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February 4, 2026
Trump again calls for federal intervention in elections amid criticism
(USA Today) President Donald Trump called for the federal government to "get involved" in overseeing elections as his talk of nationalizing the voting process generates bipartisan pushback and alarms critics worried about the fairness of future contests. Asked during a Feb. 3 White House event attended by GOP lawmakers what he meant by comments he made on a podcast with Dan Bongino about nationalizing voting, Trump said: "I want to see elections be honest, and if a state can't run an election, I think the people behind me should do something about it."
Go to discussionPrivate payrolls rose by just 22,000 in January, far short of expectations, ADP says
(CNBC) The U.S. labor market barely budged in January, with hiring below even muted expectations, according a report Wednesday from payrolls processing firm ADP. Private companies added just 22,000 positions for the month and the number would have been negative had it not been for a surge of 74,000 hires in the education and health services category. The total was less than the downwardly revised 37,000 increase in December and below the Dow Jones consensus forecast for 45,000.
Go to discussionFormer US agriculture officials, top Republican senator warn of farm country trouble
(Reuters) The chair of the U.S. Senate's agriculture committee warned on Tuesday that farmers were suffering heavy losses, while more than two dozen former industry leaders sounded the alarm about the risk of a "widespread collapse of American agriculture" ahead of a $12 billion government bailout expected to reach growers this month. For three years, the costs of seed, fertilizer and other farm inputs rose, while plentiful grain supplies limited profits for farmers, economists said.
Go to discussionThe manufacturing boom Trump promised would usher in a golden age for America is going in reverse
(Wall Street Journal) The manufacturing boom President Trump promised would usher in a golden age for America is going in reverse. After years of economic interventions by the Trump and Biden administrations, fewer Americans work in manufacturing than any point since the pandemic ended. Manufacturers shed workers in each of the eight months after Trump unveiled “Liberation Day” tariffs, according to federal figures, extending a contraction that has seen more than 200,000 roles disappear since 2023.
After Republicans push Clintons to testify on Epstein, Democrats warn they'll haul in Trump
(NBC News) Democrats now say Republicans have established a precedent when it comes to Congress’ ability to subpoena and haul in past presidents, first ladies and family members under threat of criminal charges if they refuse — a precedent they warn the GOP and Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., will soon regret. "We are absolutely going to have Donald Trump testify under oath" when Democrats take back power, California Rep. Ted Lieu, a member of Democratic leadership who for years has been highlighting Donald Trump's ties to Epstein, told NBC News on Tuesday.
Go to discussionBrothers of Renee Good, woman killed by immigration officer, call for action in Congress
(AP) The brothers of Renee Good, one of two U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, called on Congress to do something about the violence on American streets as a result of immigration operations, warning Tuesday that the scenes playing out are “changing many lives, including ours, forever.” Brothers Luke and Brett Ganger spoke during a hearing held Tuesday by congressional Democrats to highlight use-of-force incidents by officers from the Department of Homeland Security as they arrest and deport immigrants.
Go to discussion'ICE Employees Vent on Reddit, Saying They're Not Getting Paid and Still No Insurance Despite Promises'
(IB Times) US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is facing an unusual wave of internal backlash after employees began publicly accusing the agency of failing to pay salaries and activate health insurance weeks after recruitment. Despite a historic recruitment drive that added 12,000 agents in recently, the agency's administrative backbone appears to be buckling, with employees desperate enough to turn to the Reddit to detail their struggles.
Go to discussionRussia Strikes Ukraine Hours After Trump Bragged About Deal With Putin
(New Republic) You’ll never guess which country launched a massive attack just hours after President Donald Trump announced yet another supposed temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Sitting at his desk in the Oval Office Monday, Trump repeated his claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “agreed” to pause Moscow’s repeated strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, as the temperatures in Europe dropped dangerously low.
Go to discussionWashington Post Begins Sweeping Layoffs
(NY Times) The Washington Post told employees on Wednesday that it was beginning a widespread round of layoffs. The cuts, announced in a video call with employees, are a sign that Jeff Bezos, who became one of the world’s richest people by selling things on the internet, has not yet figured out how to build and maintain a profitable publication on the internet. The paper expanded during the first several years of his ownership, but the company has sputtered more recently.
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