This holiday season, many Americans are struggling to feel celebratory due to the negative impact of the Trump administration’s policies. The article aims to amplify the voices of those affected and ensure their experiences are acknowledged. Readers are encouraged to help hold the administration accountable for its decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The article raises concerns regarding the potential for widespread lawlessness within the Trump administration, particularly in light of allegations against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth involving potentially illegal “kill orders.” Should these allegations prove true, they would be a clear violation of federal law, but the author suggests Hegseth may be protected by a presidential pardon, due to Trump’s history of pardoning allies. The author emphasizes that without consequences, there is little incentive for those within the administration to adhere to legal and ethical standards, especially given the historical context of prior presidential pardons and a hyper-partisan climate. The author concludes that the pardon power itself should be amended or eliminated.
The Honduran election has resulted in a very close contest, requiring an extended vote count by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Preliminary results show a narrow lead for Asfura over Nasralla. CNE head Ana Paola Hall has urged patience while the special counting process is completed. Accusations of external interference have surfaced, including claims that former U.S. President Trump is attempting to influence the outcome.
President Donald Trump recently pardoned Joseph Schwartz, the operator of a multi-state nursing home chain who was convicted of a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme. Despite being sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay fines and restitution, Schwartz will now be freed after serving only three months. Schwartz’s actions involved running several Arkansas nursing homes into the ground, resulting in poor care for vulnerable residents and state takeovers of two homes. This pardon has drawn criticism, particularly from Arkansas officials like Attorney General Tim Griffin, who previously condemned Schwartz’s exploitation of Arkansans and Medicaid fraud.
A Colombian family has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) alleging that Alejandro Carranza Medina was unlawfully killed in a US airstrike on September 15th. The complaint marks the first formal challenge to the Trump administration’s airstrikes against suspected drug boats, authorized under a novel legal interpretation. The petition, filed by a human rights lawyer, identifies US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as responsible and cites statements by President Trump ratifying the actions. A White House spokesperson responded by accusing media of supporting “foreign terrorists.”
Following Costco’s lawsuit against the Trump administration to recoup tariff payments, some prominent MAGA figures are calling for a boycott of the big-box store. These influencers are citing the company’s lawsuit and its earlier stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion as reasons for the boycott. Supporters are encouraged to move their business to Walmart. Costco, which is known for its $1.50 hot dog combo, has stated that they have been working to mitigate the impact of tariffs on consumers.
John Q. Hosedrinker