The irony is not lost on many in Washington that Trump says spitting on a DC cop is justification for hitting/punching back "hard" when he pardoned hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted those same cops — and said attacks on them that day were "minor."

Kennedy’s MAHA strategy won’t be publicly released Aug. 12 ow.ly/w6AA106iCaX

The next MAHA report, which is expected to outline the Trump administration's strategy to reduce chronic childhood disease, won't be released publicly tomorrow. w/ David Lim Megan Messerly POLITICO

MAHA advocates are taking their pesticide demands directly to President Trump. New letter w/ 240 signees, first reported by POLITICO, spells out political consequences for GOP lawmakers in the midterms. Story ⬇️

New CBO megalaw forecast: - 2.4 million Americans will lose SNAP benefits (bc work requirement changes) - 300k will see reduced/eliminated benefits (bc state cost-share) - States may "modify benefits or eligibility" or "leave the program altogether" subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

Trump taps Heritage economist to lead BLS ow.ly/NnbZ106iGyU

Trump's new Bureau of Labor Statistics pick is floating the idea of halting the monthly jobs report — a change that would almost certainly unnerve markets. via Nick Niedzwiadek politico.com/news/2025/08/1…

The USDA spent $16,400 on the 31-foot banners of Trump and Lincoln that hang from its HQ building in DC, according to records obtained by Washingtonian 🌸 via public records request. washingtonian.com/2025/08/12/usd…

Eleanor Holmes Norton is a ghost amid the fierce discussion over deploying federal forces in DC. Great reporting from Nicholas Wu

JUST IN: A D.C. Circuit panel just cleared the way the Trump administration to block significant foreign assistance funds appropriated by Congress, ruling that only the head of GAO could sue over alleged violations of the Impoundment Control Act. media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/…

NEW: The Trump administration is axing union contracts for USDA food safety inspectors, union officials confirm. Union officials fear it could lead to further staff reductions and, subsequently, a decline in the quality of food safety inspections. Story⬇️

NEW: Feeding America's CEO plans to retire from the organization in 2026. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

News: we obtained a copy of the MAHA strategy draft Pretty industry-friendly on food/farm side, no big surprises for food and no crackdown on pesticides, as we've reported Read the draft in POLITICO Pro now subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

NEWS: Grace Yarrow and I obtained copies of the forthcoming MAHA Commission strategy report. POLITICO Read below⬇️

Draft MAHA strategy avoids new crackdown on food and farming practices ow.ly/LbUZ106j1QS

DOL plans to revise the adverse effect wage rate formula for H-2A visas, a major win for ag employers who claim the current standard is burdensome, Nick Niedzwiadek reports subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

NO PAYWALL: We have copies of the MAHA report. While some farm groups are pleased, key parts of the MAHA coalition are not happy with the report’s soft touch on pesticides. “There are way too many industry influences on things,” one MAHA supporter told me. POLITICO ⬇️

Maine oyster farmer wants to upend Democratic politics with Senate bid ow.ly/H74v106jjKr