The US State Department revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa following his remarks at a protest in New York City, where he urged US soldiers to disobey orders, and after he criticized former US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly. The State Department cited Petro’s “reckless and incendiary actions,” alleging he incited violence. Petro condemned the move, asserting it violated the immunity afforded to heads of state during UN proceedings, and questioned the US’s compliance with international law. Experts and officials also criticized the decision, with some suggesting it undermines the UN’s viability and potentially violates the 1947 Headquarters Agreement.
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In response to a recent AI-generated video posted by Donald Trump promoting “Medbeds,” a QAnon conspiracy theory, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the former president. The video, which was up for approximately twelve hours before being removed, featured a fabricated Fox News segment with an AI-generated clip of Trump. Newsom also highlighted Trump’s actions, including potentially shutting down the government and removing healthcare from millions. This incident occurred after Newsom himself used AI to counter a narrative about the government shutdown.
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In response to President Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a federal lawsuit on Sunday seeking to block the move. The lawsuit, filed in the name of the State of Oregon and City of Portland, argues that the deployment infringes on state and local sovereignty and violates federal law. The state and city maintain that the use of troops is unwarranted, especially given the limited size of recent protests, and they believe that the troops will escalate tensions and disrupt local law enforcement’s ability to manage the situation. The state will be seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent troop arrival.
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President Donald Trump authorized the Secretary of Defense to federalize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard for 60 days to protect federal property, citing potential protests. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield condemned the move as an abuse of power, arguing that the President lacks the authority to federalize the guard under Title 10 of the United States Code, as no invasion or rebellion exists. The state swiftly filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to block the deployment, as the situation in Portland is being managed by local police, and the state officials believe the federalization is unnecessary and unlawful. This action mirrors a similar situation in California, and Oregon officials express concerns over the lack of details about the deployment plans and the President’s view of the state’s condition.
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Former “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush has hinted at the existence of additional, potentially damaging recordings of Donald Trump, stored in a vault in Idaho. These unreleased tapes are believed to be outtakes from Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” produced by Mark Burnett. Bush’s comments come after the 2016 release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, which featured Trump making vulgar remarks and led to significant political fallout. The existence and content of these alleged recordings remain unconfirmed.
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President Trump indicated he may reconsider sending troops to Portland to protect ICE facilities, claiming they are “under attack.” In a Sunday interview, he mentioned conversations with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who suggested the situation on the ground differs from his perception, and Mayor Keith Wilson, who stated no intervention is needed. Although Trump has described Portland as a hotbed of insurrection, officials in the state have indicated that they can handle public safety without military assistance. Despite these recent statements, the administration is still deciding.
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The President is escalating tensions by threatening military occupation in Portland, Oregon, framing protesters as “domestic terrorists” despite their constitutional rights to protest ICE tactics. This move, coupled with the deployment of a Joint Terrorism Task Force in Illinois, suggests an intent to use anti-sedition laws against those opposing the administration’s policies. Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is leading this effort, targeting prominent Democrats and potentially organizations like Open Society Foundations. The administration’s actions reflect a broader pattern of retribution, with investigations targeting Trump’s perceived enemies and a willingness to use legal means to silence dissent.
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Mayor Eric Adams ended his reelection campaign, citing “constant media speculation” and a lack of public funding after a year marred by scandal and political turmoil. Despite highlighting his achievements, including a drop in violent crime, Adams warned of “insidious forces” seeking to dismantle the city’s systems. His departure could potentially benefit former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has positioned himself as a centrist alternative to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, though the impact of this shift remains uncertain. Republican Curtis Sliwa also remains in the race, despite being undermined by his own party.
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Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb criticized the indictment of James Comey, stating that re-electing Trump would be a significant mistake. Cobb believes the indictment is retribution for Comey investigating Trump’s alleged ties to Russia and an attempt to rewrite history, particularly concerning the events surrounding the 2016 election and the January 6th insurrection. Cobb noted that the indictment, which stems from Comey’s alleged perjury in a 2020 Senate hearing, is likely dead in the water due to Trump’s public interference and meddling. Cobb, who served in the White House during the Russiagate investigation, has become an outspoken critic of the former president.
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President Trump is scheduled to attend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming meeting with U.S. generals at Quantico, Virginia, adding increased scrutiny to the already controversial gathering. The meeting, which will cost millions, has been criticized as a potential photo-op and possible attempt to exert influence over the military. Concerns have been raised about the administration’s motives, with some fearing the meeting could serve as a loyalty test or a means of shaping the military to the administration’s image, especially with Trump’s focus on cultural changes within the military. Trump stated his intention is simply to praise the military’s performance and boost morale.
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John Q. Hosedrinker