Yale Law School has declined to publicly congratulate J.D. Vance, a 2013 graduate, on his election as vice president, citing a new policy against issuing institutional statements. This decision comes despite the school’s past practice of recognizing notable alumni and its significant role in Vance’s life, as detailed in his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” The silence is particularly notable given the school’s history of congratulating conservative alumni, including Supreme Court justices, though it has been more hesitant to do so in recent years due to student and faculty backlash. This reluctance to acknowledge Vance reflects a broader tension between the law school and its conservative alumni, highlighting a growing divide within the institution.
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Senator Jacky Rosen has secured a second term in the Senate, defeating Republican challenger Sam Brown in Nevada. This win extends Democrats’ winning streak in a crucial swing state and ensures their continued control of this important seat. Despite a close presidential race in Nevada, Rosen established a lead in the Senate contest, reflecting a trend of tight but successful races for Democrats in the state. While both candidates addressed economic concerns and inflation, the race was marked by a focus on abortion rights, with Democrats criticizing Brown’s stance and highlighting his wife’s personal experience with abortion.
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JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, has proposed linking US support for NATO to the European Union’s respect for free speech, specifically criticizing their potential regulation of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. Vance believes that the US should leverage its power to ensure that its allies uphold American values, including free speech. However, his stance has drawn criticism as it appears to favor Russia, as he has also suggested a peace plan for the Ukraine conflict that would involve Russia keeping seized territory and Ukraine becoming neutral. These proposals raise concerns about their implications for the ongoing conflict and for the future of the US-EU relationship.
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Following Donald Trump’s election victory, Ukrainian President Zelensky has firmly rejected any concessions to Russia, stating that such moves would be unacceptable for Ukraine and Europe. He urged his allies to provide military assistance instead of pressuring him into negotiations that could cede territory to Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has demanded that the West enter direct talks with Moscow to end the war, while also claiming to have made advances in eastern Ukraine and launching strikes on Zaporizhzhia, killing at least four people. Zelensky has previously emphasized the importance of US aid in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
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Following Donald Trump’s projected election victory, a surge in misogynistic threats targeting women on social media has emerged, echoing a message popularized by neo-Nazi streamer Nick Fuentes: “Your body. My choice. Forever.” This slogan, a twisted inversion of the pro-choice movement’s “my body, my choice,” signals a growing sense of entitlement among far-right men who feel empowered to attack women’s bodily autonomy. Women are reporting an increase in violent and hateful messages, with some expressing fear that this online harassment foreshadows a future where their rights will be further restricted under Trump’s presidency. These disturbing trends, coupled with the ongoing erosion of women’s healthcare access and increased criminalization of reproductive choices, paint a bleak picture of a potential rollback of women’s rights in the years to come.
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Donald Trump’s potential second term will see a significant shift in his White House staff, as he plans to exclusively hire advisors who agree with him, even if it means ignoring expert advice. This decision, driven by a desire for unquestioning loyalty, was confirmed by Donald Trump Jr., who claims he will be “heavily involved” in the transition and ensure that only those who “don’t think they know better” than the president are selected for the administration. This focus on loyalty over expertise could have potentially dangerous consequences, exemplified by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s proposed role in overseeing the Department of Health and Human Services, where he has pledged to remove fluoride from water, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting its benefits.
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Incoming President Trump’s ally, Bryan Lanza, has stated that the administration will prioritize achieving peace in Ukraine, not necessarily regaining territory lost to Russia. Lanza emphasizes that Crimea is “gone” and that the US will not be deploying troops to reclaim it, suggesting a focus on a “realistic vision for peace” with Ukraine. Lanza underscores that the US seeks to end the war and minimize US resource expenditure, prioritizing peace over territory. While specific details of Trump’s peace strategy remain unclear, he is expected to make decisions on this issue independently, guided by a select group of advisors.
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As Russia ramps up its drone attacks, Kyiv is facing a new wave of aerial threats. While previously these attacks were more sporadic, drones are now reaching the city center with increasing frequency, bypassing multiple layers of air defense. This is due to the sheer number of drones being launched, and their ability to fly at low altitudes. Although Ukraine is working on improving situational awareness and air defense systems, the country urgently needs more sophisticated air defense equipment from its Western allies to counter the increasing threat posed by Russia’s drone production capabilities. This new phase of the war demonstrates a shift in tactics by Russia, utilizing cheaper, but more numerous, drones to drain Ukrainian air defenses and pave the way for more destructive attacks.
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Despite facing an indictment for mishandling classified information, former President Trump is set to receive sensitive national security briefings in preparation for his return to the White House. This decision, driven by longstanding tradition and the need for an orderly transition, has raised concerns among intelligence officials, considering Trump’s history of handling classified material and his potential to compromise national security. While the Biden administration has directed its officials to cooperate with Trump’s team, the upcoming transition presents a significant challenge, particularly given Trump’s past behavior with classified information and his team’s potential to bypass traditional vetting procedures for security clearances.
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President-elect Trump has declared ending the war in Ukraine as his top priority, aiming to stop what he considers a drain on US resources through military aid. While he hasn’t revealed his strategy, his advisor, Mr. Lanza, emphasizes a realistic approach, suggesting that regaining Crimea from Russia is unrealistic and not a US goal. He advocates for a “vision for peace” rather than “winning” and urges an honest conversation with Ukraine about achievable outcomes. Although Trump has discussed the situation with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the specifics of his peace plan remain unclear, with various advisors potentially offering conflicting viewpoints.
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John Q. Hosedrinker