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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In a recent CNN interview, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller claimed the U.S. has never tolerated “unlawful riotous assemblies” at federal buildings, drawing immediate criticism. Critics pointed out that the Trump administration had pardoned over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This contradiction emerged amidst debates over the deployment of federal agents in Portland, Oregon, where local officials dispute the extent of violence compared to the administration’s claims. A federal judge, in a ruling against the Trump administration’s actions in Portland, agreed that the president had overstepped his authority.
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Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying the swearing-in of Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva until Democrats agree to end the government shutdown. A leadership aide stated this is due to the chamber’s legislative session. Johnson previously swore in other Republican representatives during pro forma sessions, but has not done so for Grijalva. Grijalva’s potential role in forcing a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files has fueled speculation for the delay, which Johnson denies is related.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing scrutiny for delaying the swearing-in of Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, whose signature would trigger a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Johnson claimed the delay was due to the House being in a “pro forma” session, despite having sworn in Republican members during similar sessions. This explanation was challenged by reporters, who noted that Grijalva’s signature would be the 218th on a petition to force a vote on the Epstein files, which Johnson and Donald Trump oppose. Grijalva expressed concern about the precedent the delay sets, and both Democrats and Republicans have called for the files’ release.
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John Q. Hosedrinker