<h2>Corroborating Stories</h2>
Donald Trump has aligned himself with the <a href="https://futurism.com/americans-trust-self-driving-cars">71 percent of Americans</a> wary of self-driving cars, reportedly telling a number of people he doesn&#8217;t trust autonomous vehicle tech, <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-hates-self-driving-cars-autonomous-vehicles-be21a19a-e666-4001-9e24-f908261aa5f5.html">according to Axios</a>.
Axios spoke to four anonymous sources who all heard Trump say he doesn&#8217;t believe self-driving technology will ever be perfected.
When a fellow golf club member expressed excitement for the self-driving capabilities of his new Tesla, the club member told Axios Trump replied by saying: &#8220;Yeah that&#8217;s cool but I would never get in a self-driving car&#8230; I don&#8217;t trust some computer to drive me around.&#8221;
<h2>Incongruous Stance</h2>
Trump&#8217;s comments come as a surprise, given his administration&#8217;s <a href="https://futurism.com/the-u-s-is-reshaping-the-future-of-self-driving-vehicles">push to relax regulations</a> and speed up the rate at which companies can develop and test self-driving vehicles. But apparently his own administration&#8217;s efforts aren&#8217;t enough for Trump to relinquish control over his golf cart&#8217;s steering wheel.
&#8220;You know when he&#8217;s telling a story, and he does the hand motions,&#8221; one source told Axios in regards to Trump&#8217;s comments. &#8220;He says, &#8216;Can you imagine, you&#8217;re sitting in the back seat and all of a sudden this car is zig-zagging around the corner and you can&#8217;t stop the fucking thing?'&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-hates-self-driving-cars-autonomous-vehicles-be21a19a-e666-4001-9e24-f908261aa5f5.html">Scoop: Trump hates &#8220;crazy&#8221; driverless cars</a> [Axios]
More on self-driving cars: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/teens-self-driving-cars">Poll: Cool Teens Think Self-Driving Cars Are Totally Lame</a>

Trump fears self-driving cars: "You can't stop the f*cking thing"

MAVGA

Donald Trump reportedly told several people that he believes self-driving cars will never work, despite his administration's push to develop them.

The President reportedly said "I don't trust some computer to drive me around."

Trump Fears Self-Driving Cars: “You Can’t Stop the F*cking Thing”

<h2>Nationalized 5G?</h2>
Donald Trump&#8217;s 2020 reelection team is backing controversial plans to have the government manage 5G wireless networks in the U.S., <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/01/trump-campaign-5g-1230276">Politico reports</a>.
The plan is for the government to take specific frequencies in the 5G spectrum and sell them off wholesale to U.S. wireless providers.
That would also mean more access to rural Americans according to Trump&#8217;s team. &#8220;A 5G wholesale market would drive down costs and provide access to millions of Americans who are currently underserved,&#8221; Trump’s press secretary Kayleigh McEnany <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/01/trump-campaign-5g-1230276">told Politico</a>. &#8220;This is in line with President Trump’s agenda to benefit all Americans, regardless of geography.&#8221;
Earlier this year Trump <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-6g-doesnt-exist">voiced his support</a> for rolling out 5G connectivity on Twitter. &#8220;I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible,&#8221; Trump tweeted. &#8220;It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind.&#8221;
<h2>Attempt Number Two</h2>
A similar <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-administration-build-5g-network-protect-against-cyber-threats">plan that leaked in 2018</a> suggested that the government should provide its own infrastructure and allow carriers to use it. A senior official at the time who spoke with Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-5g/trump-security-team-sees-building-u-s-5g-network-as-option-idUSKBN1FH103">stated</a>, “We want to build a network so the Chinese can’t listen to your calls.”
But the plans immediately received pushback from the wireless industry. Even Trump&#8217;s own FCC chairman Ajit Pai <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/29/nationalized-5g-network-republicans-industry-reaction-314978">called the idea</a> of a nationalized 5G network &#8220;a costly and counterproductive distraction.&#8221;
How these newly revealed plans differ is still not one hundred percent clear. The idea is to open up wireless spectrums the Defense Department is currently using and partner with third party operators, Politico reports.
Trump campaign adviser Newt Gingrich pushed for a &#8220;public-private partnership&#8221; to &#8220;spur microelectronics manufacturing&#8221; and accelerate 5G rollout in a <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/newt-gingrich-if-china-dominates-5g-they-will-control-future-opinion-1335767">Newsweek op-ed</a>.
But it will be a hard sell. The plan is unlikely to gain much traction — if previous attempts are anything to go by.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/01/trump-campaign-5g-1230276">Trump campaign pushes government intervention on 5G</a> [Politico] 

More on 5G: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/cellphone-carriers-dreaming-5g">Why Cellphone Carriers Are Dreaming of a World Without Wi-Fi</a>

“We want to build a network so the Chinese can’t listen to your calls.”

Trump's campaign team: government should manage 5G networks

5G or 6G?

Donald Trump's 2020 reelection team is backing controversial plans to have the government manage 5G wireless networks in the U.S., Politico reports.

Trump’s Campaign Team: Government Should Manage 5G Networks

Last year, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called similar plans "a costly and counterproductive distraction."

<h2>Space Force 2.0</h2>
U.S. President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/02/19/trump-create-space-force-will-place-it-under-air-force-secretary-control-pentagon-officials-wanted/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.31d0f5f45dec">signed a directive</a> today that organizes all military space functions under a new Space Force. The Space Force will be run entirely under the current U.S. Air Force — at least for the time being.
That means a future Space Force would function more like the Marine Corps, which is part of the Navy, than an entirely separate branch of the military — which is what the Trump administration <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-announces-space-force">first suggested</a> back in June.
<h2>A More Popular Approach</h2>
The news comes after Trump <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-executive-order-space-command-space-force">signed an executive order</a> in December, calling for the creation of a &#8220;U.S. Space Command&#8221; to streamline and consolidate space operations.
The plans still have to receive Congress approval before its creation, but organizing it under the Air Force could be a way to warm lawmakers up to the idea, as <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/space/2019/02/19/trump-signs-off-on-organizing-the-space-force-under-the-air-forcefor-now/">Defense News suggests</a>.
<h2>Agreeable Idea</h2>
The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/02/19/trump-create-space-force-will-place-it-under-air-force-secretary-control-pentagon-officials-wanted/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.31d0f5f45dec">points out</a> that the Directive could also be a more agreeable idea to the Pentagon as it would create far less bureaucracy.
Today&#8217;s news doesn&#8217;t necessarily rule out future plans for a standalone Space Force military branch. But it could save military officials a headache in the near future.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/02/19/trump-create-space-force-will-place-it-under-air-force-secretary-control-pentagon-officials-wanted/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.31d0f5f45dec">Trump approves plan to create Space Force, but puts it under Air Force control, as Pentagon officials had wanted</a> [The Washington Post]
More on Space Force: <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-announces-space-force">The US May Soon Have The World’s First Space Force</a>

A future Space Force would function more like the Marine Corps than an entirely separate branch of the military.

Trump signs directive: Space Force will be run by Air Force

Space Force 2.0

President Donald Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4 (SPD-4) today, organizing all military space functions under a new Space Force.

Trump Signs Directive: Space Force Will Be Run By Air Force

The plans still require Congressional approval.

<h2>AI on the Future</h2>
The United States is arguably the <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609610/the-us-leads-in-artificial-intelligence-but-for-how-long/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">world leader</a> in artificial intelligence, and President Donald Trump wants to keep it that way.
According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-google-chips/google-extends-chip-making-efforts-to-design-hub-bengaluru-idUSKCN1Q01B8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple</a> <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/trump-launch-artificial-intelligence-initiative-many-details-lacking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outlets</a>, Trump plans to sign an executive order called the American AI Initiative on Monday afternoon. The order will reportedly direct federal government agencies to dedicate more resources and investment toward AI — but not everyone is convinced it&#8217;ll have the desired impact.
<h2>Key Pillars</h2>
During a conference call with press, a senior administration official noted that the order will include five &#8220;<a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/trump-launch-artificial-intelligence-initiative-many-details-lacking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">key pillars</a>&#8221; on which agencies should focus their AI efforts.
These pillars include the creation of a set of ethical guidelines for AI development and implementation, as well as the prioritization of AI research and development. The administration also wants agencies to make it easier for AI researchers to access federal data, create fellowships and apprenticeships that will help workers prepare for automation, and find ways to collaborate with other nations without compromising U.S. &#8220;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/11/18219981/american-ai-initiative-trump-administration-funding-research-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">values and interests</a>.&#8221;
&#8220;AI is something that touches every aspect of people’s lives,&#8221; a senior administration official said during the call, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-google-chips/google-extends-chip-making-efforts-to-design-hub-bengaluru-idUSKCN1Q01B8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Reuters</a>. &#8220;What this initiative attempts to do is to bring all those together under one umbrella and show the promise of this technology for the American people.&#8221;
<h2>Big Talk</h2>
This is the Trump administration&#8217;s biggest public statement on AI thus far, but it&#8217;s just the first step toward cementing America&#8217;s place as the world leader in AI — and it might not be enough, according to Harvard professor Jason Furman, who helped draft the Obama administration’s <a href="https://futurism.com/white-house-report-artificial-intelligence-isnt-just-important-it-will-help-ensure-our-survival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report on AI</a>.
&#8220;The Administration’s American AI Initiative includes all of the right elements, the critical test will be to see if they follow through in a vigorous manner,&#8221; Furman <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/11/18219981/american-ai-initiative-trump-administration-funding-research-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Verge</a>. &#8220;The plan is aspirational with no details and is not self-executing.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-artificialintelligence/trump-administration-unveils-order-to-prioritize-and-promote-ai-idUSKCN1Q00A3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Administration Unveils Order to Prioritize and Promote AI</a> [Reuters]
More on AI: <a href="https://futurism.com/white-house-report-artificial-intelligence-isnt-just-important-it-will-help-ensure-our-survival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">White House: Artificial Intelligence Isn’t Just Important, It Will Help Ensure Our Survival</a>

The President has a plan for America's AI future.

Trump orders federal agencies to “prioritize AI”

Just Do It

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump will reportedly sign the American AI Initiative, an executive order designed to shape the future of AI in the nation.

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to “Prioritize AI”

A new executive order could cement the U.S.'s place as the world leader in AI. Or not.

<h2>Presidential Foe</h2>
President Donald Trump is no friend to science.
At least, that&#8217;s the main takeaway of a new <a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/center-science-and-democracy/state-of-science-trump-era?_ga=2.91050910.567203733.1548690629-1056397485.1545926071" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), an influential group of nearly 250 scientists and experts that offers policy suggestions on pressing science-related issues. In the report, published Monday, the group details all the ways it believes science has suffered under the current president — and how Americans could fight back.
<h2>Under Attack</h2>
According to the UCS report, titled “The State of Science in the Trump Era: Damage Done, Lessons Learned, and a Path to Progress,” the Trump administration has attacked science 80 times in just over two years.
The attacks listed by the group include the exclusion of scientists from the political decision-making process, the appointment of <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/genna-reed/michael-dourson-a-toxic-choice-for-our-health-and-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unqualified individuals</a> to lead science agencies, and the rollback of <a href="https://futurism.com/state-suing-trump-vehicle-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">science-based protections</a> for the environment.
&#8220;This large number makes it clear that these are not isolated incidents at this point,&#8221; research scientist Jacob Carter wrote in a <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/jacob-carter/two-years-of-attacks-on-science-are-putting-public-health-and-safety-at-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UCS blog post</a> announcing the report, &#8220;but a pattern that signifies that this administration is undermining science in the policy process.&#8221;
<h2>Fighting Back</h2>
The report doesn&#8217;t just outline the ways the UCS believes the Trump administration has attacked science — it also includes the group&#8217;s recommendations for resisting the attacks.
The UCS floated several suggestions for the newly elected Congress, including the recommendation that it pass a Scientific Integrity Act, a piece of legislation that would &#8220;defend federal science from political interference.&#8221; The UCS also suggests Congress investigate how anti-science actions might threaten public health or safety, and take a look into any potential corruption regarding corporate influences on science policies.
But lawmakers aren&#8217;t the only ones who can fight back against the Trump administration&#8217;s attacks on science, according to the UCS — scientists and the public must continue to make their voices heard, too, by participating in public events, such as marches or rallies, or by writing letters and making calls to their local government officials.
&#8220;There is path forward with a new Congress to stop this administration’s sidelining of science, but continued and sustained engagement is required,&#8221; wrote Carter. &#8220;I hope you’ll continue to march on with me — there’s a lot that we all can do.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/jacob-carter/two-years-of-attacks-on-science-are-putting-public-health-and-safety-at-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two Years of Attacks on Science Are Putting Public Health and Safety at Risk</a> [Union of Concerned Scientists]
More on science policy: <a href="https://futurism.com/state-suing-trump-vehicle-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">States Sue to Stop Trump’s EPA From Stripping Vehicle Emissions Rules</a>

The President has attacked science 80 times, the report's authors claim.

A new report claims the Trump era has been terrible for science

Damage Done

According to a new report, the Trump Administration has attacked science more than 80 times — and it's time for Congress to fight back.

A New Report Claims The Trump Era Has Been Terrible for Science

The "administration is undermining science in the policy process." 

<h2>Unlimited Budget</h2>
A few months after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked the acting NASA administrator whether the space agency would be able to send a crewed mission to Mars by the end of his first term — if he offered unlimited funding.
&#8220;But what if I gave you all the money you could ever need to do it?&#8221; Trump reportedly asked. &#8220;What if we sent NASA’s budget through the roof, but focused entirely on that instead of whatever else you’re doing now. Could it work then?&#8221;
<h2>Art of the Deal</h2>
That&#8217;s according to an advance copy of &#8220;Team of Vipers,&#8221; an upcoming insider&#8217;s account of the Trump administration by former White House aide Cliff Sims <a href="http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/trump-offered-nasa-unlimited-funding-to-go-to-mars-by-2020.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained by</a> New York Magazine.
According to the magazine&#8217;s summary of the passage, Trump offered NASA the money on April 24, 2017, moments prior to a call to the International Space Station arranged so that the mercurial president could congratulate astronaut Peggy Whitson for breaking the existing record for the American who had spent the longest period in space.
As Trump was being briefed by Sims and other officials, including acting NASA administrator Robert Lightfoot Jr., according to the account, his attention began to wander, and he suddenly addressed Lightfoot.
&#8220;What’s our plan for Mars?&#8221; he asked.
<h2>The Apprentice</h2>
Lightfoot reportedly tried to &#8220;let Trump down easily,&#8221; explaining the extraordinary amount of preparation that a mission to the Red Planet would require — and that NASA&#8217;s timetable for a human flight to Mars tentatively called for a mission in the 2030s.
&#8220;Trump bristled,&#8221; according to New York&#8216;s account of the passage — and, characteristically, he offered Lightfoot a deal: unlimited funding for a vastly shortened timeline.
Lightfoot apologized, but said he didn&#8217;t think it was possible, leaving Trump &#8220;visibly disappointed,&#8221; according to the account.
But a few minutes later, Sims wrote, Trump perked back up as he addressed himself in a mirror while preparing for the call.
&#8220;Space Station,&#8221; he reportedly said to his reflection, &#8220;this is your President.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/trump-offered-nasa-unlimited-funding-to-go-to-mars-by-2020.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Trump Offered NASA Unlimited Funding to Go to Mars in His First Term</a> [New York Magazine]
<div>
More on Mars: <a href="https://futurism.com/elon-musk-just-shared-an-update-on-spacexs-upcoming-manned-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elon Musk Just Shared an Update on SpaceX’s Upcoming Manned Mars Mission</a>
</div>

"But what if I gave you all the money you could ever need to do it?"

Trump offered NASA an unlimited budget if it sent humans to Mars

Mars Bars

U.S. President Donald Trump offered NASA unlimited funding if it meant the agency could send a crewed mission to Mars by the end of his first term.

Trump Offered NASA an Unlimited Budget if It Sent Humans to Mars

There was only one catch: NASA had to do it during Trump's first term.

<h2>Round Two</h2>
Yesterday <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-portrait-art">we reported</a> on AI Portraits, a new website that uses a neural network to analyze your photos and generate a brand-new portrait in your likeness. As such, we&#8217;ve decided to keep testing out the algorithm on some more well-known faces. The results were&#8230;something. Just take a look.
<h2>Thanks, I Hate it</h2>
Some of our test subjects actually looked pretty accurate — AI Portraits’ algorithm was trained on celebrities&#8217; faces, so it’s even possible that the AI system has seen some of these people before — and others looked like they were nightmares <a href="https://futurism.com/these-artists-are-using-googles-deepdream-in-virtual-reality">conjured by Google’s DeepDream</a>.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-142512 size-large" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitmusk-1200x532.png" alt="" width="1200" height="532" />
<a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-spacesuits-astronauts-nasa">Elon Musk’s</a> AI-generated portrait doesn’t seem too far off — even his semi-mustache made it though. The algorithm is trained to tune into facial features absent anything else. That’s why, for instance, people’s glasses and jewelry are often erased from their portraits, and why it&#8217;d be a surprise that The Muskstache would make it in.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-142514 size-large" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitndgt-1200x553.png" alt="" width="1200" height="553" />
<a href="https://futurism.com/neil-degrasse-tyson-universe">Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s</a> portrait vaguely resembles his photo, but it seems that the algorithm had no idea what to make of his cheekbones, to say nothing of the bad trim they gave his &#8216;stache. In this case, the AI camera really does add ten pounds.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-142511 size-large" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitcurie-1200x537.png" alt="" width="1200" height="537" />
Marie Curie posed a special challenge, perhaps because the algorithm was left to fill in skin tone and hair color — plus the photo portrays Curie as slight off-center. As a result, the face in the portrait is a bit flatter than it should be, but we can at least see where it’s coming from.
<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-142516" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitzucc-1200x537.png" alt="" width="1200" height="537" />
We also tested the algorithm on <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/facebook-hack">Mark Zuckerberg</a>. We have no idea why his teeth were replaced by that tongue, but no thanks.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-142517 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portrtraittrump.png" alt="" width="1047" height="466" />
Let’s keep the bad times rolling. We have no idea what happened to <a href="https://futurism.com/presidential-text-alert-avoid">Donald Trump</a> on our first attempt; it looks like he got into Peter Thiel’s <a href="https://futurism.com/live-forever-silicon-valley">stockpile of teenager blood</a>.
<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-142515" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraittrump2-1200x558.png" alt="" width="1200" height="558" />
On a second pass, we used a better photo of Trump. Judi Dench, is that you?
<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-142510" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitclinton-1200x541.png" alt="" width="1200" height="541" />
Okay, we all need a palate cleanser. AI Portraits&#8217; algorithm got tripped up by <a href="https://futurism.com/hillary-clinton-almost-ran-for-president-on-a-policy-backed-by-universal-basic-income">Hillary Clinton’s</a> eyeshadow, and now she looks like ­that aunt who has already demanded to see the manager over this article.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-142509 size-large" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/11/portraitcage-1200x529.png" alt="" width="1200" height="529" />
We saved the best for last. Nic Cage’s portrait looks like a Nic Cage impersonator who let himself go a little bit. And we have no idea why the algorithm decided to stretch his chest hair up the sides of his neck, but that’s a conversation for another day.
More on AI art: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-generated-art-christies">A Work of AI-Generated art Just Sold for Vastly More Than Expected</a>

Finally, an answer to the age-old question, "What would Neil DeGrasse Tyson look like if he gained 20 pounds?"

Here's what AI thinks a bunch of famous people look like

Not-so-Deepfake

We tested that AI Portrait generator on a bunch of celebrities and politicians. The results ranged from "okay I see it" to "hard nope."

Here’s What AI Thinks A Bunch of Famous People Look Like

Nic Cage grew neck hair and Trump is unrecognizable.

NOT ALWAYS A HOAX. Climate change isn&#8217;t just an environmental or political issue — it&#8217;s a defense issue, too. And despite President Donald Trump&#8217;s skepticism on climate change, Congress is making sure the Department of Defense is ready if (or when) our worst predictions about climate change come true.
On Monday, President Trump signed into law the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019</a>. The $716 billion military spending bill funds the military&#8217;s operations, everything from the nation&#8217;s nuclear weapons programs to a pay raise for troops. It also includes funds to help the military <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-energy-202/2018/08/14/the-energy-202-how-to-get-trump-to-sign-climate-legislation-put-it-in-a-defense-bill/5b70549d1b326b02079560af/?utm_term=.e1e14e0a3a15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prepare for climate change</a>.
PRIOR PREPARATION. The military spending bill splits its focus on climate change across <a href="https://climateandsecurity.org/2018/08/13/u-s-congress-addresses-climate-change-and-security-in-the-latest-defense-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two areas</a>.
The first involves preparing the military&#8217;s installations for climate change. According to the bill, the military must create special mitigation plans for any new installations that could be affected by floods. It must also incorporate the National Academies of Sciences&#8217;s (NAS&#8217;s) climate-change research into any plans to design new buildings or modify older ones. The bill also expands the military&#8217;s authority to improve critical roads on the outskirts of bases that a rise in the sea level or recurrent flooding could render impassable.
The second area involves preparing the military to deal with the consequences of Arctic ice melt. As this ice melts and traffic in the region increases, security issues could arise as <a href="http://time.com/4773238/russia-cold-war-united-states-artic-donald-trump-barack-obama-vladimir-putin/">nations compete</a> to exploit newly accessible resources. So the bill provides funding to update the U.S.&#8217;s Arctic Strategy to include any new security threats. Permafrost thaw has already damaged one munitions maintenance facility in Alaska; the bill includes funding to replace that and assess the potential for future damage caused by permafrost thaw.
While President Trump didn&#8217;t <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-energy-202/2018/08/14/the-energy-202-how-to-get-trump-to-sign-climate-legislation-put-it-in-a-defense-bill/5b70549d1b326b02079560af/?utm_term=.f48bb4a083ac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mention climate change</a> while signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law on Monday, the fact that he did sign it means that at least some of the country&#8217;s infrastructure will be prepared for climate change.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-energy-202/2018/08/14/the-energy-202-how-to-get-trump-to-sign-climate-legislation-put-it-in-a-defense-bill/5b70549d1b326b02079560af/?utm_term=.e1e14e0a3a15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Energy 202: How to Get Trump to Sign Climate Legislation? Put It in a Defense Bill.</a> [The Washington Post]
More on climate change: <a href="https://futurism.com/experts-make-trump-removing-climate-change-from-national-security-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here’s What the Experts Make of Trump Removing Climate Change From the National Security Strategy</a>

It has funding to assess future threats and address current ones.

The U.S. military now has the money it needs to prepare for climate change

Earth & Energy

Donald Trump just signed into law a new military spending bill that includes funding to mitigate the impact of climate change on military operations.

The U.S. Military Now Has the Money It Needs to Prepare for Climate Change

The National Defense Authorization Act included some money to help the military get ready for a warmer future.

WHAT THE DONALD WANTS&#8230; U.S. President Donald Trump is not giving up on <a href="https://futurism.com/trump-announces-space-force/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his dream</a> of a Space Force, <a href="https://futurism.com/space-force-congress-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congressional budget</a> be damned. On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence <a href="https://youtu.be/oSka95d4Los" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delivered a speech</a> at the Pentagon stating the case for a new military branch focused on defending America&#8217;s interests in space and laying out a plan to bring it to fruition.
&#8220;The time has come to establish the United States Space Force, and that&#8217;s what brings us here today,&#8221; said Pence. He then revealed that the Department of Defense would release a report later in the day outlining the steps needed to create this new military branch.
THE PLAN. According to Pence, the report includes the first four actions the administration will take to establish the Space Force. Those are:
<ol>
<li>The creation of the U.S. Space Command. &#8220;This new command structure for the physical domain of space led by a four-star flag officer will establish unified command and control for our space force operations, ensure integration across the military, and develop the war fighting doctrine tactics and techniques of the future,&#8221; said Pence.</li>
<li>The creation of the Space Operations Force. This will be an &#8220;elite group of joint war fighters specializing in the domain of space,&#8221; and it will draw its ranks from men and women from across the military, according to Pence.</li>
<li>The creation of the Space Development Agency. This agency will streamline the process of ensuring the Space Force has the tools and technologies it needs when it needs them.</li>
<li>The creation of a role called the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space. This person will oversee the Space Force and report to the Secretary of Defense. Eventually, the role will lose the &#8220;assistant&#8221; distinction to become the Secretary of Defense for Space.</li>
</ol>
THE GOAL. According to Pence, &#8220;It is not enough to have an American presence in space. We must have American dominance in space.&#8221; The Trump administration believes the Space Force will allow it to accomplish that goal, and the nation now has at least the beginnings of a plan to bring its fifth military branch to fruition.
READ MORE: <a href="https://youtu.be/oSka95d4Los" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks Regarding the Future of the U.S. Military in Space</a> [YouTube]
More on the space force: <a href="https://futurism.com/space-force-congress-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump’s Space Force Isn’t in Congress’ 2019 Spending Bill</a>

The administration has a plan to establish a new military branch.

Here’s how President Trump plans to get his space force

Off World

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech outlining the first steps toward the establishment of a new military branch, the Space Force.

Here’s How President Trump Plans to Get His Space Force

The Vice President outlines the first four steps in the plan.

Here’s How President Trump and His VP Plan to Get Their Space Force

THE ASBESTOS PRESIDENT. U.S. President Donald Trump is a fan of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/05/climate/trump-environment-rules-reversed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environmental deregulation</a>, <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/07/17/trumps-treason-by-father-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vladmir Putin</a>, and the idea of a <a href="https://futurism.com/space-force-congress-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">space force</a>. He apparently also has no problem with asbestos.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber with a lot of qualities desirable for manufacturing. It&#8217;s great at dampening sound, fire-resistant, strong, and cheap.
It also causes cancer. We know this because <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/asbestos.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study after study</a> confirms it.
AGAINST THE TIDE. In the face of overwhelming (overwhelming!) evidence indicating that asbestos is dangerous, more than 60 countries have banned its use outright. But not the U.S. Here, our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) simply banned some uses of the material but <a href="https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/us-federal-bans-asbestos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not others</a>. Now, Trump&#8217;s EPA is proposing we expand that list of legal uses.
<a href="https://futurism.com/threats-to-epa-make-asbestos-even-scarier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In June</a>, the agency proposed a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-06/documents/epa-hq-oppt-2018-0159-0001.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Significant New Use Rule (SNUR)</a> that would allow manufacturers and importers to apply on a case-by-case basis for approval to use asbestos in ways not currently approved. The <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0159-0001" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comment period</a> on that rule ends Friday, after which it could go into effect.
SO, UH, WHY?? Each year, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people in the U.S. die from exposure to asbestos, <a href="http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Environmental Working Group</a>, an environmental health-focused nonprofit. Globally, that number could be as <a href="http://www.mdpi.com/search?authors=Jukka%20Takala&amp;orcid=0000-0001-5722-7052" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high as 255,000</a>.
The EPA&#8217;s proposal isn&#8217;t based on any new research that disproves the health hazards of asbestos, and if nothing&#8217;s changed there, why on Earth would the U.S. want to backtrack and bring more asbestos into the nation? (One guess: <a href="https://hyperallergic.com/454794/as-us-rules-for-asbestos-are-sidestepped-a-russian-manufacturer-emblazons-trumps-face-on-their-shipments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia.</a>)
Whatever the justification, though, this whole thing makes about as much sense as encouraging people to start smoking cigarettes. In other words, it makes no sense at all.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/trump-administration-allowing-asbestos-back-manufacturing-industry-1061023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is the Trump Administration Allowing Asbestos Back Into the Manufacturing Industry?</a> [Newsweek]
More on asbestos: <a href="https://futurism.com/threats-to-epa-make-asbestos-even-scarier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Some, Changes to the EPA Could Be the Difference Between Life and Death</a>

The EPA's proposed rule would likely bring more asbestos in the vicinity of U.S. citizens.

There is literally no logical reason the US should allow more uses for asbestos

Future Society

Asbestos kills an estimated quarter of a million people annually, and now, the EPA is considering expanding its list of approved uses in the U.S.

/Donald Trump

MAVGA

Trump Fears Self-Driving Cars: “You Can’t Stop the F*cking Thing”

5G or 6G?

Trump’s Campaign Team: Government Should Manage 5G Networks

Space Force 2.0

Trump Signs Directive: Space Force Will Be Run By Air Force

Just Do It

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to “Prioritize AI”

Damage Done

A New Report Claims The Trump Era Has Been Terrible for Science

Mars Bars

Trump Offered NASA an Unlimited Budget if It Sent Humans to Mars

Not-so-Deepfake

Here’s What AI Thinks A Bunch of Famous People Look Like

Earth & Energy

The U.S. Military Now Has the Money It Needs to Prepare for Climate Change

Off World

Here’s How President Trump and His VP Plan to Get Their Space Force

Future Society

There Is Literally No Logical Reason The US Should Allow More Uses for Asbestos

Load More

/Donald Trump

MAVGA

Trump Fears Self-Driving Cars: “You Can’t Stop the F*cking Thing”

5G or 6G?

Trump’s Campaign Team: Government Should Manage 5G Networks

Space Force 2.0

Trump Signs Directive: Space Force Will Be Run By Air Force

Just Do It

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to “Prioritize AI”

Damage Done

A New Report Claims The Trump Era Has Been Terrible for Science

Mars Bars

Trump Offered NASA an Unlimited Budget if It Sent Humans to Mars

Not-so-Deepfake

Here’s What AI Thinks A Bunch of Famous People Look Like

Earth & Energy

The U.S. Military Now Has the Money It Needs to Prepare for Climate Change

Off World

Here’s How President Trump and His VP Plan to Get Their Space Force

Future Society

There Is Literally No Logical Reason The US Should Allow *More* Uses for Asbestos

Load More

There Is Literally No Logical Reason The US Should Allow More Uses for Asbestos