President Trump announced Friday that he has pardoned several people convicted in federal vehicle emissions cases and is reportedly considering pardons for celebrities, including for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. The president has not made a decision on Combs or other high-profile clemency requests, but he has discussed them privately in recent days, sources familiar with…
Data: U.S. Drought Monitor; Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsFirework associations expect a massive boom in backyard fireworks this July 4, a surge that collides with dry conditions and a blistering heatwave that could drastically increase the risk of fires.Why it matters: Climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfires, and large chunks of the U.S. are under burn bans because of severe drought.What they're saying: "It only takes one small spark landing in dry vegetation under the right conditions to start a fast-moving wildfire," April Newman, a public information officer at Cal Fire, tells Axios.Embers can smolder for over a minute, Newman says, "increasing the potential for ignition even after the visible display has ended."Even if a lawn looks green, the "eye test can be deceiving," Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center, tells Axios. Dig just a few inches into Mid-Atlantic soil, "you hit dryness again."State of play: Local governments navigating the drought created a patchwork of burn bans across the country.Colorado Springs issued a citywide burn ban earlier this week before canceling all fireworks displays — even professional ones — citing "extreme fire danger."Utah Gov. Spencer Cox suspended a state law that prevented local governments from enacting blanket bans, prompting Salt Lake County and others to outlaw fireworks.The other side: Florida has no statewide fireworks ban despite lingering droughts and nine county-level burn bans.State law includes a "fireworks holiday" giving anyone over 18 the right to set them off.By the numbers: The national landscape is dangerously primed for ignition, and tragedy is already playing out.Roughly 50% of the U.S. is currently in a drought, according to Fuchs.On July 1, the National Interagency Fire Center reported 257 new fires, and firefighters are trying to contain 51 large fires nationwide.Three firefighters died combating a major fire in western Colorado on Saturday.The intrigue: July 4 celebrations bring a massive, sudden influx of potential ignition sources.When you combine millions of flying sparks with dry vegetation, humidity and a heatwave, wildfires get the exact catalyst they need to explode, safety and climate experts say.Between the lines: Consumer demand for fireworks to commemorate America's 250th anniversary is at record levels."People look like they're going to be showing their patriotism" Ed Vasel with the National Fireworks Association, tells Axios. "We're thinking things are going to be up maybe as much as 20-25% in some areas this year."Professional pyrotechnicians follow strict distance requirements and work with on-site fire departments, but neighborhood celebrations often lack those safeguards, he says.Worth noting: Conditions for President Trump's record-breaking firework plans are better than they were weeks ago Fuchs says, but drought and sweltering heat still remain.While recent rain has provided some surface-level relief, these showers are not a complete "drought buster," Fuchs says.The bottom line: "There's a lot of angst amongst people who believe that fireworks is a right, and that it is culturally valuable, and that it is something that no one should be able to interfere with," David Barrett, executive director of The Safe Community Project, tells Axios."I appreciate and have empathy for those opinions. I do think at the same time…they recognize that the decisions they make don't affect only themselves for their personal pleasure, but those around them who they might inadvertently injure or kill."Go deeper: Trump's July Fourth event faces dangerous D.C. heat - Axios Washington D.C.
America is the greatest country on earth. That is thankfully still true. But instead of comparing it with other nations, what if we compare it to its […]
Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff are risking an awkward run-in as they’re both attending Taylor Swift’s star-studded wedding festivities. The exes, who dated from 2012 to 2017, were both spotted arriving to Madison Square Garden Thursday evening for the pop star’s rehearsal dinner ahead of her wedding to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce....
James Carville confessed he's rethinking his most famous phrase because of a new threat posed by Trump.During an episode of Politics War Room, Carville revisited his 1992 quote, "It's the economy, stupid," which he coined during the Bill Clinton campaign to hammer home what issue mattered the most. However, Carville said he now regrets the phrase because the economy doesn't matter anymore in the face of Trump's corruption."I now have come to detest the fact I said that," Carville said. "I listen to people say, 'People don't care about corruption. They care about the economy. As long as their incomes are up, they really don't care what [Trump] does.'"Carville took another look at his quote amid new revelations about how Trump is profiting from deals, like those related to his crypto ventures and foreign mining. Carville explained that he's "afraid" he sold the economy as the top political priority so well that Trump's corruption is being overlooked."When I said it in 1992, you can say what you want about George H.W. Bush," who was running for reelection that year, "he was not corrupt, okay? He was not a corrupt man at all," Carville said.The corruption under Trump is "breathtaking" and "staggering," though, Carville said, adding, "I want to punch him in the f— face." However, people keep turning their attention to the economy."People say, 'Yeah, you know, you're right, that's all people care about is the economy,'" Carville said. "The phrase actually haunts me today."Co-host Al Hunt told Carville, "The bulk of the American electorate, even in this coming election, is going to be driven by economic considerations.""I agree, and it pains me," Carville responded. "We can get over high egg prices, we can get over high gas prices, and we can get over a lot of interest rates. You can't get over systemic, endemic, persuasive corruption. That's everything."
