Rep. Swalwell: GOP hearing on judges opposing Trump is a ‘power grab'
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), member of the Judiciary Committee, joins MSNBC's Symone Sanders to discuss why Republicans on the Judiciary Committee want to hold a hearing about impeach judges who disagree with Donald Trump and how this 'philosophy goes against how this country was founded. Professor Melissa Murray also joins the conversation.
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Tesla stock rises as Trump-Musk feud cools and robotaxi launch nears
Tesla stock rose marginally in pre-market trading on Wednesday after CEO Elon Musk extended an olive branch to US President Donald Trump following their public feud. Shares were up over 2% by around midday CEST, at $332.76 (€290.98) 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,' Musk said in a post on X on Wednesday. After spending millions backing Trump's successful presidential bid, Musk heavily criticised the Republicans' new tax and spending bill, creating a rift between the two men. Musk was previously appointed by Trump to lead DOGE, the US' Department of Government Efficiency. The tech billionaire argued that the new bill, dubbed by Trump as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', would irresponsibly raise the public deficit and undermine DOGE's work. Musk resigned from the department in late May after saying he was 'disappointed' with spending proposals. In an escalation of the conflict last week, Musk called for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vice President JD Vance. He also implied that Trump was linked with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an allegation the White House denied. Related The 100 ways Elon Musk and his companies allegedly benefited from working with Donald Trump Tesla's European buyers turn away? Sales slide amid Musk's political controversy As for the president, Trump threatened to terminate government contracts awarded to Musk's SpaceX firm. On Monday, the president then took a more conciliatory tone. Trump said he wished Musk 'very well' and claimed that he would retain Starlink internet service at the White House. Even so, the US President suggested that he might remove his own Tesla from White House grounds. The value of Tesla shares have been rocked by volatility as investors track the dramas playing out in Washington — and some dump stock in protest of Musk's politics. Both Argus Research and Baird downgraded ratings for Tesla stock on Monday, which has seen its value drop by more than 19% since the start of the year. Aside from the Trump-Musk feud, experts noted that risks to Tesla include the expiration of EV credits, which could dampen demand. A $7,500 tax credit for an EV purchase is set to be fully eliminated by the end of 2026, although restrictions will be applied before this. For those wishing to use the credit in 2026, they can only buy from manufacturers that haven't yet sold 200,000 EVs. This would disqualify Tesla. Other challenges include increased competition in the EV market, particularly from Chinese rivals such as BYD. Despite these storm clouds ahead, Musk's enthusiasm about robotaxis appears to be inflating the stock's value. The CEO is currently hoping to roll out the self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, on 22 June. In a post on his X social media platform, Musk said the date could change because Tesla is 'being super paranoid about safety'. Sign in to access your portfolio
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With Rick Perry's backing and $50 million from the state, Texas set to become a leader in psychedelics research
As Texas sets to crack down on the recreational use of cannabis, state leaders are opting to invest $50 million in another plant with purported medicinal benefits – a psychedelic called ibogaine. For several years, people have silently traveled to clinics in Mexico to take ibogaine. The extract of an ancient African shrub has been used across the Texas border to alleviate addiction and brain trauma. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign Senate Bill 2308 on Wednesday, creating a consortium of universities, hospitals, and drug developers to conduct clinical trials on an ibogaine drug, with the hopes of receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Lawmakers approved $50 million in taxpayer dollars to support this effort, making Texas the global leader in psychedelic research investment. Since Texas is trying to be the first to develop the drug, the legislation ensures Texas retains control of the research and development process. The goal of this investment is to ensure Texans reap the economic benefits from an ibogaine treatment program, not a pharmaceutical company. The investment entitles Texas to at least 20% of any successful ibogaine drug resulting from the trials, with a quarter of that revenue allocated to a fund for state veterans. After a failed attempt in Kentucky to start a state-funded ibogaine drug, Texas has picked up the effort under the leadership of a familiar statewide figure-turned psychedelics cheerleader — former Gov. Rick Perry. 'None of this is possible without Perry,' said Bryan Hubbard, the former chair of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and current executive director of the American Ibogaine Initiative. 'He made it happen in Texas. That is a big deal and catches the attention of the nation.' Ibogaine is an illegal drug that has found itself in a unique position where Republicans champion it. This comes as some of them, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have made it a mission this session to ban recreational use of THC, which awaits Abbott's approval. Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, said it's easy for Republicans to sign on to ibogaine because the intent of it is to medicinally treat addiction. 'Also, this bill doesn't grant public access to ibogaine, and there's nothing in the bill that could really be construed as soft on drugs,' she said. For that reason seemingly, Patrick has publicly thrown his support toward ibogaine as he fends off critics from the left and right for his hardline views on THC. Patrick did not respond to a request for a comment for this story. Harris said Texas' investment in ibogaine could kickstart a trend across states to invest in drug research to address addiction, as private funds have become inconsistent. 'In 2024, the FDA rejected a proposal to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD is one of the more studied alternative psychedelic treatment protocols, and the FDA rejection was a huge blow to private industry, likely leading some to rethink investment in this area,' she said. It was early 2022, and the only thing former Army Ranger Chase Rowan could think about was killing himself. Sixteen years prior, his parachute failed to fully deploy during a nighttime training exercise as his body careened toward the ground at 60 miles per hour. To cope through the pain from the severe brain injury that resulted, the Lubbock resident turned to opioids which morphed into a fentanyl addiction that eventually dissolved his family. 'I was stuck alone. I had no money and no vehicle, just white knuckling sobriety,' Rowan said. When Rowan got to Mexico to test out a novel drug called ibogaine in August of 2022, he wasn't scared, but determined to heal. Upon taking the ibogaine pill, Rowan started seeing images — one of a devil with wings and another of roads leading to childhood memories. The psychedelic journey on his first night opened his eyes to past trauma and the pain he caused to those around him, like a movie. He woke up the next day feeling the happiest he had been in 20 years. 'It felt like a weight was lifted off of me,' he said. 'I got that stuff out of me.' What Rowan was dealing with is a particular high that comes from ibogaine that is often referred to as a 'spiritual awakening' or a greater sense of self. Stanford Medicine conducted a study in 2024 that found 'ibogaine, when combined with magnesium to protect the heart, safely and effectively reduces PTSD, anxiety and depression and improves functioning in veterans with' traumatic brain injury. Hubbard sees no threat of ibogaine becoming recreationally used or abused since it does not provide an enjoyable high and leaves the user in a state of temporary paralysis. Because of this, most never go back for another dose. 'There is no street economy for this drug,' Hubbard said. Ibogaine also comes with potential dangers. Harris calls it one of the 'more complicated psychedelics to administer' because it brings risks of cardiac issues and sudden death. The risks make it more expensive to study and to provide as a treatment, drawing out the years that ibogaine becomes more widely available, Harris said. 'If the FDA were to approve ibogaine for opioid use disorders or other disorders…the treatment could be quite costly,' Harris said. Since leaving his two-year stint as U.S. Energy Secretary during the first Trump administration, Perry has thrown the weight of his reputation behind psychedelics, becoming one of the most high-profile advocates of its research nationally. But the journey to this point started when he still occupied the Governor's Mansion in Austin. 'It's the question I hear the most,' Perry said with a laugh. 'What is a right-wing anti-drug governor doing associated with psychedelics?' In 2006, Perry became close with Navy SEAL veteran Marcus Luttrell who struggled from a brain injury, PTSD and addiction, without access to effective treatments. He recalls Luttrell sleeping with the TV and lights on, trying to comfort his battered mind. When Luttrell told him he was planning to go to Mexico with several other veterans to try ibogaine, Perry was skeptical. 'I remember the first time he told me, and I looked at him the same way a dog does when they hear a funny noise. I remember telling him to be careful with that because I still had my beliefs on drugs at the time, but at the same time, people that I trusted were going to Mexico for this, I had to listen,' Perry said. The data was indisputable to Perry. He unequivocally believes ibogaine takes away addiction and he is ready to tell anyone who will ask him about it. He has since gone on to the Joe Rogan podcast to wax poetic about the drug and other psychedelic treatments. He is a scheduled speaker for a psychedelic conference in Denver. He is also planning to reach out to officials in Israel and Ukraine to initiate ibogaine treatment programs there. 'I have always been open to new knowledge. The same thing with criminal justice reform and in-state tuition, as a Republican, I have my beliefs, but I am willing to change them once looking at the data and science,' Perry said. Hubbard cautioned that ibogaine is not a drug to be taken without medical supervision and Texas is probably at least six years away from seeing any movement on FDA approval for clinical trials. However, he is hopeful that the drug qualifies for a Breakthrough Therapy designation, a pathway that accelerates the regulatory review of drugs showing early promise in treating severe conditions. As of June 30, 2024, the FDA has only granted 587 designations out of the 1,516 requested since 2012. Hubbard believes the current presidential administration will see the momentum in Texas and help expedite the process with the FDA. 'If Texas can create a treatment plan for ibogaine, it might be the most significant achievement in modern medicine for nearly a century,' said Hubbard. Disclosure: Rice University and Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! 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Republicans dedicate some funding to courts, workforce agency, ag, but Democrats say it isn't enough
'The focus here is going to be on basically keeping our food safe and preventing disease from spreading,' Sen. Howard Marklein said at a press conference. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Republicans and Democrats on the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee were divided Tuesday about the amount of money the state should invest in several state agencies including the Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection. Republicans on the committee said they were making strategic and realistic investments in priority areas, while Democrats said Republicans' investments wouldn't make enough of an impact. The first divisive issue came up when the committee considered the budgets for Wisconsin's courts. Democrats proposed that the state provide an additional $2 million and 8 new positions for the creation of an Office of the Marshals of the Supreme Court that would provide security for the Court. Rep. Tip McGuire (D-Kenosha) and Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said the need for the office has increased recently due to the number of threats the judges and justices are facing. 'Given the role that they play in our judiciary in order to be impartial, we shouldn't want them to be in danger or to fear for their safety or to have any outward pressures on them that would influence the case,' McGuire said. 'I believe it's important for the cause of justice. I believe it's important for the cause of safety.' Roys noted the inflammatory language that members of the Trump administration have used when talking about judges and justices, noting that Republicans have passed legislation before to help protect judges. She also noted that former Juneau County Circuit Court Judge John Roemer was targeted and murdered at his home in 2022. 'It is really frightening… and the Supreme Court has made this request over numerous years because they understand better than any of us do what it's like to try to serve the public in this critically important but increasingly dangerous role,' Roys said. 'I am much less interested in putting people in prison after they have murdered a judge than I am in preventing our judges from being attacked or killed, so, this seems to me a tiny amount of money to do a really important task to protect the third branch of government and particularly our Supreme Court.' Republicans rejected Democrats' motion. Committee co-chair Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said at a press conference ahead of the meeting that the Wisconsin Capitol Police are tasked with protecting visitors, employees, legislators, the Court and anyone else in the building. 'They do a good job and continue to provide top-notch work here at the Capitol as part of security for everyone who works here,' Born said. The committee also voted 13-3 with Andraca joining Republicans to allocate an additional $10 million each year to counties for circuit court costs. The committee took action on portions of the budget for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), giving a boost to he agency's Meat Inspection Program and Division of Animal Health. 'The focus here is going to be on basically keeping our food safe and preventing the disease from spreading,' committee co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) said. The Meat Inspection Program got an additional $2.7 million and two additional positions under the proposal approved by the committee. The program works to ensure the safety and purity of meat products sold in Wisconsin, including by inspecting the livestock and poultry slaughtering and processing facilities that are not already inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Division of Animal Health would get three additional employees that would be funded with about $500,000. According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin has 233 official meat establishments and 70 custom meat establishments that require state inspection. Roys said the proposal 'falls far short of what is needed,' noting that agriculture is a major economic driver in Wisconsin and the industry is under pressure due to actions being taken by the Trump administration. The USDA recently terminated its National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection, which had been in place since 1971, and the administration has considered ending most of its routine food safety inspections work. 'That kind of uncertainty is exactly why we need to step up our work at the state level,' Roys said, adding that she hopes that Republicans 'consider funding at the appropriate level what our farmers…deserve.' Marklein noted that the committee's work on DATCP's part of the budget is not completed yet. 'This is a program that's had a shortfall year over year,' Andraca said, adding that she hopes 'members of this committee are vegetarians.' 'If there's one place that I wouldn't cut, it would probably be in meat inspection. If we're looking at places to take a little off the edge, food safety is not one of them, particularly in a time where we have avian flu and other diseases breaking out,' Andraca said. The committee also voted along party lines to invest additional funds in programs administered by the Department of Workforce Development, including $6 million in youth apprenticeship grants, $570,000 in early college credit program grants, $250,000 for the agency's commercial driver training grant program and $250,000 for the workforce training grants. Democrats had suggested that the committee dedicate $11 million for the youth apprenticeship program, which provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors in high school to get hands-on experience in a field alongside classroom instruction, but Republicans rejected it opting to put a little more than half of that towards the program. Andraca said the program is important for allowing youth to 'try out new skills and new jobs' and train to fill positions in Wisconsin and that the $6 million investment makes it seem like the program is 'pretty much getting gutted.' The program has steadily grown annually over the last several years at an estimated rate of 16%, although, according to the LFB, the number of additional students each year has declined going from a high of 1,923 additional students in 2022-23, to 1,703 more in 2023-24, and 1,430 in 2024-25. Andraca noted that the program currently operates on a sum certain model, meaning that there is a specific amount of money available and the size of a grant could vary depending on participation and available funds. If there is continued growth of 16% then the grant sizes could shrink. A sum sufficient model (which Democrats wanted) would mean that the agency's spending on the program isn't capped by a specific dollar amount. Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) noted that the grants for students would likely grow from an average of about $900 currently to about $1,000 under the Republican proposal. 'This motion [is] at $6 million and $100 per award over the last budget, but we're supposed to believe it's gutting the program,' Quinn said. 'Welcome to the People's Republic of Madison where stuff like that happens a lot; $6 million in new money is a lot of money to most people but obviously the other side, it's gutting the program,' Born said, responding to Quinn. 'At some point when you're building a budget, you have to figure out a way to afford it, be reasonable in your investments, so maybe that's why we don't view a $6 million investment as gutting because we're trying to live within our means.' The committee approved $2.3 million to support the new Wisconsin History Center in downtown Madison for 2025-26 and $540,800 and six positions annually starting in 2026-27. Construction on the museum, which will be operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, started in April and its opening is set for 2027. The Historical Society had requested the one-time funding of $2.3 million in 2025-26 as well as ongoing funding of $1.7 million annually — more than double the amount the committee approved — starting in 2026-27 to help with operational costs, including security, janitorial and maintenance services. It said without ongoing funding from the state it wouldn't be able to open and maintain the museum. It also said that it was not anticipating needing to request additional funding for the museum operations in future budget cycles if the request is funded. The committee also approved an additional $562,000 in one-time funding across the biennium for security and facilities improvements for the Historical Society's facilities and collections and $157,000 to cover estimated future increases in services costs. But the committee decreased funding for the Historical Society by $214,000 for estimated fuel and utilities costs. A law, 2023 Wisconsin Act 73, overhauled alcohol regulation in Wisconsin and created a new Division of Alcohol Beverages under the Department of Regulation tasked with preventing violations of the new laws. Republicans on the committee approved a motion to recategorize nine general DOR positions and over $900,000 to the Division of Alcohol Beverages to help with enforcement. It also transferred an attorney to the division and added $456,000 in funding for two more positions in the Division of Alcohol Beverages. Democrats said that Republicans on the committee were 'nickel and diming' the Department of Revenue with its proposal given that it recategorizes already existing positions rather than creating new ones. 'I do appreciate some of the efforts involved in this motion,' McGuire said, adding that he noticed there were 10 positions that were moved around. 'That seemed odd to me,' McGuire said. 'Were their feet up on their desk? They weren't collecting taxes at school time, or what were they doing? We want to be able to give the Department of Revenue tools they need to succeed, and frankly, the tools they need to provide resources to the state to make sure that everyone's on an even playing field so we can fund the priorities' of the state. The GOP proposal passed on a party-line vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
