President Trump’s repeated assertion that a Los Angeles to San Francisco flight costs only $2 has been met with widespread mockery. He used this unsubstantiated claim to criticize California’s high-speed rail project, suggesting alternative, cheaper transportation options like driving or flying. The actual cost of such a flight ranges from $100 to $250, a stark contrast to Trump’s assertion. This inaccurate claim, made multiple times, highlights a disconnect from reality and has drawn considerable criticism online.
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President Trump threatened forceful suppression of any protests against his planned military parade, describing potential protestors as “people who hate our country.” This threat follows his earlier consideration of invoking the Insurrection Act to address protests in Los Angeles, where he claims to have prevented widespread violence through the deployment of National Guard troops. He justified his actions by citing instances of violence at the protests and criticized California Governor Newsom’s handling of the situation. Trump views protests as personal affronts and has a history of advocating for the use of state violence against demonstrators.
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Twenty-four universities, including five Ivy League institutions, filed an amicus brief supporting Harvard University in its lawsuit against the Trump administration over threatened funding cuts totaling $2.2 billion. Simultaneously, over 12,000 Harvard alumni submitted a separate brief denouncing the funding freeze as an unlawful attempt to control the university. Both briefs emphasized the interconnectedness of academic research and the detrimental impact of the cuts on American innovation and competitiveness. The universities argued that halting funding to one institution would jeopardize collaborative research projects crucial to national advancement. The alumni brief further condemned the administration’s actions as an infringement on academic freedom and a pretext for political control.
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Millions of dollars’ worth of HIV prevention drugs and contraceptives, purchased by USAID but now stranded in distribution centers, face imminent destruction. This follows President Trump’s January decision to halt USAID funding, a move critics deem “inconceivable” and “nuts.” The supplies, including condoms, birth control, and HIV medication, were intended for 18 countries and their disposal would exacerbate the AIDS pandemic, potentially leading to millions more deaths and orphans. The State Department has dismissed the report as “fake news,” despite expert concerns and testimonials from those affected.
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Kristi Noem’s stance on federalizing the National Guard shifted dramatically depending on the political affiliation of the governor involved. She vehemently opposed President Biden’s potential deployment to Texas, citing it as an attack on states’ rights. However, she enthusiastically supported President Trump’s deployment to Los Angeles, justifying it as necessary to ensure public safety and immigration enforcement. Noem’s rationale for this reversal centered on her assessment of each governor’s decision-making capabilities. This contrasting response highlights a significant partisan divide in views on federal intervention in state affairs.
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The Trump administration, aiming to alleviate Chinese export restrictions on rare earths, dispatched negotiators to London for talks with Chinese officials. The administration sought a commitment from China to lift these restrictions in exchange for easing some, but not all, U.S. export controls, primarily focusing on semiconductors. This deal hinges on a “handshake agreement” securing the release of rare earths, crucial for various U.S. industries. While optimism for a swift resolution was expressed, details remained scarce following the extended London meetings.
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A leaked FSB document exposes a clandestine intelligence war between Russia and China, revealing deep distrust and accusations of Chinese espionage targeting Russian military operations in Ukraine and the Arctic. The document details Chinese efforts to recruit Russian scientists and intelligence officers, particularly those with access to sensitive information, and highlights concerns over potential Chinese territorial ambitions. In response, the FSB launched “Entente-4,” a counterintelligence program aimed at mitigating the threat, including increased surveillance of Russian-Chinese collaborations. This hidden conflict stands in stark contrast to the publicly proclaimed “no limits” partnership between the two nations.
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White House border czar Tom Homan clarified that there are no current plans to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom, despite President Trump’s suggestion to the contrary. Homan emphasized that arrests would only occur if individuals, regardless of position, committed crimes against ICE officers, leaving the decision to the Justice Department. While Homan supports the deployment of National Guard and Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles, citing property damage and assaults on ICE agents, Newsom contests the legality of this action and has filed a lawsuit. The escalating conflict centers on differing opinions regarding the handling of protests sparked by ICE actions in Los Angeles.
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President Trump’s deployment of approximately 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests has been met with sharp criticism, with Governor Newsom alleging the move is a political stunt. Of the initially deployed 2,000 troops, only around 300 have been actively deployed, leaving the remainder idle and without sufficient supplies in federal buildings. Newsom further condemns the deployment of 700 Marines as a violation of democratic principles, and the state’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the president’s actions. The White House maintains the deployment is necessary to stabilize the region, but the lack of active engagement by the majority of troops fuels accusations of misuse of military resources.
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The UK, in conjunction with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, has sanctioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians. These sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. The ministers’ actions, including calls for Palestinian displacement and opposition to aid delivery to Gaza, prompted this response. Israel condemned the sanctions as outrageous, while the UK emphasized that the rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is unacceptable and must cease.
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John Q. Hosedrinker