Alyssa Mastromonaco and Jon L. discuss reports that Trump has promised pardons if aides break the law to build his border wall, the winnowing of the Democratic presidential field, and a new Senate seat opening in Georgia. Then, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joins to discuss the House, the Squad, and the fight for gun control and policies rooted in empathy.

Show notes:

Trump says he’ll pardon you if you help build his wall

• WaPo: “Democrats alarmed by Trump’s promise of pardons to build border wall”
• WaPo: “‘Take the land’: President Trump wants a border wall. He wants it black. And he wants it by Election Day.”
• The Atlantic: “Trump’s Unpardonable Admission About His Border Wall”
• CNN: “A rattled Trump scrambles for victories ahead of election”
• NPR: “As Puerto Rico Braces For Storm, DHS, FEMA To Move $271 Million To Border Operations”
• Reuters: “U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump use disputed funds for border wall”
• WaPo: “Trump administration diverted nearly $10 million from FEMA to ICE detention program, according to DHS document”
• NYT: “Hurricane Dorian Live Updates: System Strengthens to Category 1 Storm”
• WaPo: “Hurricane Dorian beginning to hit Puerto Rico”
• Los Angeles Times: “Trump administration appears to violate law in forcing asylum seekers back to Mexico, officials warn”
• Bloomberg: “What to Know in Washington: Democrats Blast DHS on Disaster Aid”

How does Trump’s craziness relate to Trump’s corruption?

• The Nation: “Trump’s Corruption Is Now More Brazen Than Ever”
• Vox: “William Barr’s $30k Trump hotel party illustrates how corruption is becoming more brazen and blatant”
• WaPo: “Behind Trump’s craziness, there’s always corruption. Here’s the latest.”
• ABC News: “Trump is facing 2 emoluments lawsuits: Here’s what to know”
• CNN: “White House shies away from locking in Trump’s Doral resort for the next G7”
• The Hill: “Trump invites new emoluments fight with G-7 resort pitch”
• New York Times: “Trump Has Just the Place for the Next G7 Meeting: His Own Golf Re-sort”
• WaPo: “Barr books Trump’s hotel for $30,000 holiday party”

Change in Citizenship Requirements

• The Hill: “Trump officials say children of some service members overseas will not get automatic citizenship”
• ACLU Oregon: “Maria Soto Was Born In The U.S., Yet The Trump Administration Won’t Give Her A Passport. We’re Suing.”
• Denver Post: “Colorado man denied passport despite U.S. citizenship, ACLU lawsuit alleges”

There’s an election happening in NC in September

• Politico: “Trump, GOP fret loss in bellwether House special election”
• WNCT: “Candidates in N.C. special election meet for debate”
• The Hill: “Trump to hold campaign rally in North Carolina day before special House election”
• New York Times: “A Rare Do-Over Congressional Election Is a Chance to Battle-Test 2020 Strategies”

2020

• NYT: Kirsten Gillibrand Drops Out of Democratic Presidential Race
• WaPo: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ends her presidential bid
• Axios: Kirsten Gillibrand drops out of the 2020 presidential race
• Vox: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand drops out of presidential race after failing to qualify for next debate
• The Cut: Kristen Gillibrand Has Dropped Out of the Presidential Race
• Huffpo: Kirsten Gillibrand Drops Out Of Democratic Presidential Race
• NYT: Democratic Candidates Jostle, and Gripe, as Debates Winnow the Field
• Politico: Democratic debate stage to shrink barring last-minute shock
• WaPo: Democrats appear headed for a one-night presidential debate featuring 10 candidates in September
• Politico: Dem campaigns get desperate with debate shutout looming
• The Week: John Delaney complains the DNC is ‘kind of like Thanos’ as he’s set to miss the 3rd debate
• NYT: Can $100 Million Buy a Spot at the Debate?

Another Senate seat is opening up in Georgia

• NYT: Isakson to Resign From Senate, Citing Health Reasons
• Axios: Sen. Johnny Isakson will resign at the end of 2019
• WaPo: Sen. Johnny Isakson says he will resign at the end of the year, citing health problems
• WaPo: How the 2020 Senate map is shaping up
• WaPo: How Georgia could help Democrats win the Senate — but only if they play it perfectly
• Governing: 7 States Where Demographics Haven’t Determined Their Political Destiny — Yet
• American Prospect: Democrats Can and Should Expand the Map to Georgia and Arizona in 2020
• BuzzFeed: Jon Ossoff Is Seriously Considering A Run For Senate In Georgia
• WaPo: Democrats’ chances of taking the Senate just got better
• Vox: Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson’s retirement offers Democrats another opportunity for a Senate pickup
• Vice: Democrats Just Got Another Path to Senate Control
• Roll Call: Isakson’s decision adds competitive seat to 2020 Senate battleground
• WaPo: The Trailer: Do Elizabeth Warren’s big crowds matter?
• NYT: Polling Picture Comes Into Focus: Biden Leads a 3-Way Race at the Top
• CNN: Why outlier polls are a good thing
• CNN: Joe Biden probably still leads the Democratic race
• CNN: Bernie Sanders’ new climate plan asks Democrats: Do you want a revolution or not?
• FiveThirtyEight: After Two Debates, Warren Is Getting More Popular