Donald Trump is facing his most humiliating electoral catastrophe since he lost to Joe Biden, with 80 days to go until the midterms. A year ago, Democrats hoped only to retake the House, but Trump has embroiled America in a lengthy war that nobody asked for, with no end in sight. The war has driven up oil prices, increasing petrol costs—a political liability in America. His team is falling apart, with attack dogs like Jeannine Pirro failing to prosecute enemies, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt leaving the administration.
Trump won't rule out declaring a national emergency
In an interview on Real America's Voice, host Wayne Allyn Root suggested Trump declare a national security emergency to implement voter suppression measures, including photo ID, proof of citizenship, and limits on mail-in ballots. Trump was coy but indicated it was on the table, saying, "Let me just say that stranger things have happened, OK? I'll leave it at that."
Blanche's pledge and Hormuz threat
Attorney General Todd Blanche promised to prosecute anyone who touches a federal law enforcement officer, despite having helped arrange a slush fund for January 6th convicts who were later pardoned. Trump also threatened to make the Strait of Hormuz a "territory of the United States" after defeating Iran, saying, "Pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz strait a territory of the United States." Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded, "This strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command."
BBC lawsuit and Leavitt's departure
Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC is based on a Panorama episode watched by only 285 US IP addresses, with 34 from Florida, many traced to a cruise ship company. Karoline Leavitt is stepping down as Press Secretary, with reports suggesting Trump pressured her to return from maternity leave. Possible replacements include Anna Kelly, Steven Cheung, or Alina Habba.
Trump also signed an executive order to scale back childhood vaccines, saying, "This is based on what I feel," despite medical experts warning of increased infection risk. He downplayed the strain on sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, saying the deployment is "not nearly long enough," while acting navy secretary Hung Cao said the ship "will return home soon."
