Random News And Notes 24 May

Chief Justice John Roberts (!?!) gave the Trump administration a big win last night. He issued a stay in a case involving FOIA and expedited discovery.

The judge in this case decided, with no basis, to expedite discovery. As noted, there are no damages or equities that demanded expedition in this case, it was a matter of another district court judge getting all up in his resistance feels.

I hope that this is an indication of how things will be going forward.

Around 100 staffers from the National Security Council got the ax yesterday. It is part of a major restructure of the agency.

The NSC has morphed from a coordination/implementation agency to one where the staffers think they are the ones making policy, not the President. It had ballooned to more than 300 people under Biden. I think this pruning needs to be far more aggressive.

The greatest spectacle in racing is tomorrow at the Brickyard. The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at 1245 ET on Sunday.

Looking at the starting grid, I only recognizes maybe 10 names of the 33 starters. I just hope everyone has a good time. . .

The Los Angeles city council just approved a new city ordinance mandating a new minimum wage for hotel and certain airport workers.

The current minimum wage for those workers is currently the same as every other worker in California, $17.81 per hour. (We all know the true minimum wage is $0.) Starting in July hotel and airport employees would receive $22.50 an hour followed by annual $2.50 increases over the next three three years. That pay raise does not include an $8.35 an hour “healthcare payment” that will start in July 2026.

Here’s the issue though, tourism is still down in LA. That city is last in the US regarding post-covid recovery. They have only recouped 79% of the pre-pandemic tourism.

It isn’t called Commiefornia for nothing I guess. . .

President Trump delivered the commencement address at the United States Military Academy today. Unlike Biden’s disaster a year ago, Trump was on top of his game. At one point he called soon-to-be grad Chris Verdugo on stage. Verdugo broke the record for an 18 mile hike setting a blistering 2 hour and 30 minute pace.

You can watch the entire speech below.