PRESIDENT TRUMP meets with governors (WIkipedia).

The intervention of federal law enforcement to fight crime in Chicago and Baltimore will be ordered, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

“We’re going in,” said Trump about Chicago. “I didn’t say when. I have an obligation. This isn’t a political thing.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said that sending military troops and federal agents into the nation’s third-largest city wasn’t necessary or wanted, according to the Associated Press.

Pritzker urged Chicagoans to be watchful and film and publicize interactions with federal agents. “Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America,” he said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said that violence in the city is influenced by guns brought in from neighboring states such as Indiana where guns are more freely available and legal.

The AP reports that in 2024, Chicago had 573 homicides – the most in the nation, but that the number was decreasing and some other cities – including those in “red states” such as St. Louis, New Orleans, Atlanta and Indianapolis – have higher murder rates per capita.

Venezuela president warns Trump

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela warned President Trump that his nation would use “an armed fight” resist American military action near that nation’s shores.

FLAG OF VENEZUELA

The New York Times is reporting that Maduro claimed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was trying to spur a war in the Caribbean.

“Watch out,” said Maduro on Monday,”because Mr. Rubio wants to stain your hands with blood.”

On Tuesday it was announced that U.S. military forces had launched a “lethal strike” against a suspected drug vessel which reportedly departed from a Venezuelan port.

Judge rules against use of CNG

A FEDERAL JUDGE ruled that the use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles was illegal (Shutterstock).

The use of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles to control protests was not legal, a federal judge has ruled.

United Press International reports that U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer of California said in a ruling that the use of federalized National Guard soldiers and U.S. Marines to protect federal agents during the immigration “crackdown” were a violation of the 19th century Posse Comitatus Act, prohibiting the use of troops in law enforcement.

Breyer wrote that Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were intending to “create a national police force with the president as its chief.”

He ruled that against the use of such force nationwide, but issued a stay until Sept. 12 to give the White House time to appeal.

Weather: Cooling off a bit

The days of temperatures hitting 90 degrees in our West Orange County cities appear to be over, at least for a while. The forecasts call for a daytime high of 86 on Wednesday under partly skies. Thursday is expected to cool to 82 (66) and drop again on Friday to 79 (65). Saturday will warm slightly to 80 (61). Partly cloudy conditions will persist into the weekend.

Great thoughts

“Aging is not a loss of youth but a stage of opportunity and strength.”
– Betty Friedan, writer

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”
– John Barrymore, actor

“We are all the same age inside.”
– Gertrude Stein, writer