Stephen Miller, a known immigration hardliner, berated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for insufficient deportations during a May 21 meeting. He demanded a tripling of arrests, reportedly threatening the jobs of those who failed to comply. This occurred despite the current administration’s deportation rate mirroring that of the Biden administration, falling short of Trump’s campaign promises. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, also present, adopted a more conciliatory approach.
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Following the discovery of a pigeon onboard a Delta flight at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, the plane returned to the gate for its removal. Upon resuming taxiing, a second pigeon was sighted, causing a brief commotion among passengers before being removed by a baggage handler. Delta apologized for the delay, attributing the incident to the unexpected avian passengers. The flight, originally bound for Madison, Wisconsin, was subsequently able to depart.
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FEMA’s acting administrator, David Richardson, recently rescinded the agency’s 2022-2026 strategic plan, deeming its goals irrelevant to FEMA’s mission. A new plan will be developed this summer, focusing solely on “mission essential tasks.” This decision, criticized internally as undermining the agency’s “organizational backbone,” has led to the elimination of the Office of Resilience Strategy, raising concerns about FEMA’s preparedness for future disasters. The move comes amidst internal reports citing readiness issues and follows President Trump’s past suggestions to significantly alter or eliminate FEMA.
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President Trump claimed Canada is considering becoming the 51st U.S. state in exchange for free participation in his proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Trump asserted that Canada’s inclusion would otherwise cost $61 billion. However, Prime Minister Carney has repeatedly and vehemently rejected such a proposal, while simultaneously expressing interest in collaborating on the missile defense program. The White House and Canadian Prime Minister’s office have yet to officially comment on Trump’s recent statement.
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At a contentious town hall, Rep. Mike Flood admitted to not reading a provision in the “Big Beautiful Bill” before voting for it, a revelation that sparked outrage from constituents. The provision weakens judicial enforcement of court orders, a stance Flood now opposes. Despite his law degree and previous support for strong judicial authority, he attributed his vote to unawareness of the specific provision. Flood faced further criticism over various issues including Medicaid and SNAP cuts, defending his votes by focusing on impacts outside of Nebraska.
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Elon Musk is criticizing the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” for hindering his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts, blaming it for undermining his work and causing a public backlash against his companies. Despite initially aiming to save $2 trillion, DOGE has only identified $170 billion in savings, while the bill adds $3.8 trillion to the national deficit. Musk attributes negative public perception and decreased Tesla sales to this controversy, and plans to refocus his efforts on high-impact projects within DOGE. He acknowledges overspending on political activities and intends to scale back his involvement in the future.
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Joel Le Scouarnec, a French surgeon, received a 20-year prison sentence for sexually abusing hundreds of patients, primarily children, between 1989 and 2014. The court considered his targeting of vulnerable and sedated victims as an aggravating factor. Despite Le Scouarnec’s admission of guilt and expression of remorse, victims and their families expressed outrage over the sentence’s length and the insufficient societal response to the case. Le Scouarnec, already serving a 15-year sentence for prior offenses, may be eligible for parole by 2030.
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To end the war in Ukraine, President Putin demands a written Western pledge to halt NATO’s eastward expansion, along with sanctions relief for Russia. He also seeks Ukrainian neutrality, resolution of frozen assets, and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine. Failure to meet these terms, according to Russian sources, could lead to further military escalation and a more painful peace for Ukraine. However, Kyiv and NATO have consistently rejected these conditions.
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The Senate disregarded its parliamentarian’s ruling to overturn EPA waivers allowing California to set stricter vehicle emission standards, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This action, passed by a 51-44 vote, effectively nullifies the waivers and sets a precedent expanding the CRA’s reach to virtually any executive branch action. Democrats could exploit this by introducing numerous CRA resolutions, forcing lengthy debates and potentially paralyzing the Senate to block legislation like the upcoming Trump tax bill. This strategy allows Democrats to leverage procedural maneuvering for political gain and potentially prevent harmful policy changes.
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The European Union officially launched a €150 billion ($170 billion) defense loan instrument, called SAFE, to bolster Europe’s defense industry and support Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing aggression. This initiative, bypassing EU fiscal spending limits, will fund weapons procurement and production capacity increases for eligible EU member states, EFTA members, and Ukraine. The program aims to address capability gaps and significantly increase military aid to Ukraine, effectively doubling its current weapons supply. SAFE is a key component of the broader ReArm Europe program, facilitating an additional €650 billion in defense spending across the EU.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump Falsely Claims Canada Considers US Statehood
President Trump claimed Canada is considering becoming the 51st U.S. state in exchange for free participation in his proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Trump asserted that Canada’s inclusion would otherwise cost $61 billion. However, Prime Minister Carney has repeatedly and vehemently rejected such a proposal, while simultaneously expressing interest in collaborating on the missile defense program. The White House and Canadian Prime Minister’s office have yet to officially comment on Trump’s recent statement.
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