Today’s edition of quick hits.
* The latest on the train collision in Spain: “The Spanish authorities on Monday were investigating the cause of a high-speed crash between two trains in southern Spain the night before that killed at least 40 people, as survivors described harrowing scenes of bodies thrown from mangled train cars.”
* In Syria: “A third round of retaliatory strikes by the U.S. in Syria resulted in the death of an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader, who officials say had a direct tie to the Islamic State member responsible for last month’s ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter in the country.”
* In Minnesota: “A federal judge in Minnesota imposed restrictions on the actions of immigration agents toward protesters in the state on Friday, a decision that comes after weeks of mounting tension between demonstrators and federal officers.”
* Has Trump figured out what would happen if Iran’s current leadership fell? “President Donald Trump on Saturday called for an end to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 37-year reign. ‘It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,’ Trump told POLITICO, as widespread protests calling for an end to the regime appear to have waned.”
* A welcome delay: “With Americans reeling from high consumer prices, the federal government will suspend tax refund seizures and wage garnishments for people in default on their student loans, the Education Department said Friday. The action dials back the Trump administration’s recent decision to resume involuntary collections after a nearly six-year suspension because of the pandemic.”
* For decades, Republican leaders cared about the democracy movement in Myanmar. Now, the Trump administration no longer cares about the country’s dubious elections process.
* It’s a symbolic move, but it matters anyway: “Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will attend the Supreme Court’s oral argument Wednesday in a case involving the attempted firing of Fed governor Lisa Cook, an unusual show of support by the central bank chair.”
* Why is he selling seats on the board? “President Donald Trump sent a flurry of invitations over the weekend to world leaders to join a new ‘Board of Peace,’ being marketed as an international peace-building organization. However, a permanent seat on the board will cost countries $1 billion.” * A heartbreaking story, as part of a heartbreaking series of related stories: “A Pregnant Woman at Risk of Heart Failure Couldn’t Get Urgent Treatment. She Died Waiting for an Abortion.” * Metaphor Watch: “Nestled in a strip mall in suburban Philadelphia, The Trump Store is hard to miss, with its all-caps sign in bold next to a photo of President Trump hugging the American flag. But after six years of drawing MAGA supporters from all over, the 800-square-foot store, which sports everything from hats and watches emblazoned with the president’s name, is closing. The store’s owner, 56-year-old Mike Domanico, said that, with sales down, it was time.” See you tomorrow.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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