by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
Week at a glance
The final week of August was as volatile as any this summer. The White House kept testing the limits of presidential authority—at the Federal Reserve, FEMA and the CDC—while Congress wrestled with foreign aid cuts and trade policy. On the campaign front, Texas sealed its partisan map; Missouri and California upped the ante; and a sitting senator announced she won’t run again. Abroad, Russia pounded Ukraine with drones, Israel broadened its Gaza offensive and two tropical storms swirled harmlessly offshore.
Fed independence vs. presidential control
President Trump’s bid to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook escalated into a test of the central bank’s independence. In an interview, Trump insisted he had authority to remove Cook and said he needed a majority on the seven-member Fed board to “reset rates,” while critics warned that politicizing monetary policy would drive up borrowing costs. Over the next few days he also moved to oust CDC Director Susan Monarez and railroad regulator Robert Primus, prompting warnings that he was eroding the autonomy of independent agencies. The turmoil rattled global central bankers, who fear the U.S. could drag them into a political storm.
Tariff ruling, trade talks and a pocket rescission
On Aug. 29, a U.S. appeals court ruled 7–4 that Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, imposed under emergency powers, exceeded his authority. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said negotiations with key partners will continue and the administration hopes to reverse the ruling. Meanwhile, the president notified Congress that he would withhold $4.9 billion in foreign aid via a so-called pocket rescission, bypassing lawmakers by freezing funds for 45 days—an action critics said was illegal and should go through appropriations.
FEMA dissent, hiring freeze and staff suspensions
Nearly three dozen current and former FEMA employees warned Congress that inexperienced political appointees at the agency could lead to a disaster on the scale of Hurricane Katrina. They said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting FEMA director David Richardson lacked emergency-management experience and had tightened oversight to the point that FEMA can’t act quickly. Days later, FEMA extended a hiring freeze through year’s end and the administration placed staffers who signed the dissent letter on leave. Trump has said he intends to phase out FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season.
Health policy shake-ups: Monarez fired, O’Neill in, Sanders vs. RFK Jr.
After Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS secretary, fired CDC Director Susan Monarez for resisting his anti-vaccine agenda, the administration named Jim O’Neill—a tech investor with a libertarian streak and no medical training—as interim CDC chief. O’Neill’s ties to Peter Thiel and history of advocating looser FDA rules raised questions about how much independence he’ll have under Kennedy. Senator Bernie Sanders published an essay calling for Kennedy’s resignation, saying his anti-vaccine stance endangered public health and that firing Monarez and four other officials was reckless.
Redistricting battles: Texas completes a map, Missouri follows, California counters
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation redrawing the state’s congressional lines to flip five seats to Republicans, after a walkout by Democrats delayed passage. Missouri’s governor called a special session to pursue a similar mid-cycle redraw. In response, California lawmakers advanced a measure asking voters to suspend their independent redistricting commission and adopt a one-cycle, Democrat-tilted map. The battle over maps has now spread coast to coast.
Policing and federal power: Chicago rebels, Union Station takeover
As Trump threatened to deploy federal forces beyond Washington and Los Angeles, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing city police not to assist National Guard troops or federal agents if they arrive. The order says officers should enforce local laws but not participate in federal operations and must wear official uniforms to distinguish them from federal forces. In Washington, the Transportation Department announced a plan to take over management of Union Station—one of the nation’s busiest rail hubs—citing the capital’s decline and pledging federal investment. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser supported the move, saying the city couldn’t afford needed upgrades.
Defense Department rebranding and media license fight
White House officials floated renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, arguing that the Pentagon should focus on offense and that “Department of War” sounds stronger. Representative Greg Steube even filed an amendment to a defense bill to make the change. Separately, Trump resumed his long-running push for the FCC to revoke station licenses of ABC and NBC, accusing the broadcasters of bias; the FCC issues licenses to stations rather than networks, and former FCC chair Ajit Pai has said content complaints do not justify revoking licenses.
Political odds and ends
Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa told confidants she will not seek re-election in 2026, a decision that could complicate GOP plans to hold their Senate majority. The administration also revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, which had been extended by President Biden; a memo ordered her protection to end Monday as she begins a book tour. In addition, The Washington Post reported that the Trump EPA fired at least seven employees who signed a dissent letter criticizing agency leadership. Finally, critics slammed Trump for exploring sanctions on EU officials and pressing the Supreme Court to halt court-mandated foreign aid payments.
Weather and world notes
Tropical Storm Juliette formed in the Eastern Pacific on Aug. 25. It remained far from land, moving west-northwest with 40 mph winds; forecasters expected it to weaken over cooler waters and not threaten the coast. In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fernand churned northeast of Bermuda with 60 mph winds and was projected to become post-tropical by Wednesday, staying over open water. Abroad, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage across Ukraine, killing at least one person and injuring dozens. Israel broadened its offensive in Gaza and said it killed a Hamas spokesperson; the Red Cross warned that blocking humanitarian aid could create a catastrophe. Meanwhile, three Scottish brothers completed a 9,000-mile row across the Pacific to raise money for clean water projects—a reminder that good news still surfaces amid turmoil.
