Rural Caucus Newsletter, August 28th 2026

Aug 29

Canada told Trump's base exactly which states will feel the pain in response to Trump's tariffs: Rural Democrats. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it plainly: "The red states, we're going to hit hard." WATCH: Canada announces retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. | PBS News. Ford had already sent Prime Minister Mark Carney a letter naming eight states for targeted retaliation: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Texas and Wisconsin. Why Missouri?

1. Missouri’s farm economy is tied to export markets - especially Canada.
2. Missouri’s manufacturing sector is deeply connected to Canada's supply chains.
3. Although Trump support in Missouri is now underwater (-18), the Missouri Republican supermajority is politically important to Trump’s coalition

And Gov Kehoe hasn't said a word and we all know why. The tariffs were initiated by Trump, and Kehoe is politically tied to him. Any comment about Canada’s retaliation - especially tariffs hitting Missouri farms and manufacturers - forces Kehoe to:

1. Criticize Trump (political suicide in Missouri GOP politics)
2. Defend tariffs that are about to hammer Missouri’s rural counties.

3. Silence

He went with Door #3. Missouri sold approximately $5.8 billion worth of goods to Canada in 2025, so Kehoe needs to explain how putting billions of dollars in Missouri‑Canada trade at risk is supposed to make our state stronger - especially when Canada has made it clear it’s done absorbing the cost of a trade war it didn’t start. And sooner or later, all of this lands in our pocketbooks or results in job losses. Any way you cut it, none of this will stay in the tit for tat headlines; Missourians will pay the consequences in everything. Think about this, folks: The Wall Street Journal editorial board - known for its right-wing slant - called Trump’s tariff war on Canada “the dumbest trade war in history” and said it “makes no economic or political sense.”Trump's trade war with Canada 'makes no economic or political sense': WSJ editorial board

And on top of creating more expense for working families, Trump’s big idea for “helping American ranchers” turned out to be dumping a mountain of cheap foreign beef into the U.S. market = basically telling American farmers, “Scoot over, other countries got this.” Missouri beef groups say Trump tariff decision could crush U.S. producers | State News | komu.com. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association blasted Trump’s plan, warning it is already hurting American farmers and ranchers: Trump’s ground beef import plan sparks backlash. It undercuts the Missouri folks who actually raise cattle, drives down their prices, and hands the packers another excuse to squeeze producers while pretending grocery bills will magically shrink.

State Fair Final Wrap-Up

We sure got the full Missouri summer sampler this year: steamy, unbearable heat, surprise thunderstorms, and even a couple of blessed cooler days. We’re looking forward to seeing the final attendance numbers because, from where we were sitting, it felt and looked noticeably lower than the past few years. The good news? We didn’t have the wild MAGA run‑ins we’ve dealt with before - maybe one or two - which made the 10 days much more pleasant.

Our “Issues” bulletin board (attached) was a real hit - folks stopped, read, pointed things out to each other, and added their own thoughts. We even had a few Republicans wander in looking for information about the Democratic candidate in their district, which led to some good conversations. Only seven or eight candidates shared campaign materials, but we didn’t miss a beat. We pulled out our phones and helped visitors find whatever information they were looking for. And honestly, one of the best surprises was how well the table with the umbrella and chairs worked outside the tent. People who wanted to chat just settled in at the table or stood at the curb. Positive interaction is the big take away.

But hands down, the very best part of the fair was our volunteers with a special shout out to Raymond James. They showed up early, stayed late, handled the weather roller‑coaster with good humor, and welcomed every visitor with genuine Missouri friendliness. Their energy, teamwork, and steady presence kept the tent running smoothly. We couldn’t have done any of this without them, and we’re deeply grateful for every single person who pitched in.

Missouri News

A new project by the Missouri Independent tracks 100 political committees representing business, labor, gambling, health care and advocacy groups - who funds them, where their money goes and what they want from Jefferson City: The Missouri Independent 100: Tracking the PACs funding state legislative races • Missouri Independent. This is an excellent deep-dive by the Independent.

A new report showed 85% of Missouri waterways are contaminated with unsafe levels of fecal bacteria: Report: feces in 85% of Missouri recreational waterways | KBIA. And guess what? Missouri does not have a comprehensive, statewide water or stormwater management plan that specifically addresses agricultural manure, cattle waste, or runoff. Without a statewide plan, Missouri relies on voluntary compliance, local ordinances, and individual CAFO permits - which leaves huge gaps.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin published a Substack article highlighting the DNC’s historic investments in state parties and Missouri was front and center: Investing to win, investing to build, investing to last. He laid out how these long‑term investments are helping state parties grow stronger, build real capacity, and put solid organizing tools in place that actually last.

People Not Politicians is hosting a rally outside the MO Supreme Court on Sept. 2. Learn more details and RSVP: Rally outside the MO Supreme Court · People Not Politicians - Missouri

National News

Oh good...renaming Lake Ontario is sure to bring down the price of gas and groceries: Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in the US | AP News and the internet has not held back...Lake Ontario to Be Renamed Lake America Under Trump's New Executive Order - Newsweek and Wisconsin leaders mock Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario. All sarcasm aside. “Ontario” isn’t some name Canada invented. The name comes from Native American/Indigenous people. It is traced to an Iroquois/Iroquoian word meaning “sparkling water.” The name was being used for the lake centuries before Ontario even became a Canadian province. So if this was supposed to be Trump targeting Canada, there’s a pretty big problem because the name is Indigenous.

Hegseth fired the Stars and Stripes staff for ‘insubordination’ for having the audacity of reporting what was happening on the USS Abraham Lincoln and he didn't like it. The journalists are suing: Fired 'Stars and Stripes' Journalists Sue Pentagon, Seeking to Block Their Terminations

The Trump EPA figured out a real easy way to stop hearing from the public - just quit asking for their input: Trump’s EPA Clamps Down on Public Outrage Over Data Centers — the One Issue Sparking Bipartisan Revolt. They’re tossing out the public notice and comment requirements for air‑pollution permits on new data centers and the power plants needed to run them. Translation: Folks are raising hell about the pollution, and instead of dealing with it, the EPA has decided the backlash is too loud to fight.

Trump’s war on Iran has “driven the US military into a severe financial crisis...": Trump’s war on Iran is rapidly draining US navy budget, documents and interviews reveal | US military | The Guardian With the U.S. Navy bearing the brunt of the operation, officials are transferring money from payroll to combat operations and to cover that shortfall, officials are raiding other accounts. So who does Hegseth blame? His go-to: Pres. Biden's "...gross negligence” and its “woke” policies.

Trump's approval among American adults is underwater on every single issue, including border security: Poll: New low for Trump on prices and foreign policy, now net negative on border security. No wonder Trump is frantic at the idea of midterm losses: US Postal Service says new mail ballot rules tied to Trump order are in effect | Trump administration | The Guardian

Other News

The Truman Library Institute has virtual exhibits you might be interested in: Virtual Exhibits - Truman Library Institute

Since spring 2025, Trump's Interior officials have been pressuring the National Park Service to pursue an unprecedented deal that would give a private developer a quarter‑mile strip inside Yosemite National Park Trump Is Quietly Working to Give Part of Yosemite to a Private Developer - NOTUS — News of the United States in exchange for yet‑to‑be‑identified land elsewhere in California. The proposal would allow a private access road into Yosemite - something virtually unheard of in the 150‑year history of the national park system.

Ben McKenzie might seem like an unlikely choice to launch an investigation into cryptocurrency. But the television actor known for shows like The O.C. and Gotham did exactly that. This is a real eye opener:

In closing...