Policy Soup stir the pot ALPHA

Congress must reassert its authority. One we lose oversight, we don’t get it back. Let’s protect our kids, our schools, and our Constitution—before it’s too late.

This is demolition without any sort of discussion. And it sets a dangerous precedent. If one president can dismantle entire agencies they don’t like, what’s next?

That means decisions that should involve parents, teachers, and local leaders are now made by bureaucrats in Washington. We can debate the size and role of the Department of Education, and we should. But this isn’t debate.

This ruling gives the executive branch the power to gut entire departments by simply firing the people who make them work. Right now, that means laying off thousands of staff at the Department of Education, or freezing funding for local school programs that help families.

This isn’t about whether you love or hate Washington. For decades, we’ve had checks and balances to make sure no president could unilaterally tear down the institutions that serve our communities. Today, that protection is gone.

The Supreme Court is allowing President Trump to dismantle the Department of Education with the stroke of a pen. As a parent with two kids in public school, I believe that should concern every American—no matter your politics. 🧵👇🏻

Trump Is Cutting Tens of Thousands of Veterans Affairs Workers

Cutting 30,000 VA workers while vets face longer wait times is not reform—it’s betrayal. Nurses are pulled from patients to do admin work, and veterans are left in limbo. This is what happens when billionaires get tax breaks and veterans get the bill.

Trump’s Department of Veterans Affairs has already lost 17,000 employees. By the end of September, 12,000 more will be gone.

China's economy gets surprise lift from Trump's trade war

Trump’s reckless trade war was supposed to hurt China—but now their exports are soaring while U.S. workers, farmers, and veterans bear the cost. Leadership isn’t tough talk and tariff chaos. It’s strategy, results, and putting country (not ego) first.

China's trade surplus surged in June, which analysts have attributed to exporters rushing to ship products before U.S. tariffs recommence.

Mike Levin@mikelevin.orgJul 12(source)

This is your daily reminder: Republicans gutted Medicaid, Medicare & SNAP to fund massive tax breaks for billionaires. The worst impacts are delayed—but that’s intentional. The pain comes later to dodge accountability, but we won’t forget.

Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariff, in part due to trial of ally Jair Bolsonaro

Conditioning U.S. trade policy on halting the prosecution of a political ally is morally repugnant and legally indefensible. No president should use tariffs to obstruct justice abroad. That’s an abuse of power, not a show of strength. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...

"The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro ... is an international disgrace," Trump wrote.

Thousands of San Diegans face food aid cuts under Trump's new law

Republicans just slashed SNAP, putting 67,000 San Diegans at risk of losing food aid—including kids and seniors. Food banks are overwhelmed, and California could be stuck with $4 billion in new costs. This is cruelty disguised as policy. www.axios.com/local/san-di...

The law makes historic cuts to the social safety net that thousand of local families rely on.

Reposted byMike Levin

Stephen Miller has spent his career pushing policies that treat people as threats instead of humans. His ideas don’t come from strength or compassion but from a deep belief in exclusion. We need leaders who solve problems, not ones who divide to score points. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/o...

Reposted byMike Levin

This is what it looks like to add $4 TRILLION to the national debt.

This is what it looks like to add $4 TRILLION to the national debt.

Reposted byMike Levin

Measles Cases Hit Highest Total Since U.S. Eliminated the Disease

Measles was declared eliminated in 2000. Now, thanks to RFK Jr., it’s back with a vengeance. Kids are dying, outbreaks are spreading, and the Health Secretary is fueling the fire. This is what happens when science is replaced with lunacy. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/w...

Measles Cases Hit Highest Total Since U.S. Eliminated the Disease

5 ways Trump's new budget will affect health care in California

Trump’s budget just launched a full-scale attack on health care in California. Over 3.4 million will lose coverage. Premiums will soar. Planned Parenthood defunded. Kids and veterans lose food aid. Hospitals on the brink. This isn’t reform—it’s demolition. calmatters.org/health/2025/...

Lower-income people will be the hardest hit. Over the next 10 years, 3.4 million Californians could lose coverage.