GOP JITTERS: Republicans are on edge about the economy after the latest jobs report showed far fewer jobs were added over the past three months than previously thought, The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports.
Trump and his economic team insist the economy is strong and poised for even more growth from his policies, but their optimism is facing skepticism from some in the Republican Party who worry the president's trade overhaul is creating uncertain economic headwinds.
"It definitely is indicative of a weakened economy, an economy that's not acting in a robust fashion. I've all along felt like there's a lag between tariffs and actual economic downturn," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) admitted.
Trump's latest tariff plan — another modification of the "Liberation Day" global trading overhaul he first unveiled in April — includes steep increases on imports from major trade partners Canada and Brazil.
The executive order outlining the proposal was released the same day a disappointing jobs report was released, which ultimately prompted Trump to remove the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner.
"I think it is worrisome and I do worry that the news has been relatively benign on tariffs so far," Paul said. "The proof is really in the next couple months."
The president is facing rare pushback from conservatives — normally staunch Trump allies in Congress — over fears of potential economic fallout.
The Senate and House are both on a monthlong recess, a time when Republican lawmakers are broadly working to sell what they view as the successes of the first few months of Trump's second administration.
"My view is that there's no question that consumers, Americans, pay a price for tariffs. It increases the price of the goods coming into the United States,'" said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). "The question is, 'Is there a reason that tariffs in a temporary way can solve trade barriers that have been artificially created against our products going somewhere else?'"
DATA CONCERNS: Trump's firing of the BLS commissioner continues to send ripples across the world economy and raise concerns about whether the next labor statistics chief will be willing to manipulate job numbers to work in Trump's favor.
The traditionally nonpartisan role, usually held by career professionals who serve across multiple administrations, has given all presidents bad news in recent years.
But Trump's firing of Erika McEntarfer has provoked worry among data experts that the independent work could now be politicized, even as they acknowledge manipulating the figures is highly difficult.
The Hill's Alex Gangitano and Brett Samuels report on the concerns here.
HOLD UP: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has put a hold on three of Trump's nominees to the Treasury Department over anticipated administration rules that could hamper tax credits for wind and solar energy.
Grassley announced his move to place the holds in the congressional record Friday.
"The Department of the Treasury is expected to issue rules and regulations implementing the agreed upon phase-out of the wind and solar credits by August 18, 2025," he wrote. "Until I can be certain that such rules and regulations adhere to the law and congressional intent, I intend to continue to object to the consideration of these Treasury nominees."
Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), who entered the Senate in January, is also placing a hold on the same nominees — Brian Morrissey Jr., Francis Brooke and Jonathan McKernan — for the same reasons, a source told The Hill's Rachel Frazin.
Grassley, who is currently the longest-serving senator with more than four decades under his belt, was recently embroiled in a rift with Trump that rankled the president's backers in the upper chamber. Trump lashed out at the 91-year-old Judiciary Committee chair for sticking to a long-standing Senate custom of allowing senators to have a say on judiciary appointees in their states.
NOT EASY BEING GREENE: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) discussed her recent disconnect with the GOP on several issues in a new interview with The Hill's Emily Brooks in the latest edition of The Movement newsletter later today. (Click here to sign up to get The Movement in your inbox.)
"I'm an early indicator, and my complaints are felt and being said far and wide among your average American people who voted for the president and Republicans in 2024," Greene told Brooks on Monday. "The Republican Party is the one drifting away from what we campaigned on."
Greene had hinted in a recent interview with the Daily Mail that she's questioning her place in the GOP after repeatedly butting heads with other conservatives — including Trump, who she's staunchly supported.
"I don't know if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if I'm kind of not relating to the Republican Party as much anymore," Greene told the Mail. "I don't know which one it is."
"I think the Republican Party has turned its back on 'America First' and the workers and just regular Americans," she added.
Among their differences: Greene has accused Israel of carrying out a "genocide" in Gaza; vocally pushed for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, despite the president's desire to move on from the story; and criticized the U.S. strike on nuclear facilities in Iran.
SAVING SANTOS: Despite some friction with the administration, Greene is urging the president to grant clemency and facilitate an early release from prison for former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who is serving seven years behind bars for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
"A 7-year prison sentence for campaign-related charges is excessive, especially when Members of Congress who've done far worse still walk free," Greene wrote online Monday. "George Santos has taken responsibility. He's shown remorse. It's time to correct this injustice. We must demand equal justice under the law!"
Santos was expelled from the House in 2023 after serving less than a year after his personal background unraveled as a series of elaborate deceptions. He reported to prison last month.
ADMINISTRATION ROUNDUP:
▪ The Hill: The State Department is testing a program aimed at curbing visa overstays by requiring migrants from some countries to pay bond as high as $15,000 to secure a visa for business or personal travel.
▪ The New York Times: Trump's demand to trading partners: Pledge money or get higher tariffs.
▪ The New York Times: Trump is expected to unveil a task force to boost the federal government's involvement in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
▪ The Wall Street Journal: The White House is preparing to issue an executive order to step up pressure against big banks over perceived discrimination against conservatives and crypto companies.
▪ The Washington Post: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's acting chief of staff tried and failed to oust a senior White House liaison assigned to the Pentagon.
▪ The New York Times: Judges are starting to openly doubt the government as the Justice Department misleads and dodges orders.
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