In a recent revision of a shutdown guidance document, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) removed references to the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which guarantees backpay for federal workers during a government shutdown. The 2019 law, enacted to address uncertainties faced by federal employees, ensured both furloughed and excepted workers would receive retroactive pay. This change comes as senior administration officials are reportedly developing guidance suggesting furloughed workers are not entitled to backpay. However, the original law, signed by then-President Trump, explicitly stated its application to any lapse in appropriations starting after December 22, 2018, leading to criticism from lawmakers and union leaders.
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A woman was shot by federal agents in Chicago after allegedly ramming a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vehicle, with her attorney claiming body-camera footage shows an officer saying, “Do something, bitch,” before opening fire. The government alleges that the woman and another individual were part of a convoy that boxed in the CBP vehicle before the shooting. Both individuals were charged with assaulting a federal officer but were later released pending trial, with conflicting accounts emerging regarding the events. Federal officials claim the woman was armed and had previously published agents’ information online, while the defense disputes the government’s portrayal of the incident, citing the body cam footage.
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A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute indicates that 66% of Israelis believe it’s time to end the war in Gaza, citing the endangerment of hostages as the primary reason. While negotiations begin on the first stage of a US peace proposal, the survey shows that among those wanting the war to continue, the top reason is to remove Hamas from power. Furthermore, a significant 66% of Israelis also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu should take responsibility for the October 7th attacks and resign, with notable differences in opinion based on political affiliation.
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Tyson, Cargill to pay $88 million to consumers in beef price-fixing lawsuit, a settlement that feels like a small dent in a much larger problem. It’s hard not to feel a mix of frustration and cynicism when you hear about these kinds of agreements. On the one hand, it’s good that some money is going back to consumers who were likely overcharged for their beef. On the other hand, $88 million just doesn’t seem like much when you consider the potential scale of the price-fixing and the immense profits these companies likely made from it.
The whole situation seems to be a recurring theme.… Continue reading
President Trump’s consideration of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking, has drawn significant backlash from within the MAGA movement. Right-wing figures expressed strong disapproval on social media platforms, warning against such a move. This reaction comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s rejection of Maxwell’s appeal, raising concerns about the administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Trump’s potential pardon could further alienate his base, and potentially impact his credibility and the Republican Party’s success.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez encouraged her supporters to use humor to combat the “insecure masculinity” she associates with the MAGA movement. During an Instagram Live session, she argued that mocking figures like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, whom she described as a “clown,” could be a strategic way to dismantle what she views as authoritarian tendencies. AOC emphasized that this approach targeted the “puffery of insecure men,” differentiating it from general criticisms of masculinity. She clarified that her comments were not directed at short men, distinguishing between “short kings” and “short trolls.”
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The Oregon Republican Party promoted Donald Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops to Portland with a social media post featuring a fabricated image of a riot scene. The image, presented on platforms like Facebook and X, was a composite of two stock photos, one depicting South American riot police and the other a Brazilian protest. Despite the image’s inauthenticity, the post was made to encourage Trump’s plan to send troops. After being questioned about the image’s origins, the party responded, claiming they were “just bad memers,” and the post was subsequently removed.
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Denmark announced a plan to implement a social media ban for children under 15, though the specific platforms and implementation details remain unclear. The bill would allow parental consent for social media use starting at age 13. This initiative follows Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, and the EU’s proposal for an “age of digital adulthood.”
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Two years after the October 7th attacks, Hamas released a statement commemorating the event, referring to it as a “glorious day.” The statement was accompanied by an AI-generated video featuring Yahya Sinwar and footage from the attacks. This celebration underscores Hamas’s continued validation of the violence. The attacks involved Palestinians crossing the border fence from Khan Yunis into Israel.
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Treasury Defends Minting a $1 Trump Coin Despite 1866 Law, a situation that’s certainly stirring up a lot of discussion, and for good reason. It’s a tangled web of legal arguments, political maneuvers, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of public opinion. The core issue? There’s a long-standing federal law, specifically 31 U.S. Code 5112, that seems pretty clear: no coin can bear the image of a living former or current President. Yet, here we are, seemingly staring down the barrel of a potential Trump dollar coin.
The Treasury’s defense, as I understand it, hinges on the circulating collectible coin redesign act.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood