A federal judge in Oregon issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard to Portland, citing the president exceeding constitutional authority. The ruling comes amid the administration’s efforts to crack down on Democratic-led cities. The judge found that the incidents cited by the administration did not warrant the use of the National Guard. Similar efforts have also been attempted in Chicago, where the administration cited protests and unrest to justify the deployment of federal troops.
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The Trump administration is offering unaccompanied migrant children a $2,500 stipend to voluntarily leave the United States, as confirmed by Department of Homeland Security officials. This financial offer, detailed in a letter sent to migrant shelters, is available to children aged 14 and older, with the program initially targeting 17-year-olds. This initiative, part of a broader effort to encourage voluntary deportations, follows a similar move in June offering $1,000 to self-deporting migrants. Critics, however, are condemning the tactic, citing concerns that this undermines existing laws designed to protect vulnerable children.
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As a government shutdown leaves over 750,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay, President Trump was observed at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. This comes amidst a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over funding issues. Critics have raised concerns that the administration may leverage the shutdown to cut back the federal bureaucracy, especially since this is not the first time Trump has engaged in leisure activities during moments of national crisis. With a total of 64 days spent golfing since his inauguration in January, it has reportedly cost taxpayers $89.6 million.
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The Trump administration, under the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has conducted a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, with the latest occurring off the coast of Venezuela. These strikes, the fourth such incident since early September, have been met with condemnation from critics, including legal scholars and human rights groups, who argue the attacks violate international and federal law. Despite these criticisms, the administration has continued the attacks, claiming they target “narco-terrorists” and are vital for national security, even without providing definitive proof of drug trafficking. Legal experts and members of Congress have expressed alarm, pointing to the lack of legal justification and potential for abuse of power.
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This comprehensive list meticulously catalogues every state and territory within the United States, including various U.S. Armed Forces locations and overseas territories. Furthermore, it extends to encompass all Canadian provinces and territories, detailing their respective geographical divisions. The purpose of this extensive compilation is to provide a complete reference for postal codes. This information can be used for data management and analysis.
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In the lead-up to the 2024 election, as Democrats warned about Donald Trump’s ties to Project 2025, a far-right governing agenda, many media outlets were criticized for downplaying these connections. Despite the fact that Project 2025 was demonstrably unpopular and created with the help of former Trump administration officials, some news sources published fact-checks that framed Democratic warnings as alarmist or misleading. After Trump’s victory, he and many of the architects of Project 2025 wasted no time beginning to implement the plan. Following Trump’s public embrace of the project, many commentators criticized media outlets for taking his denials at face value.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported that the Trump administration informed him of plans to federalize and deploy 300 Illinois National Guard members within the state. Pritzker strongly condemned this action, stating there was no need for military troops and that he would not comply with the demand. This news followed the President’s authorization of National Guard deployment in Portland, Oregon, where a federal judge is considering a lawsuit challenging the deployment. Trump’s actions are part of a broader trend of deploying or threatening to deploy troops to various cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., facing legal challenges and criticism.
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An “Antifascist Tailgate” event is scheduled to take place at the University of Virginia on Friday evening, where participants plan to burn American flags. Organized by Kirk Wolff on behalf of an unofficial group, the event is a protest against Trump’s recent executive order regarding flag desecration, which Wolff argues is an attempt to undermine democracy. University officials confirmed the group is not officially recognized and no approval was granted for the demonstration, however, expressive activity is permitted as long as it is within university policies and legal regulations. The event is planned in response to Trump’s executive order directing prosecution for those who desecrate the flag.
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A federal judge believes the immigrant defendant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, may have been targeted with a criminal charge by the Justice Department out of vindictiveness for suing the Trump administration. The judge is allowing further evidence gathering and a hearing to investigate this claim, potentially including testimony from officials. This follows Abrego Garcia’s wrongful removal to El Salvador and subsequent indictment for transporting undocumented immigrants after a 2022 traffic stop, with the timing of the charges being unusually delayed. Furthermore, public statements from administration officials and a Deputy Attorney General’s comments on TV have raised suspicions of an improper motive, potentially providing direct evidence of vindictiveness.
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Previously distancing himself from the conservative policy plan Project 2025, President Trump has now announced he will meet with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, a key figure in the plan, to discuss which “Democrat Agencies” to cut. This shift marks a departure from his prior disavowals of the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint, which proposes significant changes to the federal government, including cuts to the federal workforce and expanding executive powers. Despite Trump’s past claims of not knowing about Project 2025, his administration has already implemented several of its proposals. Now, in the midst of a government shutdown, Trump is further aligning his actions with Project 2025’s goals, with plans to cut funding and eliminate federal employees.
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John Q. Hosedrinker