Professor Will Greaves advocates for Canada to block the appointment of Donald Trump’s chosen ambassador until the U.S. President ceases his challenges to Canadian sovereignty. This action, denying Trump a “plum patronage appointment,” would signal the seriousness with which Canada views Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and policies threatening annexation through economic coercion. Greaves argues this is a justifiable response comparable to actions taken against other countries exhibiting similar behavior, and a necessary step in protecting Canadian sovereignty, even if it incurs retaliation from the U.S. He further suggests barring Trump from the G7 summit as another potential measure.
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Donald Trump’s recent interview with Bret Baier reveals a profound detachment from reality, bolstering the theory that his pronouncements stem from delusion rather than calculated lies. His unsubstantiated claims regarding election fraud, USAID, and economic policies demonstrate a consistent disregard for facts and evidence. Further, his serious proposals for annexing Canada and “taking over” Gaza, complete with unrealistic plans for displacement and American ownership, underscore a dangerous level of detachment from reality. This behavior, including threats against allies and reliance on demonstrably false economic principles, indicates a dangerous level of delusion rather than strategic deception.
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Two lawsuits filed within a week challenge President Trump’s dismissals of Biden-appointed officials. Hampton Dellinger, the former head of the Office of Special Counsel, and Gwynne A. Wilcox, a former National Labor Relations Board employee, allege unlawful termination, citing violations of established removal procedures and a century of legal precedent protecting independent agency officials. Both lawsuits contend that the dismissals were politically motivated and without proper cause. The plaintiffs argue these actions undermine the independence of crucial government agencies and jeopardize their ability to fulfill their statutory mandates.
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Internal divisions within the Republican Party threaten President Trump’s legislative agenda, as evidenced by a contentious budget debate. The House Freedom Caucus proposed a two-bill approach featuring significant spending cuts and increased border security funding, contrasting with Speaker Johnson’s single-bill plan. This disagreement highlights a struggle between prioritizing aggressive, wide-reaching changes versus phased policy implementation. Key figures like Speaker Johnson and Senator Graham advocate for a single comprehensive bill, while the Freedom Caucus champions a more incremental strategy. The narrow Republican majorities in both congressional chambers further complicate the process, making compromise crucial for the President’s fiscal goals.
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With less than two weeks until Germany’s national election, Die Linke (The Left party) has seen a surge in membership, reaching a record high of 81,200. This influx of nearly 23,500 new members since the start of the year is attributed to growing anxieties over a perceived rightward shift in German politics. The new members are notably younger and more female, potentially broadening the party’s appeal. This significant increase fuels hopes of surpassing the 5 percent threshold required for Bundestag representation.
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Governor Newsom approved a $50 million allocation to counter anticipated legal challenges from the Trump administration. This funding will bolster the state Department of Justice’s efforts to defend California’s policies and provide legal aid to immigrants facing deportation. The allocation follows a pattern of legal battles between California and the federal government during Trump’s previous term. Republican lawmakers have criticized the spending, viewing it as a political distraction from pressing issues like wildfire recovery. Despite this criticism, Newsom clarified the funding’s intent, emphasizing its focus on protecting vulnerable residents’ civil rights.
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Early in President Trump’s term, a shift in Democratic sentiment reveals growing preference for congressional opposition to his administration, particularly among liberal Democrats. While Republicans largely support Trump, a significant portion still believe congressional Republicans should offer pushback when disagreements arise. However, a considerable number of Republicans, particularly those identifying with the MAGA movement, desire unwavering support for the President’s agenda. This evolving dynamic is based on a CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,175 U.S. adults from February 5-7, 2025.
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Facing 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, Canada now confronts the potential for 50-100% tariffs on Canadian-made cars, a threat issued by President Trump. Trump claims Canada “stole” the auto industry from the U.S., ignoring the decades-long Auto Pact and subsequent NAFTA/CUSMA agreements that fostered integrated manufacturing. These new tariffs aim to bolster the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and are met with Canadian efforts to negotiate a resolution. The situation underscores the strained relationship and potential for significant economic disruption.
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Facing 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, Canada now confronts the potential for 50-100% tariffs on Canadian-made cars, a move President Trump justified by claiming Canada “stole” the auto industry. This follows the removal of auto tariffs under the Auto Pact (1965) and NAFTA (1994), replaced by CUSMA in 2018. Trump’s action aims to bolster the U.S. steel and aluminum sectors, while Canadian officials are working to mitigate the damaging effects of these tariffs. The deeply integrated automotive sectors of both countries are at risk.
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President Trump’s decision to expand steel and aluminum tariffs to all imports nullifies previous exemptions granted to the EU, UK, Japan, and other nations. This action, lauded by Trump as a step towards economic revitalization, rekindles trade tensions previously eased through negotiated suspensions. The EU, while not immediately retaliating, expressed concern over the potentially negative economic consequences for both the US and the global economy. The move is anticipated to spark further trade negotiations between the US and its affected allies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker