Monday, Aug. 25
D.C. National Guard units carry firearms after Trump escalation
The National Guard continues to patrol in Washington D.C., in an effort to override law enforcement authority at state and local levels, according to The Associated Press. The escalation comes after some units on patrol are now carrying firearms, both rifles and handguns.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive Aug. 22, ordering the carrying of firearms. Originally, the city saw 800 guard members stationed; AP said the numbers are up to almost 2,000 members stationed.
According to AP, units began carrying weapons on Aug. 24, which will only be used, “as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.”
Protests have popped up from locals against the placements, with Democratic politicians, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, commenting on the units. According to AP, Trump is also considering expanding deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Attempted flag-burning ban blocked by the Constitution
In an executive order signed Aug. 25 by President Donald Trump, he seeks to prosecute people for the burning of American flags. AP said the Supreme Court ruled in a 1989 case out of Texas the activity is “legitimate political expression.”
“You burn a flag, you get one year in jail,” Trump said, according to AP. “You don’t get 10 years, you don’t get one month. You get one year in jail, and it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately.”
AP said the order also contained a request for Attorney General Pam Bondi to challenge the previous ruling via litigation.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
FEMA staff members suffer leave for signing dissenting letter
Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were placed on leave Aug. 26, AP said. A public letter of dissent was published Aug. 25, as a warning that further cuts to FEMA could result in Hurricane Katrina-like consequences.
“Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration,” the letter writes, according to AP.
AP reports over 180 current and former employees of FEMA signed the letter. Only 35 signed their names, while 141 signed anonymously. At least 2 of those who signed their names are now on indefinite leave, AP confirmed.
Critiques in the letter included opposition to current policies, expenditure approval policies and the decisions to move certain FEMA staff members to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among other things.
Other federal agency employees have also spoken out against recent policies in the form of letters and statements, like those at the NIH and EPA, both with similar outcomes of administrative leave.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Minneapolis Catholic School shooting survivors, victims remembered
The Minneapolis community is grieving after two students were killed and 18 other people were injured as a killing “obsessed” 23-year-old fired 116 rounds during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School on Thursday, AP said.
Fletcher Merkel, age 8, is described by family as someone who loved sports of all kinds, family, fishing and cooking. His father, Jesse, said he was growing into a wonderful young man, AP said.
Harper Moyski, age 10, is described by her parents as a bright and joyful child, according to AP. She was the big sister to an adoring little sister. Moyski’s parents hope the issue of gun violence and the mental health crisis can be addressed by leaders in this country after this latest act of tragedy.
Friday, Aug. 29
Acting director appointed to CDC, turmoil continues
Trump continues cuts to federal offices after working to get rid of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,director and appointing Robert F. Kennedy’s preferred candidate to advance anti-vaccine policies, AP said.
Second-in-command at the Department of Health and Human Services, Jim O’Neil, is set to fill in for now former director Susan Monarez, the AP said.
In the coming weeks, the latest concern is an advisory committee of Kennedy vaccine skeptics is set to recommend new guidelines on immunizations. Congressional oversight has been called. Two Republicans and some Democrats are calling for Kennedy to be fired.
AP said Kennedy is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill Sept. 4.
