In Istanbul on May 16th, Russia presented Ukraine with stringent ceasefire conditions. These included Ukraine’s neutrality, renunciation of territorial claims and reparations, and recognition of Crimea and four other oblasts as Russian territory. Moscow demanded Ukrainian troop withdrawal from these regions, effectively ceding them to Russia. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry deemed the Russian proposals unacceptable.
Due to safety concerns and the building’s condition, the FBI will relocate 1,500 employees from its J. Edgar Hoover Building headquarters in Washington, D.C., to various locations nationwide. This move aims to provide a safer and more suitable work environment for FBI personnel and better distribute agents across the country. The relocation will supplement agent numbers in every state, enhancing the bureau’s nationwide reach and capabilities. A timeline for the move and the specific locations remain undisclosed.
Ukrainian forces have achieved significant battlefield success, destroying 1,159 Russian tanks and 2,510 armored combat vehicles since the start of 2025. This figure, announced by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, underscores ongoing Ukrainian resistance and effectiveness against Russian aggression. Supporting video evidence showcases the destruction of Russian armored vehicles. These losses represent a substantial blow to Russia’s military capabilities.
The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Venezuelans accused of gang affiliation without due process, prompting Trump’s outrage. He, echoing comments from ally Mike Davis, labeled the Court’s injunction “illegal” on Truth Social, despite lower courts consistently ruling against the deportations. This represents a departure from Trump’s previous praise of the Court and continues a pattern of attacking judges who rule against him, raising concerns about his disregard for judicial authority. The Court’s decision highlighted concerns about bypassing due process rights.
Justice Sotomayor’s message to lawyers, distilled to its essence, is a powerful call to action: stand up, fight, and win. It’s a rallying cry for those in the legal profession to embrace their role as champions of justice, not just as shrewd businesspeople. The implication is clear: the pursuit of justice should be a primary motivator, even if it means confronting powerful adversaries and potentially sacrificing personal gain.
The legal profession, particularly in the face of significant societal challenges, needs lawyers who are willing to take a stand. It’s a reminder that the idealistic vision of law, of fighting for truth and justice, is not antiquated or naive.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations, citing insufficient due process for affected immigrants. This ruling stemmed from the administration’s failure to provide adequate notice and opportunity to contest deportation, despite claiming to have addressed previous concerns. Trump, however, has vehemently criticized the decision, claiming the court is obstructing his efforts to deport individuals deemed terrorists, while ignoring the court’s focus on constitutional due process rights. The Court’s action sends the matter back to a lower court for further review.
In a University of Minnesota law school commencement address, Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 vice presidential nominee, decried President Trump’s actions as a national emergency, accusing him of repeatedly violating the rule of law and undermining fundamental rights. Walz urged graduating lawyers to resist abuses of power, emphasizing their crucial role in defending against tyranny. He specifically cited Trump’s immigration policies and questionable dealings as examples of this erosion of the rule of law. Walz also criticized certain large law firms for their complicity, calling on graduates to reject such organizations.
Senator Adam Schiff detailed ten instances of alleged corruption by President Trump, highlighting how these actions enriched Trump and his family while harming the American people. These instances ranged from using taxpayer money for personal golfing trips and charging the government for staff stays at Trump properties, to accepting a $400 million plane from Qatar and a $100 million donation from Elon Musk in exchange for using the White House lawn as a Tesla showroom. Other examples included lucrative deals with foreign governments, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the launch of a meme coin that generated millions through trading fees. Schiff concluded that Trump’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the well-being of ordinary citizens.
The Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc struck the Brooklyn Bridge’s underside during a training cruise, causing damage to the ship’s mast and injuring 20 people, three critically. The incident briefly closed all lanes of the bridge before reopening later that night. The Mexican Navy is investigating the cause of the accident, cooperating with local authorities. The ship’s training cruise was temporarily suspended.
President Trump expressed willingness to visit China for talks with Xi Jinping, citing the importance of US-China relations. This follows repeated expressions of his desire to speak with the Chinese leader, most recently after a temporary trade war truce was negotiated. The truce involved reduced tariffs on both US and Chinese goods. Trump also framed his recent Middle Eastern trip as an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood