Grocery prices are increasing nearly twice as quickly as under the previous administration, despite President Trump repeatedly claiming that they are “way down”. Government statistics, in fact, show a significant increase in food inflation since he initiated a trade war, primarily due to tariffs paid by American importers. Experts point out that unlike some of his other claims, the cost of groceries directly impacts nearly every American, making his statements particularly misleading. Trump has deflected questions about the issue, even making incorrect assertions about international trade and the US economy during interactions with reporters.
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In a legal defeat for the Trump administration, a federal judge ruled that the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, was unlawful. The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, permanently blocks the use of military force to quell protests, rejecting the administration’s claim of a rebellion justifying the troops. This decision, which followed an earlier interim order, comes after the city of Portland and the Oregon Attorney General’s Office sued, arguing the administration exaggerated violence to justify the deployment. The Justice Department is likely to appeal the ruling, potentially leading the case to the Supreme Court.
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Deep mistrust among Senate Democrats towards President Trump has caused them to reject a proposal to reopen the government. Democrats are hesitant because of concerns that Trump will not act in good faith to extend health insurance subsidies or stop firing federal workers. Senate Democrats have expressed doubt that Trump will adhere to any agreement, citing past instances where he has undermined bipartisan negotiations and refused to cooperate with Democratic leaders. Republicans are now struggling to secure the necessary votes to end the shutdown due to this lack of trust.
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In an effort to end the ongoing government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a new plan to Republicans. The proposal involves Democrats dropping their demand for a long-term extension of ACA tax credits in exchange for a one-year extension of the subsidies. Schumer also suggested a bipartisan committee to address health-care affordability. However, Republicans quickly rejected the proposal, with Senator Lindsey Graham labeling it as “political hostage taking” and stating it would not be supported.
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President Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to a new low, dipping into double-digit negative territory according to RealClearPolling’s national average. This decline follows the longest government shutdown in history, which appears to be fueling public discontent, as evidenced by polls from various organizations. The shutdown has disrupted essential programs like SNAP, impacting millions and leading to accusations of weaponizing hunger. While lawmakers continue to seek a solution to end the shutdown, the president’s approval rating and Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections are at stake.
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Michigan Senate Democrats are proposing a three-bill package aimed at restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities within the state. The legislation seeks to prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks and conducting enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals, and schools, except under specific circumstances like a court order or imminent public safety threat. Additionally, the bills would prevent local and state police from sharing identifying information with ICE for immigration enforcement purposes without a warrant. While the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on the bills, a vote was not taken, and the package’s passage is uncertain given the Republican-controlled House. The sponsors believe these measures are crucial to protect resident privacy and ensure accountability.
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The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court’s order requiring the Trump administration to pay full SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans for November due to the ongoing government shutdown. This decision came after an appeals court denied the administration’s emergency request to halt the order, but it also said it would soon rule on whether the administration was entitled to a stay of the order. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s order pushed the appeals court to quickly determine whether to issue a stay, citing the administration’s need to transfer billions to fund SNAP benefits. This decision will be in effect for a maximum of 48 hours after the First Circuit’s resolution of the pending motion.
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Following the indictment, Smirnov revealed contact with high-ranking Russian officials, raising flight risk concerns. Despite a prior rejection, the DOJ’s initial attempt to release Smirnov pending appeal has sparked speculation about a potential pardon. Legal experts suggest this unusual move by the DOJ could indicate the Trump administration’s consideration of clemency. This is especially concerning given Smirnov’s alleged improper connections.
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The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to withhold approximately $4 billion needed to fully fund the food aid program, SNAP, for November. This action, a stay issued by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, gives a lower court more time to consider the administration’s request for partial funding, which was initially prompted by a judge’s order to fully fund the program. The administration argued that fully funding SNAP would cause “shutdown chaos”, while the judge accused the administration of withholding benefits for “political reasons” after the administration previously stated they would only provide $4.65 billion in emergency funding. The legal battle stemmed from the administration’s decision to provide only partial funding for SNAP amid the federal government shutdown.
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Disgraced former Congressman George Santos announced his intention to leave New York City following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral election victory. This statement came after Santos was pardoned and freed from jail by Donald Trump after a conviction for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His initial reaction to Mamdani’s win on social media was an expletive-laden rant against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Santos’s abrupt departure from NYC was met with mixed reactions from his followers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Michigan Considers Banning ICE Agents from Churches, Schools
Michigan Senate Democrats are proposing a three-bill package aimed at restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities within the state. The legislation seeks to prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks and conducting enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals, and schools, except under specific circumstances like a court order or imminent public safety threat. Additionally, the bills would prevent local and state police from sharing identifying information with ICE for immigration enforcement purposes without a warrant. While the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on the bills, a vote was not taken, and the package’s passage is uncertain given the Republican-controlled House. The sponsors believe these measures are crucial to protect resident privacy and ensure accountability.
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