Hi, all, and happy Thursday,
Here are some things worth knowing today:
First, we now have proof that Trump’s tariffs are making everything more expensive, and that the costs are being passed down to consumers. This morning’s CPI numbers, which reflect last month’s changes, are worse than expected, and everyone is talking about it—even FOX. It’s important that we keep drawing the line between these higher prices and Trump’s tariffs, because they’re directly correlated. Don’t forget about the Don’t Inflate Our Plates website! It’s a great resource for doing just that!
Next, Gov. Newsom is set to make an announcement re: redistricting at 11:30AM PT—just after this newsletter goes out. The link to watch is here. It’s really important for Americans to understand that Democrats don’t want this escalation, but that if Texas moves ahead we’re left with no choice. Please talk to friends and family about it—so few understand what’s actually happening.
In other news, today is the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, which Trump and Republicans have been continuously attacking and threatening to privatize. I’m starting to hear stories of people having their benefits messed with but I’d be interested to hear from all of you. Are any of you who receive Social Security encountering problems getting your benefits?
Next: We’ve learned that every single VA Hospital in the country is facing critical staff shortages. EVERY SINGLE ONE. We’re going to call about this. I find it unconscionable. Especially as we see new reporting from Politico that DOGE saved only a sliver of what it claimed it did. This is no surprise, of course, as has been reporting this the whole time. Still it’s good—if still enraging— to see the numbers in the mainstream media.
Finally, Ken Paxton’s latest attempt to arrest Texas Democrats who are in Illinois fighting against Trump’s redistricting scam has failed. These lawmakers are out there fighting the good fight, folks, and at great personal sacrifice. Long may it last.
OK. Now that you’re caught up let’s get to it! And if you need inspiration for the day’s work, look no further than the brave folks in DC, who turned out last night to show Trump’s invading forces that they would not be bowed. (Footage posted by @jbendery on X.)
Oh, one more thing! I’m interviewing the DNC’s Ken Martin today and he’s agreed to do it as a Substack Live! If you want to watch please set a reminder for 12:30 PM PT and hop on the app! So many of you submitted tough questions in the chat thread I sent out that I asked his team how blunt I could be. They said blunt! So come hear some of those questions get answered!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲 and Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
The CPI numbers that came out this morning are more proof that Trump’s illegal tariffs are increasing prices. But I don’t need an economist to tell me that everything is getting more expensive. Trump is focussing on the wrong things. He’s invading American cities and meeting with war criminals while doing nothing about prices. Tariffs are a tax on us. Congress needs to take its power back and repeal them, now.
Second, we’ve just learned that every single VA Hospital in the country is facing critical staff shortages. Every one! And these shortages are a direct result of DOGE cuts and other Trump policies. It’s shameful. Caring for our veterans is a sacred duty. That funding must be restored at once. Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
I don’t like to overpromote my own content, but I did an Instagram Live yesterday with John Bisognano—he’s the President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and one of the preeminent experts on redistricting and gerrymandering in the U.S. It was a SUPER fun and informative talk, and I swear if you want to get up to speed on what’s happening with gerrymandering not just in Texas but across the country I really do recommend this conversation.
Also please consider following the NDRC. They’re a fantastic and important organization!
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
As I mentioned above, today is the 90th anniversary of social security. Feel free to post from this toolkit to remind everyone that Republicans want to privatize it.
Get in the Streets! 🪧
Remember—there’s a National Day of Action on August 16
Trump is trying to steal the 2026 election by rigging the system and changing electoral maps. He started in Texas, but he won’t stop there. It’s time to Fight Back! Join a stop the Trump Takeover event near you on Saturday, August 16.
Win Races! 🗳
The Progressive Turnout Project needs more postcard writers!
You can:
Write postcards to rally Democrats to vote in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the Nov. 4 elections! Sign up here.
or…
Write News Boosting postcards to VA voters. You’ll be sending postcards with useful headlines to Democratic-leaning voters in Virginia to combat disinformation and to make sure they learn how harmful the Trump/GOP agenda is for most Americans. Sign up here.
In both cases they will send you the cards for free!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your two US Senators] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PFBABY to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
The nomination of E.J. Antoni to be the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is deeply concerning and should be rejected by the Senate. Antoni has repeatedly attacked and undermined the credibility of the BLS jobs report, even suggesting the agency should suspend publishing the legally mandated monthly employment data. This unsubstantiated criticism calls into question his ability to lead the BLS in an impartial, nonpartisan manner.
As economists have warned, halting publication of the monthly jobs report would be akin to “gouging out our eyes” - depriving businesses, policymakers, and the public of vital economic data needed to make informed decisions. The jobs report provides real-time labor market information that moves markets and guides monetary policy. Suspending it, as Antoni has proposed, would sow confusion and undermine trust in federal economic statistics.
Furthermore, Antoni’s background raises red flags about his suitability for this critical role. He has worked at partisan think tanks that have advocated controversial policies, and has echoed the President’s baseless claims that BLS data is misleading. An individual who has displayed such overt political bias should not be entrusted to lead an agency whose credibility hinges on its independence and adherence to scientific integrity.
The BLS Commissioner must be a steadfast defender of the agency’s nonpartisan mission to accurately measure employment and labor conditions. Antoni’s track record shows he lacks the objectivity and expertise required for this position. I urge you to reject his nomination and insist on a qualified candidate committed to upholding the BLS’s vital role without political interference. Our nation’s economic decision-making capabilities depend on it.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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