Rate Cuts Could Be Back on the Table
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President Trump’s tariffs are putting the Fed in a bind, says Wall Street Journal’s Greg Ip. On one hand, tariffs raise prices, making interest rate cuts harder to justify. On the other, they dampen consumer confidence and demand, which makes a cut seem necessary.
Until now, the Fed has kept rates steady between 4.25% and 4.5%, but signs are pointing toward change. Inflation has remained milder than expected, while unemployment has ticked up every month since January. The Fed may soon shift its focus from inflation to the softening labor market.
“A restrictive stance makes sense if inflation is your only worry. It no longer is.”
NY Health Care System Not ‘Gutted’ by GOP Budget Cuts
Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of federal health care cuts “gutting” New York’s system — but that’s a stretch, says Bill Hammond of the Empire Center.
Yes, the GOP budget plan would slash $10.1 billion in federal funding and force the state to chip in an extra $3.3 billion. But even then, federal aid would remain higher than 2023 levels.
And even with 1.2 million fewer people on Medicaid, New York would still cover 36% of its population, well above the national average of 24%.
“Dire claims don’t match the math.”
GOP: Patent Board Helping China Steal US Tech
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board is under fire for siding with Chinese chipmaker Innoscience, accused of stealing patented tech from Efficient Power Conversion, a California-based firm.
After a 16-month probe, the U.S. International Trade Commission confirmed the theft. Yet the patent board invalidated the U.S. firm’s patent — a move Rep. Nathaniel Moran warns could embolden Chinese firms to keep stealing American IP.
He’s urging the Trump administration to overturn the decision and reform the system to stop “rogue administrative judges.”
“Don’t let judges help China pilfer our innovation.”
A Shift in San Francisco: Results Over Rhetoric
Even in deep-blue San Francisco, voters are losing patience with symbolic politics, say Nancy Tung & Eric Kingsbury (RealClearPolitics). A new “pragmatic left” is gaining traction, especially since the rise of outsider mayor Daniel Lurie.
Voters still embrace progressive values — but they want leaders to solve real problems, not just talk big or pass purity tests.
“Dems need to stop being performative and start being practical.”
Media Ignores Story Linking China to LA Protests?
The mainstream media is staying silent on a potential bombshell: the FBI is investigating possible Chinese links to the recent LA riots, claims the Issues & Insights editorial board.
Citing New York Post reports, the editorial says that the Party for Socialism and Liberation — with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party — may be involved in organizing protests. Yet most outlets haven’t touched the story, possibly fearing political backlash.
“Truth takes a back seat when it challenges the narrative.”
