The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the constitutionality of President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship via executive order. This decision offers the court the chance to revisit a settled legal issue, potentially upending a long-standing tenet of American law. The case stems from an executive order signed in January, and while lower courts have unanimously rejected the administration’s arguments, the Supreme Court’s ruling, expected by the end of June, could have significant implications for citizenship and immigration. Arguments will be heard next year and will likely hand down a decision by the end of June.
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Russia’s shadow fleet begins to collapse as Ukraine expands maritime campaign beyond the Black Sea, and it’s quite a story unfolding. It seems Ukraine’s naval drone campaign is really starting to bite, specifically targeting the tankers that make up Russia’s shadow fleet. These are the vessels that have been helping Russia skirt international sanctions, allowing them to continue exporting oil and fueling their war machine. Apparently, these drone strikes have become so effective that major Russian ports are now reportedly struggling to find any tankers willing to take on the risk.
This is a significant shift, as the shadow fleet’s ability to operate has been a key factor in Russia’s ability to weather the economic pressure.… Continue reading
During a White House meeting, President Trump referred to Somali immigrants as “garbage” and claimed they should not be in the country. He later disparaged them again, claiming they have “destroyed our country.” These remarks are consistent with his history of making racist comments, like referring to African nations and Haiti as “shithole” countries. Furthermore, he announced intentions to halt immigration from “Third World” countries and strip citizenship based on subjective criteria. The author argues that Trump’s actions, influenced by advisors like Stephen Miller, are based on a collectivist view that uses race to create a hierarchy and assign guilt to individuals based on their heritage.
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A Florida federal judge has ordered the release of grand jury materials from 2005 and 2007 investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. This decision follows the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of records related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, overriding the usual secrecy of grand jury proceedings. The Justice Department, which had previously requested the release, plans to redact victim-related and personal identifying information before making the materials public. These documents are from investigations around Epstein’s home in West Palm Beach concerning allegations of sex trafficking.
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According to family members and Syrian officials, a U.S. raid in October intended to capture an Islamic State group official resulted in the death of Khaled al-Masoud, an undercover operative gathering intelligence on extremists. Al-Masoud had been working for insurgents and later for the interim Syrian government in their fight against IS. The incident highlights the complex political landscape as the United States begins to cooperate with the interim Syrian government, with neither side commenting on al-Masoud’s death. The lack of coordination between the U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian government could have contributed to the tragic outcome, underscoring the need for improved communication to prevent such mistakes in the ongoing efforts to combat IS.
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Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) has introduced the ROBINHOOD Act, a bill targeting the ultra-wealthy’s use of borrowing schemes to avoid paying taxes on capital gains. The legislation proposes a 20% excise tax on loans and lines of credit secured by capital assets for high-income earners. This initiative aims to generate at least $276 billion over ten years by making the wealthiest individuals contribute their fair share, with potential revenues earmarked for investments in universal pre-K and childcare programs. The act seeks to address the current tax code’s shortcomings, where the ultra-wealthy are able to avoid taxes while accessing massive sums of money.
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Arizona Representative Adelita Grijalva reported that federal agents used pepper spray on her and other protestors during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a Tucson restaurant. Grijalva stated that she was asking for clarification when she was sprayed, and also posted footage of the incident. However, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin disputed Grijalva’s account, claiming she was near someone who was pepper sprayed while obstructing law enforcement, and also claimed that two officers were seriously injured. The raid was connected to a years-long investigation of immigration and tax violations, resulting in numerous arrests, and the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Tucson have spoken out against the use of force.
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In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Texas’s GOP-friendly voting maps for the upcoming midterms, Justice Elena Kagan issued a strong dissent, criticizing the court’s reversal of a lower court’s ruling. Kagan argued that the court did not give the district court’s decision fair consideration, and disregarded the established “clear-error standard of review” in their decision. The ruling, made on the “emergency docket,” allows Texas to use maps the lower court found to be based on racial gerrymandering. This ruling has led to reactions from both sides, including California’s Governor Gavin Newsom attempting to redistrict his state to be more favorable to Democrats.
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Putin’s arrest warrant will stand even if US-led peace talks agree Ukraine amnesty, ICC prosecutors say. It’s a critical point, isn’t it? Even if some kind of peace deal emerges from discussions, potentially involving the US, and includes amnesty for actions in Ukraine, the International Criminal Court (ICC) isn’t backing down. They’ve made it clear: the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin remains in effect. This is a big deal, and it adds a layer of complexity to any potential future negotiations.
The whole situation shines a light on how Russia is trying to legitimize its land grabs through these “peace deals,” which, let’s be honest, are often just a way to get what they want.… Continue reading
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to revise the long-standing recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Instead, the committee recommended that parents make individual decisions, in consultation with a healthcare provider, for babies whose mothers tested negative for the virus, and a delay in the first dose until the infant is at least two months old. This decision contradicts the current CDC guidelines which mandate the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The vote, which has drawn criticism from medical professionals, could potentially increase infections in children and undermine public confidence in a successful, life-saving vaccine.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Arizona Congresswoman Pepper Sprayed by ICE at Taco Joint Fuels Outrage
Arizona Representative Adelita Grijalva reported that federal agents used pepper spray on her and other protestors during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a Tucson restaurant. Grijalva stated that she was asking for clarification when she was sprayed, and also posted footage of the incident. However, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin disputed Grijalva’s account, claiming she was near someone who was pepper sprayed while obstructing law enforcement, and also claimed that two officers were seriously injured. The raid was connected to a years-long investigation of immigration and tax violations, resulting in numerous arrests, and the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Tucson have spoken out against the use of force.
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