During a recent episode of the ‘Pod Force One’ podcast, former President Donald Trump expressed his belief that a ticket featuring Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the 2028 presidential race would be “unbeatable.” Both Vance and Rubio are considered potential candidates for the Republican nomination in 2028. Rubio’s recent appearance at the White House received accolades from both Republicans and some Democrats, who praised his eloquent delivery, which included light-hearted jokes and a reference to 1990s hip-hop to illustrate Iran’s negotiating stance.
“I think JD and Marco as a duo would be very difficult to defeat,” Trump stated during his conversation with Miranda Devine, which aired on Wednesday. He noted the strong rapport between the two, saying, “It’s interesting, the human aspect. They get along very well together.”
Despite Trump’s continued speculation about their potential candidacy, both Vance and Rubio have downplayed their ambitions for 2028.
In another development, the Biden administration has introduced a sweeping policy initiative requiring federal grants to universities and NGOs to be vetted by officials appointed during Trump’s presidency. This vetting process would assess whether these organizations align with what the proposal defines as “American values,” a move that has sparked significant concern among various stakeholders.
The lengthy proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asserts that all federal grants must “clearly advance the president’s policy priorities.” The proposal claims previous federal awards under the Biden administration were often utilized to promote a “woke” policy agenda that diverged from the values of a majority of Americans, leading to a waste of taxpayer resources and a decline in public trust in government.
A document detailing these proposed rule changes was released on Friday without a formal announcement, as first reported by the New York Times. By Tuesday afternoon, the proposal had garnered over 3,000 public comments, mostly expressing alarm and opposition.
In his podcast interview, Trump also indicated that he expected Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, to be appointed as the permanent head of the Department of Justice, stating, “I think he will.”
Meanwhile, in the race for Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass emerged as the leading candidate in Tuesday’s primary but did not secure a majority, meaning she will face a challenge in the general election this November. Bass is set to compete against either Spencer Pratt, a former reality television personality, or city council member Nithya Raman, with the final matchup still undecided as of Tuesday evening.
In her remarks to supporters, Bass emphasized her commitment to addressing homelessness and expanding housing availability over the next four years. She characterized Los Angeles as a city in recovery and pledged to build upon the progress achieved over the past three and a half years. Reflecting on a difficult period last year when federal immigration agents were deployed to the city by Trump, Bass asserted, “We are a city that is unified.”
The new mayor will face critical challenges, including tackling the ongoing homelessness crisis, revitalizing Hollywood amidst a production decline, and enhancing emergency response systems following last year’s severe wildfires.
Initially perceived as a contest between Bass and Raman, the race shifted dynamics in the final weeks as Pratt gained traction in the polls, drawing national attention with provocative campaign videos and an assertive debate performance.
In another report, a survey of federal employees laid off under the Trump administration revealed significant mental health repercussions, with many experiencing symptoms akin to PTSD. Conducted by 27UNIHTED, a network of former National Institute of Health employees, the survey included over 300 individuals, with 95% reporting ongoing mental health challenges. Approximately half of the respondents indicated they were facing PTSD-like symptoms, while a quarter have started new medications for their conditions.
The survey participants came from 43 states and the US Virgin Islands, having worked across 12 different departments within 15 various agencies. This group represents a small segment of the over 300,000 federal workers who were either laid off or compelled to resign or retire since Trump’s second term began. Notably, more than 25,000 individuals were dismissed while still within their probationary period, having only recently begun their roles.
As the November elections approach, some key races are set to attract substantial spending, particularly in contests viewed as toss-ups. In New Jersey, Democrats have nominated former healthcare executive and US Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett to challenge Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr., following a competitive primary.
