There’s a LOT going on today. Let’s start with Trump’s plan to lay out his strategy on Afghanistan at 9P tonight. The president’s plan for the 16-year conflict may include the deployment of several thousand additional troops. Military officials say that Afghan security forces are nowhere close to being able to defend their country alone. On Friday, Steve Bannon was ousted from the WH and returned to Breitbart News, and began readying for war. Scary stuff. Remember how critical Trump was over Obama’s ... well ... everything -- but his travel. Well, now Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles, in an interview with USA TODAY, said more than 1,000 agents have already hit the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances that were meant to last the entire year, in large part due to the sheer size of Trump's family and efforts necessary to secure their multiple residences up and down the East Coast. Pointing out all the hypocrisy is getting old -- it’s pretty self-explanatory at this point. Since last night, ten American sailors are missing after the Navy's 7th Fleet said the USS John S. McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while the destroyer was making its way to a port in Singapore. And, finally, today! There’s an eclipse happening at approximately 1:17P, peaking at 2:42P, and ending at 4:01P. At the peak, the moon will cover 81% of the sun. Yes, the world will go dark today. And Trump will talk war tonight. Can things be any weirder? Here’s what we’ve got today:
- CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) says Black America has lost a lot under Trump.
- Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) wants WH to postpone HBCU conference. Leaders pen letter to Omarosa asking the same.
- Is Paris Dennard heading to the Trump administration?
- Barack Obama’s campaign organizing team announces new partners.
- Malia Obama’s gap year is coming to an end as she preps for Harvard next week.
- Asian American consortium criticizes Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for standing by Trump.
- Secretary Rex Tillerson pledges more diversity at the State Dept.
- Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) wants civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) to speak with Trump.
- Univisión CEO calls on other CEOs to speak out.
- Grantmakers in the Arts names a new president and CEO.
- Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) wants Trump out.
- AFSCME’s Lee Saunders kicks off “I am 2018.”
- Members of the digital economy advisory board quit.
- African American mayors launch five-point plan.
- Iconic comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory dies.
- NYPD and councilman hold a rally supporting Colin Kaepernick.
- Will Missy Elliott statue replace Confederate in VA?
- Yes California says no to USA.
- Megachurch pastor resigns from WH Evangelical Advisory Board.