Greetings from the Surge, your weekly dose of the most delightfully absurd happenings in the world of US politics! This week, we’ve got economic chaos, baffling pronouncements, and a protest involving a banana (yes, really). Let’s dive in.
First up: the surprisingly unpopular Judge Dredd-esque powers Donald Trump seems to covet. Recent polls suggest his approval ratings on immigration have plummeted, particularly regarding deportations like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident deported to El Salvador despite a court order. This highlights a crucial point—the Democrats’ focus on ‘kitchen table’ issues may have been misguided. Focusing on due process, as Senator Chris Van Hollen did with his trip to El Salvador, seems to be resonating more strongly with voters than anticipated.
Next, we have the fallout from Trump’s massive tariffs on Chinese goods. Walmart and Target CEOs have warned of potential price shocks and empty shelves, leading Trump to seemingly perform a U-turn on his position. However, China remains unmoved, refusing to negotiate until all tariffs are revoked. This leaves us facing the prospect of a long, potentially very expensive summer.
On a slightly more positive note (for the economy, at least), Trump appears to have backed down on his threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Pressure from business leaders and the potential consequences of a loyalist MAGA hack leading the Fed seem to have persuaded the president to, at least temporarily, leave Powell in place. The market, naturally, rejoiced.
Now for a dose of unsettling news from the Department of Health and Human Services. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., making demonstrably false claims about autism and pushing unsubstantiated health advice, continues to make headlines. His proposed bans on food dyes and sugar, along with the potential removal of the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for children, have raised serious concerns, especially given the current measles outbreaks across the country.
Finally, we have the ongoing saga of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Following the firing of three of his advisors due to internal leaks, further reports have emerged suggesting Hegseth shared classified information with family members, and potentially has even installed a TV makeup studio in the Pentagon. Whether these reports are true remains to be seen, but they paint a picture of a department in serious disarray.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any stranger, Thomas Friedman proposes a ‘Waymo Democrat’ party platform centered around the development of robotic taxis. While a novel approach, its widespread appeal remains highly questionable. Meanwhile, Dan Bongino, the conspiracy-theorist-turned-FBI-deputy-director, continues to generate headlines with cryptic tweets and a surprisingly expensive 24/7 security detail.
In short: It’s been a week. A very, very strange week. Stay tuned for next week’s installment of political absurdity!
