Following the indictment, Smirnov revealed contact with high-ranking Russian officials, raising flight risk concerns. Despite a prior rejection, the DOJ’s initial attempt to release Smirnov pending appeal has sparked speculation about a potential pardon. Legal experts suggest this unusual move by the DOJ could indicate the Trump administration’s consideration of clemency. This is especially concerning given Smirnov’s alleged improper connections.
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‘Trump is against humankind’: World leaders at climate summit take swipes at absent president.
It seems the absence of Donald Trump at climate summits hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the consensus leans toward a fairly critical assessment of his priorities. The general sentiment, as perceived from various comments, is that Trump’s actions are perceived as detrimental to global cooperation on climate change, and perhaps even to the well-being of the planet itself. The phrase “Trump is against humankind” appears to be a succinct summary of this viewpoint, encapsulating the belief that his policies and lack of engagement actively undermine efforts to address critical environmental issues.… Continue reading
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund November’s food aid for 42 million low-income Americans, blocking a plan to provide reduced benefits during the government shutdown. The judge accused the administration of withholding SNAP benefits for political reasons, ordering the USDA to fully fund the program. Despite the ruling, the administration has appealed the decision, citing a lack of funds and expressing concerns about court overreach. This ongoing legal battle has created uncertainty about SNAP benefits, prompting states to encourage recipients to budget and seek assistance from food pantries.
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The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to withhold approximately $4 billion needed to fully fund the food aid program, SNAP, for November. This action, a stay issued by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, gives a lower court more time to consider the administration’s request for partial funding, which was initially prompted by a judge’s order to fully fund the program. The administration argued that fully funding SNAP would cause “shutdown chaos”, while the judge accused the administration of withholding benefits for “political reasons” after the administration previously stated they would only provide $4.65 billion in emergency funding. The legal battle stemmed from the administration’s decision to provide only partial funding for SNAP amid the federal government shutdown.
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Disgraced former Congressman George Santos announced his intention to leave New York City following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral election victory. This statement came after Santos was pardoned and freed from jail by Donald Trump after a conviction for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His initial reaction to Mamdani’s win on social media was an expletive-laden rant against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Santos’s abrupt departure from NYC was met with mixed reactions from his followers.
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A federal judge in Oregon has issued a permanent injunction preventing the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland to address protests against immigration policies. The judge, appointed during Trump’s term, ruled that the deployment was unjustified because there was no rebellion or inability to execute federal laws. Oregon officials and the California Attorney General celebrated the decision, calling Trump’s actions an abuse of power and a win for the rule of law. The Justice Department, however, immediately appealed the ruling, arguing the deployment was necessary to address violence and protect federal personnel and property, and the case remains ongoing.
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On Thursday, a suspicious package containing an unknown white powder was opened at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, resulting in the brief hospitalization of seven individuals. Emergency responders evacuated the building and established a cordon as a precaution. Although initial field tests from the hazardous materials team did not detect any immediate threats, the investigation is ongoing, and the specifics of the powder and any related illnesses remain unknown. The US Air Force’s office of special investigations has taken over the scene, and normal operations have resumed.
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According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the alliance has surpassed Russia in ammunition production. This shift is attributed to an expansion of defense production capacity throughout NATO countries. Rutte emphasized the importance of a robust defense industry and urged defense industries to increase supply. The comments were made as European countries expand their defense industries to strengthen their own security and support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
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During a White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, President Trump reacted strongly to questions about affordability, dismissing concerns as a “con job” by Democrats. He insisted prices were “way down” and claimed the U.S. had more jobs and investment than any other country in history. Despite this, recent data showed rising consumer prices, including for gas, food, and energy. This response reflects the sensitivity surrounding the issue as Democrats capitalized on economic anxieties during recent elections.
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Responding to questions about a court ruling concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Trump emphasized the need for national “liquidity” to address potential crises, seemingly indicating his administration’s reluctance to fully fund the program. This stance appears to be a veiled criticism of “tax and spend” policies, attempting to deflect from the fact that his administration is defying court rulings. The national debt has been increasing at an alarming rate, especially with the current government shutdown costing the country billions weekly, despite Trump’s claim about spending. Trump’s claims are ironic since his presidency has also had a high cost to the country.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood