ICE Barbie Slow-Walks FEMA Aid To North Carolina. Let’s cut through the bullshit–it’s because the state has a Democratic governor:
The Department of Homeland Security is holding up more than $100 million in pre-approved funds intended to help hurricane-battered North Carolina clean up storm damage and fix infrastructure still in disrepair almost a year after Helene hit the region, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post and officials familiar with the process.
On July 22, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi L. Noem urging her to rapidly release disaster recovery funds that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had already approved, which total about $115 million in public assistance grants. The state “faces nearly $60-billion in storm related damages,” the governor said, and while the federal government has already provided “considerable financial support … unfortunately much more help is needed to rebuild western North Carolina.”
Tech Titans Toss Trinkets At Tangerine Tyrant. Ain’t no such thing as an Emoluments Clause when there’s no real DOJ:
The exchanges highlight how corporations have changed their lobbying strategies to adapt to a uniquely transactional president who prioritizes wins and deals. Executives who have long outsourced the messy practice of lobbying to consultants or dark-money groups have learned that the best way to shape Trump’s policies is often through a late-night call to the president or a visit to one of his golf resorts.
The CEOs who have pulled off these charm offensives largely have been rewarded by Wall Street, with some companies reaching record valuations. But Trump has also used the powers of his office to threaten those who don’t stay on his good side.
“The Administration has a good working relationship with industry leaders, businesses, and other stakeholders to deliver on President Trump’s mandate to Make America Wealthy Again,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement. “The only special interest that guides President Trump’s decision-making, however, is the best interest of the American people.”
Oh. Thanks for setting me straight.
Bread. Circuses. Preseason Football. Someone will die one day in an NFL game. Almost happened yesterday:
Detroit safety Morice Norris was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off the field in an ambulance during the Lions’ preseason game Friday night against Atlanta, with the game ending with 6:31 to go after the players let the clock run.
Norris was hurt with 14:50 to go trying to tackle Atlanta running back Nathan Carter.
“We’re just praying for Mo and ask that everybody prays for him,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell, who said he had “positive information” from hospital.
The Lions led 17-10 when played was stopped.
Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris made the decision to not finish the game.
“Raheem Morris is a class act,” Campbell said. “He’s the ultimate class act. We agreed it just didn’t feel right to finish that game.”
If the death happens during the regular season, they will finish the game. You know, contractual obligations.
Didja Know That There’s A Trump Burger? :
Trump Burger in Bellville, Texas, in 2023. Photograph: Jamie Lee Taete
The owner of a Donald Trump-themed hamburger restaurant chain in Texas is facing deportation after immigration authorities under the command of the president detained him.
Roland Mehrez Beainy, 28, entered the US as “a non-immigrant visitor” from Lebanon in 2019 and was supposed to have left the country by 12 February 2024, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) spokesperson told the Guardian.
Ice said its officers arrested Beainy on 16 May – five years after he launched the first of multiple Trump Burger locations – and placed him into immigration proceedings, an agency statement said.
“Under the current administration, Ice is committed to restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system by holding all individuals accountable who illegally enter the country or overstay the terms of their admission,” the agency’s statement also said.
“This is true regardless of what restaurant you own or political beliefs you might have.”
Hmmm, is Melania still here? BTW, you can tell it’s a Trump-themed restaurant due to the paucity of ketchup on the Freedom Fries…
Notice Anything Missing From Tuesday’s House Agenda? Hint: None of the bills sponsored by Reps. Wilson-Anton or Moore on the Agenda. Some things will never change as long as Mimi and Her Meanies are in charge.:
Delaware lawmakers are set to meet Tuesday in special session to address sky-high property tax bills for residents following the first property value reassessment in decades. But Democratic House progressives and top leaders are battling over which ideas will dominate on the floor that day.
Progressive members of the Delaware House, led by Newark Democrat Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, held a news conference Friday to highlight bills they are sponsoring for the special session. However, the House released its agenda for Tuesday late on Friday without those bills listed for consideration. State senators have yet to release any proposals in that chamber.
The exclusion of the fellow Democrats’ legislation may suggest the widening of a rift between more House leaders and the more liberal wing that’s been brewing for several months or more.
Wilson-Anton complained Friday that top House members have acted as a roadblock to implementing more progressive legislation and did not communicate with Democratic lawmakers affiliated with the Working Families Party.
“I think the ball is 100% in leadership’s court,” she said. “I’m not going to waste my time trying to convince someone that my ideas are valid and worth conversation and deliberation.”
What do you want to talk about?