Despite a planned $50 million military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trump’s birthday, attendance by Republican lawmakers is notably low, with only a small fraction of those surveyed indicating they will attend. Several prominent Republican leaders cited prior commitments or expressed disapproval of the event’s style, contrasting it with American ideals. The White House, however, anticipates a large public turnout, and the event will receive extensive coverage from Fox News. Criticism of the parade has come from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who decried it as a “vulgar display.”
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Stephen Miller orchestrated ICE raids in Los Angeles, intentionally provoking protests to justify a militarized response. Senator Tom Cotton, echoing his 2020 op-ed, advocates for using the US military against American protestors, despite the LAPD reporting peaceful demonstrations. This action represents a broader MAGA Republican strategy to suppress dissent through the illegal deployment of federal forces, falsely portraying peaceful protests as violent riots. Cotton’s rhetoric, amplified by the Wall Street Journal, aims to normalize the use of military force against citizens exercising their First Amendment rights. The situation highlights a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant disregard for civil liberties.
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The U.S. government’s deficit swelled to over $316 billion in May, pushing the year-to-date total to $1.36 trillion—a 14% increase compared to the previous year. Soaring interest payments on the $36.2 trillion national debt, exceeding $92 billion, were a primary driver, despite a 15% rise in May tax revenue. While tariff collections contributed positively, the deficit’s magnitude, exceeding 6% of GDP, has prompted warnings from prominent financial leaders about potential economic instability.
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Argentina’s May inflation rate dropped to 1.5 percent, the lowest monthly rate in almost five years, according to the INDEC national statistics bureau. This follows a significant reduction from the 25 percent increase seen in President Milei’s first month in office and represents a considerable decrease from the 211 percent annual inflation rate at the end of 2023. The decrease is attributed to the government’s austerity measures, including fiscal discipline and the elimination of exchange controls. However, despite the positive inflation figures, Argentines continue to struggle with stagnant wages and a decreased purchasing power.
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President Trump’s attendance at the Kennedy Center’s opening night of *Les Misérables* resulted in a mixed reaction, with cheers and boos greeting his arrival. This followed Trump’s February firing of the Kennedy Center’s leadership and subsequent appointment of a new board, leading to decreased ticket sales and cancellations by artists like Issa Rae and the *Hamilton* production. The incident highlighted the politicization of the arts center under Trump’s control, with protests from attendees including drag queens. Trump, however, expressed his intention to restore the Kennedy Center to its former glory.
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California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and arrested after interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference. Padilla attempted to question Noem regarding immigration policies, prompting a physical altercation with security personnel that resulted in his forceful removal and handcuffing. Noem later condemned Padilla’s actions as inappropriate, while Padilla’s colleagues denounced the incident as an outrageous abuse of power. The incident sparked immediate backlash and condemnation from fellow Democrats.
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Two Capitol Police officers sued House Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to install a legally mandated plaque honoring officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson’s inaction, despite the existence of the plaque and a 2022 law with a one-year deadline, is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and minimize the events of that day. This refusal contrasts sharply with the numerous honors bestowed upon former President Trump by some Republicans. The officers’ attorney argues this omission encourages a false narrative of the January 6th attack and disrespects the officers’ sacrifice. A Democratic Representative is publicly supporting the officers by displaying the plaque design.
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Following a significant Ukrainian drone attack on June 1st, Russia has relocated its Tu-160 strategic bombers from airbases in Irkutsk and Murmansk to more geographically dispersed locations. These relocations, confirmed via satellite imagery analysis by AviVector, include bases in Anadyr, Kamchatka, and Tatarstan. The move suggests a response to the increased vulnerability of previously positioned bombers following the unprecedented range of the Ukrainian operation. This strategic repositioning aims to improve the security of Russia’s long-range aviation assets.
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Two Capitol Police officers, Daniel Hodges and Harry Dunn, filed a lawsuit to force Congress to install a memorial honoring law enforcement injured during the January 6th attack. This legal action stems from Congress’s failure to comply with a 2022 law mandating the memorial’s placement, despite the Architect of the Capitol stating House Speaker Mike Johnson’s lack of instruction as the reason for the delay. The officers, who suffered significant physical and psychological harm during the riot, argue this inaction reflects an attempt to rewrite the history of the event. The lawsuit contends that the refusal to honor the officers’ service exacerbates their existing injuries.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a Russia Day statement expressing U.S. support for the Russian people and a desire for constructive engagement with Moscow to achieve peace in Ukraine. This message, the first of its kind since 2021, drew criticism from some social media users and Ukrainian officials who viewed it as inappropriate given Russia’s ongoing invasion. Conversely, the Kremlin welcomed the statement as positive. The statement reflects the Trump administration’s pursuit of negotiations with Russia, while potential new sanctions loom if progress isn’t made.
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John Q. Hosedrinker