It's Thursday morning, what do we know?
Trump testifies (sorta) & inflation levels off
What do we know?
Former President Donald Trump exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination eight bazillion times on Wednesday, while being questioned under oath by New York Attorney General Letitia James and other lawyers from her office. The James’ investigation is a civil matter, so a jury is allowed to make negative inferences with respect to Trump invoking his Fifth Amendment right, whereas in a criminal matter juries are instructed not to consider it in their deliberations, in the event a defendant invokes the privilege. Trump’s decision to repeatedly invoke his right against self-incrimination was likely related to other investigations into criminal activity by the former president, which are currently underway
The Consumer Price Index rose 8.5% year over year, but 0% month to month from June to July. While prices for items like gas and used cars fell, other items like food and rent continued to rise. So, while prices overall leveled off, significant inflationary pressures remain. The AP has a useful explainer on what the new CPI may mean
Midterm news:Â
Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of only 10 pro-impeachment Republicans in the House, lost her bid for re-election in Washington state’s 3rd CD. In the jungle primary, Herrera Beutler finished third behind Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent. The loss by moderate Herrera Beutler, however, has moved the solidly Republican seat into Lean R territory according to most analysts, as Kent’s extreme views are likely to be problematic in a general election
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar narrowly held on against primary challenger Don Samuels in Minnesota’s 5th CD. Omar’s near defeat was a direct result of her support for the Defund The Police movement. In particular, her support for a failed Minneapolis ballot measure last year that would have abolished the Minneapolis Police Department
In the GOP primary for governor in Wisconsin Trump-endorsed Tim Michels defeated Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who was endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence, former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and more than a dozen other establishment Republicans
The major takeaways from the primaries on August 2nd and August 9th are that Donald Trump’s grip on the GOP base remains strong and the expected red wave continues to dissipate in the aftermath of Dobbs, as Democratic turnout has been robust nationally
The Washington Post has an interesting story on President Biden’s efforts to engage with academics and experts across the political spectrum as a means to avoid the myopia that often infects a White House
What do we know in Ukraine?
Ukraine said nine aircraft were destroyed in the explosion at a Russian airbase in Crimea. Russia denied any aircraft were destroyed, however satellite imagery of the base indicates at least seven aircraft were destroyed. Ukraine has remained silent on whether the explosion was the result of an attack. If it was a Ukrainian missile attack, it would indicate Ukrainian capabilities have been significantly upgraded
