In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump announced the termination of trade discussions with Canada on Friday, citing Canada’s implementation of a digital services tax on tech companies. Trump stated that the tax, which is retroactive to 2022 and due to be paid beginning June 30, was a direct attack on the United States. This announcement came shortly after a period of relative calm in trade announcements. In response, Canada retaliated by imposing quotas on some steel imports and a surcharge on imports exceeding those quotas.
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The U.S. Senate voted against a war powers resolution that would have restricted President Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks on Iran, with the vote largely along party lines. The resolution, proposed by Senator Tim Kaine, aimed to prevent offensive measures while preserving the ability to defend U.S. forces, drawing support from most Democrats but facing opposition from Republicans, except for Senator Rand Paul. This measure faced criticism for potentially hindering the defense of Israel, despite amendments addressing this concern. The resolution’s failure highlighted divisions within the Democratic caucus, with some members supporting military action and others advocating for a stronger anti-war stance.
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During an interview, Senator Tommy Tuberville expressed concern about the leadership in major American cities, deeming it “godawful.” He advocated for President Trump to defund these cities, particularly those with “sanctuary” policies, citing the federal debt. Tuberville characterized individuals in these urban areas as “rats” living off the government and called for their deportation. He also made controversial comments about urban dwellers potentially relocating to Alabama. Additionally, Tuberville expressed views on mass migration and radical Islamic terrorism, comparing certain American cities to European cities he believes are negatively impacted.
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Immigrant rights advocates swiftly filed a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. This action was taken in direct response to a Supreme Court decision limiting nationwide injunctions against the order. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and other groups, alleges the administration is violating the Constitution, congressional intent, and Supreme Court precedent, seeking protections for affected babies and their parents. Constitutional experts and Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling and predicted the action of public interest groups would be to file a nationwide class action suit. This legal strategy follows the Supreme Court leaving the door open to other avenues to challenge the administration.
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A Florida man from a Trump-supporting Latino family, now facing deportation, expressed surprise at the breadth of the administration’s immigration enforcement, believing only criminals would be targeted. This sentiment reflects a growing concern among Latino voters who supported Trump, as individuals without criminal records are being detained. Despite promises of focusing on criminals, the administration’s policies have led to the detention of many, impacting families and businesses. This has prompted criticism from within the Republican party, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of the administration’s stance on immigration.
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University of Virginia President James E. Ryan has resigned following pressure from the Trump administration amid a Justice Department investigation into the school’s diversity practices. The Justice Department demanded Ryan’s resignation due to the university’s perceived failure to dismantle its DEI initiatives, prompting the board’s acceptance of his resignation. Ryan’s departure comes after the university’s Board of Visitors voted to end its DEI office, a move praised by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. His resignation is viewed as a potential disruption for higher education, raising concerns about governmental overreach and its implications for institutional autonomy.
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Harrisburg officials convened Thursday to finalize a “permanent and humane plan” addressing the city’s homeless population. This plan, in development for months, is intended as a key part of the city’s broader solution. Although specific details remain confidential, authorities anticipate implementation by the end of summer. The city’s unhoused community has been a long-standing concern, particularly given the upcoming displacement of residents at the South Front Street encampment due to the I-83 expansion project.
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During a recent press conference, President Trump was criticized for misstating the end date of the Civil War while discussing birthright citizenship. He incorrectly cited 1869 as the war’s conclusion, sparking widespread online mockery. This gaffe led users to question his knowledge of American history and ability to pass a citizenship test, especially as he advocated against birthright citizenship, a concept rooted in the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court’s ruling could impact who qualifies for automatic citizenship based on birth within the United States.
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Following recent military actions, President Trump stated that Iran must allow international inspections to verify its nuclear program, and that the United States is open to talks next week. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has indicated that the possibility of new negotiations is complicated by the recent American attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, which caused “serious damage”. The U.S. and Israel have both claimed to have severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though the extent of the damage and the future of inspections remains uncertain. Iran has yet to decide whether to allow IAEA inspectors to assess the damage.
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The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision restricting federal judges’ ability to issue universal injunctions, impacting cases like those challenging President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. This ruling, split along ideological lines, enables the Trump administration to advance its policies and reinforces claims of judicial overreach. The case involved nationwide injunctions used to halt the order’s enforcement while lawsuits progressed. Ultimately, the court determined that universal injunctions likely surpass the authority granted to federal courts by Congress.
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John Q. Hosedrinker