Monday, Sept. 2
á
The Trump administration announced that it would
reconsider its Aug. 7 decision to eliminate a Òdeferred actionÓ program that
allowed immigrants undergoing life-saving medical treatment to avoid
deportation. The program will continue in a limited capacity by completing the
caseload that was pending on and prior to Aug. 7.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
á
Pentagon officials announced that 127 military
construction projects will be delayed or suspended so $3.6 billion can be
diverted to fund President Donald TrumpÕs border wall. Sen. Chuck Schumer
called it a Òa slap in the face to the members of the armed
forces who serve our country.Ó
á
Chinese telecom giant Huawei asserted in a press
release that the United States government is infiltrating the company. Accusations
include unlawfully searching, detaining and arresting employees, lobbying
foreign powers to ban Huawei equipment and disrupting the normal business
operations of Huawei and its partners. The press release did not provide
evidence for these accusations aside from employee accounts.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
á The Trump administration announced that it would Òsignificantly weakenÓ federal rules established in 2007 requiring Americans to use more energy-efficient light bulbs such as LEDs and fluorescents. The administration said the move will benefit consumers by keeping prices low and eliminating government control.
á Democratic lawyer Gregory B. Craig was acquitted of lying to a federal judge. The charge against Craig concerned work he did for the Ukrainian government in 2012. Case filings revealed how foreign governments use U.S. lobbyists, lawyers and public relations experts to sway U.S. politics. His case is one in a line of foreign lobbying prosecutions stemming from Robert MuellerÕs investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
á The U.S. and China agreed to hold trade talks in Washington next month. Stock prices soared after the announcement, but experts in international trade express little hope of progress given resistance to concessions on either side. If all goes as scheduled, the talks will occur after TrumpÕs new tariffs on Chinese goods go into effect, rising from 25 percent to 30 percent.
Thursday, Sept. 5
á The New York Times reported that Trump strongly considered revoking CaliforniaÕs right to set stricter tailpipe pollution standards than the federal government. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said he would sue the federal government over any attempt to undermine state authority on setting pollution standards.
á The Trump administration proposed changes to the U.S. housing finance system that would scale back federal involvement by releasing Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, the two companies responsible for about half of all U.S. mortgages, from federal control. The government seized control of these enterprises in 2008 to avoid losses during the financial crisis.
Friday, Sept. 6
á Naval Special Warfare Command fired three senior Navy SEALs for poor leadership that caused Òa breakdown of good order and discipline.Ó An official told the New York Times that a member of the platoon sexually assaulted a female service member attached to the platoon; another made unwanted sexual advances to another female service member. Other team members purportedly drank alcohol against regulation.
Saturday, Sept. 7
á Trump called off plans to meet with the Taliban at Camp David in light of a suicide car bombing in Kabul Thursday that killed an American soldier and 11 others. This decision ended months of negotiations between the Taliban, the Afghani government and the U.S. government.
Sunday, Sept. 8
á The U.S. Air Force ordered a review of its overnight accommodations between flights in light of news that crews stayed overnight at President TrumpÕs Scotland resort on multiple occasions. The review will put into focus the question of whether high-end accommodations are allowable for service members and if using these resorts are a conflict of interest for the president.
á Over 100 Bahaman refugees on a ferry headed for Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian were told to disembark if they did not have U.S. visas. Customs and Border Protection Officials blamed the ferry company for ordering people off the boat.