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Articles by Eleanor Mueller
House Republicans vent tariff frustrations Original
Nine weeks before the midterms, House Republicans aren’t holding back their criticism of the president’s latest tariff moves. In a closed-door meeting on Wednesday with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Republican Study Committee members were “freewheeling in their expressions,” one Republican lawmaker said. The US-Canada trade war was “darn close” to the “unanimous subject” of the meeting, the lawmaker added.
Exclusive / Congress rejected Pentagon office’s equity power
Congress has already conveyed to the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital that it lacks the legal authority to seek equity stakes in private companies, a person familiar with the process told Semafor. It did so by declining to pass legislative proposals that would have granted the office the legal authority to seek equity stakes that were submitted by the Pentagon in recent years, the person said.
Exclusive / Trump’s Venezuela deal draws scrutiny of obscure Pentagon office Original
The News The Trump administration’s deal for a US government stake in a Venezuelan oil company marks the riskiest foray yet for a little-known Pentagon office that was created for another purpose — making loans to develop critical technologies.
Exclusive / More Kalshi politician bans could be coming Original
Kalshi is conducting ongoing investigations into other political figures who may have conducted insider trading after suspending four yesterday, a person familiar with the probes told Semafor. The prediction market said it would ban former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., for life — a Kalshi first — after he used it to cash in on skipping the State of the Union.
Exclusive / GOP consumer sentiment ‘starting to fade’ ahead of midterms, economist says Original
The News Consumer sentiment among Republicans and independents is “starting to fade” ahead of the midterm elections, The Conference Board Chief Economist Dana Peterson told Semafor. The Conference Board said last week that its overall consumer confidence index had dropped to its lowest level since January. Economists had predicted it would remain higher.
Exclusive / The Fed ‘has been a little too quiet’ on Treasury, former Fed official says Original
The Scoop JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Federal Reserve has so far “been a little too quiet” about the Treasury Department’s campaign to bring down yields by buying back more long-term debt, former Kansas City Fed President Tom Hoenig told Semafor. “What they’re trying to do is not identify with Treasury, and so they’re not going to mention it,” Hoenig, now with the Mercatus Center, said on the sidelines of the Kansas City Fed’s annual economic policy symposium he once hosted.
Exclusive: Republicans’ economic optimism is ‘starting to fade,’ economist says
U.S. Politics 11 hours ago High Debt and Rising Prices Catch Up to Trump, as Midterms Near The New York Times - Tony Romm • 11h In the nearly two years since President Trump clinched his return to office, the U.S. economy has come under great duress, leaving families and businesses to suffer through the expensive consequences of constant global conflict and soaring government debt.
Warsh’s hawkish turn meets its skeptics Original
The News JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh made his debut Friday on one of the global economy’s biggest stages, where he appeared to play the hawk. But looks can be deceiving. Warsh used his first speech at the Kansas City Fed’s storied economic policy symposium in this mountain town to cast doubt on the argument — often pushed by the president who tapped him — that prices are cooling enough to consider lower interest rates.
Warsh expected to skirt Fed independence at conference Original
As Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh prepares to address the Kansas City Fed’s annual conference for the first time on Friday morning, his critics hope he takes the opportunity to show his independence from President Donald Trump amid the president’s renewed attempt to oust central bank governor Lisa Cook. But if he goes there, it’ll be subtle. “It will be necessarily implicit,” but not “an explicit theme,” former Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Randal Quarles told Semafor.
Fed’s Warsh faces high stakes ahead of Jackson Hole conference Original
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is poised to take the global stage Friday as uncertainty over how he thinks about inflation reaches a fever pitch. Warsh, who’s so far remained committed to revealing little about his view of the economy, will have his biggest audience yet when he delivers the keynote speech at the Kansas City Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which kicks off today.
Exclusive / US eyes potential bans on Canadian imports
The Trump administration is weighing which Canadian imports it might prohibit if Canadian officials retaliate further against US tariffs, a US official told Semafor. Canada announced earlier this week it would match the Trump administration’s latest levies, fueling fears of an escalating trade war between the two longtime allies after negotiations imploded last week.
Exclusive / Senate Republican floats new tariffs on South Korea Original
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is urging US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to consider imposing tariffs on South Korea over its treatment of Coupang ‚ÄĒ the latest sign of how the online retailer has wielded its Republican ties.
Exclusive / Lobbyists go to work for Canada tariff carveouts Original
The News Companies that do business with Canada, and the lawmakers who represent them, are ramping up their lobbying for carveouts from new US tariffs on Canada. The US levies on autos, dairy, and alcohol affect only a sliver of goods, but they could have an outsize impact on select states, particularly when combined with Canada’s retaliatory tariffs.
Remembering America’s queen of country music Original
Dolly Parton’s America. If, unlike US President Donald Trump, you don’t have the power to lower flags across your country to half-mast for a week, we suggest instead marking the passing of American national treasure Dolly Parton by listening to WNYC’s podcast series Dolly Parton’s America.
Canada strikes back with tit-for-tat tariffs Original
Canadian officials announced they plan to impose tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods in retaliation for new US levies. The tariffs will mostly mirror President Donald Trump’s, with the heftiest affecting steel and aluminum. “When the United States asked too much and offered too little, we chose to stand up for Canadians,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s finance minister.
Bessent expands threat of secondary sanctions on Iran Original
The News Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday threatened a wider range of secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Iran, stopping short of imposing them as the Trump administration continues its battle against inflation. “We are giving everyone the opportunity to remedy that behavior,” Bessent told reporters at the Treasury Department. “Why would I want to blow up the global financial system?
Vance takes his first economic punch in the 2028 primary Original
The News Economic historian Phillip Magness wasn’t expecting to go viral last week when he posted a clip of Vice President JD Vance criticizing the US dollar’s status as global reserve currency. While researching tariffs, Magness unearthed 2023 footage of Vance telling the populist group American Moment that he’s “not sure” it’s “actually good” that dozens of foreign central banks store their reserves in dollars.
Bessent teases Iran economic pressure plan Original
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to reveal on Monday “exactly what we’re going to do” to ratchet up economic pressure on Iran, he told CNBC Thursday morning. “If you insist on doing business with them — either transferring money, buying their oil, or doing seaborne ship transfers — then the US Treasury … will put its full might and force toward enforcing against you,” Bessent said.
Trump embraces divisive crypto exchange Original
President Donald Trump’s on-camera openness to US market access for Hyperliquid, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange that allows its users to trade anonymously, won’t thrill its domestic competitors. Intercontinental Exchange Inc. and CME Group Inc. recently urged US officials to rein in the exchange, which they warn could be used to manipulate prices or dodge sanctions.
Exclusive / White House mix-up delayed SEC crypto rule Original
The News The Securities and Exchange Commission delayed its release of a regulatory framework for certain digital assets following White House officials’ concerns that a separate but related rule could bog down cryptocurrency legislation, people familiar with the process told Semafor. The SEC was set to consider both proposals at a Friday meeting before confusion over which rule it planned to advance led to a cancellation, the people said.
Exclusive: White House mix-up delayed SEC crypto rule
Bitcoin 1 hour ago How the UAE has emerged as a ‘leading light’ for tokenization Fortune - Melissa Hancock • 1h Abu Dhabi’s bid to become a global hub for digital assets got a major boost last week when crypto exchange giant, Coinbase, announced it is … Macau 2 hours ago Macau bets on financial services, fintech to drive economic diversification South China Morning Post - Daisy Wu • 2h Macau has unveiled a sweeping five-year strategic blueprint to break its long-standing dependence on casino...
White House weighs how to achieve Iran’s ‘economic isolation’
The Trump administration is still eyeing additional economic measures against Iran after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated announcements would come this week, an administration official told Semafor. “There are many levers the president can crank harder in the weeks and months ahead,” the official said.
White House weighs how to achieve Iran’s ‘economic isolation’
Follow White House weighs how to achieve Iran’s ‘economic isolation’ Tue, August 18, 2026 at 4:46 PM EDT White House weighs how to achieve Iran’s ‘economic isolation’ The Trump administration is still eyeing additional economic measures against Iran after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated announcements would come this week, an administration official told Semafor. "There are many levers the president can crank harder in the weeks and months ahead," the official said.
Exclusive / White House prepares to host crypto and prediction market execs Original
A White House meeting slated for Wednesday with cryptocurrency and prediction market players is expected to feature remarks from President Donald Trump as well as CFTC Chair Mike Selig, people familiar with the plans told Semafor. Attendees, according to those people, will include executives from cryptocurrency firms Coinbase, a16z, Ripple, and Chainlink, plus prediction market Kalshi and investment firm Paradigm (a Kalshi backer), as well as trade association Digital Chamber.
Exclusive: White House prepares to host crypto and prediction market execs
5 hours ago Lawmakers are warning that predictions markets could make a bad wildfire season worse. This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Subscribe here. The 2026 wildfire season on the West Coast is shaping up to be …
Trump administration accuses China of dodging tariffs
The Trump administration is pointing the finger at more than 40 countries it says have helped China dodge tens of billions of dollars in tariffs. “It’s big money, but there’s also a very human cost here,” Peter Navarro, senior counsel for trade and manufacturing, told reporters Thursday.
‘At a standstill’: Türkiye’s F-35 buy faces headwinds Original
The News President Donald Trump’s plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye remain stalled more than a month after he announced them, leaving Congress to navigate the resulting tension between a NATO ally and Israel. At issue is the requirement in US sanctions law that Türkiye offload its S-400 Russian air defense system in order to get access to F-35s — six of which it has already paid for, jets that have remained in the US since its expulsion from the program in 2019.
Exclusive / Balkans’ Trump lobbying heats up Original
The News Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Čović has tapped Trump-linked firm Mercury Public Affairs to lobby for his party, according to Justice Department filings, in a first step toward competing with the country’s Serbian politicians who’ve continued to ply K Street with money.
Exclusive / New White House counsel could face Democrats’ scrutiny post-midterms
President Donald Trump’s new White House counsel, Will Scharf, is likely to land on Democrats’ investigative radar if they flip the House this fall. As the Democratic caucus prepares for a plethora of probes, Scharf will be both the legal point man for subpoena fights and, potentially, a direct player in some Democratic inquiries.
Trump takes his second swing at Fed’s Cook Original
The Supreme Court left the door open in June for President Donald Trump to relitigate his case against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Now, his administration is choosing to walk through it.
Trump unveils new critical minerals investments Original
Trump announced plans to invest more than $2 billion in mining projects and $180 million in mining schools at a roundtable Friday as his administration ramps up its efforts to stockpile critical minerals amid the Iran war. The projects include a $1.4 billion loan to Sila Nanontechnologies for batteries, a $400 million loan for scandium, and a $150 million loan to Niron Magnetics for magnets, plus $58 million in Export-Import Bank financing for graphite and boron.
Exclusive / Lawmakers urge Trump to impose Balkan sanctions Original
The Scoop A bipartisan group of senior lawmakers is again calling on the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Bosnian Serb officials after Republika Srpska authorities interrogated the authors of a recent report on genocide denial.
Crypto’s top legislative priority slips in Senate
The odds are growing longer that the Senate takes up the cryptocurrency industry’s top legislative priority before lawmakers head home for the summer. The industry needs a vote before November so it can deploy millions in political spending. But leaders have yet to line one up, as senators remain at odds on multiple fronts — including how the bill would rein in the president’s ability to profit from digital assets.
Crypto’s top legislative priority slips in Senate
Follow Crypto’s top legislative priority slips in Senate Thu, August 6, 2026 at 5:07 AM EDT Crypto’s top legislative priority slips in Senate The odds are growing longer that the Senate takes up the cryptocurrency industry's top legislative priority before lawmakers head home for the summer. The industry needs a vote before November so it can deploy millions in political spending.
White House’s AI framework close-hold fuels industry concerns Original
The Trump administration told a handful of tech firms Tuesday that it will not publicly release its new framework for voluntary government reviews of advanced AI models, people familiar with the meeting told Semafor. The decision, reported first by Axios, is fueling industry concerns that firms not briefed on the framework may not opt in to government review because they don’t know enough about it.
Exclusive / Democrats want Venezuelan oil revenue details Original
“In safeguarding Venezuelan oil revenue, the U.S. government as custodian has been working with the Rodriguez government since January to quickly disperse funds for official government expenditures,” like payroll, “and to ensure liquidity in the Venezuelan system,” a US official told Semafor.
White House silent on public release of its AI framework Original
The White House is not commenting on whether it plans to publicly release the framework for voluntary reviews of advanced AI models that it plans to brief companies on later today. AI firms including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta have yet to see details of the framework ahead of today’s meeting, people familiar with the plans told Semafor. Trump signed an order in June requiring the framework’s completion by Aug. 1, which happened on schedule, a White House official said.
US yen intervention supports Trump trade stance Original
The Trump administration’s decision to help Japan strengthen its yen doesn’t just hedge against higher US borrowing costs; it also aligns with the president’s trade agenda. Weak Asian currencies encourage firms around the world to “keep their supply chains in Asia” rather than the US, the Council on Foreign Relations’ Brad Setser told Semafor.
US yen intervention supports Trump trade stance
Crime 2 hours ago Capital One says it shut down hundreds of Trump Organization accounts over money-laundering concerns CNN - Allison Morrow • 2h New York — Capital One closed hundreds of Trump Organization accounts in 2021 “for anti-money laundering reasons,” the bank disclosed for the first time in a court filing Friday night.
Exclusive / Crypto industry poll touts benefits of its top Hill priority Original
More than half of Americans say they would feel more protected if Congress passes the cryptocurrency industry’s top legislative priority, according to a new poll conducted by Focaldata on behalf of crypto company Coinbase. The poll, shared first with Semafor, also found that 36% of Americans — 38% of likely Democratic voters and 41% of likely Republican voters — would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the bill overhauling regulation of the industry.
Exclusive / New ads to attack vulnerable Republicans over cost of care Original
The political arm of advocacy group Care Can’t Wait will launch digital ads in a half-dozen battleground congressional districts next week as part of a six-figure campaign slamming Republicans for the high price of caregiving. The ads, shared first with Semafor, contrast the costs incurred by senior and disability care, child care, and no paid leave with the median wage for constituents of Reps.
Exclusive / Democrats circulate anti-crypto poll ahead of vote Original
Senate Democrats are circulating previously unreported polling on their voters’ negative perceptions of cryptocurrency ahead of a key vote expected next week. The poll, conducted by the firm Normington Petts and viewed by Semafor, found that voters in Democratic primaries view crypto less favorably than oil companies; Wall Street; or data centers. It also found that 84% had an unfavorable view of candidates backed by the crypto industry.
Exclusive / Crypto, and its cash, gets snarled in the Senate Original
The News Cryptocurrency firms are facing a nightmare scenario in the Senate, where the shaky state of the industry’s top priority is threatening its plans to unleash midterm campaign cash against its enemies. Republicans had projected confidence about advancing the legislation, which would overhaul federal regulation of crypto, before senators leave Washington for their summer break. But with just eight days to go, negotiators are still at odds on multiple fronts.
A divided Fed votes to hold rates steady
The News The Federal Reserve said Wednesday afternoon it will leave interest rates unchanged following Kevin Warsh’s second meeting at its helm, a reprieve for President Donald Trump that undercuts his new chair’s continually hawkish rhetoric. Three bank presidents said the Fed should have raised rates instead, reflecting a lack of confidence in the government’s report that inflation eased in June before the Iran war restarted.
A divided Fed votes to hold rates steady
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday afternoon it will leave interest rates unchanged following Kevin Warsh's second meeting at its helm, a reprieve for President Donald Trump that undercuts his new chair's continually hawkish rhetoric. Three bank presidents said the Fed should have raised rates instead, reflecting a lack of confidence in the government's report that inflation eased in June before the Iran war restarted.
A divided Fed votes to hold rates steady
1 day ago A September Rate Hike Would Be Very Difficult, Hoenig Says www.youtube.com on YouTube • 1d Former Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig says raising interest rates in September would be very difficult since it's so close to Election Day. Hoenig also says Fed press conferences should only be held after every other meeting. He speaks on "Bloomberg Surveillance." -------- More on Bloomberg Television and Markets Like this video?
Fed chair’s latest test: Messaging a murky rate choice Original
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s tightrope walk atop the central bank will get even dicier on Wednesday afternoon. Investors are split on whether policymakers will decide to raise interest rates as inflation rises again following a brief intermission in the Iran war — or, given a benign inflation report last month, if they’ll continue to hold them steady.
OpenAI’s Altman returns to DC ahead of crucial deadline Original
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will meet with Trump administration officials on Wednesday and Thursday, a person familiar with the plans told Semafor, as part of the firm’s effort to brief policymakers on its latest advanced model. Altman’s trip to Washington coincides with the administration’s rush to finalize its voluntary review process for such models by Aug. 1 — 60 days after President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited executive order.
US importers say new tariffs spark ‘exponential’ uncertainty Original
President Donald Trump’s new tariffs last week “introduced an exponential amount of uncertainty” for US importers, the Consumer Technology Association’s Ed Brzytwa told Semafor. His comments come after the Trump administration rolled out new levies on 60 economies and teased 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods, 100% tariffs on generic drugs, and “substantial” tariffs on the European Union.
Trump stops in Michigan swing district Original
President Donald Trump is scheduled to stop at an auto facility in Michigan on Monday as the GOP pivots to the midterms. “The president pledged to put Michigan workers back to work, and he’s doing it,” said White House spokesperson Liz Huston. Trump is visiting a General Motors facility in Milford, in a congressional district where a crowded field of Democrats are vying to challenge GOP incumbent Rep. Tom Barrett.
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