The deployment of over 2,200 National Guard members to Washington D.C. was initiated by President Trump, who claimed it would combat crime despite declining local crime rates. However, the National Guard’s role has proven largely ineffective, with soldiers primarily tasked with observing and reporting crimes to local police, rather than actively participating in law enforcement. Rules of engagement restrict the National Guard’s ability to make arrests or use weapons, while also potentially violating the Posse Comitatus Act. This deployment, costing a million dollars per day, is now being used for purposes like maintaining the city’s parks.
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Johnson’s office stated that Donald Trump was the only individual, over a decade ago, willing to assist prosecutors in exposing Jeffrey Epstein, a claim echoed by the victims’ attorney. However, this statement was quickly contrasted with Johnson’s subsequent claim that Trump was an FBI informant. The implication that Trump acted as an informant in the 1990s while associating with Epstein appears highly improbable. This incident highlights the prevalence of deceit within the current administration.
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In response to a fatal hit-and-run crash in which a Glenview woman was killed, ICE has launched “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area. The operation, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will target “criminal illegal aliens” who have allegedly been drawn to Illinois due to Governor Pritzker’s sanctuary policies. Hundreds of ICE agents are operating from Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County for the operation. DHS stated that the operation honors Katie Abraham, who was killed in a crash caused by a Guatemalan national who was in the country illegally and had previously been deported.
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U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the U.S. would be more aggressive with sanctions against Russia if European countries stopped importing Russian oil and gas, instead sourcing American alternatives. This call aligns with a U.S.-EU trade agreement, requiring Europe to purchase $750 billion of U.S. energy resources by 2028, and would hinder Russia’s ability to fund its war effort. In response, European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed the EU’s goal to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, emphasizing the importance of energy security and independence. Despite current pledges and proposed bans, the bloc still imports significant amounts of Russian fossil fuels, though further sanctions packages are being considered.
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President Trump’s political strategy hinges on projecting an image of strength and victory to maintain support. Following a disappointing July jobs report, Trump replaced the official overseeing the data to reframe the narrative. However, the August jobs report revealed a meager 22,000 jobs created, significantly less than the previous month, and a downward revision for June. Economists suggest the impact of Trump’s trade policies, specifically tariffs, played a significant role in the economic slowdown, despite the personnel change.
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Following Donald Trump’s promise to lower food costs, California Governor Gavin Newsom has mocked the former president. Newsom shared a clip of Trump’s prior campaign statements promising to immediately lower prices upon taking office, and has since criticized his record. Despite Trump’s pledge, food prices, particularly beef, have continued to rise under his administration, reaching record highs according to USDA data. The rising costs are attributed to droughts, disease, and new tariffs, leading Newsom to highlight the disparity between Trump’s promises and the current reality.
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In 20 years under John Roberts, a dramatic rightward turn for the US Supreme Court has become painfully clear. The evolution of the court, particularly under his leadership, has been marked by a significant shift in its ideological direction, a move that has dramatically altered the landscape of American jurisprudence and, arguably, the very fabric of the nation. This transformation, as observed over two decades, represents a departure from the court’s historical role as a neutral arbiter and has led to deep concerns about its impartiality and the potential for long-term damage to the principles of fairness and equal justice.
The concerns regarding the Roberts court’s trajectory were flagged early on.… Continue reading
Donna, an Irish citizen who has resided in the U.S. for nearly 50 years and is a legal resident alien, is currently held by ICE and faces deportation. Her husband, Jim Brown, says she was arrested at customs after returning from a trip to Ireland. The arrest stems from a decade-old $25 bad check that was paid back, which the government now argues constitutes a “crime of moral turpitude,” justifying her deportation. Brown, a veteran, is fighting for his wife’s release, citing her long residency, marriage, and family ties in the U.S., but has been unable to get help from officials.
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The Supreme Court has decided to allow federal agents to continue with sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles for now, overturning a judge’s order that had limited the practice. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that the lower court’s restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were too broad, although he noted that apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, claiming the decision subjects people in the Los Angeles area to potential mistreatment based on their appearance. The ruling comes as ICE agents increase enforcement, with the lawsuit continuing in California.
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The federal appeals court upheld the $83 million defamation verdict against Donald Trump, rejecting his appeal. The court found that Trump failed to demonstrate grounds for reconsidering the previous holding on presidential immunity and that the district court’s rulings were appropriate. The appeals court also concluded that the jury’s damages awards were fair, and the punitive damages award was appropriate due to the reprehensibility of Trump’s conduct. This ruling leaves Trump responsible for the full amount of the judgment, which has increased since the initial verdict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood