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Dave Levinthal: Record scratch
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President Donald Trump's about-face on releasing federal records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has drawn rebuke from even some of his most stalwart allies. But Trump, who's declared himself the "most transparent" president in history, has received far less criticism for the ways in which his administration has sought to block public access to records that Americans have long been able to secure. Every day, journalists like me, along with scholars at think tanks and campaign researchers, file public records requests to see how the government is working — or not working. These records often serve as the basis for investigative journalism, academic papers and even campaign ads. While statistics are not yet available on Trump's second term, it's already clear anecdotally that his administration does not take seriously its legal requirement to release public records. This is a far cry from the image Trump likes to project. Read Dave Levinthal's full column here. |
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Have you had trouble getting government services recently? |
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| Callers to the Social Security Administration have faced dropped calls and wait times up to five hours after the agency went through massive spending cuts. |
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Here are some highlights of the president's actions over the last seven days: |
- Threatened to take away comedian Rosie O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship, a power that he does not have under the U.S. Constitution.
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- Claimed that nobody cares about the late Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and alleged sex trafficker, after years of pledging to release government records on him.
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- Announced a 35% tariff on Canada and 30% tariffs on Mexico and the European Union starting Aug. 1, an escalation from previous tariffs.
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The news can feel overwhelming. But each week, we're highlighting a person, organization or movement sticking up for their principles or their fellow Americans. This week's challenger is Mahmoud Khalil. In mid-June, Mahmoud Khalil was released from a federal detention center after 104 days in custody that included his graduation from Columbia University grad school and the birth of his son. Although he still faces a deportation case, Khalil has fought back, filing a claim for $20 million in damages against the Trump administration arguing that he was smeared as an antisemite, maliciously prosecuted and falsely imprisoned over his role in campus protests against the war in Gaza. He told the Associated Press that he would share any settlement money with others targeted over pro-Palestinian speech, or, in lieu of a settlement, accept an apology and changes to the administration's detention policies. Learn more. |
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Tariff man is back! Despite pledges of "90 Deals in 90 Days" with our trading partners, Trump has announced only a couple of "frameworks" of deals — one of which surprised negotiators for Vietnam, since the rate reportedly hadn't been agreed on. The deadline also got pushed off to Aug. 1. And the president announced new tariffs he plans to impose (basically the original ones). Add them all up and account for how much we import and from where, and the average tariff rate would be 20.6%, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University, the highest on record since 1910. Whether these tariffs are the new starting point for negotiations, punishment or a tool to promote the administration's economic priorities, there's a bigger question: After so many flip-flops, will these tariffs stick? Learn more. |
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— Stephanie Ruhle, host of "The 11th Hour"
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Nicolle Wallace is sitting down with some of the smartest, funniest, and wisest people she knows in her chart-topping podcast, "The Best People with Nicolle Wallace." This week, she speaks with music legend Jimmy Jam to share memories and lessons from his storied career. They discuss growing up alongside Prince, songwriting for Janet Jackson and his infectious passion for music and belief in its ability to unify people. Subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content. Listen to the podcast. |
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