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A major housing bill is set to become law at midnight. Trump says he won’t sign : NPR

A major housing bill is set to become law at midnight. Trump says he won’t sign : NPR

NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-10 09:55:00 — www.npr.org

Trump Dismisses Landmark Housing Bill, Demands Voter ID Legislation Instead

President Donald Trump has publicly downplayed the significance of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a sweeping bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the nation’s housing affordability crisis. Despite widespread praise from both Democrats and Republicans, Trump called the legislation “a big yawn” and refused to sign it after it passed Congress in June.

Trump’s Indifference and Demands

On June 24, shortly after the bill’s passage, Trump refused to sign, reiterating his position in subsequent statements. In earlier Truth Social posts, he dismissed the bill as “of minor importance” and canceled a planned White House signing ceremony. Trump made clear he would only sign the housing bill if Congress also passed the SAVE America Act, a strict voter ID bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot. That legislation has stalled in the Senate, lacking the 60 votes needed to advance.

“To me, compared to the SAVE America Act, just about everything is a big yawn,” Trump told reporters in June. On Friday morning, he posted on Truth Social: “I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.”

Legislative Impact

Despite Trump’s refusal to sign, House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered the housing bill to the president on June 29, starting a 10-day clock. Without presidential action, the bill will become law automatically at midnight.

The housing bill, described by lawmakers as the most significant in decades, aims to make homeownership more affordable by encouraging homebuilding and limiting corporate ownership of single-family homes—an idea Trump himself previously promoted. The bill also includes provisions to streamline construction and reduce costs for manufactured homes.

Fact-Checking Trump’s Position

While Trump has downplayed the bill’s importance, experts and lawmakers from both parties argue it is a critical step toward addressing the nation’s housing shortage. The bill’s bipartisan support reflects broad recognition that housing affordability has become a pressing issue for American families.

Conclusion

President Trump’s decision to dismiss and refuse to sign the bipartisan housing bill underscores his prioritization of unrelated voter ID legislation over a widely supported effort to address the housing crisis. As the bill becomes law without his signature, the contrast between Trump’s rhetoric and the bipartisan consensus in Congress highlights the ongoing debate over legislative priorities in Washington.

Source article

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5885027/housing-bill-without-trump-signature

BREAKING: “Trump fires all Election Assistance Commission members, leaving agency unable to act” (This is going to be a BFD if Trump Tries to Assert the EAC’s Powers over the Federal Voter Registration Form)

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President Donald Trump fired all three remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Thursday, abruptly disabling the only federal agency devoted solely to election administration at a moment when Trump has sought to reshape federal voting rules.

The two Democratic commissioners, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, were notified by email. “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” the email said. It was signed by Morgan DeWitt Snow, deputy director of presidential personnel in the Executive Office of the President.

The third commissioner, Republican Christy McCormick, was allowed to resign, according to three sources within the agency. McCormick declined to comment when reached by phone. The agency’s fourth commissioner, Republican Donald Palmer, voluntarily departed the agency earlier this year to join the Heritage Foundation….

The Supreme Court issued two major removal-power decisions at the end of its term in late June. In Trump v. Slaughter, the court overturned decades of precedent and said that the president may remove leaders of independent agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, which was the subject of the case.

In a separate case involving the Federal Reserve, however, the court recognized a different rule for Fed governors, pointing to the long historical independence of central banking institutions.

Whether bipartisan election agencies fall into the first category, the second, or some yet-undefined exception remains unresolved.

“It’s an open question about the EAC and the [Federal Election Commission],” said Rick Hasen, an election law professor at UCLA. “The question has not been tested as to whether political entities created with bipartisan balance might be subject to another exception.”

Earlier this year, Trump fired Ellen Weintraub, a Democratic commissioner on the FEC who had served for years in holdover status after her term expired. Weintraub did not sue, leaving unresolved whether the president can fire members of bipartisan election commissions at will.

If any of the fired EAC commissioners challenge their removals, the case could become the first direct test of whether the Supreme Court’s new removal-power doctrine extends to federal election agencies structured around bipartisan balance….

The immediate practical effect is clear: The EAC cannot act.

That could stall not only routine commission business, but also any attempt by the Trump administration to use the agency to alter the federal voter registration form or voting-system standards before the 2026 midterms.The EAC also oversees the federal testing and certification program for voting systems, accrediting labs and certifying whether machines meet federal standards known as the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. Many states rely on that certification before allowing voting equipment to be purchased or used.

With no commissioners in place, it is unclear whether the agency can approve new certifications, update lab guidance, or resolve policy questions tied to voting-system standards….

To me, the bigger question is what Trump might try to do with the EAC without commissioners. Most boldly (and I would argue illegally) Trump could try to direct the commissioner-less EAC to do his bidding, for example by stating that the EAC must amend the federal voter registration form that states must accept for federal elections to include documentary proof of citizenship. Trump’s first voting-related EO tried to do this, and he was stymied. But that was acting through the commissioners and before the Slaughter case.

If he tries anything like this, it will be high profile and very important litigation that will end up at the Supreme Court on the emergency docket over the summer.

Stay tuned.

Election Law Blog

A Danish Journo’s Viral Takedown of Trump Caps Off Epic NATO Meltdown

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As an explosive exchange at NATO perfectly captures the disaster that Trump has wrought, a foreign policy expert explains the bigger story: The world is moving on without us.

At the NATO summit on Wednesday, Donald Trump lashed out wildly at, well, everyone in sight. He threatened more war with Iran. He angrily vowed to cut off all trade with Spain. He hinted again at stealing Greenland. There were many other pratfalls. Amid all this, a Danish journalist had an extraordinary confrontation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, asking him point-blank: What does sitting next to Trump and praising him while he viciously attacks allies, threatens to take whole countries by conquest, and unleashes wildly destructive trade wars do to your “self-respect”? In an understated way, it was a crushing takedown of Trump, treating him as a ludicrous, sidelined figure while essentially saying: All that matters is how the rest of us react to this lunatic. We talked to foreign policy expert Elizabeth Saunders. She explains how deep and lasting Trump’s damage to the alliance will be, how our NATO allies are quietly managing Trump with flattery until he’s gone, and how they’re even trying to “de-Americanize”—that is, move on into the future without us. Listen to this episode here. A transcript is here.

Donald J. Trump: “I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress …

Donald J. Trump: “I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress …

Trump's Truth – Latest Posts — 2026-07-10 08:16:00 — trumpstruth.org

Trump Threatens to Block Housing Bill, Demands Passage of Controversial Voting Legislation

President Donald J. Trump has announced he will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, unless the Senate passes the so-called SAVE AMERICA ACT. Trump claims this act is “polling at 97% with the Republican Party, and very high with the non-politician Dumocrats,” and insists it would require voters to show photo ID, proof of citizenship, and ban most mail-in ballots, except for limited exceptions.

False Claims and Attacks

Trump’s statement contains several misleading or false claims. He asserts that mail-in ballots are “crooked, corrupt, & destabilizing,” a claim repeatedly debunked by election experts and bipartisan officials who have found no widespread fraud associated with mail-in voting. Trump also disparages Democrats by calling them “Dumocrats” and threatens that the title of “DUMB” will revert to Republicans if they do not support his demands.

He further exaggerates the popularity of the SAVE AMERICA ACT, claiming it polls at 97% among Republicans and “very high” with Democrats, though no credible public polling supports these figures. Trump also warns of a “1929 catastrophic style DEBT CEILING BILL,” invoking the Great Depression without evidence that current fiscal debates resemble that era’s crisis.

Pressure and Threats

Trump frames the non-passage of his preferred legislation as “CRAZY, and a serious threat to any politician who votes against it,” signaling political retribution for dissent. He urges the Senate to “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, and pass this, and every other Bill that true Republicans have ever dreamt of,” while claiming Democrats will eliminate the filibuster “in their very first hour” if given the chance—another assertion not grounded in current Senate rules or Democratic leadership statements.

Conclusion

Trump’s refusal to sign the Housing Bill unless his demands are met, combined with his pattern of false statements and personal attacks, highlights his ongoing efforts to undermine established election processes and pressure lawmakers with exaggerated claims. As the debate continues, Trump’s rhetoric remains at odds with verified facts and established democratic norms, raising significant concerns about the impact on legislative negotiations and public trust.

Source article

Source: https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/39915

Trump leans on ‘communist’ messaging as economic angst drives Democrats : NPR

Trump leans on ‘communist’ messaging as economic angst drives Democrats : NPR

NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-10 04:00:00 — www.npr.org

Trump Escalates Anti-Communist Rhetoric, Blurs Lines Between Socialism and Communism

President Trump intensified his attacks on Democrats during a press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, repeating a familiar line ahead of the fall midterms. “I want to get the word out because what’s forming is communism,” Trump said, framing communism as the greatest threat America has faced since its founding. He added, “Communism is easy to sell. I would be the greatest communist in history. I’d be right up there with [former Soviet leader Vladimir] Lenin.”

False Claims and Personal Attacks

Trump’s rhetoric is not new. During the previous election, he labeled Kamala Harris “Comrade Kamala” and circulated a fake photo of Harris addressing a crowd waving communist flags. When questioned about these personal attacks, Trump defended his strategy, stating, “I think we’re hitting a nerve. It’s a different kind of race. All we have to do is define our opponent as being a communist or a socialist or somebody who is going to destroy our country.”

Trump has also claimed that if Democrats “go communist,” they will “close your churches in this country,” and that “they will kill your people and that’s what they’re about. They want to end religion.” These statements conflate democratic socialism with communism and exaggerate the intentions of his political opponents.

Fact-Checking the Rhetoric

Experts cited in the excerpt clarify that democratic socialists advocate for retaining capitalism while expanding social programs and reducing inequality, not abolishing private property or ending religion as communists propose. Trump’s repeated conflation of these ideologies is a distortion designed to energize his base and create a new political “boogeyman.”

Contradictions in Policy

The excerpt also highlights a contradiction in Trump’s criticism of “communist influence” on Democrats. While attacking Democrats for supposed communist leanings, his administration has taken actions such as acquiring stakes in major U.S. industries like Intel and U.S. Steel—moves that critics argue resemble government intervention in the economy.

Conclusion

President Trump’s ongoing use of anti-communist rhetoric, personal attacks, and exaggerations about the intentions of his political opponents marks a continuation of a decades-old tactic in American politics. However, experts warn that his conflation of socialism and communism, and his unsupported claims about threats to religion and personal safety, are misleading and serve primarily to stoke fear and mobilize his supporters. As the political landscape shifts, the effectiveness and resonance of these attack lines remain uncertain, particularly with younger voters less influenced by Cold War-era fears.

Source article

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5876512/trump-communist-messaging-economy-democrats

Trump Pushes Out Last Federal Election Assistance Commission Members — ProPublica

Trump Pushes Out Last Federal Election Assistance Commission Members — ProPublica

ProPublica — 2026-07-09 22:00:00 — www.propublica.org

Trump Removes Election Assistance Commission Members, Puts Bipartisan Agency in Limbo

President Donald Trump has pushed out the three remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), leaving the bipartisan agency in a state of uncertainty as he seeks to reshape the administration of elections ahead of this year’s midterms.

According to multiple sources cited by ProPublica, Trump fired Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks, the Democrats on the commission, while Christy McCormick, the Republican member, was allowed to resign. The White House did not confirm the specifics but stated that the president “reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.”

Sweeping Changes to Voter Registration

In March 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing the EAC to change the national voter registration form to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Currently, most states require voters to attest to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, but do not require documentary proof. The move came after the Trump-aligned law firm America First Legal petitioned the EAC for the change. The commission had received hundreds of thousands of public comments but had not yet held a vote on the matter.

Concerns Over Bipartisan Governance

The EAC was established in 2003 to set standards for state voting systems and provide funding for upgrades. Its four-member board is designed to be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, all nominated by the president at the recommendation of congressional leadership and confirmed by the Senate. The fourth commissioner, Don Palmer, a Republican, resigned in April. By removing the remaining members, Trump can attempt to appoint replacements who may be more receptive to his agenda.

Voter advocacy groups and Democratic state election officials have called the move “reckless and irresponsible.” The Bipartisan Policy Center described the departures as a “significant loss for one of the federal government’s few institutions explicitly designed around bipartisan governance.”

Fact-Check and Context

Trump’s actions and the executive order reflect his continued push for stricter voting requirements, despite a lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud. The EAC’s recent history includes progress on voting machine standards and resources for election officials, often with unanimous decisions despite partisan differences. The commission has also faced criticism for partisan infighting and chronic vacancies.

Conclusion

President Trump’s removal of the EAC’s remaining commissioners and his directive to require proof of citizenship for voter registration mark a significant shift in federal election oversight. The move has drawn sharp criticism from election experts and officials concerned about the future of bipartisan cooperation and the accessibility of the voting process. As the midterms approach, the impact of these changes on election administration remains to be seen.

Source article

Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/federal-election-assistance-commission-trump-dismantled

Trump restarts war with Iran and plays nice(ish) with Nato – podcast | US politics

Trump restarts war with Iran and plays nice(ish) with Nato – podcast | US politics

US politics | The Guardian — 2026-07-09 23:00:00 — www.theguardian.com

Trump Declares Ceasefire Over, Revives Greenland Threats, and Praises NATO ‘Unity’ After Strikes on Iran

After the United States launched strikes on Iran this week, Donald Trump announced that the fragile ceasefire he had co-signed just last month was now over. In a series of statements that reignited diplomatic tensions, Trump also revived his previous threats to take Greenland, a move that had previously sparked international controversy. Before departing the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump claimed there was a lot of “love” and “unity” in the room.

Ceasefire Abandoned

Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire was over marks a sharp reversal from his earlier position. The ceasefire, which he had personally endorsed only weeks before, was intended to de-escalate tensions in the region. By abruptly discarding this agreement following the strikes on Iran, Trump has once again demonstrated a pattern of shifting positions on critical international issues.

Renewed Threats Over Greenland

In addition to ending the ceasefire, Trump reignited his threats to take Greenland. This is not the first time Trump has raised the idea of acquiring the territory, a proposal that has been widely dismissed by both Danish officials and international observers as unrealistic and provocative. The repeated mention of Greenland underscores Trump’s willingness to revisit contentious and previously rejected ideas, often to the bewilderment of allies and adversaries alike.

Claims of ‘Love’ and ‘Unity’ at NATO

Before leaving the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump asserted that there was a lot of “love” and “unity” in the room. This characterization stands in contrast to the often tense and fractious nature of recent NATO meetings, where disagreements over defense spending and policy direction have been common. Trump’s optimistic portrayal of the summit appears at odds with the reality reported by other participants and observers.

A Pattern of Contradictions

Trump’s latest statements highlight a recurring pattern: abrupt reversals, revived threats, and exaggerated claims of diplomatic harmony. These actions raise questions about the consistency and reliability of U.S. foreign policy under his leadership. As Jonathan Freedland discusses with Susan Glasser of the New Yorker, the challenge for international partners is how to make progress when confronted with a leader who appears to relive a diplomatic “Groundhog Day,” repeatedly cycling through the same disputes and declarations.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s recent comments and actions—ending a ceasefire he had just signed, reviving threats to take Greenland, and claiming unity at a divided NATO summit—underscore ongoing concerns about his approach to diplomacy. The pattern of contradictions and exaggerated claims continues to complicate efforts to achieve lasting progress on the world stage.

Source article

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2026/jul/10/trump-iran-war-nato-podcast

Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.

Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-09 21:16:00 — www.nytimes.com

Donald Trump’s Approach to Sexual Misconduct Allegations Sets GOP Apart

Donald J. Trump’s presidency marked a significant shift in how the Republican Party responds to allegations of sexual misconduct against its members. Trump won the presidency in 2016 despite accusations from at least six women who said he had groped or forcibly kissed them. He denied every allegation, but was later found liable by a jury for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, resulting in a $5 million civil judgment that a federal judge ordered him to pay.

Throughout his time in office, Trump stood firmly by his nominees for high-profile positions, including Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, even when they faced their own allegations of sexual impropriety. Each nominee denied the accusations, and Trump’s steadfast support was echoed by the majority of his party.

This approach contrasted sharply with the Democratic response to similar allegations. In recent years, Democrats have often moved quickly to expel or pressure accused members to resign, sometimes at the cost of losing political talent and energy. For example, Senator Al Franken resigned under pressure after being accused of groping and forcibly kissing women, despite apologizing and later disputing some of the claims.

Trump’s posture, and the Republican Party’s broader response, has been characterized by a reluctance to act against accused members unless political stakes are high. This has allowed some of the party’s most powerful figures to remain in positions of influence, even as allegations swirled around them. Notably, Trump’s second-term nominees accused of sexual impropriety, with the exception of Matt Gaetz, were confirmed or continued to wield power.

The divide between the parties on this issue is reflected in public opinion. A 2018 NPR/Ipsos poll found that three in five Republican respondents would consider voting for a candidate accused of sexual assault, while a majority of Democrats said they would not.

In summary, Trump’s denial of all allegations against him, his support for accused nominees, and the Republican Party’s general reluctance to act swiftly on such matters have set a distinct tone in American politics. This approach has enabled accused conservative figures to maintain their positions, even as the country continues to grapple with the legacy of the #MeToo movement and the ongoing reckoning over sexual violence in public life.

Source article

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/democrats-republicans-sexual-assault-politicians.html

What Trump’s communism claims miss about Democrats and democratic socialists

What Trump’s communism claims miss about Democrats and democratic socialists

PolitiFact – Rulings and Stories — 2026-07-09 16:49:00 — www.politifact.com

Trump Repeats False Claims, Labels Democrats as “Communists” in July Fourth Speech

Marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, President Donald Trump used his July Fourth address on the National Mall to attack communism and disparage Democrats, reviving rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War era.

Trump’s Claims and Rhetoric

During his late-night speech, Trump declared, “Communism is a loser and it always will be,” and warned, “Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the world only to have that menace rear its ugly head right back here in America. We’re not gonna let it happen.” In the days leading up to the event, he escalated his attacks, stating at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, “The Democratic Party is becoming a communist party. These are not social Dumocrats, these are hardcore, godless communists. They’re godless communists.”

Fact-Checking Trump’s Accusations

Trump’s repeated assertion that Democrats are communists is not supported by the facts. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has endorsed a small number of congressional candidates, is an organization—not a political party—and represents only a fraction of the Democratic Party. Even if all DSA-endorsed candidates win, they would constitute a tiny minority in Congress.

The excerpt notes that this is not a new line of attack for Trump and Republicans, who have previously falsely labeled prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, as communists. The fact-check further clarifies that while the DSA includes some members who identify as communists, the organization itself is distinct from the Communist Party, and its platform is not equivalent to a communist agenda.

The Reality of Democratic Socialism and Communism

Experts cited in the excerpt explain that democratic socialism, as practiced by most U.S. politicians who use the label, refers to support for robust social programs similar to those in many European countries—not the abolition of capitalism or private property. The DSA platform, while more radical than the mainstream Democratic platform, does not call for a communist takeover or the end of capitalism.

Additionally, the Communist Party USA has stated there are “zero” communists in Congress and dismissed Trump’s claims as “standard GOP talking points.”

Conclusion

Trump’s characterization of Democrats as “hardcore, godless communists” is a distortion that echoes the fearmongering tactics of the 1950s Red Scare. Fact-checking reveals that his claims are not grounded in reality: the Democratic Party remains a broad coalition, and the influence of communism within it is minimal. Trump’s rhetoric serves to stoke fear rather than inform, continuing a pattern of false and exaggerated statements about his political opponents.

Source article

Source: https://www.politifact.com/article/2026/jul/09/Trump-communist-democratic-socialist-Chevalier/

Donald J. Trump: “A very big day in Palm Beach, Florida, where it was my Great Honor to have t…

Donald J. Trump: “A very big day in Palm Beach, Florida, where it was my Great Honor to have t…

Trump's Truth – Latest Posts — 2026-07-09 19:07:00 — trumpstruth.org

Trump Claims Palm Beach Airport Renamed in His Honor, Promises “Spectacular” Future

Donald Trump announced, “A very big day in Palm Beach, Florida, where it was my Great Honor to have the Palm Beach International Airport be renamed, by a spectacular vote, The President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” He went on to praise the area and the airport’s prospects, stating, “The Area is HOT, the Location is GREAT, and the Renovation will be SPECTACULAR. Thank you to all in Palm Beach for your Vote and your Confidence. This will soon be one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World!”

Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims

Trump’s statement asserts that Palm Beach International Airport has been renamed after him by a “spectacular vote.” However, there is no evidence in the excerpt to confirm that such a vote took place or that the airport’s name has officially changed. Trump’s language exaggerates both the process and the outcome, presenting the renaming as a widely celebrated and completed event.

Additionally, Trump’s promise that the airport “will soon be one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World” is a sweeping prediction with no supporting details or evidence provided in the excerpt. This type of hyperbolic language is consistent with Trump’s history of making grandiose claims about projects and achievements.

Conclusion

Trump’s announcement about the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport and its future status relies on exaggeration and unverified claims. While he thanks Palm Beach residents for their “Vote and Confidence,” the excerpt does not provide factual support for the renaming or the promised renovations. Readers should approach such statements with caution, as they reflect a pattern of overstated achievements and unsubstantiated predictions.

Source article

Source: https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/39914