President Trump recently boasted about utilizing tariffs as a foreign policy tool, neglecting to acknowledge that this power constitutionally belongs to Congress. Furthermore, the White House plans to use tariff revenue to fund the WIC program during the government shutdown, although the legality of this action remains unclear. This approach raises concerns as it allows the president to circumvent Congress’s “power of the purse” by unilaterally allocating funds without legislative approval. While the intention to support low-income families is positive, the underlying constitutional violation of presidential authority presents a significant problem.
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Recent polls reveal a significant decline in President Trump’s approval ratings, with only 40 percent of Americans holding a favorable view, particularly following his controversial statements about deploying the National Guard. The Reuters/Ipsos poll also indicates that a majority of Americans do not support the president’s ability to deploy federal troops into states without the governor’s consent. This comes amidst Trump’s threats to invoke the Insurrection Act and send troops into various cities, leading to clashes with state governors and accusations of politicizing the military. Despite these challenges, the president has continued to promote alternative polls, although their accuracy is disputed.
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During a CNN interview, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller raised questions when he stated that President Trump had “plenary authority” concerning the deployment of the National Guard in Oregon before abruptly cutting himself off. “Plenary authority” implies absolute power, conflicting with the U.S. system of separation of powers and checks and balances. Miller’s comment, and subsequent silence, came amid discussion of a legal challenge to the administration’s use of the National Guard, and comparisons to authoritarian rule. The incident led to speculation about the implications of the comment and whether Miller realized the ramifications of his words.
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Former President Donald Trump took to social media to call for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect ICE agents, without providing any evidence. These remarks came amid legal challenges from state and local officials regarding the deployment of National Guard units to Chicago. The lawsuit alleges the president’s actions are “unlawful and dangerous,” while the White House defends the deployment as part of a crime crackdown. Both Johnson and Pritzker have responded critically, with Pritzker denouncing the call as authoritarian.
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Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to allegations of lying to Congress five years ago, initiating a legal battle that is expected to involve motions to dismiss the indictment. The indictment followed public pressure from President Trump on Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey, as well as the appointment of a new prosecutor to file charges. The two-count indictment accuses Comey of making a false statement and obstructing a congressional proceeding, though the evidence and specific information discussed with the media are unclear. The case has brought attention to the Justice Department’s targeting of Trump’s adversaries and its impact on the long-broken relationship between Trump and Comey.
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During a CNN interview, White House aide Stephen Miller paused mid-sentence while discussing the President’s authority to deploy National Guard troops, leading to speculation of a technical glitch or a deliberate stop. Miller’s use of the term “plenary authority” sparked controversy, as it suggests the president has broad, potentially limitless power. Despite the on-air issue, the interview resumed with Miller re-asserting the President’s authority under Title 10 of the U.S. Code to deploy federal resources, though he emphasized the administration would abide by the judge’s ruling. This incident raised questions and drew criticism, particularly concerning the scope of executive power in domestic troop deployments.
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In recent developments, prominent Democratic figures have publicly questioned President Donald Trump’s cognitive health. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona both accused Trump of suffering from dementia, citing his actions and statements as evidence. Pritzker specifically criticized the President’s decisions and actions, suggesting that he is “out of his mind”. Further, several other Democrats have raised similar concerns, with some describing Trump as “unhinged” and others questioning his fitness to serve.
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Republican State Rep. Josh Schriver, who has been leading a campaign to ban pornography in Michigan, appears to have had an account on the pornographic hook-up website Fling.com, according to records obtained by the *Metro Times*. The account, linked to Schriver’s personal AOL email address, was included in a data breach and indicated sexual interests. Despite Schriver denying the authenticity of the records, extensive cybersecurity data, including the same email and password appearing in other breaches linked to his personal accounts, contradicts his claim. The proposed pornography ban would outlaw all online pornography, including depictions or descriptions of transgender people, with severe penalties for distribution.
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In the Fairbanks mayoral election, Democrat Mindy O’Neall defeated Republican incumbent David Pruhs. Unofficial results showed O’Neall securing 54% of the vote compared to Pruhs’ 45.7%. Pruhs conceded, citing low voter turnout and strong support for O’Neall from the Alaska Democratic Party as contributing factors to his loss. The election marks a shift as Republicans had held the mayoralty for nearly a decade, with O’Neall’s victory signaling a change in leadership for the city.
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During a CNN interview, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller reportedly claimed President Trump had “plenary authority” regarding the deployment of the National Guard. This statement, which suggests the president has absolute control, was made while discussing the administration’s response to court orders concerning the National Guard in Portland, Oregon. The comment was then followed by an apparent pause and omission of the word “plenary” in a later response. This assertion of broad presidential power has generated controversy, given the historical reluctance to involve the federal military in civilian affairs and the legal checks and balances in the US government.
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John Q. Hosedrinker