Hello from Capitol Hill.
Again we return from a drama filled weekend, featuring events that threaten (or perhaps promise) to reshape national politics. Firstly, a tremendous rift erupted between the most powerful man in the world and the wealthiest man in the world. Considered President Trump’s top ally by many just weeks ago, Elon Musk criticized the Big Beautiful Bill as a “disgusting abomination” last Tuesday. Scores of posts later, with unchracteristically few jabs in return from President Trump, Musk implied that Trump participated in pedophilic or otherwise illegal actions with infamous real-life monster Jeffrey Epstein. Musk also alleged that he himself was largely responsible for Trump’s massive comeback victory in November and that the President was being ungrateful. Many observers were shocked at how quickly Musk went from close ally, to legislative critic, to personally disparaging a man for whom he recently proclaimed an intense love. Conventional wisdom led some to conclude that Musk was attacking the bill over its killing of electric vehicle tax credits that have heavily benefitted Tesla. Others saw this as a deeper, ego driven outburst in response to Elon’s departure from government and the poor performance of Tesla stock in recent months. President Trump’s perspective is that Musk is going through an episode of poor mental health. Whatever the reasons may be, many in the Republican tent have called for or tried to broker peace and reconciliation between the erstwhile allies and friends. Musk has cooled off for now, but Trump is signaling that he wants nothing to do with the tech juggernaut.
More presently, riots and civil unrest in southern California are consuming the headlines. On June 6th, widescale violent protests broke out in neighborhoods of Los Angeles against the enforcement of immigrations laws by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Images of masked, military-age men amongst burning vehicles and pandemonium, bearing the flags of foreign nations, quickly spread across social media. Accusations flew from both sides: Governor Gavin Newsome accuses federal authorities of instigating and aggravating a sensitive situation, while Republicans place blame squarely on California Democrats for abdicating their duties to protect the public from criminality. In response to the unrest and violence, the Trump Administration deployed thousands of National Guardsmen, along with hundreds of Marines. Raising the stakes, Governor Newsome dared Tom Homan (White House Border Czar) to arrest him for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
The Senate continues work on its version of the Big Beautiful Bill in the wake of Elon Musk’s criticisms. The usual suspects are still advocating for fundamental changes to the House’s vision, and July 4th is a short three weeks away. Unlike in the House, there are no Republican members of the Senate whose states would benefit from the SALT changes found in the Big Beautiful bill – on top of President Trump signaling that he is fine with changes to those provisions, the SALT Caucus is becoming unruly, threatening to kill the bill upon its arrival in the House. Meatier provisions of the package must come from the Senate Finance Committee, and few believe the Senate bill will be ready before the Independence Day recess. Once the bill comes together and makes it through Byrd Rule scrutiny (a rule which ostensibly limits reconciliation bills to affecting only the budget and no other policies), it will be subject to numerous amendments and a vote-a-rama.
Latest From Around the Conservative Movement
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- The American Mind: More Immigration Won’t Lead to a Higher Birthrate
- Miranda Devine: Foreign flags fly in LA anti-ICE riots — vindicating Donald Trump and leaving Dems with no moral standing
- The Daily Caller: Right-wing Colombian Presidential Candidate Shot
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- The Spectator: Bannon on LA riots: ‘We’re in World War Three’
One More Thing