Memecoin Dinner to Draw Crypto High Rollers – Wall Street Journal
• The Trump Memecoin Dinner Winners Are Getting Rid of Their Coins – WIRED
• White House Freaks Out at Don Jr. Being Compared to Hunter – Daily Beast
• Why Qatar is bribing Trump – Judd Legum/Popular Information Substack
• Why Qatar Is So Excited to Dump That Private Jet on Trump – The New Republic
• Among the problems with Trump’s ‘free’ luxury jet from Qatar: It’s not actually free – Maddow Blog
• Trump’s Plan to Take Jet From Qatar Heightens Corruption Concerns – The New York Times
• GOP heavyweights join bipartisan bashing of Trump Qatar jet deal – POLITICO
• Elon Musk’s regulatory issues have begun to melt away in Trump’s second term – NBC News
• Senate Democrats want investigation into whether Trump administration helping Musk make Starlink deals – ABC News
• Trump State Dept. Leaned on African Nations to Help Musk’s Starlink — ProPublica
• Past Presidents Have Tested the Emoluments Clause — This Time is Different – Brennan Center for Justice
• A VIP Seat at Donald Trump’s Crypto Dinner Cost at Least $2 Million – WIRED
• Trump Hotels Charged Secret Service Exorbitant Rates, House Inquiry Finds – The New York Times
• Trump could leave less documentation behind than any previous president – AP News

Trump’s Economic Meltdown

• Moody’s lowers U.S. credit rating to ‘Aa1’ – CNBC
• Trump takes credit for Middle East deals that predate his presidency – The Washington Post
• Three-quarters of Americans oppose Medicaid cuts, poll shows – News From The States
• Debbie Dingell: GOP Medicaid cuts would devastate Michigan – Detroit Free Press
• GOP Unveils Sweeping, Brutal Medicaid Cuts – Mother Jones
• Trump’s Prized Tax Bill Doesn’t Do Anything He Promised – The New Republic
• What’s the Cost to Society of Pollution? Trump Says Zero. – The New York Times

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

• Oklahoma will teach high school students debunked 2020 election-fraud theories as fact – Snopes.com
• FDA and RFK Jr. aim to remove ingestible fluoride products used to protect kids’ teeth – AP News
• Florida Just Banned Fluoride From Public Water. Here’s What to Know. – The New York Times

The Nation

• Dems Must Not Let Media Make 2026/28 About Biden – Meidas+
• California’s EV Mandate Faces Automakers Pushing Hard to Tank It – Wall Street Journal
• GM’s New Battery Tech Could Be a Breakthrough for Affordable EVs – WIRED
• Democrats just flipped Nebraska’s biggest city – The Downballot
• Exclusive: Trump’s Losing the Latino Voters He Won in ’24 – The Bulwark
• Voters Strongly Oppose Sending Immigrants With Lawful Status — or U.S. Citizens — to Foreign Prisons – Data for Progress
• ‘Get out sooner rather than later’: Yale professors flee U.S. over fascism concerns – MSNBC
• Who are Afrikaners? Why Trump is welcoming white South Africans to US. – USA Today
• Dismantling NOAA Threatens the World’s Ability to Monitor Carbon Dioxide Levels – WIRED
• On major matters, Trump often seems unaware and uninvolved – The Washington Post

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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:48 — 28.2MB)

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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

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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

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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:08 — 26.6MB)

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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