Nearly 73 million Americans voted for Donald Trump despite his well-documented racism, misogyny, and endorsement of white supremacy. While a single vote’s impact on an election outcome is minimal, voting constitutes a moral communication of values and acceptable policies. Therefore, all Trump voters, regardless of their specific motivations, bear some responsibility for the potential harms stemming from his policies, as their vote implicitly endorsed those policies and the resulting harm to vulnerable groups. This responsibility stems not solely from the causal impact of the vote, but from the moral implications of participating in a collective action with potentially harmful consequences. The level of responsibility may vary depending on individual motivations, but complicity exists nonetheless.
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Donald Trump plans to utilize emergency powers and the military for mass deportations, a key promise of his 2024 campaign. This extreme measure, while facing anticipated legal challenges, benefits from a more conservative Supreme Court and a judiciary increasingly filled with Trump appointees. The plan aims to deport individuals regardless of criminal history, potentially impacting legal residents as well, through measures like ending birthright citizenship. Despite logistical hurdles, Trump’s past actions suggest a willingness to implement such drastic, controversial policies.
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The Biden administration finalized a $6.6 billion award to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for its Arizona semiconductor fabrication plants, a crucial investment for U.S. economic and national security. This funding, derived from the CHIPS and Science Act, supports TSMC’s $65 billion investment creating thousands of jobs and boosting domestic chip production. The award’s timing, just days before the election of President Trump, who opposes the deal, was emphasized by officials to ensure the project’s continuation. The funding is contingent upon TSMC meeting construction and production milestones, solidifying a commitment to bolstering the U.S. semiconductor industry.
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UnidosUS’s new report, based on a 3,750-voter exit poll, indicates 62% of Hispanic voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, contradicting earlier polls suggesting stronger Trump support among Latinos. The discrepancy is attributed to improved sampling and interviewing techniques, specifically utilizing multiple languages and a larger, more representative sample size of Hispanic subgroups. Economic concerns, such as inflation and job security, were identified as key factors influencing Hispanic voting patterns. Finally, the report concludes that Latino voters did not significantly impact the election’s outcome.
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Following a 60 Minutes broadcast criticizing several of President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees for lacking qualifications beyond loyalty, his spokesperson Steven Cheung denounced the show as “unhinged” and exhibiting “disgusting bias.” Cheung cited the segment’s discussion of nominees with past controversies, including allegations of misconduct against Matt Gaetz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance on vaccinations. This prompted Cheung to reiterate Trump’s prior refusal of a 60 Minutes interview, framing the network’s reporting as out of touch with his voters. In contrast, Trump’s press secretary nominee defended the appointments, asserting they reflect the president’s mandate and prioritization of “America First.”
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CBS’s 60 Minutes aired a segment critically analyzing Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees, highlighting their lack of qualifications and past controversies. Host Scott Pelley detailed the questionable backgrounds of individuals nominated for key positions, including their alleged lack of government experience and involvement in past investigations. This segment prompted a strong backlash from Trump supporters and allies, who accused 60 Minutes of exhibiting bias and spreading propaganda. Prominent figures like Steven Cheung and Elon Musk condemned the report, while others questioned its legitimacy.
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President-elect Trump plans to declare a national emergency to deport illegal immigrants upon taking office, utilizing military assets for this unprecedented mass deportation. While the Posse Comitatus Act restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement, the National Guard could potentially be deployed for support roles, such as transportation or surveillance. Legal experts suggest various ways the military could assist ICE without directly detaining migrants, focusing on logistical support and infrastructure. This plan, however, faces legal challenges and potential public backlash.
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President Biden’s historic visit to the Amazon rainforest underscored his administration’s commitment to combating climate change, a key policy focus throughout his presidency. He announced increased climate finance, reaching over $11 billion annually, and the designation of a new International Conservation Day, alongside new conservation initiatives including a $50 million contribution to the Amazon Fund. This visit, coupled with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, demonstrates the administration’s efforts to balance environmental protection with economic growth. The President emphasized the irreversible nature of the clean energy transition, urging future leaders to build upon the established foundation.
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The surfacing of two oarfish in California this year, a rare event interpreted in Japanese legend as a harbinger of disaster, coincides with unsettling news. Simultaneously, a Trump transition team reportedly plans to investigate and potentially criminally charge military leaders involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal. Adding to the unease, the selection of Chris Wright, a climate change skeptic, as Energy Secretary and Brendan Carr, an opponent of broadband expansion, as FCC chairman, further exacerbates concerns. These events, coupled with the oarfish sightings, suggest a confluence of ominous developments.
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In his Project 2025 policy proposal, FCC Commissioner Carr advocated for curbing Big Tech censorship, proposing that content moderation be limited to illegal material, thereby empowering users to select their preferred content filters. This approach aligns with the actions of Elon Musk at X (formerly Twitter), creating an environment receptive to conservative viewpoints. Furthermore, Carr urged a TikTok ban unless ByteDance divested its U.S. operations, citing national security concerns related to the flow of information. These proposals represent a significant shift towards deregulation and user control over online content.
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John Q. Hosedrinker