Peter Navarro, a former trade advisor to President Trump, asserts that the UK’s engagement with China makes it a “compliant servant” vulnerable to economic exploitation. He warns of China redirecting trade previously destined for the US to the UK, potentially overwhelming British markets. Navarro emphasizes the need for vigilance against Chinese investment and “gifts” designed to exert soft power, urging the UK to avoid becoming a dumping ground for Chinese goods. He contrasts this with ongoing, albeit swift, UK-US trade negotiations aimed at mitigating the impact of US tariffs. These negotiations are intended to secure a more favorable trade deal for the UK amidst rising US-China tensions.
Read More
In the wake of a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump launched a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging election interference due to perceived selective editing of Harris’s remarks on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This claim, amplified by Trump and his allies, escalated to demands for CBS’s broadcasting license revocation. Furthermore, Trump accused The New York Times of tortious interference for quoting those who dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. The controversy centers on differing versions of a short answer given by Harris, aired across multiple CBS broadcasts.
Read More
Harvard faculty members are pledging 10% of their salaries for one year to mitigate the financial impact of the Trump administration’s $2 billion funding freeze. This action directly opposes the administration’s demands regarding race-based admissions policies, which Harvard has refused to comply with. The faculty’s donation, coordinated by a group of prominent professors, aims to support the university’s defense of academic freedom and lessen the burden on students and staff. Funds will be used to support university programs, contingent on a faculty vote confirming responsible university resource allocation. The university’s lawsuit against the administration is scheduled for oral hearings in late July.
Read More
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued guidance advising state employees to seek legal counsel before interacting with federal immigration agents; this guidance was met with criticism and accusations from Republicans, including the creation of a false image depicting the governor’s arrest. Following thinly veiled threats from President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, suggesting potential arrests, Governor Evers defended his actions, asserting his innocence and condemning the Trump administration’s actions as an abuse of power. He emphasized that neither he nor his employees broke any laws. Evers framed the situation as a threat to the rule of law and American values.
Read More
Judge Beryl Howell issued a 102-page ruling declaring President Trump’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie unconstitutional. The order, which sought to penalize the firm for representing Hillary Clinton, included actions such as stripping security clearances and terminating contracts. Howell deemed the actions retaliatory, violating the First Amendment and potentially undermining the independence of the legal profession. The judge’s decision affirms the importance of independent legal counsel and free speech, while the White House and Justice Department have yet to comment.
Read More
Judge Beryl Howell permanently struck down President Trump’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie law firm, deeming it unconstitutional. The order, violating the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, was deemed an illegitimate use of presidential power and constituted retaliatory action against the firm for its protected speech. The ruling permanently prevents the executive order’s enforcement and establishes a precedent against such actions targeting lawyers based on their clients or viewpoints. The judge found the order unconstitutionally vague, lacked due process, and interfered with a client’s right to counsel.
Read More
Public disapproval of Trump surged following his confrontational White House meeting with Zelenskyy and subsequent trade actions, significantly impacting US-Australia relations. A YouGov poll revealed a dramatic increase in Australians distrusting the US as a security ally, with concerns also rising about economic repercussions under Trump’s leadership. This fueled Albanese’s election victory, emphasizing an “Australian way” independent of foreign influence, in contrast to Dutton’s approach. Albanese’s win reflects the electorate’s desire for stability amid global uncertainty.
Read More
Following the death of Pope Francis, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope to social media. New York’s Catholic bishops, led by Cardinal Dolan—a long-time Trump ally—strongly condemned the image as disrespectful and mocking, particularly given the solemnity of the papal transition. While the White House remained silent, Vice President Vance defended the post, while many others criticized it as offensive and childish. The incident sparked widespread outrage and debate on social media.
Read More
Jim Dukenfield, a Pennsylvania Republican, now supports Bernie Sanders, citing disapproval of Trump’s anti-union and immigration stances as key reasons for his change of heart. Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is drawing large crowds, including individuals like Dukenfield who identify as former Trump supporters. This cross-party appeal highlights a growing populist sentiment against the wealthy elite, a sentiment echoed by Sanders and his team. However, the long-term political implications of this shift remain uncertain, especially given the Democratic party’s need to regain ground after recent electoral losses.
Read More
After 60 years as CEO, Warren Buffett is stepping down from Berkshire Hathaway, appointing Vice Chairman Greg Abel as his successor effective year-end. This announcement, made at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, followed Buffett’s sharp criticism of President Trump’s tariffs, which he condemned as “an act of war” detrimental to global prosperity. Buffett, who built Berkshire Hathaway into a massive conglomerate, will remain involved in the company to a limited degree. His departure marks the end of an era for one of the nation’s most influential companies.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker