Plus: Mo News Talks With Texas State Democrat In Hiding

Was this page forwarded to you? Sign up!

Good evening,

President Donald Trump hosted nearly 100 Purple Heart recipients at the White House today in honor of National Purple Heart Day, praising veterans wounded or killed in combat as “an example of bravery, courage, and strength.”

Among those honored were veterans of Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf War — including Trump’s former campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, three men who mailed their medals to Trump after he survived an assassination attempt last year, and a father-son duo, Kevin Willette and Brian Willette.

More than 1.8 million Americans have received the Purple Heart since it was established in 1782.

The Mo News Team

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump’s Historic Tariffs Take Effect: What It Means For U.S. Consumers

President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners took effect today, marking a historic shift in American trade policy.

“10% is really the new zero,” CNN reporter Matt Egan explained, describing the minimum tariff for countries the U.S. has a trade surplus with.
Countries with a trade deficit with the U.S. face a 15% baseline tariff, and more than two dozen nations face even higher rates — including 30% on South Africa, 35% on Iraq, 39% on Switzerland, and 50% on Brazil, even though the U.S. actually has a trade surplus with Brazil.

The levies raise the effective U.S. tariff rate above 17% — the highest since the Great Depression — and are expected to cost the average U.S. household about $2,400 this year, according to the Yale Budget Lab.

WHAT’S NEXT
Americans will likely see the full impact of these tariffs on the costs of everyday goods like computers, clothing, watches, shoes, alcohol, furniture, and toys in about 8 months, according to Egan. Goldman Sachs’ economists predict as much as 70% of tariffs’ costs will be passed onto consumers through higher prices. The stock market has remained strong despite the tariff back-and-forth, but the long-term impact on the U.S. economy remains to be seen.

Are we done here? Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told MSNBC Thursday that the administration's trade deals are "largely done" and that the Trump administration is now shifting its focus to tackle the nation's affordability crisis — though high prices from tariffs are likely to affect cost of living.

And more tariffs could be on the way. On Wednesday, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India — to take effect later this month — and warned of consequences for other countries buying Russian goods. He also threaten to impose 100% tariffs on computer chips not built in the U.S.

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE WATCHING CLOSELY

From An Undisclosed Location: Texas Democrat Speaks Out On Redistricting Showdown

The new GOP-backed redistricting plan would give white Texans disproportionate power at the ballot box, Texas State Rep. Vince Perez tells Mo News. Perez asserts that the principle of “one person, one vote” should be upheld across states, but warns that Democrats are prepared to retaliate if Republicans don’t back down.

Perez, who represents Texas House District 77 in El Paso, is currently in hiding outside his state — as are more than 50 Texas Democrats.

Their aim is to prevent a quorum to vote on the redistricting plan, which Republicans have the numbers to pass and would likely give the GOP five additional congressional seats in the 2026 midterms.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Perez argues that the new maps dilute the voting strength of Black and Latino residents, through slicing up Democratic-leaning areas like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and parts of South Texas. Meanwhile, he says white voters will gain more political power, despite making up slightly less of the Texas population than Latinos.

Republicans argue that in at least three of the five districts Republicans are hoping to capture, the GOP map-drawers added more Hispanic voters — betting that the Latino population will continue to trend rightward as it did in the 2024 election.

Texas’s maps already tilt toward Republicans, who hold 25 of Texas’s 38 seats in the U.S. Congress. The proposed map could mean Republicans — who make up about 55% of the vote under current maps — could end up controlling upwards of 80% of congressional seats.

DEMS THREATEN RETALIATION
As Democratic governors from California to New York threaten to redraw their congressional maps in response to GOP redistricting efforts in Texas, Perez says every state should uphold the principle of “one person, one vote” — where everybody’s vote counts equally.

California officials have signaled interest in revisiting their maps, which already disproportionately favor Democrats (occupying 83% of the state’s U.S. House seats, with 58% of 2024 presidential votes). Perez pushed back on claims that Texas Republicans are merely responding to California’s maps, arguing that many California districts are still competitive.
- According to the University of Virginia's Sabato’s Crystal Ball, ahead of the 2024 election, five of California’s 40 Democratic-held seats were considered somewhat vulnerable to a Republican takeover.
- In contrast, Texas Democrats could realistically only target one of the 25 GOP-held seats under the current map.

WHAT’S THE ENDGAME?
Perez warns that both parties engaging in retaliatory redistricting could undermine democracy across the country. With Republicans in control of the Texas House, it’s not a matter of if the maps will pass — but when. Texas Democrats have protested a redistricting bill before, and in the end, Republicans prevailed.

Perez tells us he has no timeline for how long Democrats will hold out, despite many of them leaving behind jobs and families back home, and amid threats from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Thursday saying that the FBI will track them down. Perez said he’s determined to protect the next generation’s voting rights.

🚰 An Easy Way To Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated can be hard. Luckily, LMNT is here to make it a whole lot easier.

What it is: LMNT is a tasty electrolyte drink mix that replaces vital electrolytes without sugar, artificial colors, and other questionable ingredients.
Who it’s for: LMNT is perfect for athletes, folks who are fasting, or those following keto, low-carb, whole-food, or paleo diets.
Why we love it: LMNT comes in a ton of refreshing flavors, like lemonade salt, watermelon salt, and mango chili — find the flavor that fuels you!

Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors on us with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/MoNews.

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

President Trump calls for new census that excludes undocumented migrants (MO NEWS)
Six soldiers awarded medals for acting as gunfire erupted at Fort Stewart military base (CNN)
Abbott says FBI is ‘tracking down’ Texas Democrats (THE HILL)
Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for Trump deportations (AP)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

Netanyahu: Israel plans to take total control of Gaza to defeat Hamas (MO NEWS)
France's biggest wildfire of the summer has eclipsed the size of Paris and is still spreading (NBC)
Myanmar’s acting President Myint Swe dies after a long illness (AP)
Trump set to announce initial deal to end conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia (CBS)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

OpenAI launches new GPT-5 model for all ChatGPT users (CNBC)
Trump demands Intel CEO resign, alleging conflicts over China ties (AXIOS)
Republican senator claims RFK Jr. mRNA vaccine decision undermines Trump agenda (FOX)
Trump to sign executive order allowing cryptocurrencies, private equity in 401(k)s (THE HILL)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Paramount and Skydance close their $8 billion merger (AP)
Kelly Clarkson postpones remaining Las Vegas shows for family crisis involving ex-husband Brandon Blackstock (FOX)
Ex-Superman actor Dean Cain says he's becoming ICE agent (KTLA)
NFLPA tells players they can still use smelling salts (NBC SPORTS)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Play ball! ⚾️ Major League Baseball will have its first woman umpire at a regular-season game when Jen Pawol calls balls and strikes during this weekend’s series between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves.

Pawol, who was a softball catcher at Hofstra University and umpired in the Big Ten Conference from 2013 to 2015, has been climbing the ranks as a professional umpire for years, first for Rookie ball in 2016 and eventually making it to MLB Spring Training in 2024 and 2025.

She is a Triple-A minor league umpire, meaning she is one of 17 umps eligible to be called up to the majors if they need someone, according to the MLB

Tariffs Hit Highest Level In 100 Years, As U.S. Consumers Await The Impact