Tuesday Talkers 6/17: Political Violence is Not the Answer
Plus, Trump's Birthday Flop, ICE Raids at Agricultural Worksites, the Economy Shudders Under Trump's Erratic Policy, Number of the Week, and more...
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump threw himself a 79th birthday party in alignment with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The celebration entailed an excessive parade where 128 Army tanks and 6,000 soldiers rolled through the streets of Washington, D.C. Early predictions said as many as 200,000 people would attend the extravagant event, but attendance appeared to fall very short. A flop some might say. Simultaneously, ‘No Kings’ protests, intended to oppose Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day plans, unfolded in cities across the U.S. It was rather encouraging to see Americans to come together and call out some of the heinous, dictator-like behavior we’ve seen come from this administration.
All in all, the president’s big birthday celebration wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be and cost nearly $45 million. The parade received heavy criticism for the excessive price tag in addition to the potential damage the tanks could cause to D.C. streets. Meanwhile, turmoil across the U.S. and around the world continues to unfold.
Here are a few important updates…
POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER
Our hearts are heavy with the news of the recent assassinations and attempted killings of Minnesota state lawmakers. The suspect went to the homes of four state officials with a plan to kill them and their families. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded. Evidence shows the attacks were calculated and planned far in advance by the suspected gunman, Vance Luther Boelter. This most recent episode of horrific political violence highlights the increasingly divided and harmful political environment that’s evolving in our country. It will certainly not be the last.
In the midst of this latest tragedy, “major right-wing social media commentators and conspiracy theorists were quick to falsely lay blame at the feet of victims and Democrats.” Of course, the conspiracy theories were invalid, and the suspect reportedly voted for President Trump. It appears Boelter intentionally targeted progressive and liberal candidates and causes. A list of additional targets was found by the police which included Democrats who support abortion rights and Planned Parenthood clinics. The increase of political violence and growing acceptance of it are extremely concerning and reflect larger issues facing American society. Now is a critical time for individuals on both sides of the aisle to come together rather than antagonize one another. Encouraging or failing to address political violence is a failure on the American people. One Country Project sends its condolences and thoughts to all the lawmakers and families impacted by these heinous acts of political violence.
A MUDDY PICTURE ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT RAIDS AT AGRICULTURAL WORKSITES
A large focus of President Trump’s presidency has been immigration and keeping his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants across the U.S. However, in a surprising turn of events, President Trump offered protection for agricultural workers days after federal immigration officials targeted farms and meat packing plants in rural America through immigration enforcement raids. NPR reports, “the Trump administration has been sending mixed signals to the agriculture community about how immune their workforce is to the effort to conduct mass deportations.” In a Truth Social post, the president seemed to suggest there might be relief for farmers while members of his administration have been clear that people without legal status must leave or risk being arrested. The New York Times reports that “the president’s decision to shield farmers and the hospitality industry – a business he knows well from his years as an owner of luxury hotels – reveals the tension between his deportation efforts and concerns about maintaining crucial support in his political coalition.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 42% of crop farmworkers do not have legal status. This represents a significant amount of our agricultural workforce and their potential removal would have a detrimental impact on the food supply in the U.S. The president’s decision to halt raids targeting farms and hospitality workers was a very surprising move, but now the question is will this last?
Despite Trump’s proclamations on his social media account, Jerry Hagstrom is reporting that the Department of Homeland Security instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continue workplace raids in agricultural businesses, hotels and restaurants. Per a statement from ICE, “There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts.” For now, we have to wait and see if Trump’s social media account or if Trump’s DHS are making immigration policy decisions for the Federal government.
A SLOWING ECONOMY SHUDDERS UNDER THE WEIGHT OF TRUMP’S ERRATIC POLICY CHOICES
In the last few weeks three new economic reports have given us a clearer picture of the impact the Trump administration is having on the U.S. economy. Inflation, employment, and consumer spending are three of the most reliable metrics to gauge the health of the economy. Let’s quickly examine what they are telling us.
The CPI report for May showed a topline number of 2.4% inflation, narrowly beating forecasts. However, when stripping out energy and food costs, inflation remained at 2.8%. This puts the national economy well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. It also indicates that despite a brief drop in food and energy prices, that the overall trend in the economy is growing inflation from the impact of tariffs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the employment report for May last week. The economy added a modest 139,000 jobs in May. More concerning was an admission accompanying the report that BLS staff had to use less reliable survey methods due to the reckless staffing reductions in the agency spearheaded by Elon Musk during his brief foray into government employment. The report also revised the previous two months labor report by a combined 95,000 jobs. Taken together, these reports indicate a clear softening in the labor market and the prospect of increased unemployment looming on the horizon.
The Census Bureau released the consumer spending report for May this morning. This report is sounding alarm bells as the monthly consumer spending rate in May declined by .9%. The report also revised the April estimate down to a negative .1%. This now marks a clear downward trajectory in consumer spending. This was indicated by the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey indicating the lowest consumer confidence in several years.
With tariffs still in place, more cuts to basic services being threatened, a disastrous debt bomb working its way through the Senate, and household debt hitting all-time highs, the economic picture for the second half of 2025 is anything but rosy
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
45%: The percentage of rural counties that had at least one fast EV charging port installed, compared to 76.5% of metropolitan counties.
Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to hinder the development of electric vehicle charges across the U.S., the number of ports is increasing. However, rural areas are seeing less investment compared to urban areas.
2025 RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT
This summer you can join One Country Project board members, influential speakers, policy experts, national leaders, and rural advocates for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit July 8th - 10th. The keynote conversation will feature Sec. Pete Buttigieg in a virtual fireside chat with Sen. Heitkamp. As a former Transportation Secretary and small city mayor, Pete Buttigieg has the ability to speak knowledgeably and clearly on the biggest issues facing our country. The Rural Progress Summit explores ideas and policies that will shape the future of rural America.
Details
What: One Country Project Rural Progress Summit
When: Tuesday, July 8th – Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Where: Online, hosted on Zoom
LOOKING AHEAD
Wednesday, June 18th – 10am ET – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing: To examine modernizing America’s rail network.
Wednesday, June 18th – 2pm ET – The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve will meet to discuss potential interest rate cuts and other economic issues.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Nebraska Examiner: House-Passed Budget Bill Will Devastate Nebraska Communities
CBS News: Doctors Say Strict Abortion Laws in Texas Put Pregnant Women and Their Physicians at Serious Risk
The Guardian: Extremely Disturbing and Unethical: New Rules Allow VA Doctors to Refuse to Treat Democrats, Unmarried Veterans
Politico: Trump Ratchets Up Immigration Threats to Democratic-Run Cities
AP News: The Man Suspected of Shooting 2 Minnesota Lawmakers is in Custody After Surrendering to the Police
Devex: US Farmers ‘About to Become Roadkill’ Under Trump Food Aid Cuts, Senators Warn
NPR: Medicaid Keeps Getting More Popular as Republicans Aim to Cut It by $800 Billion
The Daily Indy: ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Would Batter Rural Hospital Finances, Researchers Say
The American Prospect: Trump’s Reverse Robin Hood Agenda Hits Home Stretch
Washington Monthly: War on Renewable Energy: MAGA Ideology Over Economics
The Nation: The Heritage of Dylann Roof
ProPublica: Trump Administration Abandons Deal With Northwest Tribes to Restore Salmon
Mother Jones: “They’re Taking Shirly”: An Army Sergeant Thought His Family Was Safe. Then ICE Deported His Wife.
The Atlantic: The Tyrant Test
Rolling Stone: Trump’s $4 Billion Plan to Raise Your Energy Bills