The Needle: Senate Democrats Plan to Investigate TrumpCoin Dinner, Plaintiffs Suing Over Arch Ask Judge to Halt Construction, State Department Is Reportedly Politicizing the Hiring Process, and More
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Gail O'Hara (via Washington CityPaper)
Coin op: Senate Democrats plan to investigate convicted felon and President Donald Trump’s latest “exclusive” dinner for the top 185 holders of the $TRUMP meme coin—yes, that’s its actual name. Scheduled for Nov. 22 at his D.C.-area golf club, the event gives the top 29 holders VIP access. Eight lawmakers sent a letter to the White House yesterday requesting details such as how attendees are vetted, conflicts of interest, and an “unredacted log of all event attendees.” The event site says “there will be no private meetings with The President.” But, as Mother Jones points out, it’s clear that if you buy products he profits from, you’ll be granted access. The coin value dropped from $74 in January 2025 to about $1.75 as of yesterday. More than 1 million investors lost $3.8 billion, but Trump made $635 million. Plus one point for investigations. +1 [Mother Jones]
Block island: On Thursday, plaintiffs suing to stop the Trump administration from building its 250-foot arch asked a federal judge to halt construction plans, after the National Park Service revealed construction could begin Nov. 5, pending approval by the National Capital Planning Commission, which meets that day. The Arlington County Board also filed a lawsuit earlier this month opposing the arch, and is concerned about the project being fast-tracked. Plus one point for slowing the madness. +1 [NBC4]
In the woods: On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the Trump administration plans to move ahead with a Forest Service reorganization that would relocate the agency from D.C. to Salt Lake City after a judge blocked the changes last week. The administration wants to close 23 research stations and many regional offices. Trump has slashed 16 percent of Forest Service staff already—many remaining employees oppose the plan and most are unwilling to relocate. A court order was filed to stall the plan but that’s already being appealed. Federal employee unions, environmental groups, and local officials want to block the plan. Minus one point for trying to take more jobs out of D.C. -1 [AP News]
Mates of state: The State Department is reportedly asking those in the foreign service who want to be considered for promotions to reveal who they voted for in the past. Only those who voted for Trump will be considered for top positions and applicants could be disqualified for donating to Democrats, the Washington Sun reports. Some officials suggest this is a way for the administration to force non-loyalists to quit. Congressional Democrats are considering legal action. It’s against the law for federal officials to make hiring decisions based on political affiliation. Minus one point for loyalty tests. -1 [Washington Sun, Raw Story]
We’re so board: The Arlington County Board sued the Trump administration on Tuesday to keep it from sending armed federal agents to polling places during the midterms. The complaint accuses the DHS and DOJ of creating policies allowing agents to carry out law enforcement operations at election sites. Plus one for trying to stop interference. +1 [ARLnow]
11 days … until the midterm elections. Plus one point for hope. +1
