Monday, June 16 | By Cate Martel |
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- G7 gathering underway
- Trump Organization launches phone service
- President ramps up ICE arrets in blue cities
- 'Big, beautiful' text watch
- Minnesota gunman in custody
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I wonder how this will compare to his last G7 Summit… : |
President Trump is in Alberta, Canada, for the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. He just called the group's 2014 decision to remove Russia from the alliance a "mistake." In Trump's words: "The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in and I would say that was a mistake because I don't think we'd have a war right now if we had Russia in," Trump said at the start of his one-on-one meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "Putin speaks to me, he doesn't speak to anybody else," Trump said. Carney later interjected to end Trump's Q-and-A. 📸 Photo from the meeting (For context, Russia was booted from the then-G8 over its annexation of Crimea.) What timing: Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 50 minutes Saturday. The two discussed the Israel-Iran conflict and Russia's war with Ukraine. Other meetings on the books: Trump is also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum while in Canada. Remember Trump's last G7?: The last time Trump attended a G7 meeting, which was in 2018, he stormed out. He had called for the group's allies to embrace Russia, frustrated the group's leaders and had a looming trade dispute over metal tariffs with Canada. Sound familiar? This is a big moment for Carney: Politico notes that "Only three months on the job, Canada's prime minister is also attempting a series of tricky diplomatic resets with some of his country's thorniest frenemies." Read: 'Mark Carney's first big test on the world stage' Factors setting the backdrop to this summit: ➤ Israel's strike on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks are top of mind. ➤ Trump's tariffs have elevated tensions. His 90-day pause on "reciprocal tariffs" expires July 8 (!) Which countries are in the Group of Seven?: The U.S., France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada — Trump also signaled openness this morning to inviting China to the group in the future. 🗨️ Follow today's live blog Read more: Five things to watch at the G7 Summit |
Trump expands deportation efforts: |
President Trump has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ramp up their deportation efforts in Democratic-run cities. Where?: Trump singled out Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, "where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside." 🔎 Read Trump's Sunday night Truth Social announcement |
The Trump Organization is jumping into a new market: |
Mobile phones! President Trump's sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump announced this morning that the Trump Organization is launching a mobile phone business: Trump Mobile. The gist: Trump Jr. said he thinks the mobile phone industry has had "lackluster performance" and argues this business could help "underserved" audiences. He also said it would include telemedicine, roadside assistance and "unlimited texting for 100 countries around the world." Its flagship offering is called "The 47 Plan," referencing the president, and would cost $47.45 per month. Oh, and there's a new phone: The announcement included a new "TI Phone" in August, describing it as a "sleek, gold smartphone engineered for performance and proudly designed and built in the United States for customers who expect the best from their mobile carrier." There are ethical concerns: The dynamic of the Trump family launching a consumer business while President Trump is in office has raised various ethical concerns from critics. 🔎 What we know about 'Trump Mobile' |
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The Fourth is … *checks calendar* … not far away: |
Republicans are walking into a critical week for passing President Trump's legislative agenda. The next step: Senate GOP leaders are hoping to unveil the text of the bill soon. Remember how they want changes from the House-passed version? We are waiting to see how those changes are worked out to get more members on board. The goal has been to pass this bill by July 4, but there is increased skepticism of that timeline. Keep an eye out today: "The most anticipated item could arrive later Monday when the Senate Finance Committee is aiming to release its portion of the chamber's text, which includes key sticking points such as Medicaid cuts and provisions eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, two of Trump's top campaign promises." Read The Hill's Al Weaver's reporting on why this week is so important. |
The Supreme Court will review an anti-abortion clinic case: |
"The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin's (D) subpoena seeking donor records from a network of anti-abortion clinics," reports The Hill's Zach Schonfeld. Explainer: "In a brief order, the justices said they will examine whether First Choice Women's Resource Centers can mount a First Amendment challenge in federal court. Lower judges ruled the group's free speech claim was not ripe because it could be brought in state court instead, but First Choice warned that holding would create a 'Catch-22' that prevents a federal judge from ever reviewing the subpoena's constitutionality." (The Hill) |
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Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, has stepped down from his post at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), becoming the second union leader to resign. Keep in mind: This union represents more than 1.3 million public sector employees and retirees. The other DNC resignation: American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten is also departing the DNC, citing disagreements with DNC Chair Ken Martin. 💡 For context: There has been a lot of intraparty fighting within the Democratic Party. The Hill's Julia Manchester published a helpful read on the fractures stalling the rebuild of the party. |
Two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot at their homes over the weekend by a gunman. The victims: Former Minnesota Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, died from their injuries. State Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were injured. How the victims were found: "After the police responded to the home of Senator Hoffman, finding that he and his wife, Yvette, had both been shot, they decided to check on Representative Hortman at home. There, they encountered the assailant, who they said fled on foot after an exchange of gunfire with officers around 3:30 a.m. Inside, the police found Ms. Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead." (The New York Times) Read more about Hortman, via The Washington Post: 'Lawmaker Melissa Hortman remembered as 'a fixture and a giant in Minnesota'' The gunman was masked and disguised as a police officer, per ABC News. The suspect: Law enforcement arrested Vance Boelter on Sunday night after a two-day FBI manhunt. He was apprehended without incident, according to officials, and is accused of being involved in both shootings. Related, via The New York Times: 'How the Minnesota Shootings Suspect Was Caught' |
So, how did the military parade go?: |
Thousands of spectators came to Washington to watch the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade on Saturday. The gist: The rain was a nonissue, and President Trump delivered quick remarks. Most of Trump's Cabinet attended, but there were only a few Republican members of Congress. The images of tanks rolling along the D.C. streets are striking. 📸 Parade photos Crowd sizes: According to the White House, there were 250,000 attendees, but outside estimates put the number well below the anticipated 200,000. |
➤ WHAT ABOUT THE 'NO KINGS' PROTESTS?: |
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The House is out. The Senate returns this afternoon. President Trump is in Canada. (All times EST) |
12:45 p.m.: Trump participates in a Group of Seven (G7) session in Kananaskis, Canada.
3:45 p.m.: Trump takes a G7 family photo.
4:15 p.m.: Trump participates in another G7 session. 5:30 p.m.: The Senate votes to end debate on Gary Andres to be an assistant secretary of Health and Human Services. 📆 Today's agenda 7 p.m.: Trump attends a "cultural event" in Kananaskis. Thursday: Juneteenth. |
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🍫 Celebrate: Today is National Fudge Day! 🔋 Check your portable power banks: Anker recalled more than 1 million portable phone chargers due to potential fire and burn risks. There have been 19 reports of fires and explosions. |
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