Good morning! We’ve acquired a day of sentimental climate forward of us: a wet morning, a cloudy afternoon, and highs within the low 50s. Go exterior, get somewhat mist in your face, contact some moss.
It’s Day 31 of the Trump administration, and in these 31 days, the New York Instances has tallied 260 “main strikes” within the administration. That’s 8.3 main strikes a day. Even if you happen to’re being attentive to half of that, you need to be exhausted. Let’s attempt to minimize via a few of it. I’ll be fast.
One other Energy Seize: Final evening, Trump signed an govt order that tries to increase his authority over regulatory businesses that Congress has deliberately made impartial from direct White Home management—businesses just like the SEC and the FCC. The order requires them to simply accept the president’s and the Justice Division’s interpretation of the regulation, and to ship any regulation adjustments via the White Home. Not like numerous his orders in the previous couple of weeks, specialists say this one feels properly thought out. “This one reads prefer it was beneath preparation for a very long time,” Deborah Pearlstein, a constitutional scholar at Princeton College, instructed the WaPo. “It’s intentionally teeing up a significant query of constitutional regulation that can go to the Supreme Court docket for evaluate.”
The Flooring Is in Hell: Yesterday, the White Home posted a video of individuals being deported, in chains, from Boeing Subject with the caption “ASMR: Unlawful Alien Deportation Flight.” The Seattle Instances known as it “gleeful.”
RFK Lied: Within the leadup to his affirmation, RFK Jr. instructed a key Republican holdout (Sen. Invoice Cassidy, MD) that he wouldn’t make any adjustments to the childhood vaccine schedule, which incorporates inoculations for issues like measles, polio, diphtheria, RSV, and hepatitis. However yesterday, addressing the entire HHS employees for the primary time, he introduced his plan to research the schedule. “Nothing goes to be off limits,” he stated. As well as, he introduced that insecticides, meals components, microplastics, antidepressants and the electromagnetic waves emitted by cellphones and microwaves additionally could be studied. We’re not shocked that anybody on this administration lies. However we do want Senator Cassidy had realized that a number of days earlier.
Talking of RFK: Need to do a deep dive with The Stranger’s Vivian McCall? Yesterday, she helped break down why the man with worms in his mind and a useless bear carcass isn’t a joke—he’s genuinely harmful. Within the period of “medical freedom,” medical fact and security are on us, now.
Muskdate: Woof, I received’t try one other Elon pun once more, I promise. Musk has celebrated his Division of Authorities Effectivity as “maximally clear,” which is a completely regular factor to say once you’re appearing transparently. The truth is that it’s been close to inconceivable to get clear details about DOGE, even for presidency workers who stand to lose their jobs whereas Elon’s youngsters sweep via the federal authorities. A number of courtroom circumstances are offering a small window into the division, although. They’re a few of the solely firsthand accounts of what’s taking place inside DOGE, and, as NYT reported: “they paint an image of a tightly managed course of during which small teams of presidency workers have swept out and in of businesses, grabbing up knowledge in obvious pursuit of bigger political tasks.” In a single submitting, the federal government tried to guard Musk by claiming that he’s not legally the pinnacle of DOGE, neither is he considered one of its workers.
Native Corporations Cater to Trump: After a February 5 govt order that instructed the US legal professional normal’s workplace to research personal corporations, universities and nonprofits utilizing “discriminatory DEI” practices, native corporations are hopping on the Trump practice. Based on the Seattle Instances, Amazon scrubbed sections on their web site titled “Fairness for Black folks” and LGBTQ+ rights.” Starbucks scrapped the phrases “inclusion and variety.” “The organizations that stick by their values—whether it is their values and it’s not simply window dressing—they’ll see the true win right here,” UW enterprise professor Elizabeth Umphress instructed the Seattle Instances. “Workers are watching and being attentive to these refined and not-so-subtle actions of their leaders.”
Wanna take into consideration actually anything? We’re within the season of nice TV once more. Severance is again. The White Lotus is again. And for somewhat native coloration, Yellowjackets Season Three began final weekend. I’m stoked. So’s Megan Burbank, who gave us a rundown of the final two seasons, since we haven’t been out within the woods with these cannibal queens since 2023.
One Extra Palate Cleanser: A child seal acquired misplaced on the imply streets of New Haven, Connecticut, greater than 1,000 toes from the closest river. Police scooped him up, gave him somewhat smooch (unconfirmed), and introduced him to an area aquarium. “We assumed he was right here to strive the clam pizza however I can’t affirm that, we’re simply blissful he’s secure,” wrote a police spokesperson.
State of the Metropolis: Yesterday, Mayor Bruce Harrell gave his annual State of the State tackle at Benaroya Corridor. In his speech, he patted himself on the again for a banner 2024: crime charges down, parks restored, downtown bustling; however fastidiously prevented mentioning his humiliating loss on the poll field earlier this month. Wouldn’t need folks considering he’s susceptible this November. Keep tuned, Stranger contributor Tobias Coughlin-Bogue can have extra on it later right now.
The Nice Vanishing DMs: Seems, since 2021, Washington State businesses have allowed their Microsoft Groups messages to vanish after seven days. What’s the large deal? It most likely violates the state’s Public Information Act. In January, the State paid out a $225,000 settlement for this coverage within the Division of Youngsters, Youth and Households, and now Governor Ferguson has determined to clever up and alter the coverage for the entire State authorities. The willful destruction of public data is a Class C felony in Washington, and whereas felonies don’t disqualify you from governing nowadays, it’s not the felony we’d select.
The Race for D2 Is on: Yesterday, Eddie Lin threw his hat into the ring for the District 2 metropolis council seat. The seat is at the moment occupied by Mark Solomon, who was appointed by metropolis council in January after shedding (badly) to Tammy Morales in 2019. However that seat opens again up within the November election, and the video games have begun. Lin is an assistant metropolis legal professional, primarily working with the Workplace of Housing. Based on Stranger contributor Nathalie Graham, he’s a champion of reasonably priced housing, progressive income, and making a metropolis the place, as he put it, “artists and bike messengers and baristas and educators can all afford to dwell right here.” Learn extra of his campaign-launching interview with us right here.
As a Deal with: Cynthia Erivo goes to be Jesus in a brief run of Jesus Christ Famous person in LA, as a result of typically we get to have good issues. Right here’s somewhat reminder of what we’re in for, however ya know, even gayer:
