Wednesday July 16th, 2025
Trump’s Tariff Hangover, Redistricting Rage, and NATO’s New Wallet
Brace for another day of inflation headaches, judicial drama, and a climate blackout. Trump keeps poking the Fed, Texas GOP redraws the lines, and the Epstein files stay buried. Welcome to Wednesday’s hangover.
Today in one sentence: Tomorrow, expect Trump’s war on the Fed to rattle markets, global blowback over his Moscow musings, NATO’s new arms bazaar to get messy, a judicial showdown over a crony nomination, and scientists howl as climate reports vanish into the void.
1. Markets Jitter as Trump Pushes Powell Out
Expect headlines trumpeting market volatility as the White House ramps up efforts to dump Fed Chair Powell (New York Times/CNN/Guardian). Calls for an ‘immediate’ rate cut spook bond traders; consumer groups warn more price hikes ahead as tariffs bite. Second-order: Watch for whispers of a weaker dollar fueling import inflation.
2. Kremlin, Allies Slam Trump’s ‘Moscow Strike’ Chatter
International response will be swift: Russian officials call Trump’s remarks provocative (Reuters/Newsweek/Jerusalem Post). European leaders scramble to distance themselves, fearing escalation. Ripple: Ukrainian hardliners may push for actual deep strikes, testing U.S. resolve—and Putin’s patience.
3. NATO’s Wallet Woes: Arms Buying Plan Hits Bureaucracy
NATO’s big plan for Euro-funded U.S. weapons to Ukraine faces bickering over who pays for what (Yahoo/Defense One/BBC). Smaller states balk at the bill, and Germany demands transparency. Unintended twist: U.S. arms manufacturers see stock surges as contracts flood in.
4. Bove Nomination Sinks Into Senate Swamp
Former judges’ rebellion dominates airwaves as Senate prepares to vote on Emil Bove (CNN). Expect last-ditch progressive protests, but GOP leadership signals they’ll muscle it through—or delay if defectors emerge. Subplot: Watch for fresh scrutiny of Trump’s other judicial picks after behind-the-scenes wrangling leaks.
5. Climate Science Goes Dark; Lawsuits Incoming
Scientists and legal advocates prepare a barrage of lawsuits as the White House yanks climate reports from public view (NBC/Yahoo/Pique). States like California and New York vow to publish independent summaries. Knock-on: Expect Congress to threaten funding for NASA data programs in payback, and academics to go rogue with ‘pirate’ releases.
Notables
Epstein Files Fallout
Expect House Dems to float a new transparency bill after Republicans block Epstein records. Don’t rule out selective leaks, either (60% chance).
Texas Redistricting Sparks Preemptive Lawsuits
Democrats and Latino groups are lawyering up before Abbott’s special session even starts. Local courts may see injunction filings within 24 hours.
Powell Allies Lobby Business Roundtable
Major CEOs expected to issue a public letter urging Fed independence as Trump’s ouster push escalates (70% chance).
Hide your wallet, duck the headlines, and hydrate. See you tomorrow.