Venezuela Earthquakes, Trump Senate Fight, Pentagon Shuffles

At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after two consecutive earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, the country's acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced early today. The initial earthquake, measuring 7.2 in magnitude, happened around 6 p.m. yesterday, followed by another quake of 7.5 magnitude less than a minute later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 20 aftershocks have since been recorded. The government has declared a state of emergency due to fears of significant casualties. The images show massive clouds of dust rising from collapsed buildings, with rescue workers pulling survivors out of the rubble on stretchers. People rushed for cover under restaurant tables and hurried out of their homes into the streets. Models developed by the U.S. Geological Survey indicate that an earthquake of this magnitude could result in tens of thousands of casualties. Many people are already posting online to look for their missing loved ones. President Trump said on social media that he has ordered U.S. agencies to prepare for a prompt response. The U.S. State Department says it has mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to support Venezuela. They will also send search-and-rescue teams, along with medical and humanitarian supplies.

Trump canceled plans yesterday to sign bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing housing costs across the United States. In a social media post, the president wrote that he would not sign the bill, which he called "of minor importance," until Congress approved the strict voter ID law he has been advocating for months known as the SAVE America Act. The housing bill would have addressed one of the most significant concerns among Americans: the rising cost of living. The president criticized senators yesterday over their stance on the conflict in Iran. Trump's decision to cancel the signing could possibly alienate Republicans who were hoping to present this legislative victory to voters ahead of the midterm elections. Many Republicans have urged him to shift his focus from Iran to domestic issues, particularly the economy. The bill could have potentially improved his standing in the polls.

Army Gen. Chris Donahue is expected to announce his retirement soon, according to two U.S. officials who are not authorized to speak publicly. This news caught many people by surprise. Donahue, a Special Forces soldier, currently oversees U.S. Army operations across Europe and Africa. He is possibly best known as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces under the Biden administration. On social media, some trolls are focusing on the fact that Donahue was in charge of the evacuation efforts at Kabul airport. Many blame him for the debacle that marked the chaotic end of 20 years of military involvement. A suicide bombing at the Abbey Gate entry point of Kabul airport killed 13 U.S. troops and 170 Afghans. Donahue arrived after Kabul fell and he wasn't in charge of Abbey Gate. He stepped in to oversee the withdrawal and coordinated hundreds of flights, which likely saved thousands of lives. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been reducing the ranks, and more than half of those cut have been women and Black officers. Donahue, being a white man, doesn't align with Hegseth's trims but instead is more closely aligned with the secretary's narrow vision of a "war-fighter." This situation appears more like when Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George with no explanation.