Tuesday July 8th, 2025
Tariff Shockwaves, Texas Flood Fallout, and Anti-Vax Lawsuits
Trump’s tariff tantrum rattles markets (again), Texas flood deaths spark fresh blame—while Greene wants to make cloud-seeding a felony. Plus: 76,000 migrants face deportation, RFK Jr. gets sued, and the measles spike keeps climbing. Here’s what’s about to hit the fan.
Today in one sentence: Markets brace for a tariff brawl after Trump revives his trade threats, Texas mourns flood victims amid a gutted weather service, and public health takes a beating as anti-vax policies, lawsuits, and legislative lunacy dominate the headlines.
1. Global Markets Sink On Tariff Deadline
Expect Asian and European stock indices to open lower after Trump’s tariff threat (CNBC, Wall Street Journal). Major exporters like Japan and South Korea will issue statements, and industry lobbyists begin last-minute pitches to the White House. Don’t be surprised if the dollar spikes—fear-fueled money always finds a mattress. Ripple: U.S. automakers may warn of price hikes as parts suppliers freak out (Reuters).
2. Texas Flood Blame Game Gets Uglier
Victims’ families will file the first lawsuits against local governments and possibly the National Weather Service for warning failures (Houston Chronicle, NPR). Congressional Democrats will tee up hearings on the deadly impact of Trump’s NWS cuts; expect a round of CYA memos from FEMA. Ripple: Rural counties nationwide scramble to review their own emergency comms—expect at least one county to discover their alert system is also broken (ProPublica).
3. Greene’s Weather Bill Triggers Science Backlash
House Science Committee members—and actual scientists—will drag Greene’s weather modification bill on social media (The Verge, Salon). At least one state (Colorado or Nevada) will issue a legal challenge, since cloud seeding is basic water policy in the West. Ripple: Fringe conspiracy groups will latch onto the bill, fundraising off apocalyptic weather paranoia (Vice).
4. TPS Expulsion Spurs Protests, Lawsuits Coming
Immigrant advocacy groups will mobilize nationwide marches and announce lawsuits against the TPS termination (NBC News, Associated Press). Several major cities will issue statements refusing to cooperate with new deportations. Ripple: Regional ag and food industry leaders will warn Congress that mass deportations will spike labor shortages and food prices (Politico).
5. Medical Groups Seek Injunction On Vaccines
Federal court will schedule an emergency hearing after medical groups demand an injunction to restore CDC guidance for COVID-19 shots (ABC News, New York Times). Expect a fresh round of anti-vax disinfo to trend on right-wing social media as RFK Jr. doubles down. Ripple: Hospital systems in several states will see a new wave of vaccine opt-outs for all childhood immunizations (Kaiser Health News).
Notables
Measles Outbreak Crosses State Lines
Public health officials in New Mexico and Oklahoma brace for spillover from West Texas as unvaccinated clusters drive up cases. One school district is expected to announce closures (Axios).
Justice Dept. Faces Epstein FOIA Suit
A transparency watchdog group is prepping a new lawsuit demanding release of all Epstein records, betting on public frustration after the DOJ’s ‘there-is-no-list’ memo (Mother Jones).
SNAP, Medicaid Cuts Hit Clinics Hard
Major community health clinics warn of closures or layoffs as the full impact of the Trump ‘big beautiful bill’ sinks in; at least one state’s Medicaid program expects a 20% drop in enrollment (70% chance, Modern Healthcare).
Tomorrow’s news: one part déjà vu, two parts slow-motion car crash.