12:30 REPORT

Tuesday, September 2 | By Cate Martel

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It's Tuesday — welcome back! Well, it happened again. August slipped away into a moment in time. Now, it's time for cardigan season. 🍂

In today's issue:

Judge rules military in LA illegal
Trump to make 2 p.m. announcement
Space Command HQ reportedly moving to Alabama
President responds to online health rumors
Schumer warns shutdown chances growing
Rudy Giuliani out of the hospital after crash

📰 NEWS THIS MORNING

Judge rules Trump's LA military deployment illegal:

A federal judge determined today that Trump's use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles during the June immigration protests was illegal.

What does this mean practically?: "Though most of the troops are no longer deployed in the city, the judge's order blocks any remaining ones from making arrests and searches or conducting traffic patrols and riot control until the government meets a valid legal exception." Read Zach Schonfeld's explainer in The Hill

💡 Does this have ramifications for DC?: Trump has also deployed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., and threatened to do so in other blue cities. However, today's ruling *does not* impact those moves.

🗨️ Follow today's live blog

🎤 IN THE WHITE HOUSE

So, what's Trump's announcement today?:

President Trump is planning to make an announcement at 2 p.m. EDT from the Oval Office.

And before you ask: No, the announcement is not regarding the baseless online rumors that circulated over the weekend about the president's health. (Though don't rule out Trump saying more on that topic again this week.)

OK, so what is this announcement?: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the "exciting announcement" is about the Department of Defense.

The Associated Press reports the announcement is that Trump will move the Space Command headquarters to Alabama, reversing former President Biden's decision to keep it in Colorado. If this is the announcement, it has revived the years-long political fight. Both states want the headquarters — it would provide substantial benefits for their local economies.

Back to the conspiracy theories: There were viral rumors online over the weekend claiming Trump was in ill health or had even died. Trump responded to the rumors, posting Sunday that he has "NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE." And his son Eric Trump brushed off concerns, saying the "radical left" was "sick and twisted."

What fueled the online chatter?: Trump hasn't made remarks on camera since last Tuesday (though several of those days were over Labor Day weekend). He was then 📸seen golfing Sunday.

Vice President Vance gave an interview to USA Today, telling the outlet that he would be ready to step in "if, God forbid, there's a terrible tragedy." Vance did say Trump is in "incredibly good health."

Trump's health has been in the spotlight over the past several weeks following bruising on his hands and swelling in his legs. His physician said Trump had chronic venous insufficiency and blamed the bruising on "frequent handshaking."

For what it's worth: A former Biden administration aide argued the Trump administration is not being "transparent" about the president's absence in the past week.

⏱️ ON CAPITOL HILL

Let's get down to business:

August recess has come and gone. Senators and House lawmakers are now back in Washington with only a few short weeks to fund the government before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Are we expecting a shutdown?: It's possible. Let's not forget that Republicans will need several Democrats to vote "yes" to pass the 60-vote threshold. This morning, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to his Democratic colleagues, warning about the growing chances of a shutdown.

From Schumer's letter: "The only way to avoid a shutdown is to work in a bipartisan way, with a bill that can get both Republican and Democratic votes in the Senate. However, as we near the funding deadline, Republicans are once again threatening to go-at-it-alone – heading our country towards a shutdown."

But that's not all, folks:

Senate Republicans are also trying to change the rules to expedite the process to confirm Trump's nominees.
Plus, lawmakers are working on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Adding to the drama: A House committee is expected to meet with 10 of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's accusers. And Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is privately meeting with some Epstein accusers, per NBC News's Ryan Nobles. Remember how House GOP infighting over the Epstein files brought the chamber to a halt in July? That saga is not going away.
Oh, and the White House complicated things a bit: The White House announced an attempt last week to take back $4.9 billion in foreign aid funds without congressional approval. While it's expected to face legal challenges, this infuriated Democrats and appropriators — and has increased the chance of an October shutdown.

Read Al Weaver's primer for the September agenda: 'Senate GOP readies for high-stakes battles as work resumes in Washington'

➤ THE BACKDROP FOR CONGRESS'S RETURN:

President Trump and his senior Cabinet officials, political headaches that Republican senators and House members have largely managed to avoid dealing with during the long August recess," writes The Hill's Alexander Bolton.

"But Republican lawmakers face other thorny issues, such as Trump's and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to fire Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which sparked a huge controversy that led to the resignation of several other senior officials and raised questions about vaccinations for children."

Read Bolton's reporting: 'Trump-triggered controversies set table for GOP's return to Congress'

⏱️ OTHER NEWS

Quick hits:

🖊️ Trump's plan to needle Biden: Trump told the Daily Caller that he plans to display a portrait in the Rose Garden highlighting former President Biden's use of the autopen.

🏥 Rudy Giuliani is out of the hospital: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was seriously injured after getting in a car crash in New Hampshire over the weekend. His son says he was released from the hospital Monday. Trump said he's planning to award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

🕶️ The next Anna Wintour: Vogue has named Chloe Malle as its new editor, succeeding fashion titan Anna Wintour.

🤔 The next Trump to run for office?: Eric Trump, the president's second-eldest son, left the door open to a potential White House bid.

➤ MORE READS:

The Wall Street Journal: The Turmoil Inside MAHA Is About More Than Just Vaccines

The Washington Post: At an ICE career expo, thousands line up to 'defend the homeland'

The New York Times: He Plagiarized and Promoted Falsehoods. The White House Embraces Him.

The Hill: What to watch in the National Conservatism Conference that's shaken the right

Politico: The AI Doomsday Machine Is Closer to Reality Than You Think

Op-ed in The Wall Street Journal: Why the FDA Doesn't Support Covid Boosters Forever

The Washington Post: 'Scan your face' laws for the web are having unexpected consequences

COMING UP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)

2 p.m.: Trump makes an announcement from the Oval Office. 💻 Livestream

3 p.m.: The Senate returns.

5:30 p.m.: One Senate cloture vote.📆 Today's agenda

6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today's agenda

🐝 INTERNET BUZZ

🫐 Celebrate: Today is National Blueberry Popsicle Day. Sure, why not?

🍼 Surprise!: A woman gave birth to a baby in an RV while at Burning Man. The twist? She didn't know she was pregnant!

🏴 I love it when they open a contest to the public: Massachusetts asked residents for submissions for the state's new flag. They received more than 1,000 suggestions, several of which include Dunkin' cups. Here are some of my favorite suggested mottos, via Boston 25 News: "In Cod We Trust," "Massachusetts: Witch-free since 1693," and "Massachusetts: The Gateway to New Hampshire."

📸 See the flag submissions

📸 See the nine finalists

💎 Our bestie has a beautiful ring: Elle spoke with jewelers about Taylor Swift's engagement ring. They estimate it's somewhere between 7 and 13 carats and is worth at least $250,000.

👋 AND FINALLY…

And to kick off this new month of productivity, check out just how effective this dog is at herding.

Stay Engaged

I love hearing from you — send your feedback, tips and favorite cookie recipes 🍪 to cmartel@thehill.com. Check out more newsletters here. See you next time!