Quick Updates 8/28/25
I am pressed for time and we have had a deluge of news this week. These are the stories I’ve found most important.
RFK Jr. attempted to fire the director of the CDC, Dr. Susan Monarez, over vaccination policy. And like so many other terminations this year, RFK Jr. doesn’t actually have legal authority to fire her. The White House says they have, but her lawyers dispute this as she may only legally be fired directly by the president. (I suspect he HAS fired her by now but have not yet seen evidence). Multiple high level CDC staff resigned, also over vaccine policy. Today the CDC staff walked out of the building in support. Notably, the CDC is still riddled with bullet holes from the anti-vaccine terrorist that attacked the organization, killing a police officer.
Border Patrol agents arrested two firefighters in Washington who were actively fighting a fire, threatening the other firefighters there if they filmed or intervened.
Denmark has summoned the US ambassador to explain why the United States has agents in Greenland running an operation to recruit people to the non-existent movement to have The United States annex Greenland.
The White House has decided that the massive investments of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick don’t present a conflict of interest, much like Donald Trump’s multi-billion dollar gains just this year.
Speaking of Lutnick, after firing the woman responsible for labor statistics, the Commerce Department has revised their reporting and is now saying the US economy is doing just great. Several major media outlets reported this as fact despite Lutnick being the only source.
Trump is touting a crime bill Congress is working on. It does not exist. This is not the first time he has made up a bill out of thin air.
Trump attempted to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. He does not have that authority except for cause so they are accusing her of mortgage fraud. Trump’s company was convicted of financial fraud many thousands of times larger. She has sued and the first hearing is tomorrow.
*Despite the extreme warnings by those working at the Social Security Administration, USDS (Doge) employees placed the entire list of social security numbers and names on an unsecure cloud site.
After trying to coerce him into confessing crimes he did not commit via removal to Uganda, a judge has issued an order barring the government, temporarily, from removing Abrego Garcia to another country.
Following the lead of several European carriers, Japan Post has ceased shipping mail to the United States due to our chaotic tariff situation.
Job applicants at the National Weather Service now have to identify how they will advance the interests of Donald Trump’s executive orders. Bluntly, this is a loyalty test for those who analyze the weather.
And finally, Trump has instructed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to extort half a billion dollars from Harvard, a private university.
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