Five Republican Minnesota senators will introduce a bill classifying “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) as a mental illness, defining it as “acute onset of paranoia” regarding Donald Trump’s presidencies. The bill, set for review by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, proposes amending state statutes to include TDS as a diagnosable condition. Critics argue TDS is a politically motivated label lacking clinical basis and could be used to suppress dissent, while proponents claim it manifests as hostility and aggression towards Trump and his supporters. The bill’s passage is uncertain given the DFL’s narrow Senate majority.
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Thousands protested Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russia stance and his obstruction of EU actions concerning Ukraine in Budapest. Simultaneously, Orbán presented twelve demands to the EU, including a “Union without Ukraine,” increased national veto power, and a crackdown on foreign-funded organizations. In response, the opposition launched a referendum, “Voice of the Nation,” encompassing questions on EU and NATO membership and term limits for the Prime Minister. Orbán’s actions, timed to coincide with a national holiday, included threats against media and NGOs he deemed “foreign agents.”
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Nervous about Trump, international tourists are scrapping their U.S. travel plans. It’s a significant trend, fueled by concerns about potential mistreatment and arbitrary detention. The perception of increased risks, particularly for those from minority backgrounds or non-European countries, is deterring many from visiting.
This isn’t just a matter of “nervousness”; it’s a widespread feeling of distrust and apprehension. Reports of tourists being detained by ICE, sometimes for extended periods without access to legal counsel or basic necessities, are circulating widely. These accounts paint a picture of an increasingly unpredictable and potentially hostile environment for visitors.
The fear isn’t merely theoretical; the experiences of some tourists confirm these fears.… Continue reading
Wholesale egg prices have plummeted to $4.15 per dozen, a $2.70 decrease from the previous week, due to reduced consumer demand and fewer bird flu outbreaks. This price drop, however, hasn’t yet reached retail shelves, leaving uncertainty about Easter and Passover pricing. The Department of Justice is investigating the recent surge in egg prices, while the Trump administration has reportedly sought egg exports from Denmark. The current situation contrasts with earlier claims of bringing down egg prices.
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Ten Republican senators, influenced by Trump, enabled a strategy to bypass Democrats in government funding negotiations, mirroring a pattern Republicans believe can be repeated. This action reveals their cowardice, as they surrendered their ability to criticize Trump despite polling data indicating public blame would fall primarily on Republicans. Their decision was not only cowardly but also strategically foolish, given the pre-existing government shutdown and its consequences.
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Senator Murphy’s assertion that Americans want Democrats to take risks to save democracy reflects a growing sentiment of frustration and urgency within the electorate. This desire for bold action stems from a perceived lack of effectiveness and a growing fear that the current political climate is eroding democratic norms and institutions.
The call for risk-taking isn’t simply a demand for more aggressive rhetoric; it represents a deeper yearning for tangible action. Many feel that the Democratic party’s approach has been too cautious, prioritizing maintaining a semblance of decorum and avoiding conflict over directly confronting what they see as an existential threat to democracy.… Continue reading
French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann called for the return of the Statue of Liberty to France, arguing that the US no longer embodies the values it symbolized when gifted. His demand, made at a Place Publique party convention, stemmed from criticism of the Trump administration’s policies, including cuts to research funding and dismissals of scientists. Glucksmann contrasted this with France’s welcoming stance towards these researchers. He also condemned the alignment of French far-right leaders with Trump and Elon Musk.
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President Trump issued an executive order effectively dismantling Voice of America (VOA) and its parent company, US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), citing alleged anti-Trump bias and wasteful spending. The order places VOA’s 1,300 employees on paid leave and halts funding for affiliated organizations like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, impacting hundreds of millions of listeners globally. This action, spurred by right-wing media accusations of leftist bias, severely curtails VOA’s mission of countering foreign propaganda. The move comes alongside broader budget cuts to various federal agencies.
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Republican opposition to the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), citing burdensome requirements for small businesses, resulted in a federal court halting its beneficial ownership rule enforcement. The CTA, enacted by the Biden administration to combat tax evasion and corporate favoritism, directly contradicts Trump administration policies. Trump’s broader efforts to weaken financial regulations, including the recent executive order freezing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, suggest a prioritization of deregulation benefiting corporate interests. This ultimately reduces scrutiny of businesses with questionable practices.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood