FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction charges. Dugan allegedly aided undocumented immigrant Eduardo Flores Ruiz in evading arrest at her courthouse. Patel’s initial announcement on X was subsequently deleted, though the FBI confirmed the arrest and charges. The arrest followed a foot chase by federal agents after Dugan’s alleged interference.
Trump recently expressed his fondness for the idea of increasing taxes on millionaires, stating that he “loves the concept.” However, he immediately tempered this enthusiasm by suggesting that such a tax hike might not be palatable to the public. This statement, seemingly contradictory, highlights a complex interplay between political strategy, economic policy, and Trump’s often-ambiguous relationship with public opinion.
The inherent tension in Trump’s words lies in the potential appeal of a millionaire tax to a significant portion of the population, contrasted with his apparent belief that such a policy would be unpopular. A substantial segment of the electorate favors taxing the wealthy more heavily, viewing it as a means of addressing income inequality and funding social programs.… Continue reading
Boris Johnson sharply criticized Donald Trump’s proposed Ukraine peace deal, arguing that it would offer Ukraine no meaningful concessions. The plan, which reportedly includes recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and lifting sanctions, would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression. Johnson contrasted this with Ukraine’s significant sacrifices in resisting the invasion, emphasizing the need for long-term security guarantees from Western allies. He concluded that Trump’s proposal lacks a mechanism to prevent further Russian attacks.
A gunfight erupted between Indian and Pakistani soldiers along the Kashmir border, escalating tensions already high after a deadly attack on tourists. The attack, killing 26 near Pahalgam, was claimed by a previously unknown group, the Kashmir Resistance, and India blamed Pakistan for its support. Pakistan denied involvement. This incident further strains relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
In a single day, three federal judges issued rulings against President Trump, halting key components of his agenda. A Washington judge blocked his executive order on voting changes, citing Congress’s authority over federal elections. Separately, judges in San Francisco and New Hampshire prevented the administration from withholding federal funds from sanctuary cities and schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, respectively, due to concerns over due process and unconstitutionally vague policies. These decisions follow Trump’s recent criticism of judges as engaging in “judicial insurrection.”
This week’s Tech Drop covers several key technology and politics intersections. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s planned autism registry raises serious data security concerns given his controversial views on the condition. Meanwhile, Trump Media is requesting a Trump administration investigation into a hedge fund that shorted its stock. Google faces further antitrust issues, losing a second lawsuit in under a year. Finally, reports highlight ICE’s planned data-gathering tool, Meta’s lobbying efforts against child online safety regulations, and multiple scandals involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal.
Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Russian armed forces’ main operations directorate, was killed in a car bombing near Moscow. The attack, similar to previous incidents claimed by Ukraine, occurred as Vladimir Putin met with Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to discuss potential peace deals in Ukraine. These talks, however, are complicated by significant differences between US and Ukrainian proposals for ending the conflict and by the ongoing violence. The Kremlin opened a criminal investigation into the bombing, while Kyiv has yet to comment.
President Trump’s executive order, aiming to promote meritocracy, targets disparate-impact liability, a legal principle addressing unintentional discrimination. This order calls for a review of all pending cases under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), potentially hindering efforts to protect women from credit discrimination. While the EO doesn’t change the law itself, federal agencies’ compliance could effectively stall litigation and roll back protective regulations, impacting access to credit and housing for various protected groups. The order’s ultimate impact may unfold through future court cases, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
Since his inauguration, President Trump has mentioned Joe Biden, his family, or administration over 580 times, averaging more than six mentions daily. This frequent mention surpasses even Biden’s references to Trump during his own first 100 days in office. Analysis reveals Trump uses Biden’s name more than “America” in his early statements, employing this frequent mention across various settings, from formal speeches to casual remarks. Trump’s administration, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, mirrors this pattern, fueling debate over whether this is obsession or strategic political maneuvering.
Secretary Hegseth’s tenure has been marred by leaks and scandals, leading to an increasingly tense and isolated environment within the Department of Defense. His response has included reportedly threatening lie detector tests for officials suspected of leaking information, targeting both political appointees and military leadership. This aggressive approach follows a series of high-profile incidents, including the near-disclosure of sensitive war plans and chaotic firings stemming from lax information security. The resulting atmosphere is described as intensely hostile and characterized by internal conflict.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood