This story appeared in The Logoffa daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news rule your life. Register here.
Welcome to The Logoff: Do you remember the policy changes we wrote about in this newsletter on Monday and Tuesday? Neither lasted more than 24 hours – both were left with the post of president.
What happened? On Monday afternoon, Logoff highlighted how President Donald Trump said he would impose a 20 percent tariff to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
But he reversed course yesterday morning, posting on Social Facts that he will “replace” tariffs and trade and investment agreements that the Gulf states would be required to make in the United States.
Yesterday afternoon Logoff then highlighted how, after two recent shootings, ICE was ordered to temporarily stop traffic stops across the country.
But this morning, Trump announced that the traffic will stop they were behindposting: “The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch.”
Why did Trump jump? The Hormuz charge was a Trump demand that many of his aides had serious logistical and political concerns about. For one, they believed the move could raise gas prices. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had just said last month that “no country is permitted to levy taxes or fees on an international waterway.”
On Monday, Trump was flooded with influence from the Gulf states that depend on the sea current – such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – and finally decided to go back.
The ICE traffic stop took the opposite course. This was a decision made by administration officials without Trump’s knowledge — and when he watched the media coverage and heard the right-wing criticism of it, he became angry, to CNN.
What to take? The changes show whose criticism and opinions Trump cares most about.
Wealthy Gulf leaders and concerns about high gas prices helped him cut back on his Hormuz fee. And at the traffic stops, he ultimately cared less about defusing national outrage over the fatal shooting than he did about preserving his reputation and his “tough on immigration” agenda.
And so, it’s time to leave…
67 million year old Tyrannosaurus Rex bones sold at auction for a record $50.1 million yesterday to an unknown bidder. Amazing bidder, if you’re reading this, can I stop by and see it?
