Nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue

 😱Make America Scream Again😱

📌Transportation Secretary Says He Will Pull $160M From California Over Noncitizen Truck Licenses

What Happened: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns he will pull $160 million worth of federal funds from California since Governor Gavin Newsom has not stopped issuing commercial truck licenses to noncitizens. A spokesperson for the California DMV argues her state is in compliance with federal law and that the Trump administration has no legitimate standing to withhold these funds. Earlier this month, a separate $40 million was threatened to be pulled from California if it did not force truck drivers to speak English.

Why It Matters: This recent fight is not an isolated incident—it is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to control states with money. California has its own autonomy to issue licenses, but the Trump administration is ignoring this traditional state right for power. Noncitizens are valued members of our country as they work and pay taxes, helping the United States run. Blocking noncitizens from job opportunities most Americans do not want or implementing language barriers only hurt our economy. The use of federal funds as a bribe rather than assistance is the move of an authoritarian—one set on controlling every policy decision and crushing any dissent. 

📌Democrats Unflinching in Shutdown Strategy, Blaming Trump with Millions at Risk of Losing Food Aid

What Happened: Federal food aid through SNAP benefits for 40 million Americans is set to expire at the start of November as the federal government continues its shutdown. Fighting to lower insurance premiums and restore healthcare funding Republicans took away, Democrats are refusing to pass the Republican’s short-term extension. Instead of negotiating, Trump has taken two foreign trips during the shutdown and paid a $20 million bailout to Argentina.

Why It Matters: Trump and his Republican allies couldn’t care less about the American people suffering from their selfishness. Avoiding responsibility for the shutdown, Republicans are blaming Democrats, claiming they are trying to get healthcare for noncitizens—a blatant lie. The foreign endeavors Trump has embarked on show his prioritization of image over reality. Soon, millions of Americans will be left to go hungry at the same time their healthcare costs skyrocket. Rather than being filled with joy, the upcoming holiday season is set to be a time of financial stress, starvation, and loss. This is the reality of Trump’s America—not economic prosperity like he claims, but a country full of cries for help from the people he was elected to serve. 

📌Trump Refuses to Rule Out 3rd Term, Says He Got 'Perfect' MRI at Walter Reed

What Happened: Despite the 22nd Amendment that explicitly limits the president to two terms, Trump is refusing to rule out a run for a third term. Trump falsely claimed his polling numbers are his highest ever, signaling he believes he deserves to run again. In this same interview, Trump discussed his visit to Walter Reed Hospital and said he got an MRI, though no reason for it was noted.

Why It Matters: If Trump’s wish to be a dictator wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now. The backbone of our democracy is the Constitution—a document meant to stop a dictator from ever taking the reins of America. It is the solemn duty of the president to obey and protect the guiding document, but Trump is doing the opposite of that. Dismissing the idea of running for a third term should be simple because it is the only legal option, meaning Trump’s refusal to do so should sound alarm bells in the minds of every American. Republicans are doing nothing in response but sitting idly by and waiting for Trump’s next command. Questions about Trump’s health also require further scrutiny, but again, the Republicans in power are not even uttering a whisper of a concern.

📌Republicans Send Biden Autopen Report to the Justice Department, Urging Further Investigation

What Happened: House Republicans have sent a report to the Justice Department claiming Biden used an autopen to sign executive orders. Without providing any concrete evidence, Republicans argue Biden’s aides made him sign policy he was unaware of. This report is meant to bring attention back to Biden’s mental health state and overrule his pardons instead of focusing on the current administration. 

Why It Matters: This new report is full of lies meant to deceive and turn the minds of Americans away from Trump. From recent interviews, it is clear Trump’s mental state is nowhere near perfect, but Republicans are choosing to question a person who isn’t even in office right now. While the government is shut down and millions of families are set to lose welfare programs, Republicans have been working on this shame of a report. This tells you what the GOP stands for—not the American people, but the billionaire dictator they chose to blindly follow. Republicans hope this made-up scandal will fill the headlines and proceedings of Congress, hiding the actual coverups and manipulation happening now on Capitol Hill.

📌White House Fires Board That Reviews Presidential Construction Projects in Washington

What Happened: All six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that reviews presidential construction projects, have been fired by Trump. These members are set to be replaced with individuals more supportive of Trump’s wishes. Now, Trump’s demolition of the East Wing for a ballroom and plan to build an arch along the Potomac River will go on unchecked.

Why It Matters: The Trump administration is openly firing and replacing anyone who threatens its power. Serving as an independent agency, the Commission of Fine Arts is meant to stop any construction that damages historic buildings or goes against American values—a purpose that should upend what Trump is trying to do. The White House and the area surrounding the Capitol stand as symbols of democracy, but the authoritarian efforts of Trump to make it all about himself is tarnishing our nation. It is the action of a dictator to build monuments of themselves and focus on egotistical development instead of the struggles facing their people. Prioritizing image over prosperity, Trump is signaling that no American matters more than himself.

📌NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Blasts 'Shocking' Remarks From JD Vance About His Aunt

What Happened: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing anti-Islamic remarks from fellow political leaders, including Vance who ridiculed Mamdani for expressing how his family felt unsafe wearing hijabs post-9/11. Andrew Cuomo also attacked Mamdani by agreeing Mamdani would be happy if another 9/11 occurred. Stating that he is not surprised by this Islamophobia, Mamdani is preaching a message of unity as our country becomes more divided.

Why It Matters: Mamdani is engaging New York City voters like never before on a platform of affordability, compassion, and safety, but his adversaries are determined to bring him down not with policy debates, but pure hatred. Weaponizing 9/11 in an attempt to crush support for Mamdani, Vance and Cuomo are unleashing Islamophobia onto the national stage. The example being set by our Vice President tells his followers that Islamophobia and attacking those being discriminated against is acceptable behavior. While Mamdani continues his push for unity, Cuomo is adding gasoline to the hateful fire spreading through our country. The choice for New York City mayor is between basic respect and bigotry—and it couldn’t be clearer what the United States needs more of right now.

🎭 Meme of the Week

See you next week—stay informed, stay engaged, and don’t let the BS fool you.

✨Your movement bestie – Shae

P.S. Know someone who needs a political reality check? Forward this email to them or tell them to subscribe!