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New York. Adams Rebukes National Guard Talk, Cites Crime Gains and Housing Push

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in an interview on Bloomberg’s Businessweek Daily, dismissed federal threats to deploy the National Guard, arguing crime is down and the city is already collaborating closely with federal partners. He highlighted more than 23,000 illegal guns removed and falling shootings and homicides, while casting blame on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bail and cannabis policies for public safety setbacks. Adams rejected progressive rival Zohran Mamdani’s proposals to defund the police and shutter Rikers, defended limited bail reform, and sought to reassure parents that ICE will not appear in schools. Campaign controversies, he said, won’t overshadow his record on jobs, tourism, and his “City of Yes” housing initiative, which he calls the most ambitious rezoning effort in city history. Adams pledged to stay in the race despite weak polling, saying only election-day votes will matter.

Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on Bloomberg’s “Businessweek Daily”

Myles Miller: And we’re sitting down with the mayor here in Gracie Mansion. And the first thing we want to talk about with the mayor is the National Guard. You know, Donald Trump said just yesterday, if these mayors can’t control their streets, we will. And he listed New York among the cities under review for National Guard deployment. Do you believe this is a real threat to New York?

Mayor Eric Adams: Well, the partnership between the federal government and the city and state governments is extremely important. And I think there’s a role we need. My role is to make sure New Yorkers are safe and the numbers are showing we’re doing that. And the partnership of making sure guns don’t come into our city. And that’s what we want to continue to do with the federal government. We already collaborate with the federal government every morning, 10 a.m. [inaudible] city, state and federal authorities to go after shooters and those who bring guns into our cities.

Miller: When he talks about the National Guard potentially coming here to New York and in the event that that happens, is there anything you can do to counteract that? I mean, you know, what would it look like if National Guard members you saw in D.C., 2,000 of them on the streets of Washington, if they were here, you know, on 90th Street?

Mayor Adams: Well, the goal is the relationship between the federal government and D.C. is different than the relationship between New York City and the federal government. And again, our communications with the federal government is we got this. We removed over 23,000 illegal guns off our streets. We see it. We’re witnessing record levels of decreasing crimes, homicides and shootings in the first six months and shooting victims in the first seven months.

And so we are very clear, always have been. I have never moved away from the public safety as the prerequisite to our prosperity. And we’re going to continue to do an amazing job. And if the federal government wants to communicate with us and ask us to go to other municipalities and help them see what we’re doing, we’re willing to do that because the safe America is a safe New York City and we want to help any way we can.

Miller: You know, I want to ask you about [the] November election as it relates to that. You know, one of your opponents, Andrew Cuomo, has said, if Mamdani gets in office, then Trump takes control of New York City. Then Trump does put the National Guard here. Do you think that could happen?

Mayor Adams: Andrew would say anything to anyone to get elected. He created this. He passed the cannabis laws. I had to close down 1,500 cannabis shops because of the failed law he passed. He did the bail reform. That’s the revolving door criminal justice system that we’re looking at. He closed psychiatric beds. So every time you see someone push someone on the subway track because of severe mental health illness or stab three innocent New Yorkers, you have to ask yourself, why do we close those beds?

Raise the Age. We’re seeing young people are victims of crimes more and more and they’re shooters as well. These are all of his bills. I had to fix his mess. And so Mamdani’s call to defund police, his calls to legalize prostitution, his calls to cause the empty Rikers Island, they’re two of the same people. New York has come too far to go backwards with either one of them.

Miller: When I heard the president talk yesterday about cashless bail, you know, I immediately thought of you because you have been one of the people who has talked about bail reform. Your police commissioner talked about bail reform on Friday with the friendly fire incident involving the officer. The president signing an executive order directing DOJ to look at these jurisdictions that have done cashless bail. What’s your take on that?

Mayor Adams: Well, I have been clear and I don’t believe if someone steals an apple that we should hold them in jail because they can’t afford to get out. But if you are possessing an illegal weapon, you commit one of the seven major crime categories in our city. [And] you are repeatedly an offender. We need to look at the criminal justice system that allows you to continue to go back and you repeat the crime.

We saw what happened with the Customs Border Patrol agent. These are repeated offenders. We just had a shooting over the weekend. The individuals involved had several gun arrests. That just can’t continue to happen. And so using bail appropriately, I think it would help us deal with the public safety issue we’re facing in the city.

Miller: The president said, you know, crime has continued to rise when they have cashless bail. Is that something that’s happened here in the city?

Mayor Adams: When you remove bail on those who commit serious crimes, it will impact your public safety. We are witnessing that over and over again.

Miller: The school system comes back next week. Should parents fear for ICE to be in their schools? You know, in Washington, that was a big fear as they went back to school yesterday when ICE saying that they may come to some students’ schools. We saw a student in Queens, six years old, deported by ICE with her mother.

Mayor Adams: With her family. And so we want to be clear. ICE has not been in our schools. ICE only way they could come into the schools with clear judicial warrants or if they are looking at a condition where someone is fleeing, running into the school, a dangerous person. But that’s the role of our police officers to do so. We have been extremely consistent around this.

Children should go to school. They’re not going to be fearful of having ICE come into their schools. Their directives indicate that as well. People should go to the hospital if they need medical care. They should call the police if they need police assistance. And I know personally what happens when you fail to do that.

My rookie year as a police officer, I had a Chinese immigrant that was afraid to call the police when he was being robbed. I took action while I was off duty, but he was extremely fearful. People can’t live in the shadows. That creates disorder. And we don’t want that.

Miller: Let’s go back to your career in the transit police. It’s where you met Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s husband, obviously someone you’ve known a long time. I just– you know, we heard from you on Friday. But when you hear some of the allegations in the indictment and, you know, indictments just show a piece of what is being alleged, what did you make of some of the allegations that you heard?

Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, let’s think about this for a moment. Like I said, Ingrid’s like a sister to me, and I’m pretty sure you have close relationships in your life. And the worst thing you want to do is not allow people their due process. And when you’re dealing with criminal cases, every word you say could harm that person who’s dealing with that case.

And I’m not going to do anything to harm someone that’s like a sister to me. I’m very clear. She’s in my prayers. She has an attorney. And anything that’s dealing with that case should be brought to her attorney. I would not do anything that’s going to be harmful to someone that’s like a sister to me.

Miller: How would you say your week was last week? Because you had the situation with Ingrid, Jesse Hamilton as well. And then you also had the situation with Winnie Greco. What are your thoughts on what happened with Winnie Greco? And then also, you know, I saw by Friday, it was a week.

Mayor Adams: Yeah. No, not to me. I had 237,000 migrants and asylum seekers. I inherited COVID. I inherited a city that was [inaudible] with jobs. I had thousands of illegal guns on our streets, ghost cars on our streets. Cannabis shops are open. People rode off New Yorkers. Not only was I dealing with those who were committing crimes, I had to deal with rats everywhere. Everywhere that we dealt with, we got up every day and we did the job. More jobs in our city–

Miller: But the red envelope in a potato chip bag. I mean, when you heard about this, what did you think of it?

Mayor Adams: First, I want to go back more jobs in our city’s history. Twelve months of tourism, twelve months of Broadway, the best in the city’s history. Unemployment drop, crime drop, illegal vehicles off our street, all of those things. I’m not going to be judged by a red envelope in a [potato chip] bag. I’m going to be judged by how I improve the lives of New Yorkers. It was a stupid thing to do. I don’t understand the conversation you had with the reporter.

I don’t have the history of it. It’s not something that we would do in our campaign. I made that clear. I don’t know what that was about. And now she’s no longer volunteering or she was never an employee of the campaign and she [is] no longer in City Hall. So only the reporter and Winnie can explain to us exactly what that was about. I don’t know what it was about and it’s not acceptable behavior on my part.

Miller: Let’s talk [about the] campaign, because we’ve talked about the campaign plenty of times. Private meetings, public meetings, you know, where have you. You’re polling in the single digits behind Mamdani. You know, I’ve heard you talk about, you know, the state of the race when you were running last time, but that was sort of during the primary. Now we’re in the general election. Tell me, so what’s your strategies to win in November and how you how you think you could pull through?

Mayor Adams: Well, a couple of things, as I said over and over again, when you look at this distance from the primary to the election, the same time period, Mamdani was at one percent. No one called for him to step out of the race. And if we did, we would have been premature because he won the primary. And we need to be clear that that seems to be a fact that everyone is missing. [We’re] also missing the fact that I was in third place in 2021 behind Andrew Yang, who was beating me by double digits.

Some polls have me in double digits. Some polls have me in single digits. Polls had Andrew Cuomo up by 10 percent before the election. He lost by 12 percent. He was up 36 percent. So when you start to talk about the polls, the only poll that matters [is] on election day, who’s going to have the most votes?

I must do what I’m good at doing, campaigning, getting my information out to the public so they can see the success of where we were and where we are. This city has turned around. I mean, if we want to be honest about it or not, and I have to explain that to the voters.

Miller: So the message is Eric Adams is staying in no matter what?

Mayor Adams: Yes.

Miller: You’re not signing any pledge?

Mayor Adams: Yes. I’m staying in no matter what. Who created the pledge? Andrew. One candidate that was at 1 percent in the poll, all of a sudden said, whoever’s up by a certain number in September should win. That’s all Andrew’s creation. Trust me when I tell you, he creates these scenarios so that people can believe he’s doing the right thing. He lost the race, $35 million, up by double digits, didn’t get out in campaign, and he lost the race. People heard his message already.

Miller: Let’s get to some Bloomberg topics here. One of your biggest accomplishments that you’ve stated has been City of Yes. Just tell me what it took to get that through, housing [is] a big issue for voters and for people who own homes here, who want to own homes here. You have a lack of places to put homes, but the City of Yes changed that. Just explain how that’s worked out.

Mayor Adams: In so many ways, many people talk about affordability, but never use their offices to actually produce affordability. Like I said, five people running for office, three people don’t have a record. One person is running from his record. I have a record. City of Yes is going to produce housing throughout the city, because housing New Yorkers is not just Manhattan or Brooklyn or areas that were gentrified. It’s the entire city. Never before have we witnessed this most comprehensive of housing and rezoning policy in the history of our city.

We have built, renovated, and planned rezoning for 426,000 units of housing in the next decade. I mean, this is unbelievable when you think about it. We did it in three and a half years. That number is larger than twelve years of Bloomberg, eight years of de Blasio combined in three and a half years. We are the most housing forward administration in the history of this city.

And we got projects off the ground that many have tried, like Willets Point, 2,400 units of affordable housing. Flushing Airport, hundreds of units of affordable housing, union built. And so City of Yes is part of the overall package that we’re doing. Five rezonings in each borough, 50,000 units of housing that’s coming out of that. So we know New Yorkers must be housed. But you’ve got to match housing with using the resources of [the] city to make the city affordable. Decreasing the cost of child care, universal child care, no income tax for low income New Yorkers, none at all. What we have done–

Miller: Well, that sounds like no income tax for low income New Yorkers sounds a lot like a Mamdani proposal. And you know that that requires going to Albany to get that done. People may say, you’ve been in office for nearly four years. How come you haven’t been able to get that done? Just make the case for how you could get that done with four more years.

Mayor Adams: Well, no, we already got it done. There is no income tax for low income New Yorkers. And then what you do is each year you go to Albany, they call it the Tin Cup Day for a reason. You go up there to beg for your proposal. But look at each year. Each year we got exactly the things we asked for.

Mayoral control, we got the no income tax, we got housing reform, renovating our office spaces into permanent housing, low income housing. We got the public safety initiative. We got the involuntary removal. So you’re seeing each year we brought back what we needed from the city. So in three years and eight months, we’ve done a great job of partnering with our Albany lawmakers.

Miller: And that’s Mayor Eric Adams talking directly to Bloomberg Terminal customers and listeners all around the world.

August 26, 2025 Manhattan, New York

Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com

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August 27, 2025
President Trump’s Cabinet Meeting August 26, 2025: Key Decisions on Economy, Energy, and Security (Video)

Narrative Account of President Trump’s Cabinet Meeting, August 26, 2025

On August 26, 2025, President Donald Trump convened his cabinet in Washington to outline his administration’s priorities. The meeting unfolded as a broad survey of the nation’s economic condition, its industrial capacity, and the administration’s stance on health care, energy, and public safety.

The President began by describing an America in the midst of industrial revival. He pointed to new factories opening at a rapid pace, particularly in the defense sector, where production of missile systems and other armaments was increasing. In the automobile industry, he said, tariffs had compelled manufacturers to shift production back from Mexico, Canada, and Europe to American soil. As a result, he reported that car output was steadily climbing. Steel mills, too, were producing at levels not seen in years, while domestic oil production had risen sharply. Trump portrayed these trends as evidence that his tariff and trade policies were reshaping global supply chains in America’s favor.

From there, the discussion moved to energy. The President spoke critically of wind and solar power, dismissing them as inefficient and environmentally harmful. He argued instead for a renewed embrace of coal, alongside an expanded role for nuclear power. In his view, energy security depended on ensuring that the United States could not only meet its own needs but also supply key allies abroad. He noted recent agreements with Europe and Japan that committed them to American energy imports.

The cabinet then turned to health care. Trump announced what he called a “favored nations” policy, under which the United States would no longer pay more for prescription drugs than other developed countries. He promised that such a shift would dramatically reduce the price of medicine for American families. He also described negotiations with insurers to speed up approvals for treatments and pointed to progress in digitizing health records, making them accessible to patients on their phones. He argued for new emphasis in medical schools on nutrition, saying doctors should be equipped to advise on diet as a cornerstone of public health. At the same time, he raised alarm about the rise in autism diagnoses, citing figures that troubled him and promising that new measures would be announced in September to address what he described as artificial causes.

Law and order emerged as another major theme. Trump recounted stories of violent crime in Washington, D.C., and pledged to intervene forcefully. He suggested deploying the National Guard if necessary and advocated for the death penalty for murder committed in the nation’s capital. He warned that similar interventions could be extended to other cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles if conditions demanded it.

The conversation shifted to education, where the President emphasized decentralization. He argued that schools should be returned to the control of states and local communities and suggested that federal departments could be downsized or eliminated. He called for greater investment in vocational training, envisioning high schools and colleges that prepared students for skilled trades such as electrical work, mechanics, and heating and cooling systems.

Artificial intelligence also featured prominently. Trump asserted that the United States was ahead of China in this field, pointing to the construction of massive data centers. He praised a program launched by the First Lady—the “AI Challenge”—designed to engage young Americans in the development of artificial intelligence.

Attention then turned to fishing and food safety. Trump criticized offshore wind projects, claiming they endangered marine life, and promised stronger oversight of imported seafood, citing past instances of contamination. He said his administration’s policy was to protect domestic fishermen and farmers against unfair foreign competition.

The meeting closed with a broader reflection on the administration’s economic policy. Trump reminded his audience that he had signed what he called the largest tax cuts in history for working Americans, including measures to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and certain benefits. He suggested that his economic program was bringing millions of new supporters into the Republican Party and predicted that the coming years would be a period of renewed national pride. Looking ahead, he pointed to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the World Cup, and the Olympic Games as events that would showcase the country’s resurgence.

The cabinet meeting thus served as both a review of policy and a projection of future ambitions. Trump portrayed his administration as steering the United States toward industrial strength, energy dominance, and social order, while preparing the nation for global leadership in technology and a celebration of its national identity.

Sources: White House Official Video , Midtown Tribune News

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August 27, 2025
Trump Administration Highlights Intelligence and Deregulation Successes

On August 26, 2025, during the seventh Cabinet meeting of his second term, President Donald J. Trump and key administration officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, celebrated significant achievements for American workers. Gabbard emphasized exposing the weaponization of intelligence, vowing to continue this mission. Vought highlighted 245 deregulatory initiatives, achieving a 30-for-1 ratio, marking substantial progress in reducing federal regulations. Witkoff reported positive reception in Gaza for Trump’s new aid initiative, while Ratcliffe noted the CIA’s renewed focus on preventing wars and enhancing national security. These efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to prioritizing American interests and streamlining government operations.

Trump Cabinet Touts Deregulation, Intelligence Reforms

WASHINGTON—At the seventh cabinet meeting of his second term on August 26, 2025, President Donald J. Trump convened top officials to highlight policy wins, with a focus on deregulation and intelligence reforms. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard vowed to continue exposing the weaponization of intelligence agencies, signaling a push for greater transparency. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought reported 245 deregulatory initiatives, achieving a 30-to-1 ratio of regulations cut to new rules added, a cornerstone of the administration’s effort to streamline federal operations. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described delivering aid in Gaza, noting local support for Trump’s new initiative, while CIA Director John Ratcliffe emphasized the agency’s shift toward preventing wars and bolstering national security. The meeting underscored the administration’s agenda of prioritizing American interests and reducing bureaucratic overreach.

Trump Administration Celebrates Successes for America’s Workers

Today, President Donald J. Trump held the seventh Cabinet meeting of his second term — gathering members of the Trump Administration together ahead of Labor Day to celebrate the victories American workers have experienced over the past eight months.

President Trump opened the meeting by lauding the rising blue-collar wages, unprecedented private sector job growth, increased domestic steel production, historic trade deals, landmark tax cuts, and many other wins achieved on behalf of the American people.

Here’s what else you missed:

Vice President JD Vance: “Public safety is not just something that should belong to the wealthy. It should belong to every working man and woman in the United States of America — and because of the work of this Administration, that is happening.”

Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer: “Unemployment is holding steady and more than two million net jobs for native-born Americans has been key under your leadership. 84% of the workforce and jobs has been produced by the private sector… [The One Big Beautiful Bill] is protecting our American workforce by expanding Pell Grants and childcare and a reduction in taxes.”

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “You’ve led an opportunity for us to have lower taxes, way lower deregulation, record amounts of investments that’s coming into this country, we’re going to be seeing lower interest rates. All of those things coming together is a gift to the working people. The policies are lifting everybody up.”

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon: “What I’m finding with great joy around the country is that states really are being innovative in working more with middle schools and with high schools to make sure that we are having hands-on learning, pathways to jobs that are happening now… They’re learning on the job so that when they graduate from high school, they’re ready to go into the workforce.”

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “We have, at HUD, been very intentional about changing the conversation about the dignity of work and the dignity and the honor of family formation through work — and how the younger generation, when they see their parents work, how they’re incentivized to work.”

Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “[The One Big Beautiful Bill is delivering] the largest tax cut in American history for working families. The average family of four is going to save about $10,000 take home pay more a year. We’re seeing an increase in the Child Tax Credit, an increase in the standard deduction — hardworking families are going to benefit from this bill.”

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins: “We’ve opened new facilities. We’ve put new facilities in places where workers can get to. We’ve expanded out hours — over a million extra hours so younger veterans, in particular, can get off work and bring themselves to get their appointments after hours or on Saturdays… That’s what it means for Labor Day because we can’t forget the ones that fought for us.”

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer: “In the last quarter of 2024, median weekly earnings fell 2.1%. In the first quarter of your term, they went up 3.3% — and that’s why we’re doing the trade policy we’re doing. It’s to help the workers of the United States.”

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: “We’re raising an infusion of cash to rural hospitals and rural communities by 50%. It’s going to be the biggest infusion in history and it’s going to restore and revitalize these communities. We can’t survive as a nation if we don’t honor our rural communities.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “Today, the average family and individual that lives in this country is safer than they’ve been in years… We’ve got three months in a row now with zero illegal aliens coming into our country… 1.6 million people voluntarily go home to their home countries — that were here in this country illegally.”

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “You led off today talking about gasoline prices. I’ll throw in diesel. If you correct for inflation, they’re at multi-decade lows.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “You made it very clear from the outset, even in foreign policy, everything we did has to be pro-American — it has to make America stronger or safer or more prosperous… For the first time in the modern era, we are truly on offense against organized cartels that are pumping poison — killer poison — into our cities.”

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “Economic security is national security and our country has never been so secure… Your Administration has made a meaningful dent in the budget deficit. The average budget deficit during this term is 26% less than the last twelve months under Biden.”

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “The Big Beautiful Bill… is the greatest investment in rural America in history… A game-changer, a country saver.”

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “We want to take the money that Congress gives us and actually deploy it and put these men and women to work building the great projects of this country… and that’s why we got rid of the DEI, we’ve got rid of the ‘green’… We’re going to move these projects faster, putting the great American worker back to work.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi: “[Illegal alien gangs] and others throughout this country, throughout this world, have brought into our country drugs, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamines. It’s killing our kids and we have to stop that — and that’s what you’ve been doing, not only in D.C., but around the country at your leadership.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “[The Department of Defense is] the largest employer in America. We like to think we have a different form of employees who need to be the toughest and the strongest and the most well trained and the most lethal. Under the previous administration and for decades, frankly, it was social justice, it was political correctness, it was divisive ideologies seeping into the ranks and changing how well we do our job. No more. Now, it is only merit-based, gender-neutral, colorblind, the best of the best from the top to the bottom. That is our expectation.”

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick: “Four days before you took office, the Commerce Department, which had the CHIPS money, they set up… a make-believe not-for-profit. They signed contracts to wire them $7.4 billion… We stopped the payment. We’ve got the money.”

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin: “In one agency, in one year, we’ll do more deregulation than entire federal governments have done across all agencies across entire presidencies.”

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “We’ve exposed some of the worst examples of the weaponization of Intelligence in the last several weeks. I will continue down that mission and that path — wherever it leads.”

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought: “We are at 245 deregulatory initiatives planned by these agencies. That comes out to 30-for-1, so we are making incredible strides.”

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff: “I was in Gaza — the first American diplomat on your behalf — and as we delivered food and aid, pursuant to your new aid initiative… the people were applauding you.”

CIA Director John Ratcliffe: “The CIA workforce at the Trump CIA is grateful to be focused on what it’s supposed to be, which is helping you prevent and end wars and to make America safer.”

The White House

August 26, 2025

Sources: White House , Midtown Tribune News

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 26, 2025
White House. Donald Trump Honors Women’s Equality Day: Celebrating 105 Years of the 19th Amendment

USA news White house Womens Equality Day Domald Trump

On Women’s Equality Day, August 26, 2025, President Donald Trump commemorates the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s certification, a landmark achievement granting women the right to vote. This historic milestone reflects America’s commitment to equality and liberty, affirming that every citizen, created in the image of God, is endowed with unalienable rights. Trump honors the courageous suffragists who fought for this victory and reaffirms the nation’s dedication to upholding justice, freedom, and the dignity of all for future generations.

Presidential Message on Women’s Equality Day

On this day 105 years ago, the 19th Amendment of the United States Constitution was officially certified—forever changing the course of history and immortalizing these mighty words: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

This Women’s Equality Day, our Nation proudly celebrates the timeless truth that every American citizen is created in the holy image of God and endowed with certain unalienable rights. We recognize the ratification and certification of the 19th Amendment as a defining moment in fulfilling America’s founding principle that all humans are created equal. Above all, we recommit to upholding our country’s long-cherished principles of liberty, equal justice under the law, and the God-given dignity of the human person.

Today, we honor the strong, patriotic American trailblazers who paved the path for women’s suffrage. We remember that August 26, 1920, stands as an enduring reminder of America’s promise of freedom and equality. Above all, we remain committed to protecting the blessings of liberty for generations to come.

The White House – Briefings & Statements

August 26, 2025 Washington, D.C.

Sources: White House , Midtown Tribune news

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 26, 2025
First Lady Melania Trump Launches Presidential AI Challenge for K-12 Students

First Lady Melania Trump has introduced the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide initiative to engage K-12 students and educators in exploring artificial intelligence (AI). Announced on August 26, 2025, at the White House, the challenge aims to build a foundational understanding of AI, a technology poised to drive every sector of the economy. In a video on AI.gov, Mrs. Trump shared her insights on AI’s transformative potential and risks, drawing from her experience creating an audiobook. The initiative encourages young innovators to lead America’s future in AI development. Visit AI.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge to learn more and participate.

Office of the First Lady

First Lady Melania Trump Launches Nationwide Presidential AI Challenge

First Lady Melania Trump announced the Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, inviting K-12 students and educators across America to participate.

“The Presidential AI Challenge will be the first step in preparing our next generation with a base understanding of this important new technology,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

In a recent video on AI.gov, she reflected on her own experience with AI while creating her audiobook, emphasizing the transformative potential and inherent risks of this technology. Mrs. Trump stated, “In just a few short years, artificial intelligence will be the engine driving every business sector across our economy. It is important America leads the rest of the world.”

Through initiatives like the Presidential AI Challenge, Mrs. Trump aims to empower the next generation to explore and innovate within this rapidly evolving field. To watch the video, learn more, and sign up for the Presidential AI Challenge, please visit AI.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge.

The White House

August 26, 2025

Sources: WhiteHouse.gov , Midtown Tribune

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 26, 2025
White House. Commemorating the Fourth Anniversary of the Abbey Gate Attack

On August 26, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation marking the fourth anniversary of the tragic Abbey Gate attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, where a suicide bombing by an ISIS-K terrorist claimed the lives of 13 American service members and injured many others. The proclamation honors the fallen heroes, condemns the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 under the Biden Administration, and highlights the current administration’s commitment to justice and a strong foreign policy. It calls for Americans to remember the sacrifices of the brave service members and their families, reinforcing a pledge to protect American lives and restore national credibility.

FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK AT ABBEY GATE, 2025

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On one of the darkest days in our Nation’s history, 4 years ago, the gates of hell sprung open when an evil Jihadi terrorist carried out a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan — killing 13 heroes of our United States Armed Forces and shattering the hearts of Americans and our allies. As our Nation remembers this atrocious attack, we honor the memory of every brave warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We join in grief with the families who senselessly lost a loved one, and we renew our solemn pledge to our 13 fallen patriots — we will never forget you; we will never forsake you; and your memory will live on forever.

On July 2, 2021, as an empowered Taliban was in the midst of waging a civil war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden began a disastrous withdrawal from Bagram Airfield in the middle of the night without alerting Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. As a direct result of the Biden Administration’s reckless political stunt designed to claim victory on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, our men and women in uniform were left without a defensible base of operations, allowing the Taliban to free thousands of bloodthirsty terrorists and criminals held captive at Bagram prison.

At exactly 5:36pm on August 26, 2021, a barbaric ISIS-K terrorist — one of the prisoners set free by the Taliban less than two months earlier — detonated a suicide bomb at a civilian gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the main entry point for an evacuation operation. As a result, 13 brave American service members were killed, 45 were wounded, and more than 160 civilians were injured, resulting in the single deadliest day for United States forces in a decade.

In what will be remembered as one of the most shameful and heartbreaking moments in our Nation’s collective memory, Joe Biden checked his watch — and time stood still — as a Sailor, Soldier, and 11 Marines returned home in flag-draped coffins, solemnly escorted by their brothers and sisters in arms. We will never forget the names of the 13 brave souls who shed their blood for our Nation: Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, USMC; Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC; Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, USMC; Corporal Hunter Lopez, USMC; Corporal Daegan W. Page, USMC; Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, USMC; Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, USMC; Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, USMC; Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, USMC; Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, USMC; Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, USMC; Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, USN; and Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, USA.

As Commander in Chief, I will never allow our military service members to be so betrayed, our friends to be so abandoned, and our credibility to be so destroyed.

To those who lost a son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, or family member at Abbey Gate in 2021 — we offer you our enduring love and our unwavering devotion. To those who horrifically suffered life-altering wounds — we extend our unending support and eternal gratitude for your unsung sacrifices. To those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and beyond — you should be tremendously proud of your service to our Nation and your devotion to preserving our freedoms.

The events of that day led to an unimaginable loss of human life and the single most embarrassing display of American foreign policy in the history of our country. In the wake of the attack, countless Americans and our Afghan allies were abandoned behind Taliban lines, 10 innocent civilians — including children — were killed in a feckless counterstrike ordered by President Biden, $85 billion worth of United States military equipment was surrendered to the enemy, and 20 years of American blood and treasure were utterly squandered. The weakness and incompetence that led to Abbey Gate lived on in the American memory as the moment our credibility was all but lost — until the clock struck noon on January 20, 2025.

On day one, my Administration sought to bring justice to the families of the Abbey Gate 13 by aggressively pursuing a foreign policy rooted in the commonsense principle of peace through strength. Just 43 days into my second term, on the night of March 4, 2025, during my Joint Address to the Congress, I announced that we apprehended the ISIS Jihadi responsible for the atrocity at the Kabul airport — who was at that moment being brought to the United States to face the swift sword of American justice. When America is strong, the world is safe, fewer conflicts erupt on the field of battle, and the lives of our men and women in uniform are cherished and protected.

As our Nation solemnly marks 4 years since the attack at Abbey Gate, we honor the memory of the 13 brave souls and every military service member to ever die in the line of duty — and we renew our resolve to protect American lives, defend American interests, and uphold American sovereignty.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate. I encourage all Americans to remember the heroism of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and the Gold Star Families who carry on their proud legacy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Proclamations

August 25, 2025 Washington, D.C.

Sources: White House , Midtown Tribune News

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 26, 2025
White House. Donald Trump adds new actions to address D.C. crime emergency

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order adding new steps to his earlier crime-emergency declaration in Washington, D.C. The order calls for hiring more U.S. Park Police and federal prosecutors; creating a recruitment portal and specialized public-safety units across federal agencies; forming a Title 32 D.C. National Guard unit and a nationwide quick-reaction force; HUD investigations into D.C. Housing Authority and landlords’ safety compliance; extra DOT inspections to protect transit workers; and a Justice Department review of the Metropolitan Police Department’s General Orders with requests for updates to the D.C. Mayor. All actions must follow existing law and available funding, include severability and standard implementation terms, and assign publication costs to the Department of Justice.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE
CRIME EMERGENCY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Executive Orders

August 25, 2025

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Crime Emergency. Two weeks ago, I declared a crime emergency in the District of Columbia to address the rampant violence and disorder that have undermined the proper and safe functioning of the Federal Government, and therefore, the Nation, and that have led to disgraceful conditions in our Nation’s capital. In furtherance of Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025 (Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia), I am now ordering further actions to address the conditions described in that Executive Order.

Sec. 2.  Operational Actions. (a) The Director of the National Park Service shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, hire additional members of the United States Park Police in the District of Columbia to support the policy goals described in Executive Order 14333. The United States Park Police shall ensure enforcement of all applicable laws within their jurisdiction, including the Code of the District of Columbia, to help maintain public safety and proper order.

(b) The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, hire additional prosecutors to focus on prosecuting violent and property crimes.

(c) The D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force established in Executive Order 14252 of March 27, 2025 (Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful), shall establish an online portal for Americans with law enforcement or other relevant backgrounds and experience to apply to join Federal law enforcement entities to support the policy goals described in Executive Order 14333. Each law enforcement agency that is a member of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, as well as other relevant components of the Department of Justice as the Attorney General determines, shall further, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, immediately create and begin training, manning, hiring, and equipping a specialized unit that is dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nation’s capital that can be deployed whenever the circumstances necessitate, and that could be deployed, subject to applicable law, in other cities where public safety and order has been lost.

(d)(i) The Secretary of Defense shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, immediately create and begin training, manning, hiring, and equipping a specialized unit within the District of Columbia National Guard, subject to activation under Title 32 of the United States Code, that is dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nation’s capital. As appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall each deputize the members of this unit to enforce Federal law.

(ii) The Secretary of Defense shall immediately begin ensuring that each State’s Army National Guard and Air National Guard are resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate, as appropriate under law. In coordination with the respective adjutants general, the Secretary of Defense shall designate an appropriate number of each State’s trained National Guard members to be reasonably available for rapid mobilization for such purposes. In addition, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment.

(e) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall investigate any non-compliance with the crime-prevention and safety requirements of HUD agreements by the District of Columbia Housing Authority or any landlord in the District of Columbia. These investigations shall include consideration of the provisions of such agreements that require housing providers to maintain safe, decent, and sanitary conditions or to restrict tenants who engage in criminal activity that threatens health, safety, and the right to peaceful enjoyment for other tenants, including engaging in drug distribution, violent criminal activity, and domestic violence. The Secretary of HUD shall refer any findings of non-compliance to the Attorney General, Federal law enforcement authorities, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department, as appropriate.

(f) The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct additional inspections, audits, and examinations to determine whether conditions exist in federally-funded transit services in the District of Columbia that endanger transit workers, and take appropriate remedial action that is within the Department of Transportation’s authority.

Sec. 3. Potential Amendments to Metropolitan Police Department General Orders. (a) The Attorney General shall review the Metropolitan Police Department General Orders and shall request that the Mayor of the District of Columbia make such updates and modifications to such orders as the Attorney General determines are necessary to address the crime emergency and ensure public order and safety.

Sec. 4.  Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 5.  General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees or agents, or any other person.

(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    August 25, 2025.

Sources: White House, Midtown Tribune news

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 25, 2025
Trump signs executive order to crack down on American flag desecration
The White House says President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to aggressively pursue cases tied to flag desecration and, where the law allows, to refer violations to state and local prosecutors and seek immigration penalties for non-citizens. The order aims to “restore respect” for the flag after protests that included flag burning, and instructs DOJ to litigate questions about First Amendment limits (such as incitement or “fighting words”). Officials point to related steps to boost national pride, including limiting non-U.S. flags at State Department sites, protecting monuments, planning America 250 celebrations and a National Garden of American Heroes, and guiding Smithsonian museums to highlight American achievements. The administration frames the move as supporting public safety and honoring veterans, while reiterating Trump’s longstanding view that burning the flag is “disgraceful.”

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects the American Flag from Desecration

COMBATING FLAG DESECRATION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore respect, pride, and sanctity to the American flag and prosecute those who desecrate this symbol of our freedom, identity, and strength to the fullest extent permissible.
- The Order directs the Attorney General to vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the flag, and to pursue litigation to clarify the scope of First Amendment in this area.
- It also instructs the Attorney General to refer flag desecration cases that violate state or local laws to appropriate state or local authorities.
- Finally, the order directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security and the Attorney General to deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, or naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States, wherever there has been an appropriate determination that flag desecration by foreign nationals permits the exercise of those remedies under applicable law.
RESTORING RESPECT FOR THE FLAG: The American flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and desecrating it is uniquely and inherently offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt and hostility toward our Nation, and an act used by groups of foreign nationals calculated to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans.
- Recent protests, including those in Los Angeles in June 2025, have featured flag burning alongside violent acts and other conduct threatening public safety.
- Such conduct disrespects the sacrifices of Americans who bled for our country, and undermines the flag as a symbol that unites and represents all Americans of every background and walk of life.
- The Supreme Court has never held that flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or serve as a form of “fighting words” is constitutionally protected.
UPHOLDING AMERICAN PRIDE: President Trump has championed policies to restore pride in the American flag and the Nation’s history, reinforcing the values that unite the country.
- President Trump banned flying any other flags beside the Stars and Stripes at State Department facilities around the world.
- He signed an Executive Order to protect America’s monuments from vandalism and revive the National Garden of American Heroes.
- He launched initiatives like the Great American State Fair and America 250 Commission to instill pride in America’s history and accomplishments, fostering a renewed sense of patriotism.
- He issued an Executive Order to ensure that Smithsonian Institution museums accurately celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our institutions for the millions of Americans who visit each year and recently directed an audit to ensure that its exhibits align with this pro-America vision.
- President Trump has long condemned the act of burning the American flag, calling it “disgraceful.”
The White House

August 25, 2025

Sources: WhiteHouse.gov , Midtown Tribune news

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York
August 25, 2025
Marco Rubio: U.S. Congratulates Ukraine on Its 34th Independence Day

Summary: On Ukraine’s National Day, August 24, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the people of Ukraine and reaffirmed America’s commitment to Ukraine’s future as a free, independent nation. The statement supports a negotiated settlement that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantees long-term security, aiming for durable peace. Rubio also emphasized strengthening the U.S.–Ukraine economic and security partnership to advance a peaceful, prosperous future for both countries.

Ukraine National Day

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Ukraine as you commemorate your 34th Independence Day.

The United States is committed to Ukraine’s future as an independent nation. We believe in a negotiated settlement that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantees its long-term security, leading to durable peace. On this Independence Day, as you pay tribute to your nation’s history, the United States looks forward to continuing to build on our economic and security partnership for a peaceful, prosperous future for both our nations.

August 24, 2025 Washington DC

Sources: State.gov , Midtown Tribune

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

August 24, 2025