TGIF! You made it to the end of the week.
Personally speaking, my husband arrived home last evening from a business trip in California, and so I’m so happy he’s back where he’s supposed to be. Celebrating tonight with friends and a large charcuterie board, which is always my food of choice!
Let’s get into the Dawn Dispatch so you can move into your Friday…
Israel Declares National Emergency as Wildfires Rage
Details: On Thursday, more than 100 firefighting teams worked tirelessly for a second day to combat raging wildfires in the hills west of Jerusalem. Overnight efforts showed progress in containing the flames, with firefighting aircraft from European allies expected to bolster the response later in the day. As Israel marked Independence Day, authorities reopened roads closed on Wednesday and allowed evacuated residents to return home. However, officials warned that the fires were still not fully under control and could flare up again due to ongoing dry and windy conditions.
The fires, which began Wednesday morning, tore through the outskirts of Jerusalem, fueled by a scorching heatwave and strong winds. The Fire and Rescue Service reported Thursday that the blazes remained uncontained, posing a persistent threat. According to KKL-JNF, approximately 20,000 dunams (4,900 acres) of land, including 13,000 dunams (3,200 acres) of woodland, have been scorched, with Canada Park near Modi’in suffering severe damage.
Why It Matters: These wildfires threaten lives, homes, and critical natural areas near Israel’s capital, disrupting Independence Day celebrations and forcing evacuations. The extensive damage to woodlands, particularly in Canada Park, could have long-term impacts. International support from countries like Italy, Croatia, Spain, France, Romania, North Macedonia, and Cyprus underscores the severity of the crisis, while the risk of renewed fire activity highlights the challenges of battling wildfires in extreme weather, emphasizing the need for sustained firefighting efforts and public vigilance.
Senate Rejects Bipartisan Bid to Undo Trump’s Tariffs
Details: The U.S. Senate rejected a bipartisan effort to reverse President Trump's tariffs, which have been imposed on most countries and have sparked some economic concerns.
Why It Matters: The failure to undo tariffs solidifies Trump's trade war strategy, which prioritizes domestic industry but risks inflation, supply chain disruptions, and strained alliances. The Senate's decision underscores the GOP's majority, shaping the trajectory of U.S. trade policy in 2025.
Political Implications:
Congress: House Speaker Mike Johnson, navigating a slim majority, may face pressure to balance tariff support with economic relief measures. The debt ceiling and government funding deadlines in May and midsummer will amplify these tensions.
National Day of Prayer at the White House
Details: The National Day of Prayer, observed annually on the first Thursday of May, took place today, May 1, 2025, across the United States. Designated by Congress in 1952 and formalized to this date by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, the day encourages Americans of all faiths to pray for the nation and its leaders. President Donald Trump hosted a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, emphasizing America as “one nation under God” and signing an executive order to establish a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, with Ben Carson as vice chairman. The 2025 theme, “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled,” is inspired by Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The National Day of Prayer Task Force, a Christian ministry, coordinated over 35,000 prayer gatherings nationwide, involving millions of participants from diverse faiths, including Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews. Events included prayer breakfasts, worship services, and a national broadcast at 8 p.m. ET featuring Christian leaders. Local gatherings, such as one at the Historic Dade City Courthouse in Florida and a Zoom event for Fermilab, focused on praying for government, military, education, and other societal sectors.
Why It Matters: The National Day of Prayer serves as a unifying moment for Americans to reflect on faith, seek guidance, and foster peace. Trump’s executive order on religious liberty signals a policy priority. The day’s inclusivity, embracing multiple faiths, highlights America’s diverse spiritual heritage, though its Judeo-Christian framing by the Task Force reflects its historical roots. The scale of participation—millions across thousands of events—demonstrates prayer’s enduring significance in American life, offering solace and solidarity during turbulent times. After all, President Abraham Lincoln issued the first proclamation of this kind on March 30, 1863, calling for a day of "national humility, fasting, and prayer" to be observed on April 30, 1863. We might not be taking up arms against our fellow countrymen, but it is a tumultuous time, and we need to be a praying people (at least, that’s what I think.)
Political Implications: Trump’s high-profile involvement, including the Rose Garden event and executive order, reinforces his appeal to religious conservatives, a key GOP base - he promised he would support and protect religion and he is! The commission, led by prominent figures like Patrick and Carson, may prioritize policies protecting religious freedoms, potentially clashing with progressive demands for secular governance. Democrats, wary of church-state entanglements, could criticize the move as pandering, citing past challenges by groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation, though their 2011 lawsuit failed. The event’s timing, amidst May Day protests against Trump’s immigration and labor policies, may deepen partisan divides.
You can watch the ceremony here.
Mike Waltz Is Out of WH but On to the UN
Details: Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced the removal of Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser, nominating him instead as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was appointed as interim National Security Adviser while continuing his role at the State Department, a rare dual role not seen since Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also departing the National Security Council (NSC). The shakeup, the first major cabinet change in Trump’s second term, follows intense scrutiny over Waltz’s involvement in the “Signalgate” scandal, where he inadvertently added The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat in March 2025, exposing sensitive plans for U.S. military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The chat included senior officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, discussing classified details such as strike timelines and weapons systems. Waltz’s tenure was further strained by internal friction, including a strained relationship with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who targeted Waltz and Wong for perceived disloyalty. Waltz, a former Florida congressman and Green Beret, resigned his House seat on January 20, 2025, to join Trump’s administration. His nomination as UN ambassador requires Senate confirmation, which may face challenges due to the Signal controversy. Trump praised Waltz’s service, stating he “worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” while Waltz expressed honor in continuing service on X.
What does this mean?: You know, I’m not sure how this will shake out but I know this much…people accuse Trump of not being loyal but I actually think that if he ‘*did* transition him out of his position because of Signalgate, it was very generous and kind to give him a new position that is prominent. Many presidents wouldn’t have done the same.
A few more things….
Tomorrow is the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby.
Nearly 50 Dogs Rescued from Deplorable Conditions in North-Central Kansas
Another day, another Trump-appointed judge rebukes the president’s use of Alien Enemies Act is unlawful in first-of-its-kind ruling.
World’s oldest woman has died at 116.
Trump signed an Executive Order seeking to end federal funding for NPR and PBS.
What’s going on in D.C. today?
President Donald Trump is expected to present his budget plan to Congress.
Alright friends - I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’ll be back here, bright and early on Tuesday morning so make sure you’re subscribed!
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