Your BRIGHT Week in Review

Plus: Dinner and a Movie

Photo of the Week

I had to look at this photo of State Department workers leaving again because there is so much going on. Two are smiling for the cameras. One is wearing shorts… to work. One is wearing boots and a turtleneck in DC in July. Didn’t the government tell us to keep our thermostat at 78? Are they? Oh, and a grown man wearing a backpack. I guess it goes with the shorts though.

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Will the Tariffs Usher in the Golden Age?

Just the News reported President Trump is renewing hopes among fiscal conservatives for a balanced federal budget, leveraging rising tariff revenues, rescission packages, and favorable Supreme Court rulings to cut spending and shrink government. As of July 1, tariffs have generated $106.1 billion, potentially bringing in $300 billion annually. On the spending side, Congress advanced a $9 billion rescission package, with more expected. “We spend too much,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. “I hope we can keep them coming.”

As BRIGHT noted earlier in the week, the Supreme Court cleared Trump to proceed with mass federal layoffs, including 1,400 Department of Education employees and staff across several other departments. “It’s an exciting time,” said Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., praising Trump’s commitment to attacking the $37 trillion debt. The Court also allowed DOGE to use Social Security data to target waste and fraud. Republicans say this may be the best shot at real fiscal reform since 2001. 🤞

The Autopen Scandal Isn’t Going Away

Rusty Weiss at RedState reported that pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and others were signed by autopen in Joe Biden’s final hours as president, raising questions about who actually approved them. Weiss wrote the New York Times attempted to show Biden “was at least involved,” but instead “raised so many more questions.”

Biden insisted, “I consciously made all those decisions,” yet the report shows Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients approved the autopen use with a “reply all” email, stating, “I approve the use of the autopen for the execution of all of the following pardons.” Weiss points out the president’s sole authority to pardon was routed “through a series of assistants and their assistants.” He also notes that Zients, a key figure during the pandemic, “played a pivotal role in spreading misinformation.” Weiss concluded:

Despite the Times' best efforts, it is clear that approval of the use of the autopen was not granted by Biden himself, but rather, in Fauci's case and many others, had to get the thumbs up from Zients. It was a group of advisers controlling the autopen based on a "draft summary" of what the former president had said, which was then passed through emails to several other individuals before it landed in Zients' inbox to be approved roughly 120 seconds later.

Hearings on this matter, open to the public, should be ramped up immediately.

Fox News also reported on the New York Times article, noting, “Joe Biden tells the New York Times he ORALLY granted all the pardons and commutations issued at the end of his term, meaning he did NOT personally sign the official warrants for clemency.”

Homan: ICE Has Rescued 10,000 Missing Kids

Border Czar Tom Homan recently said on Fox & Friends that the Biden administration lost track of over 300,000 migrant children due to lax border policies, with ICE having recovered about 10,000 so far. In a recent interview, Homan said, “We are looking for over 300,000 missing children. We’ve already found around 10,000, have you heard that anywhere? No, because the media’s simply not covering it.” He added, “Rescuing children, I mean, it should be a non-partisan issue.”

Additionally, reports show tens of thousands of children released without proper tracking. Catherine Salgado of PJ Media wrote:

As someone who frequently saw single men wearing masks accompanying migrant kids through the airport in my hometown during the Biden years, I have to wonder, along with many other people, just how many of the relatives were lying about their relationship to the kids. But of course, the Biden administration ended DNA tests for illegal “families,” so it couldn’t be sure whether the children were related or not.

RELATED: Stephen Miller, Tom Homan Rip Dems on Child Labor at Pot Farm; Big News About Kids Missing Under Biden (RedState)

How Your Morning Caffeine Might Be Brewing a Longer Life

Caffeine may slow aging by mildly stressing cells, triggering protective mechanisms linked to longer life. Epoch Health reported on a new study that found caffeine activates AMPK—a key longevity pathway—similar to effects from calorie restriction or exercise. “Caffeine turns on AMPK... and we know that calorie restriction and exercise are proven to extend lifespan,” said study author John-Patrick Alao.

While research used yeast cells, humans share similar pathways. However, caffeine may pose risks “for people with genetic conditions such as ataxia telangiectasia (ATM), who have difficulty repairing DNA damage.” Experts recommend moderate intake—200–400 mg daily—and avoiding energy drinks. Of course, the researchers noted that caffeine’s benefits are greatest when paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Round Up

Are you shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? I’ve done a collaboration with them in the past but haven’t been inspired by a theme this year. Here’s a roundup of the favorite brands in the sale:

AllSaints
Barefoot Dreams
Beyond Yoga
Franco Sarto
Good American
Hokas (highly recommended by sister. Happy birthday, Jennifer!!!!!)
Jo Malone
La Mer (including just because it’s funny that a serum is on sale for $885)
Madewell
New Balance
Rag & Bone (the retro runner is my go-to travel sneaker)
Ray-Ban
Sam Edelman
Spanx (some often-duped AirEssentials items are in the sale)
Ugg (as in, “ugh, do I really need another pair of slippers? Maybe for the right price…)

Dinner and a Movie

Peaches are at their peak and I can’t get enough! This Peach & Feta Grain Bowls with Harissa Chickpeas, Almonds & Quinoa is a little healthier than my true peach weakness — the Chick-fil-A peach milkshake.

In honor of my sister’s birthday today, here’s her favorite movie, Bridesmaids!