In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has allowed President Trump to fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter, sparking a dissent from Justice Elena Kagan who accused the court of overriding Congress to grant the president sweeping new powers over independent agencies. This decision signals the conservative majority’s potential willingness to overturn a 1935 precedent limiting presidential removals, specifically Humphrey’s Executor. The court’s actions have repeatedly cleared firings that Congress explicitly prohibited, thus shifting control of key regulatory agencies to the president. Arguments over the matter are expected in December, where the court will determine whether Trump can fire board members for any reason as he seeks to implement his agenda.
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The court heard that Nina Manley, influenced by far-right content including videos by Tommy Robinson, traveled to a hotel armed with knives and threatened to kill migrants. Manley, who was reportedly intoxicated, was arrested after the police were called. She admitted to threats to kill and received a suspended jail sentence. The incident occurred amidst a series of protests against hotels housing asylum seekers, highlighted by demonstrations and legal challenges at various locations.
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In a development that will likely intensify existing political friction, Brazilian prosecutors have brought charges against the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This action follows the recent escalation of a U.S. campaign targeting one of Brazil’s prominent justices. The Bolsonaros have long been associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
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Former President Donald Trump is publicly expressing frustration with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi over the lack of progress in initiating criminal prosecutions against several of his political adversaries, including Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook. Trump has made repeated posts on Truth Social demanding Bondi take action based on unsubstantiated allegations of mortgage fraud, led by William Pulte, a Trump appointee at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and a special prosecutor. The president’s pressure on Bondi is further intensified by the recent resignation of the U.S. Attorney for Eastern Virginia, who refused to participate in Trump’s scheme. Despite the pressure, any potential prosecutions face uncertainty due to the lack of felony charges in past cases and concerns raised by officials within the department.
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The death of Robert Redford has brought renewed focus to the unsolved murder of his daughter’s boyfriend, Sid Wells, who was killed in 1983. While Wells’ roommate, Thayne Alan Smika, was initially arrested but not charged due to lack of evidence, a warrant for his arrest was issued in 2010 following new DNA tests. Redford personally contacted the district attorney to express his gratitude for the ongoing efforts to solve the case. The FBI is now offering a reward for information leading to Smika’s arrest.
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Moscow officials have confirmed a drone attack on the city, with air defense systems working to repel the assault. Explosions were reported across multiple districts, prompting emergency services to respond. Flight delays were observed at several major airports, although airport closures were denied. The mayor of Moscow reported that nine drones were shot down.
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Disney has announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will resume airing on Tuesday. This decision comes after the show was suspended due to controversial remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel regarding the assassination of Republican activist Charlie Kirk. The company stated that they had engaged in “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel before making the decision to bring the show back.
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Recent actions by the administration, including the dropping of significant investigations and the firing of key individuals, are appalling and reflect a disregard for democratic norms. These moves, coupled with the silencing of dissent and the president’s weekend order to Bondi, raise serious concerns about the state of American democracy. While the US still has elections and some resistance remains, the accumulation of such actions suggests a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. Despite some sources of reassurance, a critical tipping point has been reached, making the future of American democracy uncertain.
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The Supreme Court has announced it will consider expanding presidential power over independent agencies by potentially overturning a long-standing precedent regarding the removal of board members. In a related decision, the court allowed the firing of an FTC commissioner to proceed while the case is being reviewed, echoing previous rulings that favor the president’s power of removal. The core of the case revolves around whether presidents should be able to fire board members at will, a stance supported by the Justice Department, which argues for the preservation of executive power. This decision marks a significant potential shift in the balance of power between the executive branch and independent agencies, with arguments scheduled to begin in December.
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In recent operations, Ukrainian forces targeted and destroyed significant Russian assets in occupied territories. The General Staff reported successful strikes in August and September, aimed at disrupting Russian plans, including the destruction of ammunition and drone stockpiles. Additionally, a Russian S-400 air defense system was hit in western Russia, and a Russian hub distributing drones was targeted. These attacks, along with the destruction of an ammunition depot, demonstrate Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to hinder Moscow’s military operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker