Mueller Testifies – Seeming weary and confused, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees for nearly six hours regarding his two year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. While Democrats had been eager to hear from Mueller, believing his testimony could sink Trump’s presidency, no major bombshells were revealed by Mueller, and he repeatedly urged lawmakers to read his public report rather than answering questions. Liberal commentators were aghast at the disaster the hearing was for pro-impeachment Democrats, with many agreeing that impeachment hearings must at least be pushed off.
House Passes Bipartisan Budget Bill – Despite limited support from Republicans, a Trump-backed budget bill passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 284-149. Only 65 of the 197 Republicans in the House voted in favor of the budget, with many opposed to once again agreeing to send the US deeper into debt. President Trump celebrated the passage of the bill on Twitter, writing “I am pleased to announce the House has passed our budget deal 284-149. Great for our Military and our Vets. A big thank you!”
Federal Government To Resume Capital Punishment – President Trump’s Justice Department announced that they would begin executing death-row inmates again, more than 15 years after the federal government halted such executions in 2003. Attorney General William Barr has instructed officials to begin preparations for the executions of five death-row inmates, with the first executions slated to take place in December.
New Secretary of Defense Confirmed – The US Senate voted to confirm General Mark Esper as the new Secretary of Defense. The 90-8 vote brings an end to a seven month vacancy at the position, the longest period in history that the Pentagon did not have a confirmed leader. Esper replaces James Mattis, who resigned last December after a series of policy disputes with President Trump.
Trump Requests Pakistani Help With Taliban – At a meeting between President Trump and Pakistani PM Imran Khan, the president requested Khan to use his influence to help progress a possible peace deal with the Taliban. Pakistan is a questionable partner for peace negotiations – they almost definitely knew the whereabouts of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who hid in an Abbottabad, Pakistan compound for years. Trump also said that he could win the war in a week without Pakistan’s help, but that he doesn’t want to be responsible for the deaths of 10 million people.
Economy Slows, Still Healthy – The US economy grew at a 2.1% pace in Q2 versus a projected 1.8%, marking a slowdown in the rate of growth, but still showing signs of health. The data shows that the economy is continuing to slow and many analysts are predicting a recession before 2020. Invest and save accordingly.