Key Takeaways
- President Trump is close to naming Kevin Hassett as the next Federal Reserve chair.
- New fuel economy standards will lower targets to 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth violated Pentagon regulations by using Signal for sensitive information.
- The Pentagon is deploying inexpensive drones, copied from Iran's Shahed design, to the Middle East.
Deep Dive
- President Trump is reportedly nearing a selection for Federal Reserve chair, with Kevin Hassett emerging as a leading candidate.
- Hassett, a trusted advisor, aligns with Trump's criteria for loyalty and economic credibility.
- His recent critical remarks about the Federal Reserve have caused questions among investors.
- The Trump administration is lowering vehicle fuel economy standards for cars to an average of 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031.
- This new target is a reduction from the previous 50-mpg goal.
- The administration claims this will make cars more affordable, while environmental groups argue it will increase gas consumption.
- A Pentagon watchdog report found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated department regulations.
- Hegseth shared sensitive information regarding a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen using the Signal app.
- The report suggests no law was broken; Hegseth declined an interview but stated he intentionally declassified the information.
- The Pentagon is deploying new, inexpensive, one-way attack drones to the Middle East.
- These drones are copied from Iran's Shahed design and cost approximately $35,000 each.
- The deployment aims to adapt U.S. warfare tactics and are significantly cheaper than existing U.S. drones.