This week is not the longest list with Congress  out on summer break for the sixth and final week, but it is perhaps the  most alarming in terms of the irreverent authoritarian actions by Trump,  who continues to push boundaries having suffered no consequences for  anything yet. Examples of his power base expanding were reported,  including the Pentagon refusing to cooperate in a probe of spending at  Trump’s Turnberry resort, the Justice Department filing a bogus  anti-trust case against four auto companies cooperating with California  to cut emissions, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration backing Trump over its own scientists. Even the  Republican Party continues to fold to Trump, as four states canceled  their GOP 2020 presidential primaries, while those unhappy with the tone  or direction of the party continued to retire rather than speaking out.  Trump is also ramping up attacks on the free press, journalists, and  now, social media companies ahead of the 2020 election.

Reporting this week also signaled continued  concern about Trump’s mental health, and he spent the week fixated on a  false statement made Sunday about Alabama being in the path of Hurricane  Dorian, and continued on the story until Friday. As the economy  weakens, and having no real accomplishments over the summer, Trump was  likened to a bull seeing red, and again spent the week as much of his  summer striking out at familiar and random targets. Court filings this  week indicated Trump has no plans to cooperate with House Democrats when  they return next week.

Meanwhile, news in Europe indicates that  far-right populism there may have peaked as Britain’s new Prime Minister  Boris Johnson suffered setbacks, and far-right Matteo Salvini was  pushed out of Italy’s new government. China acquiesced to protestors’  demands in Hong Kong, following 13 weeks of protests.

Read the full list here: https://theweeklylist.org/weekly-list/week-147/