President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting the burning of the American flag, despite the Supreme Court’s precedent in Texas v. Johnson that deems it protected symbolic speech. While acknowledging the court’s ruling, Trump asserted that flag burning incites violence and riots. The order would impose a one-year jail sentence for those who violate the ban. Newsweek reached out to the Supreme Court for comment.
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A federal judge has ruled that religious colleges requiring faith statements cannot be excluded from Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, deeming the state law unconstitutional. The ruling, a win for two Christian colleges, overturned a 2023 law that sought to protect LGBTQ+ students by banning faith statement requirements. The judge cited First Amendment protections for religious organizations, asserting that the state cannot disqualify private schools from funding solely due to their religious affiliation. This decision also struck down a related nondiscrimination requirement.
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Family members of Virginia Roberts Giuffre expressed outrage over the Justice Department’s decision to release transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony. They believe this move allows Maxwell to potentially “rewrite history.” The accuser’s family sees this as providing Maxwell a platform to manipulate public perception. The move has been met with significant criticism from those who support Giuffre.
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In newly released interview audio, Ghislaine Maxwell praised former President Donald Trump, describing him as “cordial” and “kind.” However, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dismissed Maxwell’s comments as insincere, suggesting they were an attempt to curry favor and potentially secure a pardon. Maxwell’s statements came during interviews related to her conviction for procuring young girls for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Trump had a past relationship. This situation has fueled speculation regarding Trump’s connection to Epstein, as well as the potential contents of the Epstein files, which are now under investigation.
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The Trump administration is accused of systematically dismantling the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by favoring privatization, staff cuts, and contract cancellations, thereby breaking the nation’s promise to veterans. This approach is evident in the significant increase in funding for private “community care,” while simultaneously reducing the VA’s internal resources, resulting in job losses and service shortages. These actions directly contradict the PACT Act, which was designed to support veterans exposed to toxic substances during service. The cumulative effect of these changes is a weakened VA system, potentially leading to a fragmented healthcare system that may not adequately meet the needs of veterans.
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President Trump signed executive orders aimed at eliminating cashless bail in Washington, D.C. and other jurisdictions, with the D.C. order potentially impacting federal funding and directing the Attorney General to take action if the city does not change its policy. Another executive order seeks to find federal funds that could be suspended or terminated in jurisdictions with cashless bail policies. These actions reflect Trump’s broader efforts to exert control over the capital, a departure from previous administrations. The executive order also included an order to prosecute people who desecrate the American flag.
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Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, clarified that Islamabad, contrary to former US President Donald Trump’s claims, did not request US mediation for a ceasefire with India during Operation Sindoor. Dar stated Pakistan itself initiated the ceasefire request after incurring losses during the Indian offensive. While Pakistan expresses willingness for comprehensive talks with India, including on Kashmir, India maintains that talks cannot proceed until Pakistan dismantles terror infrastructure and ends cross-border attacks. Despite repeated denials from India, Trump has claimed credit for brokering peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, even after India launched Operation Sindoor after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
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Germany has committed to providing Ukraine with €9 billion in annual support for the next several years, as announced by Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The commitment was made after discussions with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko regarding continued support. Klingbeil emphasized that this funding, agreed upon by the federal government, will not waver, sending a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This announcement followed Klingbeil’s disagreement with calls to reduce social benefits for Ukrainian refugees and was coupled with a justification for increased German military spending.
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The nation is embroiled in a redistricting war, with Texas leading the charge by redrawing congressional maps to potentially favor Republicans. This move has triggered retaliatory actions, including walkouts by Democrats and plans by Democratic-led states like California to redraw their own maps. Voters across various districts are expressing concerns over the fairness and potential disenfranchisement resulting from these actions. The situation is further complicated by the Supreme Court’s stance on partisan redistricting, which has seemingly emboldened states to engage in these practices.
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The posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, titled *Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice*, will be published in the autumn, revealing intimate details about her experiences with Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. The book, completed before Giuffre’s death, promises to shed light on the systemic failures that enable the trafficking of vulnerable individuals. Giuffre expressed her wish for the memoir’s release regardless of her circumstances, emphasizing the importance of understanding the truth and addressing the injustices surrounding the topic. The book will be released on October 21st, according to publisher Alfred A Knopf.
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John Q. Hosedrinker