Monday, Aug. 22

á           Dr. Anthony Fauci announced he will step down as President BidenÕs top medical adviser and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in December. Fauci, 81, led the agency for 38 years and advised seven presidents.

á           In response to the FBIÕs Aug. 8 search of former President Donald TrumpÕs Mar-a-Lago residence, TrumpÕs legal team filed a lawsuit alleging his constitutional rights were violated and requesting the appointment of a special master or third-party attorney, to ensure the Justice Department return what he claimed were his private documents. 

Tuesday, Aug. 23

á           In a letter to employees, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig announced the agency will launch a full security review of its 600 nationwide facilities as both congressional Republicans and right wingers are lashing out at the new funding the agency is set to receive.

á           The U.S. State Department urged Americans to leave Ukraine, fearing days of missile strikes by Moscow on civilian infrastructure and government facilities as the country marks its upcoming Independence Day.

Wednesday, Aug. 24

á           Biden announced both an extension of the existing moratorium on federal student loan payments, currently set to expire Aug. 31, along with the student loan forgiveness program of up to $20,000 for borrowers with incomes below $125,000 a year. The government will make available applications for student loan relief although the process for  millions of borrowers may be automatic should the Department of Education already have student income information.

á           Two U.S. military bases were under rocket attack in northern Syria with service members sustaining minor injuries. To minimize the risk of harm to civilians, American troops surveilled militant Iranian-backed Islamic forces for a week in preparation for two retaliatory airstrikes, both launched within a 24-hour period.

á           The New York Times reported that the CIA has begun making payments under the Havana Act, passed by Congress last year to provide compensation to a dozen officers, diplomats and their families for traumatic brain injuries incurred while serving the U.S. government in China, Austria, Serbia and Havana. Debilitating symptoms were first reported in 2016 in Havana. A report to the Biden administration indicated pulse radio energy may have caused the head injuries and subsequent symptoms.   

á           First Lady Jill Biden again tested positive for the coronavirus nine days after first contracting the virus. Although she did not experience any symptoms, protocols were followed for contact tracing, self-isolated, and prescribed Paxlovid, an antiviral medication for both the president and first lady.

á           The New York Times reported on the findings from multiple investigations by the Interior DepartmentÕs Office of Inspector General of Ryan Zinke, a former interior secretary during the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019. ZinkeÕs alleged unethical conduct included intentionally misleading investigators in their decision not to act on two Native American tribesÕ request to open a new casino in Connecticut. Zinke is currently the Republican nominee for a congressional seat in Montana and is expected to win the general election.    

á           The U.S. delivered almost $3 billion in military weapons and equipment to Ukraine on the six-month anniversary of the war and UkraineÕs Independence Day. The aid was part of the $40 billion assistance package Congress approved in May. Biden said this new financial assistance would allow Ukraine to purchase Òair defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radar to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term.Ó

á           The Seattle office of the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint against Starbucks, accusing the company of illegally discriminating against employees who voted to unionize by denying them wage and benefit increases and discouraging union activity. The labor boardÕs case is schedule before an administrative law judge at a hearing on October 25 unless Starbuck agrees to settle in advance. 

á           U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill blocked a portion of an Idaho law that bans abortions except in cases involving rape, incest or when the womanÕs life is in danger because it did not contain an exception for when the pregnant womanÕs health is at risk. The judge said the law violated a federal law that requires hospitals participating in the Medicare program to provide treatment when the personÕs life or health is at stake.

Thursday, Aug. 25

á           Judge Bruce E. Reinhart ordered the release of a redacted version of the FBIÕs affidavit used as justification to obtain the search warrant for Mar-a-Lago disclosing details about the search and seizure of documents at former President TrumpÕs Florida residence. 

Friday, Aug. 26

á           The newly released affidavit for the search of TrumpÕs Mar-a-Lago earlier in August shows the FBI found 184 classified documents among those that had been returned to the National Archives in January.

á           U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is slated to receive $65 million over five years from President BidenÕs Bipartisan Infrastructure Law intended to improve roads, trails, water quality, fish habitat, and create jobs. 

á           Secretary Debra Anne Haaland of the Department of the Interior, traveled to New Mexico to discuss clean energy and the Gulf of Maine to gauge interest in wind energy projects. More than $309 million in funding will help design and build water reuse projects across the country.

Saturday, Aug. 27

á           Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, told lawmakers on the House Intelligence and Oversight Committees an assessment of the possible risks to national security from former President Donald TrumpÕs handling of classified documents after the FBI seized boxes from his Florida home. Federal agents are investigating potential violation of federal laws under the Espionage Act and other statues which address the concealment, removal and destruction of records. 

Sunday, Aug. 28

á           Two U.S. Navy warships traveled through the Taiwan Strait conducting maneuvers. China performed military exercises in the Strait, sending warplanes and firing long-range missiles as a message to punish Taiwan after Pelosi visited the island against BeijingÕs opposition. China views the island as part of its national territory.