Southern Progressives

Moving to the left, one post at a time.

Bill Freeman
August 20, 2025

National News:

Trump moves to use the levers of presidential power to help his party in the 2026 midterms

President Donald Trump has made clear in recent weeks that he’s willing to use the vast powers of his office to prevent his party from losing control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.

apnews.com/article/trump-midterms-election-2026-voting-redistricting-e0e8f3214dcc9c7d614130e2857964bf?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

More States Consider Joining Redistricting Fight Launched by Trump

www.democracydocket.com/analysis/more-states-consider-joining-redistricting-fight-launched-by-trump

Trump’s Half-Baked Approach to Negotiation

The president hasn’t shown much interest in dealing with the messy details of diplomacy.

www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/08/trump-peace-negotiation-putin-zelensky/683927/?gift=kv3__FYls2fxmm4Mh6G3fXHqgzXoodrudlV-ko4dT3M&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

State News:

Tennessee National Guard joins President Trump's D.C. takeover - Nashville Banner

Gov. Bill Lee deploys Tennessee National Guard to D.C. to assist with federal law enforcement action.

nashvillebanner.com/2025/08/20/tennessee-national-guard-dc

7,500 Tennesseans with disabilities face benefit loss, reduction under Trump administration proposal • Tennessee Lookout

The Trump administration will make changes to the nation’s disability program that could cut or end benefits to 7,500 disabled Tennesseans.

tennesseelookout.com/briefs/7500-tennesseans-with-disabilities-face-benefit-loss-reduction-under-trump-administration-proposal

Local News:

How Rural America Steals Girls’ Futures

Death in a dying town

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/04/the-forgotten-girls-monica-potts-book-excerpt/673581/?gift=kv3__FYls2fxmm4Mh6G3fYD6N92CDPI4rniEHbqRJjA&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share