Hot Mic: Bite-Size News Brief

Two bipartisan groups of senators have put forth bills that would make it harder to fire Mueller. According to a New York Times report, Vice President Mike Pence is gearing up for a presidential run in 2020. A Muslim woman made history at the Miss Universe qualifier competition by wearing a kaftan during the swimsuit round.

Links:
• A bipartisan group of senators is already planning how to thwart attempts to fire Mueller
• VP Mike Pence shuts down suggestion he’s eyeing 2020 run following ‘New York Times’ report
• Muslim beauty queen in the U.K. makes history after choosing to wear a kaftan instead of a bikini

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President Trump’s ban on letting transgender people serve in the military is not very popular among voters. Transcripts of phone calls from early in Trump’s presidency show he knew Mexico would never pay for his border wall. World Overshoot Day fell on August 2 this year, earliest it’s ever been.

Links:
• Voters broadly support transgender people serving in the military, poll finds
• 5 of the most damning quotes from Trump’s conversations with the leaders of Mexico, Australia
• World Overshoot Day: Humans have used up a year’s worth of natural resources in just 7 months

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President Trump announced a new bill that would cut down on the number of immigrants allowed in the U.S. President Trump signed a bill that imposes new sanctions on Russia, but he wasn’t all that happy about it. A fashion brand faced backlash for its “refugee dress.”

Links:
• Trump announces support for immigration system that favors high-skilled, English speaking applicants
• Trump finally signs Russia sanctions bill — behind closed doors
• A Brooklyn brand sold a $119 “refugee dress.” Shoppers weren’t happy about it.

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The senate confirmed Christopher Wray as the next director of the FBI. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is introducing a bill that would take marijuana off the controlled substance list. A new study revealed that internet searches using the word “suicide” went up after the show r13 Reasons Why released on Netflix.

Links:
• Senate confirms Christopher Wray as next FBI director
• Sen. Cory Booker wants to take marijuana off the federal controlled substance list
• Internet searches about suicide went up after ’13 Reasons Why’ premiered on Netflix

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Anthony Scaramucci is no longer the communications director for the White House. A new report finds that women are still underrepresented in the biggest Hollywood films, especially if they’re over the age of 45. A new rumor suggests that you might be able to unlock the iPhone 8 with your face.

Links:
• Anthony Scaramucci is out as White House communications director, 10 days into his tenure
• Hollywood is ignoring women over the age of 45, and these experts know why
• iPhone 8 Release Features: New clues suggest Apple’s 2017 device may have infrared face detection

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White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus resigns. After their repeal efforts fail, Senator Susan Collins says Republicans should focus on fixing Obamacare. In response to new sanctions, Vladimir Putin says he’ll expel 755 U.S. diplomats from Russia.

Links:
• With a tweet, Trump replaces chief of staff Reince Priebus with Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly
• Republican Sen. Susan Collins just rejected her party’s premise that the ACA can’t be reformed
• In response to US sanctions, Putin expels 755 US diplomats from Russia

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Military leadership has said there won’t be any changes to the military's current policy on transgender service members. The chief of the Boy Scouts of America apologized for Trump’s controversial speech. Senate Republicans have had enough of the president’s attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Links:
• Despite Trump’s tweets, military leaders say there will be no changes to transgender policy, for now
• Boy Scouts chief apologizes for Trump’s politically charged speech
• Senate Republicans have had enough of Trump’s attacks on Sessions — and are speaking out about it

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President Trump announced that the U.S. military would no longer allow transgender people to serve in any capacity. Republicans put forth two amendments to the health care bill and both failed. A recent study suggests that taking a break to play some video games might be one of the best ways to relieve stress at work.

Links:
• The White House is leaving everyone in the dark as to how its transgender military ban will work
• Straight Obamacare repeal bill fails in the Senate in yet another setback
• Scientists say you should play video games on your breaks at work

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Senate Republicans got the votes they needed to move their health care legislation to debate. President Trump is reportedly thinking about firing Jeff Sessions. Paul Manafort has been subpoenaed to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Links:
• Senate Republicans advance Obamacare repeal effort to debate
• Trump turns up his Twitter attack on his own attorney general, Jeff Sessions
• Paul Manafort is meeting with Senate investigators. Here’s what we know about his Russia ties.

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Charlie Gard’s parents announced that they would end their legal battle to send him to the U.S. for treatment. The driver of a tractor-trailer that was found with 30-40 people trapped inside has been charged with human trafficking. Jared Kushner denied any collusion with Russia after being questioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Links:
• Charlie Gard’s parents end legal fight to continue treatment for terminally ill son
• Driver charged with human trafficking after 30-40 people found locked in fatally hot tractor-trailer
• Jared Kushner makes rare public statement to say he didn’t collude with Russia

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