This cycle was a weird one, y’all–even setting aside the weird Epstein file about-face and MTG’s mud-slinging resignation, there’s a lot to unpack here. The news felt a bit like living in 2017, if 2017 involved more overt death threats. Ah, memories.
Several nouveau and some classic reminders still apply: we may be well into my ninth year of journalism, but I focus on national news within my areas of expertise–which, at this point, includes (1) health news, (2) queer news, (3) news about law and government, (4) news about descent into authoritarianism, and (5) connections between news stories. NNR summaries may still occasionally contain some detailed analysis that’s outside my expertise–I’m a lawyer, not an indictment!–but we are moving away from this model in general, as we pioneer a more focused and sustainable format. And, of course, for the law things you read here, I’m offering context that shouldn’t be considered legal advice. Okay, I think that’s about it for the disclaimers. Onward to the news!
Spills in Aisle 47
‘Toddler Supermarket Tantrum,’ taken with permission from Stockcake.com
- The Prosecution Rests (on Nothing). James Comey had a good time this week, and honestly, I love that for him. First on Wednesday, the Justice Department admitted that the grand jury never saw the final version of the indictment they allegedly approved. That’s a prosecutorial no-no and probably grounds for dismissal all by itself (though the judge on the case didn’t agree). But then just today, a different federal judge dismissed the criminal charges against both Comey and Leticia James on the incredible grounds that the lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was not a valid U.S. attorney in the first place. It was a dismissal without prejudice, so I’m sure we haven’t heard the end of this, but let’s enjoy dunking on Lindsey Halligan while we can.
- Death Threats and Deployments. This story, ye gods. Okay, so, several sitting Democrats with military and intelligence experience made a video last week and posted it on Facebook. The video reminded current military and intelligence personnel that they can, and should, refuse illegal orders. Trump, meanwhile, immediately illustrated why they needed to make said video, by going on Truth social and yelling that making the video was–and I quote here–“punishable by death.” Now several of said reps are requesting a police investigation into our current President, on account of he made unhinged posts threatening to hang them. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is going after another of the six, Senator Mark Kelly, who is the only one still subject to potential court martial as a retired officer. As if underlining the point, while all of this was going on, a D.C judge granted an injunction to make Trump stop deploying the National Guard there because–shock of shocks–it’s probably illegal. And the Coast Guard was in the news for deciding that swastikas and nooses were not hate symbols anymore (though in fairness, the Coast Guard did walk that one back pretty quick after everybody rightfully got in their face about it).
From the Department of Health and Human Sacrifice
Image unnamed and in the public domain
Not Evidence Based. The CDC was back in the news this week for suggesting in its official publications that vaccines can cause autism, despite the giant pile of evidence that says otherwise. Just today, RFK announced that this was done on his direct order, and I know personally I am shocked–just shocked!–by this unforeseeable information. Needless to say, this dramatically undermines what credibility the CDC still had left, and could potentially forecast less access to vaccines in the future. I recommend you hug the public health professionals in your life, friends, because despite being a predictable turn of events, it’s still a deeply disturbing thing to watch unfold.
Chinga La Migra
Image unnamed and licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Swept Up in Violence. It was a real banner time for immigration news this cycle. The likely illegal strikes on alleged drug vessels are still ongoing, with 82 people killed in 21 strikes at the time that I type this–and increasing evidence that at least some of those casualties were civilians. The administration also announced that they want to expand penalties faced by immigrants for using life-saving benefits like Medicaid and SNAP. And to cap everything off, raids in Charlotte swept up 370 people over a 5-day period, which naturally included U.S. citizens, because of course it did.
Ways to Weather This
Image unnamed and licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
OUT: The Community Survey. Some of you have heard me talk about this effort before, but I’m really excited to say more about it here–I’m leading international volunteer work right now that I really believe will help LGBTQIA+ lives long-term. A week and change ago, my organization officially launched a study to get more info on how queer people’s lives have changed since the U.S. Inauguration, and what the current levels of oppression are doing to our health and safety. Right now, and for ten more weeks, we’re hosting an anonymous community survey to measure that.
It’s open to everyone fifteen and older who identifies as LGBTQIA+ or loves someone who does, throughout the entire world. There is no payment or personal benefit of any kind connected to this survey, and we plan to make the results publicly available. It’s rooted in the simple idea that if we know what people need, we know how to advocate and how to meet this moment for our communities. I mention this under the ‘Ways to Weather This’ section because I truly believe that it’s a form of resilience to share what you are going through and to connect with others about your health and emotional safety. But also, we want it to reach as many people as possible, and we’re relying on volunteer partners and word-of-mouth to get the word out.
If you’re reading this, I urge you to share how this moment is affecting you by taking the survey; we’re also still looking to partner with people and groups who have interest in spreading the word. Please feel empowered to forward the link and these materials, and if you have any interest in partnering, give me a quick ping and we’ll make that happen.
So that’s what I have for you this cycle, and boo on this cycle for making me kind of miss 2017. For making it through, you deserve this pupper’s learning journey and a less corrupt government. I’m still figuring out sustainability, and I would love feedback in the National News Roundup ask box, which is there for your constructive comments. Send me questions! Send me feedback! Send me more hours in the day!
National News Roundup 