This story appeared in The Logoff, a each day publication that helps you keep knowledgeable concerning the Trump administration with out letting political information take over your life. Subscribe right here.
Welcome to The Logoff: Hello, readers. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump was the goal of a 3rd high-profile assassination try on the annual White Home Correspondents’ Dinner. He was unhurt, as have been the opposite attendees. One Secret Service agent was shot however not badly injured, because of a bulletproof vest.
We’re prone to be taught extra concerning the shooter, who was arraigned in DC right this moment, within the coming days. However the White Home is popping out swinging on two different priorities post-shooting: Jimmy Kimmel and Trump’s ballroom.
What’s occurring? Let’s begin with Kimmel, who made a joke earlier within the week describing First Woman Melania Trump as having “a glow like an expectant widow.” On Monday, each Trumps referred to as for Kimmel to lose his job over the joke, which Melania described as “hateful and violent.”
That is one thing the Trump administration has tried earlier than. Final 12 months, Kimmel was briefly off the air after Trump’s Federal Communications Fee chair threatened his employer, ABC; his reinstatement was a black eye for the administration.
There’s nothing to attach Kimmel’s joke with Saturday evening’s assault, however the administration, undeterred, seems to be making an attempt once more.
And the ballroom? Mentioned ballroom — a large entertaining area for which the East Wing was demolished — doesn’t exist but, however Trump badly desires it performed earlier than the top of his time period. Proper now, nonetheless, the White Home is enjoined from continuing with above-ground building on the constructing.
And so, following the assault, the administration is leaning onerous right into a supposed nationwide safety justification for the ballroom. On Sunday, Appearing Lawyer Common Todd Blanche mentioned that the lawsuit towards the administration was “delaying the development of a safe facility for the President to do his job.”
(The Correspondents’ Dinner shouldn’t be a authorities occasion and wouldn’t be hosted on the White Home even have been the ballroom accomplished.)
What’s the large image? Confronted with a possible tragedy narrowly averted, the Trump administration goes all-in on petty political opportunism — and making an attempt to journey roughshod over its opponents.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
I realized a brand new and pleasant phrase from this Wall Road Journal story: thigmotactic, which the Journal’s Robert McMillan experiences is “a scientific time period for very social creatures who prefer to cuddle.”
The creatures in query are sea lions, and particularly, a stellar Steller sea lion named “Chonkers,” who has made himself at house at San Francisco’s Pier 39. You may learn all about him right here with a present hyperlink.
As at all times, thanks for studying, have an ideal night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
