Politics

ICE Abducts Father, Separates and “Disappears” Child: Outrage and Calls for Action

On November 26th, ICE agents arrested a Chinese father, Fei, and his 6-year-old son, Yuanxin, at a check-in at 26 Federal Plaza. The father was subsequently sent to an Orange County Jail, while the son’s whereabouts remain unknown. Advocates reported the separation occurred after the family was detained, with the father stating he was not informed of his son’s destination. The incident is part of a growing trend, with data revealing an increase in child arrests by ICE, including other families being apprehended at check-ins.

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Mamdani Aims to Make NYC LGBTQ+ Sanctuary: Details Plans

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, campaigned on a platform that included strong support for the LGBTQ+ community. Mamdani’s policies aim to protect queer and trans individuals amid a challenging political climate. Key initiatives include expanding access to gender-affirming care by investing $65 million in public providers and holding private entities accountable. Furthermore, the administration plans to establish New York City as an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city and create an Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs to address the community’s unique needs through focused initiatives.

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Hegseth’s Reaction to Boat Strike Inquiry: Panic and Implication

In his book, Hegseth recounts an instance where he directly contradicted military briefings, instructing his platoon to engage and eliminate any perceived threats, disregarding what he deemed as “bullshit rules.” The article highlights Hegseth’s disdain for regulations, as seen in his criticism of rules he felt were arbitrarily enforced, potentially endangering soldiers for the sake of international approval. Hegseth often lauded his commander, Colonel Michael Steele, who later faced reprimand for reportedly issuing orders to eliminate all military-aged males during a raid.

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Obama Urges Older Leaders to Trust Young Activists and Lawmakers

Despite the erosion of his legacy and progressive setbacks, former President Barack Obama remains optimistic about the future of the United States. Speaking at Crystal Bridges Museum, Obama expressed his belief that the next generation of lawmakers holds the key to solving the nation’s current problems, urging the older generation to step aside. He acknowledged the increased division and instability within the country, noting the challenges to the legitimacy of elections and the difficulty of bipartisan cooperation in the current political climate. Obama suggests that structural issues disincentivize collaboration, making compromise a difficult proposition for lawmakers.

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Colombia Rejects Trump’s Threat of Aggression, Fuels War Concerns

Following President Trump’s declaration that military action was possible in Colombia due to drug trafficking, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected any threats of aggression. Trump’s remarks, made during a Cabinet meeting, specifically targeted Colombia, citing its cocaine production, and came amid increasing tensions and potential military action against Venezuela. Colombia has condemned U.S. military strikes in the region, leading to a breakdown in intelligence cooperation and a formal complaint from the family of a Colombian national killed in a U.S. strike. The U.S. is expected to continue its strikes despite international criticism, which may lead to increased scrutiny.

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Trump’s Loyalty Overrides Global Message: No Hegseth Firing Expected

The central issue revolves around Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and allegations of war crimes, specifically concerning the killing of Venezuelan boat crews. Hegseth is accused of ordering the deaths of those aboard these vessels, with the most damning claim being the order to “kill them all.” Military experts are questioning the legality of these actions, as well as President Trump’s stance on them, particularly concerning the apparent indifference towards the laws of war, and any potential consequences that may arise. Trump’s handling of the situation and whether Hegseth is fired, or worse, indicted, could have far-reaching effects on military morale and civil-military relations, potentially emboldening violations of the law.

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Trump Pardon of Drug Trafficker: Republicans Feign Confusion

President Trump’s pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of drug trafficking, has drawn criticism from within his own party. Several Republican senators expressed confusion and concern, citing the mixed message sent by pardoning a convicted drug trafficker while also threatening action against drug trafficking in Venezuela. Some lawmakers, such as Senator Rand Paul, questioned the logic and potential consequences of the pardon, considering Hernandez’s role in facilitating the movement of hundreds of tons of cocaine. Trump’s recent pardons, including those of individuals convicted of financial crimes and January 6th rioters, have reignited debate about the scope of presidential pardon power, with some calling for constitutional amendments to limit its application.

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House Republican Moves to Force Vote on Congressional Stock Ban

Representative Anna Paulina Luna initiated a discharge petition to force a House vote on banning lawmakers and their spouses from trading individual stocks, circumventing Republican leadership. This move follows accusations of slow-walking the stock ban proposal and attempting to weaken the legislation, which has broad bipartisan support. The underlying bill, led by Representative Tim Burchett, seeks to prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents from engaging in individual stock trading. This marks the third discharge petition filed by a Republican this year, reflecting a growing trend of bypassing leadership on key legislative matters.

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Trump Claims Sharpness, Then Appears To Doze Off: The Irony

During a recent Cabinet meeting, Donald Trump, despite claiming to be sharper than he was 25 years ago, appeared to repeatedly doze off while his Cabinet members praised him. This apparent drowsiness was particularly evident during the remarks of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Trump’s eyes closing for extended periods. This behavior stands in stark contrast to Trump’s past criticisms of “Sleepy Joe” Biden for appearing tired, with Trump previously labeling such actions as a sign of a president’s lack of stamina. Despite the White House’s attempts to downplay the incident, such occurrences are becoming more frequent, raising questions about the standards Trump has set for the presidency.

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