In America's most progressive cities, there's a lot of speculation about moderate Democrats running for office. That pattern downplays a crucial element: progressives' backing is still necessary for these centrist Democrats to prevail. How therefore can they be moderate?

☕️ Today we’re covering:

• ♪ Congress's differing opinions about TikTok

• 🪖 The Pentagon is plagued by financial management issues

• 🏗️ These are the plans to rebuild San Francisco

• And everything else you need to know.

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 🗞️ TODAY’S HEADLINES

Everything you need to know

🧮 Problems with financial management beset the Pentagon. The Department of Defense was found to have "serious financial management problems" last month, according to the Government Accountability Office, which also found that the Pentagon was unable to appropriately explain its financial situation. The Pentagon is expected to collect close to $850 billion for the fiscal year 2025, even though it is allegedly unable to account for its financial spending until 2027.

🇨🇳 Republicans in Congress propose a law to penalize Chinese propaganda organizations. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Rep. Jim Banks (R-ID) drafted legislation that imposes penalties on individuals and organizations that "knowingly [commit] a significant act of political warfare" against the United States. The United Front Work Department, which is seen as a Chinese Communist Party propaganda organization that functions freely inside the United States, is the explicit focus of the law.

👨‍⚖️ Three of the six accusations against Trump are dismissed by the judge in the Georgia election lawsuit. In the "election interference" case, Donald Trump is now only facing 10 counts of alleged violations of the RICO act, a statute designed to punish mobsters. The ruling is a further setback for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who may lose her job as a result of her intimate relationship with the case's prosecutor.

🤖 A comprehensive regulation package for AI was passed by the European Union. By a resounding vote of 523 to 46, the European Union passed comprehensive laws addressing the possible risks linked with artificial intelligence. In addition to outright prohibiting the use of technology for "social scoring" or widespread surveillance, the law establishes multiple classifications for AI technologies, ranging from low-risk to "unacceptable."

🏛️ WASHINGTON D.C

Congress's differing opinions about TikTok

Here is what is going on: By a vote majority of 352-65, the law forcing ByteDance, a firm affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to sell TikTok was decisively approved by the House of Representatives. President Biden would have the authority to impose an app restriction under the measure if ByteDance declined to sell.

Why it is important: TikTok has been used to snoop on Americans and disseminate propaganda. It is also under the indirect supervision of the Chinese Communist Party. Such powers would be impeded if Chinese control over the app were removed.

How they voted: Citing similar worries about Chinese influence on American youngsters, proponents of the bill viewed the app as a CCP extension. Republicans and Democrats who voted against it had different justifications:

• Republicans: Donald Trump criticized the plan, claiming that removing TikTok would give Meta more power by destroying businesses that it rivals. Some contended that expanding governmental regulation of social media was akin to "opening Pandora's box."

• Democrats: A few Democrats opposed the law because it restricted free expression. Some claimed that the bill was hurried. Some suggested that the overwhelming number of videos on TikTok that support Palestine over Israel (69-1), may be the reason behind the opposition to the platform's prohibition.

False allegations: Opponents of the measure contend that it gives the president the authority to block any website that is judged to pose a threat to national security. However, the bill's language makes clear that action is only permitted on websites under the control of "foreign adversaries," which are Iran, Venezuela, China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela.

What is next: The Senate will now consider the legislation. The law is now supported by both parties, although its future is yet unknown.

🇺🇸 TRENDING IN AMERICA

The plans to rebuild San Francisco

Here is what's going on: San Francisco, a city plagued by high rates of drug abuse, homelessness, and crime, has developed into a hub for centrist politicians. The city's changing political climate highlights how one of America's most progressive places is moving to the right.

• The trend: Many powerful leftists are being replaced with moderate political representation in San Francisco. Daniel Lurie, the contender running against Mayor London Breed, is currently popular.

Speaking for San Franciscans: In the past, Mayor Breed—who now polls at a pitiful 29 percent—was portrayed as a "centrist ally." Hot-button topics including homelessness, violence, and the cost of living will shape the 2024 San Francisco mayoral contest and shift the city's electable policies toward a more moderate stance.

The demand for increased sales: Many of Lurie's policy recommendations, like more law enforcement, more police presence, and tax reduction, are largely in line with city standards. His pro-business strategy, which seeks to boost the city's economy, is the centerpiece of his proposal.

• That does not imply, however, that Lurie is running on right-wing talking points. He stated to Upward News that he plans to build homes "on time, under budget, and with good-paying union labor" to address the affordability situation.

• Why? Lurie has shied away from being associated with the moderate label, despite his rather moderate stance. Moderate Democrats will have to consider this in most places if they hope to defeat another moderate in a race in San Francisco. The campaign must appeal to progressives.

However, the movement for moderate policies is meant to undermine California's long-standing reputation as a progressive hotbed, highlighting the damage caused by activism masquerading as public policy. With the highest state income tax in the nation, California suffered a mass exodus in 2022 that included CEOs of major corporations. Over 182,000 people left the state.

• Optimistic investments? In response to San Francisco's demand for a stronger corporate presence, some aspirational investors are acting. Their contribution might aid in the city's reconstruction and give the commercial real estate sector the much-needed lift.