A federal judge ruled that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s attempts to punish Senator Mark Kelly for urging service members to refuse illegal orders were unconstitutionally retaliatory. This decision follows a grand jury’s prior refusal to approve charges against Kelly and other lawmakers who appeared in a video warning of “threats to our Constitution” and imploring service members to “refuse illegal orders.” The judge found Hegseth’s actions infringed upon Kelly’s First Amendment rights, deeming the Pentagon’s actions an impermissible form of government reprisal against protected speech.
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Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competition after refusing the International Olympic Committee’s demand to remove a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since Russia’s invasion. The IOC cited rules against political statements on the field of play, despite offering concessions for Heraskevych to display the messaging off-ice. The decision, made shortly before his race, has drawn condemnation from Ukraine and has been described as inconsistent with previous IOC rulings on athlete expression. Heraskevych has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but his chance to compete in these Games appears to be over.
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Yale University has suspended computer science professor David Gelernter from teaching while it reviews his conduct after newly released documents showed he described a student as a “v small good-looking blonde” in an email to Jeffrey Epstein. Gelernter defended his description by stating he was mindful of Epstein’s “habits” and believed he did not dishonor the student, adding that her intelligence and beauty were relevant information for a potential employer. Students were notified of his suspension and Gelernter later claimed the university’s action was based on a private email dug from Epstein’s files.
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Recent reports reveal significant missteps and controversial actions by the Trump administration. These include the debunking of a “cartel drone” story, criticism of the administration’s immigration policies and deportations, and the failure to indict Democratic lawmakers on sedition charges. Furthermore, figures like Stephen Miller and former DOJ official Kash Patel have faced scrutiny, while the economic outlook has been questioned by Senator Bernie Sanders. The administration’s rhetoric, particularly concerning racial matters, has also drawn sharp criticism.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has acknowledged the existence of a secret list of domestic terrorist organizations, confirming that “antifa is part of that.” This database, compiled under President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, targets groups espousing ideologies defined as anti-American, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, antifascism, and radical gender ideologies. Despite repeated requests, the Justice Department has refused to provide details about the list or confirm whether individuals on it could face extrajudicial actions. This revelation has raised concerns among lawmakers about the potential for the government to weaponize national security designations against those who disagree with the administration.
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President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced that ICE agents are withdrawing from Minnesota as part of a significant drawdown following weeks of chaos. Despite the controversial operation, which included the killings of two U.S. citizens, Homan declared “Operation Metro Surge” a success, claiming it made the community safer by arresting numerous criminal aliens. This conclusion follows weeks of protests and national backlash against ICE’s tactics, with Homan asserting that the agency acts as a legitimate law enforcement body and refuting accusations of civil rights violations. Governor Walz responded cautiously, acknowledging the long road to recovery for the state.
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The temporary closure of El Paso airspace was reportedly due to the Pentagon’s planned testing of a laser intended to counter drones utilized by Mexican drug cartels. This initiative caused friction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which prioritized commercial air safety and sought coordination with the Department of Defense. Despite scheduled discussions, the Pentagon proceeded with its plans, leading the FAA to shut down the airspace, causing significant disruption and confusion for travelers and local officials alike. Mexican officials have stated they have no information regarding the drone use and are seeking clarification on the incident.
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President Donald Trump announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s rescission of the endangerment finding, a legal determination used for nearly two decades to limit heat-trapping pollution. This repeal is projected to significantly alter most U.S. policies aimed at curbing climate change, including vehicle emissions standards. The finding, established in 2009, asserted that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare, a premise now disputed by the administration, which argues it lacked factual and legal basis. This action has been met with criticism from environmental groups who plan legal challenges, citing overwhelming scientific evidence of climate change harms.
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The Army is revamping its dining facilities to resemble college campus cafeterias, with a new system allowing soldiers to spend up to $39 daily on meals using “freedom dollars.” This initiative introduces a la carte pricing for individual items, offering greater flexibility than previous meal card swipes. These new “campus-style dining venues,” like the recently opened Bistro 42 at Fort Hood, Texas, feature expanded hours, diverse food stations, mobile ordering, and even delivery options. The Army aims to enhance soldier quality of life and attract families and civilian employees by providing high-quality, cost-competitive meals.
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At a United Nations meeting in Vienna, Iranian and Russian diplomats voiced concerns that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation is operating in violation of international law and blurring the lines between commercial and military applications. Iran stated that Starlink’s “illegal operation” infringes on its sovereignty and constitutes unauthorized military use of a commercial network, while Russia suggested SpaceX’s operations might breach the 1967 Outer Space Treaty by not considering the interests of other space actors. The criticism highlights how Starlink, which has become crucial for Ukrainian defense and was used by Iranian opposition forces, is challenging established geopolitical norms, leading Russia to call for international negotiations on limiting satellite numbers and clarifying the military use of commercially registered frequencies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Ends Minnesota Surge Amidst Skepticism and Calls for Accountability
President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced that ICE agents are withdrawing from Minnesota as part of a significant drawdown following weeks of chaos. Despite the controversial operation, which included the killings of two U.S. citizens, Homan declared “Operation Metro Surge” a success, claiming it made the community safer by arresting numerous criminal aliens. This conclusion follows weeks of protests and national backlash against ICE’s tactics, with Homan asserting that the agency acts as a legitimate law enforcement body and refuting accusations of civil rights violations. Governor Walz responded cautiously, acknowledging the long road to recovery for the state.
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