Trump wants to change Census Bureau data collection

President Trump wants to change how the Census Bureau collects data. The president has instructed the Commerce Department to exclude immigrants in the U-S illegally. Writing on social media, he said census data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures” and results of the 2024 presidential election. Donald Trump signed a similar memo during his first term in office. That measure was later challenged legally, with courts ruling that only Congress holds authority to define who is counted.

Federal law enforcement increased in the nation’s capital

New immigrant detention center nickname irks Indiana

The Trump administration’s nickname for a new detention center in Indiana has sparked a backlash. The Department of Homeland Security announced a facility in the state of Indiana will house immigrants facing deportation. Officials are calling it the “Speedway Slammer.” The agency posted an image of an IndyCar-style race car emblazoned with the word “ICE.” Speedway, which hosts the Indianapolis 500, issued a statement saying the town wasn’t involved, and IndyCar asked that its intellectual property not be used. But DHS officials said they won’t stop promoting the nickname.

Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska to discuss Ukraine war

President Trump plans to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska. After expressing frustration with the Russian leader for weeks, the president said that the two leaders will hold a summit to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska could mean a breakthrough in efforts to end the war. However, Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Trump removes newly installed IRS Commissioner Billy Long

President Trump has removed the newly installed IRS commissioner. Billy Long is out as the head of the Internal Revenue Service less than two months after his confirmation. During his time in Congress, Long sponsored legislation to get rid of the IRS. He was confirmed despite having no background in tax administration. A White House official said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting commissioner.

Armenia and Azerbaijan sign peace deal at White House

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement during a White House ceremony. With President Trump presiding, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to end decades of conflict and reopen key transportation corridors. Both of the visiting leaders expressed their gratitude for the U-S role in reaching an agreement. Armenia’s prime minister called the deal a success for the two countries and a “success for the world.”

Trump orders increased federal law enforcement in DC

Trump open to Putin meeting even if Putin refuses to meet with Zelenskyy

President Trump is open to a possible meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin without Ukraine’s leader. After Putin said he hopes to meet next week with Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, a White House official said the Russian leader would need to also agree to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. But late Thursday afternoon, President Trump said he would meet with Putin even if Putin won’t meet with Zelenskyy. Moscow is facing a Trump administration deadline to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old war with Ukraine.

Donald Trump’s global tariffs are now in effect

Trump wants to exclude illegal immigrants from U.S. Census

President Trump wants to change how the Census Bureau collects data. The president has instructed the Commerce Department to exclude immigrants in the U-S illegally. Writing on social media, he said census data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures” and results of the 2024 presidential election. Donald Trump signed a similar memo during his first term in office. That measure was later challenged legally, with courts ruling that only Congress holds authority to define who is counted. GC, Wash.

Trump says meeting with Russia’s Putin could happen soon

Trump talks of the federal govt seizing control of D.C.

Trump slaps additional 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil

President Trump is punishing India for its purchases of Russian oil. The president signed an executive order placing an additional 25 percent tariff — bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the U-S on India to 50 percent. The tariffs are set to go into effect in 21 days, which means both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. The Trump administration has accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war in Ukraine with its oil purchases.

GOP Senator Blackburn enters 2026 race for Tennessee governor

GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn is entering the race for Tennessee governor. Blackburn is a Trump ally who has spent more than two decades in the House and Senate. Her entry into the 2026 Tennessee governor’s race sets up a primary showdown with another Trump supporter — GOP Congressman John Rose. Both Republicans are vying to succeed Governor Bill Lee, who faces a term limit after eight years in office. In an opening campaign ad, Blackburn ties herself closely to Donald Trump’s agenda

Trump, GOP lawmakers disagree on redistricting

President Trump supports the re-drawing of congressional maps in Texas, but not all Republicans are on board. The president says Democrats do redistricting, so the Republicans should, too. But several House Republicans are voicing their opposition. Axios reports that GOP lawmakers Kevin Kiley of California and Mike Lawler of New York want to ban mid-decade redistricting in all states. Representative Nicole Malliotakis of New Yo said it’s “wrong” for either party to do it.

Trump says military takeover of Gaza is “up to Israel”

President Trump is not commenting on a potential Israeli military takeover of Gaza. Asked whether he supports or opposes a potential Israeli takeover of Gaza, the president said his administration’s focus was on food access for the Palestinian people. As for reports of Israel’s military taking total control of Gaza, the president said that’s not his call and that it’s “pretty much up to Israel.”

Trump says VP Vance is the 2028 GOP frontrunner

President Trump considers JD Vance the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
The president was asked if he believes that Vice President Vance is the heir apparent to the MAGA movement. He also said Secretary of State Rubio would be a strong consideration for 2028.

Trump reviewing 4 candidates as possible Fed chair successor

President Trump says he’s reviewing four candidates as a possible successor to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The president said he has narrowed the field of potential Fed chair candidates to four and that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is not on the list. He told CNBC that Bessent has taken himself out of contention. Jerome Powell, whose Fed term ends next May, has been brutally ridiculed by Donald Trump for not lowering interest rates. The president nominated Powell for the Fed job during his first administration in 2017.

Trump admin wants to end abortion coverage through VA

The Trump administration wants to end abortion coverage through Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing the removal of abortion coverage from the list of medical benefits for veterans and their families. The VA says it would still provide abortion in life-threatening circumstances, but that the benefit is not needed. Critics of the change note that abortion would not be provided when pregnancies are the result of rape or incest. Veterans Affairs did not include abortion in its coverage until the Biden administration added it in 2022.

Pope viewed more favorably than Trump in Gallup poll

The first American pope is popular in the U-S, but Trump administration officials don’t fare as well. Topping the list in Gallup’s annual polling on top newsmakers is the Chicago-born Pope Leo the 14th. He has the most positive image among more than a dozen national and global figures. Ukrainian President Zelensky also has a favorable rating among Americans. Meanwhile, the Gallup survey shows Trump administration officials are viewed negatively. Both President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have a net favorable rating of negative 16 percent.

Trump slams monthly jobs numbers as “rigged” and “concocted”

President Trump is doubling down on his criticism of last week’s monthly jobs report. In social media posts, the president slammed the July employment numbers as “rigged” and “concocted” in order to hurt the Trump administration. He complained about “massive” revisions to the previous two month’s numbers, calling them “fake.” And has alleged, without evidence, that partisan federal workers are trying to sabotage him. Last week, he fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and he promises to “pick an exceptional replacement” in the coming days.

Rep. Mace runs for SC governor, calls herself “Trump in high heels”

GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace is running for governor of South Carolina — and hitching her campaign to Donald Trump. Mace has entered a GOP primary in which competition for President Trump’s endorsement is expected to be fierce. She joins at least three other Republicans in the race for South Carolina governor. Mace calls herself “Trump in high heels” and has largely supported the president since 2016. Although she criticized him following the January 6th riots and violence at the U-S Capitol.

Trump to name new jobs statistician in the coming week

President Trump plans to announce a new head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics this week. Unhappy with the recent jobs numbers, the president fired the BLS commissioner last week. And he told reporters he’ll name a replacement soon — “in the next 3 or 4 days.” The president accused the former jobs statistician28 of faking jobs numbers, calling it a “scam” without providing any evidence.

Trump considering a tariff rebate for some Americans

President Trump says some Americans could get some kind of a rebate from his global tariffs.
The president is considering a possible distribution or dividend from tariff revenue for middle-income and low-income people. However, he also said he wants to use tariff money to pay down the U-S debt.