Morgan Chalfant

Washington, D.C.

Principals Editor at Semafor

Deputy Washington bureau chief @semafor. Previously @thehill. Retweets are not endorsements. Reach me at [email protected] or DM for Signal

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Articles

🟡 Semafor Principals: Trump v. universities | Semafor

1 week ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant

Inside Dems’ efforts to save mistakenly deported manDemocrats scrambling to keep the spotlight on Kilmar Ábrego García are running into some challenges. Some House Democrats are weighing self-funding a trip to El Salvador, doubtful that Republicans will approve an official delegation — meaning they’d have to use personal or campaign funds and wouldn’t have access to the same level of security. It’s the latest development in the political tangle over Ábrego, a Maryland resident. Sen.
Trump advisers ‘bullish’ on a Tiktok solution — even as China trade war heats up

1 week ago | semafor.com | Shelby Talcott |Morgan Chalfant

The Trump administration is optimistic about avoiding a third extension of the deadline for TikTok’s Beijing-based owners to divest from the popular app — but the rhetoric over the popular app only got hotter on Tuesday. President Donald Trump said twice in the days leading up to his steep new tariffs on China that he’s open to reducing them if Beijing approves the TikTok ownership deal that got scuttled after the levies were announced.
Democrats ask watchdog to probe mortgage giant overhaul

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Morgan Chalfant

The ScoopTen Democratic senators are asking an independent federal watchdog to investigate the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s shakeup at mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In a letter shared first with Semafor, a group led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Democrats ask watchdog to probe mortgage giant overhaul

1 week ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant

Ten Democratic senators are asking an independent federal watchdog to investigate the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s shakeup at mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In a letter shared first with Semafor, a group led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Trump tries to slash State’s funding

1 week ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant |Shelby Talcott

The Trump administration is eyeing deep cuts to the State Department — a plan that could run into trouble with some lawmakers. An internal memo making the rounds at State calls for about a 50% reduction in the department’s budget in the next fiscal year, the Washington Post reported, and a State Department official confirmed that number to Semafor.
Meta to face off against antitrust regulators

1 week ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant

Meta will face off against antitrust regulators beginning Monday, in a case that could jolt the tech industry. The Federal Trade Commission has accused Meta of being an illegal monopoly after it bought WhatsApp and Instagram, and a ruling in favor of federal regulators could force the social media giant to divest from both. The case was brought during Trump’s first term and continued under Joe Biden.
Uncommon Bonds: Trump’s Pentagon policy chief

1 week ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant

The Senate confirmed Elbridge Colby, President Donald Trump’s pick for undersecretary of defense for policy, in a bipartisan vote last week — after early buzz that Republican reservations could tank his nomination.
Uncommon Bonds: Trump’s Pentagon policy chief

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Morgan Chalfant

The Senate confirmed Elbridge Colby, President Donald Trump’s pick for undersecretary of defense for policy, in a bipartisan vote last week — after early buzz that Republican reservations could tank his nomination.
Trump reverts to China trade war

2 weeks ago | semafor.com | Morgan Chalfant |Shelby Talcott

President Donald Trump doubled down on his trade war with China on Wednesday, even as he backtracked on tariffs on other countries. The president said he would raise tariffs to 125% on Chinese goods, while still insisting that Beijing wants to “make a deal.” China’s retaliatory 84% tariffs on US goods are set to begin on Thursday, and the country also plans to hit back at US companies using other economic tools, like trade blacklists and export controls.
Trump reverts to China trade war

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Morgan Chalfant |Shelby Talcott

12 hours agoThere is no evidence to suggest that the president was seeking to manipulate markets or that he or any of his advisers acted on inside information. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday afternoon that he was pausing country-by-country tariffs by 90 days, some experts — as …