• Exhibit A: The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday and has a full weekend of events scheduled to keep the party going. Though the Trump Administration continues to target the Smithsonian and Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, NMAAHC’s founding director, is preparing for retirement, NMAAHC’s acting director, Shanita Brackett, says it’s business as usual at the museum, despite visitor concern that some exhibits have been changed to placate the administration. “We have not changed any exhibitions,” says Brackett. “We haven’t changed our language. We know that what we do is steeped in scholarship.” Plus 10 points for 10 years and a commitment to not backing down. +10 [AP]
• Full court press: The TV pool is back and reporters for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are again in the White House. After nearly a week, the Trump administration finally submitted to a judge’s order and allowed journalists from the three banned outlets back into the press room yesterday afternoon (though some were denied access to last night’s state dinner). This morning, MS NOW reports that the pool seems to be “reactivated.” CNN has been credentialed to provide pool coverage for convicted felon and President Donald Trump’s visit to the National Archives today with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Plus one point for a free and independent press. +1 [MS Now]
• Birds of a feather Floca together: In news that should surprise no one, Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director, has extended the “temporary closure” of the performing arts institution for at least another week because the building is full of hazards, according to Floca’s Wednesday court filing. He also insists the temporary shutdown is “separate” from the plan to close the building for renovations. Floca says he’ll be the one to evaluate on a weekly basis when the center might reopen. Minus one point for the ongoing attack on a local arts institution. -1 [WTOP]
• Uncle Sam wants you: The Supreme Court handed Trump another win today with an unsigned opinion that will allow states to use Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, a data collection tool that accesses sensitive data (including citizenship information and Social Security numbers) to “hunt for ineligible voters.” SCOTUS’ order overturns a district judge’s ruling that blocked the use of the program. Minus two points for targeting voters. -2 [NYT, CNN]
• 39 days … until the midterm elections. Plus one point for hope. +1
• Thursday’s Needle rating: -175 Today’s score: +9 Today’s Needle rating: -166
