The Bulletin

June 26, 2024

World in Brief

  • New York, Colorado and Utah Primaries: Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert won her primary on Tuesday, propelling her to November's general election in a new district. Read below for details on Jamaal Bowman's loss and Trump-backed candidates' defeats.
  • North Korea balloons close airport: All domestic and international flights at South Korea's Incheon International Airport faced severe delays after trash-filled balloons launched by North Korea caused significant disruption. Learn more about the impact.
  • Republican slammed for IVF stance: Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale was bashed over social media on Tuesday after saying that the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is "morally wrong." Read his full remarks.
  • Toy recall warning: Over 20 million "Miniverse" toy miniature model sets have been recalled due to the presence of a potentially dangerous ingredient. Find out more.
  • In the ongoing war in Ukraine, video footage of a missile strike on a Crimean beach filled with tourists has surfaced on social media. See the footage.

Jamaal Bowman Defeated: First 'Squad' Member to Get Ousted From Congress

The rundown: Representative Jamaal Bowman has become the first member of House progressive Democrats' "Squad" to lose his seat. Here's his message to supporters after the defeat.

Why it matters: Bowman lost the Democratic primary for New York's 16th Congressional District on Tuesday night to George Latimer, a former state lawmaker now serving as Westchester County's executive. The race was called less than an hour after polls closed. With over 60 percent of the vote counted as of 10:05 p.m. ET, Latimer had a lead of roughly 10 points over Bowman, according to the Associated Press. Bowman has been among the most vocal pro-Palestinian members of Congress.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Jamaal Bowman Rages at 'Dark Money' in Concession Speech

TL/DR: The closely watched race became a referendum on the left's views on Israel since the start of its war with Hamas in October.

What happens now? Some have also warned that Bowman's defeat could silence Democrats willing to speak out against Israel.

Deeper reading Jamaal Bowman Defeated: First 'Squad' Member to Get Ousted From Congress

What Mass Deportation Under Trump Could Look Like

The rundown: If he wins a second term in November, Donald Trump has pledged to embark on the biggest deportation program in U.S. history on his first day back in office. Here's what this could entail.

Why it matters: With immigration being a top issue for voters, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has made cracking down on immigration the centerpiece of his re-election campaign against President Joe Biden. The former president has also vowed to end birthright citizenship and spoken of reviving his 2017 travel ban that originally targeted several Muslim-majority countries. Here's what recent polling reveals about public sentiment on mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Mexico Details 1 Million People Trying To Reach US

TL/DR: Trump's vision has been laid out in rally speeches, interviews, and social media posts.

What happens now? The American Civil Liberties Union, one of the country's leading civil rights organizations, said, "Trump's deportation dystopia, if realized despite all of the legal, practical, and moral barriers, would fundamentally reshape American life.”

Deeper reading What Mass Deportation Under Trump Could Look Like

Donald Trump Suffers Triple Primary Blow

The rundown: A trio of Donald Trump endorsed Republicans suffered primary defeats on Tuesday to GOP rivals in a blow to the former president's authority. Find out the full breakdown.

Why it matters: Since leaving the White House the former president has used his influence within the Republican Party to back a range of GOP politicians in primaries. However, this has had mixed results as in South Carolina, Trump endorsed candidate Mark Burns lost to rival Sheri Biggs, by 49 percent of the vote against 51 percent. In Colorado's 5th Congressional District, Jeff Crank had 66 percent of the vote against 34 percent for Trump-endorsed Dave Williams. Meanwhile, nearly all of Trump's endorsements for Senate, House and gubernatorial races had been projected to win in South Carolina, North Dakota and Maine.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Influence Over GOP Stung by Virginia Election Surprise

TL/DR: Some of those endorsed by Trump, such as Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and Herschel Walker in Georgia, going on to lose high-profile contests to Democrats.

What happens now? Rep. John Curtis will be the Republican candidate to succeed Senator Mitt Romney in Utah. He is now the strong favorite to win the staunchly Republican seat in November.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Suffers Triple Primary Blow

Joe Biden's Debate Move Could Come Back to Haunt Him

The rundown: President Joe Biden may regret requesting that the first live televised debate against Donald Trump has muted microphones, according to a political analyst. Here's why.

Why it matters: The Biden campaign requested that candidates have their microphones when they are not recognized to speak in order to promote "orderly proceeding". CNN later confirmed that each candidate's microphones will be muted except when it's their turn to answer questions or deliver a response. The move was to avoid a repeat of the first televised presidential debate in September 2020 when Trump repeatedly interrupted and spoke over the top of Biden. Ahead of Thursday's debate, here are the claims Trump and his supporters have made about Biden.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Joe Biden at 'Disadvantage' for Debate With Donald Trump: Hillary Clinton

TL/DR: Trump, 78, said he will take a drug test before Thursday's debate if the 81-year-old president does.

What happens now? The debate is tomorrow at 9 p.m. EDT in CNN’s Atlanta studio.

Deeper reading Joe Biden's Debate Move Could Come Back to Haunt Him

How China's Clashes With Philippines Risk Drawing US Into War

The rundown: Last week's clash between Chinese and Philippine forces in the South China Sea left several injured, raising the specter of a future scenario that could trigger the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Here's how it could spark a great power conflict.

Why it matters: Article V of the 1951 treaty stipulates mutual aid in case of armed attacks on either of the territories or forces. President Joe Biden has stressed the U.S.' commitment to the treaty on multiple occasions, including during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s U.S. visit in April. The Marcos administration's pushback against Beijing's territorial claims have been met with a Chinese willingness to use non-deadly force, including water cannons, up-close maneuvers that risk collision, and alleged high-powered laser and sonic devices.

Read more in-depth coverage:
China Poses 'Existential' Threat, US Ally Says

TL/DR: Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, through which over $3 trillion-worth of trade is estimated to pass each year.

What happens now? The Southeast Asian country is now working to resume talks with China on the territorial dispute. The nation's top diplomat, Enrique Manalo, told legislators Tuesday that a joint China-Philippine working group held a meeting last week with the aim of setting up a bilateral dialogue in July.

Deeper reading How China's Clashes With Philippines Risk Drawing US Into War

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