Trump signs two orders narrowing citizenship at birth
Executive Order 14418 tells federal agencies to stop recognizing citizenship at birth in four cases where neither parent is a citizen, among them children of alien enemies and foreign government employees. A second order lets the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security deny entry or remove a foreign national who came on a nonimmigrant visa to give birth, with humanitarian exemptions available. The first order is built on the Supreme Court's June ruling in Trump v. Barbara. The second rests on entry powers and never cites it.
Payrolls fell by 23,000 against an expected gain
The Hill reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics counting 23,000 jobs lost last month, against forecasts of 83,000 added. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett pointed to government job cuts and the end of seasonal hiring after the World Cup, and said momentum in the economy continues to be strong.
More than $2 billion announced for American mining
The White House said on August 7 that the Department of War would put $1.4 billion into Sila Nanotechnologies, a California battery anode maker. It is the largest piece of more than $2 billion in mining and mining related projects announced at a State Department roundtable. The Washington Free Beacon covered the event and describes announcements, not obligations.
Senate confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General, 50 to 49
The Hill reports the vote early Saturday, with every Democrat opposed and Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins the only Republicans voting no. Bill Cassidy backed Blanche in a Friday floor speech, in a year when the president successfully endorsed a challenger in his reelection race. "I will be criticized for this vote. What's new?" he said.
Homeland Security panel votes 8 to 5 to refer Fauci for contempt
Rand Paul hand delivered the referral to the Justice Department, skipping the full Senate. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times at the earlier hearing, by The Hill's count. Paul says the pardon Biden issued in 2025 removed the federal risk that privilege protects against, though Florida, Louisiana and Alabama have opened investigations it does not cover.
- A Houston VA surge event placed 18 veterans in housing, among them 77 year old Verton Morris. VA News →
- Health and Human Services proposed replacing the Head Start standards with about a dozen pages. Comments close October 6. The Hill →
- The White House says July brought a seventh straight month of manufacturing growth, citing no index. The White House →