[Tuesday, July 01] US News Headlines from r/politics

2025-07-01 2456 words 12 minutes

Contents

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1. The Omnibus Budget Act: Senate Passage and Political Fallout

1.1. Narrow Senate Passage and Path to the House

Following a marathon overnight voting session, the Senate has narrowly passed a controversial omnibus budget bill, a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s agenda [1]. The final vote was 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote to secure passage [2]. The bill’s success was reportedly clinched after Republican leadership made concessions to win the crucial vote of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a move critics allege was “bought” [3]. The legislation, which the White House has officially named the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, where its aggressive provisions have reportedly “shocked” House Republicans, who are said to be “fuming” over the final version [4, 5]. In a sign of the deep intra-party rifts, at least one Republican senator who voted for the bill is now publicly telling the House not to pass it [6].

References:
[1] Senate passes Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” after 11th-hour panic, https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/senate-gop-passes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-vote
[2] Vance breaks 50-50 tie as Senate passes GOP megabill after voting around the clock, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5379224-senate-passes-trump-gop-megabill/
[3] Senate Passes Trump Budget After Buying Lisa Murkowski’s Vote, https://newrepublic.com/post/197481/donald-trump-budget-senate-murkowski-medicaid
[4] The One Big Beautiful Bill Slashes Deficits, National Debt While Unleashing Economic Growth, https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/06/the-one-big-beautiful-bill-slashes-deficits-national-debt-while-unleashing-economic-growth/
[5] Senate Republicans shock the House with a supercharged megabill, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/senate-republicans-supercharge-megabill-00435873
[6] Republican Senator tells House not to vote on bill she just voted for, https://www.newsweek.com/big-beautiful-bill-donald-trump-lisa-murkowski-vote-2093246

The bill’s core components are its tax and spending measures. Analysis indicates that “businesses and higher-income households would be some of the biggest beneficiaries” from tax cuts, which are funded in part by what one report calls the “biggest Medicaid cuts in history” [1, 2]. The legislation will also gut SNAP benefits in a move described as a “massive scheme to steal from working folks” [3]. Critics warn these cuts will strip healthcare from millions, with one public health expert projecting the bill could lead to “51,000 deaths per year” [4]. Vice President JD Vance dismissed such concerns, stating that it “doesn’t matter” how many people lose Medicaid coverage [5]. These provisions stand in sharp contrast to a public pledge made by President Trump on January 21, 2025, to “love and cherish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid” [6].

References:
[1] Who would win and who would lose in Republicans’ ‘big, beautiful bill’ | Businesses and higher-income households would be some of the biggest beneficiaries from tax cuts partly paid for with cuts to health insurance for lower-income households., https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-big-beautiful-bill-win-loses-rcna215910
[2] Senate megabill marks biggest Medicaid cuts in history, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5378970-medicaid-cuts-senate-republicans/
[3] “Massive scheme to steal from working folks”: Senate passes Trump bill that will gut SNAPMedicaid, https://www.salon.com/2025/07/01/massive-scheme-to-steal-from-working-folks-senate-passes-trump-bill-that-will-gut-snap-medicaid/
[4] Public health expert: Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” will cause misery and death - 51,000 deaths per year is just the starting point, https://www.salon.com/2025/07/01/public-health-expert-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-will-cause-misery-and-death/
[5] Vance Says It Doesn’t Matter How Many People Lose Medicaid in Budget, https://newrepublic.com/post/197460/jd-vance-medicaid-budget
[6] “We’re going to love and cherish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid,” Trump said on Jan 21st, 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-medicaid-republican-bill-cut-benefits/story?id=121756481

1.3. Energy, Technology, and Environmental Provisions

The bill contains significant policy shifts for the technology and energy sectors. In a key development, the Senate voted 99-1 to strike a provision that would have banned federal AI regulation, a move seen as a “blow to Big Tech” that preserves states’ ability to pass their own AI rules [1, 2]. On energy, an excise tax on solar and wind power that appeared unexpectedly in an early draft was ultimately dropped from the final version [3]. Despite this, analysis suggests the bill is still “poised to crush renewable energy in the US” by eliminating clean-energy tax credits while encouraging new oil drilling [4].

References:
[1] Senate Votes 99-1 to Strip AI Provision From Trump’s Tax Bill, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/senate-removes-tax-bill-provision-limiting-state-ai-regulation
[2] States can still pass AI regulations, a ‘big, beautiful bill’ win for child safety advocates, https://19thnews.org/2025/07/ai-regulations-provision-removed-big-beautiful-bill/
[3] Solar and wind excise tax dropped from Senate GOP megabill, https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5379529-solar-wind-excise-tax-senate-gop-megabill/
[4] GOP budget bill poised to crush renewable energy in the US | Say goodbye to clean-energy tax credits, hello to new oil wells., https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/07/gop-budget-bill-poised-to-crush-renewable-energy-in-the-us

1.4. Bipartisan and Public Reaction

The bill’s passage has triggered widespread condemnation. In a rare joint statement, former Presidents Obama and Bush spoke out against the legislation [1]. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has vowed to continue fighting the bill, stating, “There is still time to stop this” [2]. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board published a warning that President Trump may have “sabotaged his own presidency” [3]. The legislative process was met with public demonstrations, resulting in dozens of arrests during protests at the Capitol [4].

References:
[1] Obama and Bush Unite in Rare Move Against Trump, https://www.thedailybeast.com/obama-and-bush-unite-in-rare-move-against-trump/
[2] Harris rips GOP megabill after Senate passage: ‘There is still time to stop this’, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5379813-harris-trump-megabill-criticism/
[3] Wall Street Journal Warns Donald Trump May Have Just Sabotaged His Own Presidency, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wall-street-journal-donald-trump-presidency-risk_n_68637c08e4b0aa65edbab660?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=us_main
[4] Dozens arrested protesting GOP megabill, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5378490-protestors-capitol-hill-arrests-gop-megabill/

2. The Trump-Musk “MAGA Civil War”

An intense and public conflict has erupted between President Trump and his former tech czar, Elon Musk, stemming from the omnibus bill. Musk branded the legislation as “‘DEBT SLAVERY’” and vowed to fund primary challenges against any Republican who supported it [1]. President Trump retaliated by threatening to deploy the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to scrutinize federal subsidies for Musk’s companies, causing Tesla shares to slump [2]. The feud quickly escalated, with the President stating he would “’take a look’” at the possibility of deporting the South African-born CEO [3]. Trump referred to DOGE as a “monster that might have to go back and eat Elon” [4]. In response, Musk has publicly called for the creation of a “New Political Party” and threatened to back a “nemesis” of Trump’s in a future contest [5, 6].

References:
[1] Musk shreds Trump bill as ‘DEBT SLAVERY,’ vows to unseat Republicans who back it, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/30/musk-trump-tax-bill-deficit.html
[2] Trump Takes Aim at Musk Over EV Subsidies; Tesla Shares Slump, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/trump-takes-aim-at-musk-over-ev-mandate-and-subsidies
[3] Trump Says He’ll Have to ‘Take a Look’ at Deporting Musk, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/trump-says-he-ll-have-to-take-a-look-at-deporting-elon-musk
[4] Trump threatens to unleash the DOGE ‘monster’ on Musk as feud intensifies: ‘Might have to eat Elon’, https://www.al.com/politics/2025/07/trump-threatens-to-unleash-the-doge-monster-on-musk-as-feud-intensifies-might-have-to-eat-elon.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=redditsocial&utm_campaign=redditor
[5] Elon Musk Promises a New Political Party if Republicans Pass Trump’s Policy Bill, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/us/politics/elon-musk-trump-bill-republicans.html
[6] Musk Vows to Back Trump’s Nemesis as Their Feud Explodes, https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-vows-to-back-donald-trumps-nemesis-as-their-feud-explodes/

3. Executive Branch: Immigration, Citizenship, and Enforcement

3.1. Hardline Policy Shifts: Denaturalization and Birthright Citizenship

The administration is advancing an aggressive agenda on citizenship. A Department of Justice memo has surfaced indicating a push to establish guidelines for revoking naturalized U.S. citizenship [1]. This aligns with a reported administration action on birthright citizenship, over which a federal judge is seeking “clarity on whether birthright citizenship order means babies could be deported” [2]. Legal scholars have raised alarms that the denaturalization precedent could make “‘All Are Now Vulnerable’” [3]. Concurrently, reports indicate the administration is exploring a “‘moral character’ loophole” to revoke the citizenship of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City [4].

References:
[1] DOJ memo pushes guidelines to revoke naturalized US citizenship, https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5379452-doj-memo-denaturalized-us-citizens-trump-immigration/
[2] Federal judge seeks clarity on whether birthright citizenship order means babies could be deported, https://apnews.com/article/trump-birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-dec3f7359c83615b3edbc2f2b45f09c1
[3] ‘All Are Now Vulnerable’: Legal Scholars Alarmed as DOJ Begins Push to Denaturalize Citizens, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-denaturalization-legal-scholars-warn
[4] Trump seizes on ‘moral character’ loophole as way to revoke citizenship, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/01/us-citizenship-denaturalization-trump-memo

3.2. Intensified Enforcement and New Detention Facilities

Immigration enforcement has been significantly escalated, with reports of ICE raids leaving crops rotting on U.S. farms [1]. The new omnibus bill is projected to cause a “massive increase in ICE raids” [2]. Central to this strategy is a new immigrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” which President Trump and Florida Governor DeSantis toured at its opening [3]. During his visit, the President suggested migrants would need to learn “‘how to run away’ from alligators” if they escaped and also authorized the use of National Guard members as immigration judges at the center [4, 5].

References:
[1] ICE raids on US farms leaves crops rotting, https://www.newsweek.com/ice-immigration-raids-farms-crops-rotting-2092749
[2] Trump’s Budget Just Passed the Senate. Brace for a Massive Increase in ICE Raids., https://theintercept.com/2025/07/01/trump-big-beautiful-bill-passes-ice-budget/
[3] ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigrant detention facility set to open, with Trump in attendance | The facility has given a political boost to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies, while activist groups have protested its construction on humanitarian and environmental grounds., https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/alligator-alcatraz-set-open-trump-desantis-rcna215943
[4] Trump Suggests Teaching Migrants How to ‘Run Away’ From Alligators ‘If They Escape’ Alligator Alcatraz, https://www.latintimes.com/trump-suggests-teaching-migrants-how-run-away-alligators-if-they-escape-alligator-alcatraz-585973
[5] Trump OKs using National Guard as immigration judges at Florida detention center, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article309792865.html#campaignName=miami_breaking_newsletter

4. Domestic Policy and Governance

4.1. Agency Actions and Internal Dissent

The administration continues to execute major changes across federal agencies. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been fully dismantled, an action one study projects may cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030 [1]. The Department of Education has frozen nearly $7 billion in federal K-12 grants pending a review [2]. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services has publicly labeled the scientific journal Nature as “junk science,” and the White House has removed the nation’s top climate reports from its websites [3, 4]. These moves have generated internal dissent, with over 300 NIH employees publicly voicing “moral distress” [5].

References:
[1] USAID cuts may cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, study says, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/usaid-cuts-may-cause-over-14-million-additional-deaths-by-2030-study-says-2025-07-01/
[2] Trump administration holds back nearly $7 billion in K-12 funds, sparking outcry from schools, https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/01/trump-administration-withholds-education-funding-angering-schools/
[3] RFK Jr.‘s health department calls Nature “junk science,” cancels subscriptions, https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/07/rfk-jr-s-health-department-calls-nature-junk-science-cancels-subscriptions/
[4] The White House took down the nation’s top climate report. You can still find it here, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/01/nx-s1-5453501/national-climate-assessment-nca5-archive-report?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7ecDZxaA_aOmbfOaY7BLEBJJ9EUreNEOsZKmkQ8a4leGvsrVfNWHvOZpdz_w_aem_y2mAOI-hnohPTlKTWCJ1CA&sfnsn=mo
[5] Over 300 NIH employees go public with their concerns about what’s happening to that organization | “I think a lot of folks here at NIH are experiencing just moral distress about the things we’re being asked to do,” Dr. Jenna Norton said., https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2025/06/over-300-nih-employees-go-public-with-their-concerns-about-whats-happening-to-that-organization/

4.2. Judicial and Constitutional Developments

High-stakes issues are active in the judiciary and Congress. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a campaign finance case led by Vice President JD Vance, which comes amid commentary that the Court’s “‘Pro-Trump Opportunism Is Now Undeniable’” [1, 2]. In Congress, H.R.4264 has been introduced to “modify the authority of the President to use the Armed Forces domestically,” while a Republican House member claims there is “a lot of support” for an amendment to allow President Trump a third term [3, 4]. On press freedom, one report indicates “Team Trump is Serious About Unleashing the Espionage Act on the Media” [5].

References:
[1] Supreme Court to hear JD Vance-led effort against campaign finance provision, https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5376583-supreme-court-campaign-finance-vance/
[2] The Supreme Court’s Pro-Trump Opportunism Is Now Undeniable, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/opinion/supreme-court-trump.html
[3] H.R.4264 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the authority of the President to use the Armed Forces domestically to enforce Federal authority and to address interference with State and Federal law., https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4264?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22congressId%3A119+AND+billStatus%3A%5C%22Introduced%5C%22%22%7D&s=1&r=7
[4] Amendment to Give Trump a Third Term Has ‘A Lot of Support’: GOP Rep, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-third-term-amendment-andy-ogles-republican-support-2078812
[5] Team Trump is Serious About Unleashing the Espionage Act on the Media | It is more likely a matter of when, not if, the administration tries to prosecute journalists using the arcane law, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/espionage-act-team-trump-plan-media-1235376198/

5. U.S. Elections and Political Landscape

5.1. NYC Mayoral Race Creates Federal-Local Flashpoint

Zohran Mamdani has won the Democratic primary for Mayor of New York City [1]. The victory immediately set up a conflict with the White House. After Mamdani reiterated a campaign promise to “‘kick fascist ICE’ out of the city,” President Trump threatened his arrest if he prevents federal agents from operating in NYC [2]. Mamdani responded, “If you speak up, they will come for you” [3]. The win has also created friction within the Democratic party; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand apologized to Mamdani for “jihad” comments, while other Senate Democrats issued a statement insisting the associated slogan “globalize the intifada” must be condemned [4].

References:
[1] Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/nyregion/mamdani-wins-mayor-primary-nyc.html
[2] Trump Says Zohran Mamdani Will Be Arrested If He Seeks To Prevent ICE From Making Arrests In NYC. Mamdani said during his campaign that he would “kick fascist ICE” out of the city., https://www.latintimes.com/trump-says-zohran-mamdani-will-arrested-if-he-seeks-prevent-ice-making-arrests-nyc-585982
[3] Mamdani slams Trump arrest threat: ‘If you speak up, they will come for you’, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5380189-mamdani-slams-trump-arrest-threat-if-you-speak-up-they-will-come-for-you/
[4] Responding to Mamdani, Senate Democrats say ‘globalize the intifada’ slogan must be condemned, https://jewishinsider.com/2025/07/senate-democrats-globalize-the-intifada-slogan-mamdani/

5.2. Public Opinion and Civil Society

Polling data indicates a sharp decline in national morale. American pride has fallen to a “record low,” and a separate poll finds a majority of Americans believe “democracy is threatened” and view political violence as a “major problem” [1, 2]. In response to heightened immigration enforcement, an app named ICEBlock, which alerts users to nearby ICE activity, has reportedly seen its popularity “skyrocket” [3].

References:
[1] American pride hits record low: poll, https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/american-pride-record-low-gallup
[2] Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/01/nx-s1-5452527/poll-democracy-trump-immigration
[3] ICE-Tracking App Skyrockets in Popularity After Trump Team Freaks Out | ICEBlock, an app that alerts users to nearby ICE presence, has launched to the top of the App Store., https://newrepublic.com/post/197498/ice-tracking-app-downloads-popular-trump-team-freakout

6. U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security

6.1. Diplomacy and Economic Pressure

President Trump has signed an executive order lifting sanctions on Syria and is now threatening new tariffs on Japan, a key ally [1, 2]. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that the administration’s tariff policies have held up interest rate cuts [3]. A Trump envoy is also scheduled to meet with an aide to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss new American ideas for post-war Gaza [4].

References:
[1] Trump signs order lifting sanctions on Syria, White House says, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-sign-order-related-syria-sanctions-easing-cbs-news-reports-2025-06-30/
[2] Trump threatens Japan with new tariffs, claiming it won’t buy America’s rice, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/30/business/trump-japan-rice-tariffs
[3] Powell confirms that the Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/01/powell-confirms-that-the-fed-would-have-cut-by-now-were-it-not-for-tariffs.html
[4] Trump’s envoy to meet Netanyahu aide to discuss post-war Gaza ideas, https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/trump-israel-gaza-ceasefire-hamas-witkoff

6.2. Cyber and Disinformation Threats

Significant digital threats have been reported. A group of “Iran-linked hackers” is threatening to release 100GB of sensitive data, including emails allegedly stolen from associates of President Trump [1]. Separately, a pro-Russian disinformation campaign is reportedly using free AI tools to fuel a “content explosion,” raising new concerns about the scale of foreign influence operations [2].

References:
[1] Iran threatens to release 100GB of Trump aides’ emails: what to know, https://www.newsweek.com/iran-hackers-threaten-leak-trump-emails-2092864
[2] A Pro-Russia Disinformation Campaign Is Using Free AI Tools to Fuel a ‘Content Explosion’, https://www.wired.com/story/pro-russia-disinformation-campaign-free-ai-tools/