Following Omar’s deportation, Parra Vargas, equipped with an electronic monitoring device, presented herself at an Austin processing center as instructed, believing she was pursuing asylum and a work permit. However, she and her three children, including two U.S. citizens, vanished into ICE custody. Grassroots Leadership’s attempts to locate the family were initially hampered by ICE’s refusal to provide information regarding their whereabouts. The organization’s legal team is actively working to find them.
Read More
Despite Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s warning of potential stagflation due to tariffs, Trump claims the opposite is occurring, citing decreased energy costs and inflation. Trump’s assertions directly contradict Powell’s concerns about rising inflation, slower growth, and increased unemployment resulting from the tariff policy. This stark disagreement highlights a significant tension between the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve regarding the economic impact of tariffs. Trump’s repeated attacks on Powell underscore the deep divisions over economic policy.
Read More
Following devastating storms and floods in Arkansas from April 2-22, Governor Sanders again requested a major disaster declaration from President Trump on May 3. This request, encompassing widespread flood damage, power outages affecting 25,000 households, and three fatalities, follows a previous denied request for aid related to March storms. The cumulative impact of numerous recent disasters in Arkansas has severely strained state resources and caused widespread disaster fatigue, necessitating federal individual and public assistance, hazard mitigation funds, and small business loans. The governor’s request highlights the compounding challenges faced by Arkansans in recovering from repeated natural disasters.
Read More
The Trump administration is employing state secrets privilege to block the release of information regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation to El Salvador and any efforts to return him to the United States. A judge ordered the administration to justify its claims of privilege and scheduled a hearing to determine their validity. The administration contends that fulfilling discovery requests would necessitate releasing classified documents. While the administration claims Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, his lawyers dispute this, asserting his innocence and the administrative nature of his deportation. The Supreme Court previously mandated the administration facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from Salvadoran custody.
Read More
In response to Donald Trump’s anticipated attendance at a June 11th Kennedy Center gala, at least ten Les Misérables cast members, including principal and ensemble roles, have chosen not to perform. This boycott follows other artists severing ties with the Kennedy Center since Trump assumed the chairmanship, reflecting broader cultural divisions. The musical holds personal significance for Trump, who previously used its soundtrack during his presidential campaigns. The event marks Trump’s official takeover of the Kennedy Center.
Read More
In Austin, Texas, Denisse Parra Vargas and her husband were detained by state troopers for an expired license plate and subsequently deported by ICE, despite their two youngest children being U.S. citizens. Ms. Parra Vargas, initially released with an ankle monitor, was later deported along with her children after a seemingly routine check-in appointment, during which she claims to have signed a document without fully understanding its implications. This incident follows similar cases where U.S. citizen children were deported with their parents, highlighting a concerning pattern of family separations and raising questions about due process and informed consent. Grassroots Leadership is pursuing legal action.
Read More
Following recent widespread flight delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport, President Trump blamed former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the air traffic control issues. These disruptions, attributed to staffing shortages, aging equipment, and runway closures, have prompted criticism from current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also criticized Buttigieg’s priorities. The FAA is responding with accelerated staffing and technology upgrades, while Governor Murphy cited decades of underinvestment in air traffic control infrastructure as a contributing factor. In response, the FAA is implementing measures to retain experienced controllers and expedite the hiring of new ones.
Read More
Republicans plan to campaign on the idea that Democrats will impeach President Trump if they win the 2026 midterms, believing voter fatigue on the issue will benefit them. However, recent polling data suggests this strategy may backfire, with a majority of voters, including a significant portion of Republicans, expressing support for impeaching Trump. This support is particularly strong among Democrats and Independents, potentially motivating their turnout. The midterms are expected to be closely contested, with a handful of swing districts likely deciding the outcome.
Read More
A preliminary agreement on a US-UK trade deal is expected to be announced by President Trump. This “heads of terms” agreement represents a significant step toward a full trade deal, according to a government source. The announcement, scheduled for Thursday, follows recent meetings between senior Trump officials and UK representatives. The deal is anticipated to address tariffs on steel and cars, and this news has already caused a rise in the value of the British pound.
Read More
Former President Trump will host two lucrative cryptocurrency dinners, one costing $1.5 million per attendee, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. These events coincide with Trump’s promotion of cryptocurrencies and his stated goal of making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world,” despite criticisms that he profits from policies he advocates. Groups like State Democracy Defenders Action and Accountable.US have voiced strong concerns about the ethical implications of Trump’s actions, citing a potentially corrupt self-enrichment scheme. The value of Trump’s memecoin, $Trump, has surged since the dinner announcements.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker