At Pope Francis’s funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s eulogy implicitly rebuked Donald Trump’s border wall policy, echoing the late Pope’s strong opposition to such barriers. This posthumous criticism highlighted the long-standing tension between Trump and Francis, marked by public disagreements over immigration and other policies. Trump’s presence at the funeral, amidst intense lobbying from European leaders, led to a meeting with Zelensky, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict. The White House announced a planned follow-up meeting between Trump and Zelensky, further suggesting potential diplomatic progress.
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Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressive lawmakers condemned the Trump administration’s arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing the President of authoritarianism and undermining the rule of law. Judge Dugan faces felony charges for allegedly obstructing federal immigration agents. The arrest is viewed by critics as a blatant power grab, an attack on the judiciary, and a chilling tactic to suppress dissent. Protests erupted in Milwaukee in response to the judge’s arrest, highlighting widespread concerns about the Trump administration’s actions.
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Trump’s actions, including defying court orders and targeting universities, demonstrate a pattern of lawlessness deeply concerning to independent voters. This disregard for due process and the rule of law, exemplified by instances like the rendition of individuals to foreign prisons and the mistreatment of migrants, is a key factor driving independents away from him. Such arbitrary abuses of power undermine fundamental fairness and the principle of equal treatment under the law. The perception of these actions as totalitarian and sadistic further fuels this negative sentiment.
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On Friday, ICE deported two families, including three U.S. citizen children, one of whom was undergoing cancer treatment, along with a pregnant mother. The ACLU of Louisiana alleges these deportations violated due process, citing the families’ long-standing U.S. residency and lack of access to legal counsel. One mother was given less than a minute to contact legal aid before her call was cut off. This incident follows a similar case last month involving a child with brain cancer, raising serious concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
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In a recent TIME interview, President Trump claimed to have brokered 200 trade deals, despite none being publicly announced. He attributed the lack of announcements to the ongoing nature of negotiations, while simultaneously misrepresenting the U.S. trade deficit. Furthermore, the interview revealed conflicting statements regarding the Supreme Court’s order to return a wrongfully deported man, with Trump claiming his lawyers interpreted the order differently and denying direct involvement. The president also reiterated unsubstantiated claims about inflation and illegal immigration. These statements, made during the first 100 days of his second term, highlight continued policy inconsistencies and factual inaccuracies.
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Abrego Garcia’s family’s lawsuit prompted urgent discussions within the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security regarding his deportation. Initial plans for his return were considered, but White House backlash led to a reversal, recasting his deportation as justified due to his alleged, yet unproven, MS-13 affiliation. This narrative shift transformed the case into a larger test of the administration’s power to deport individuals without due process. The lack of evidence supporting Trump’s claims became a central point of contention.
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Eight European parliamentary foreign affairs committee chairs issued a joint statement urging President Trump to abandon his appeasement of Russia and adopt a firm stance against its aggression in Ukraine. The statement condemns negotiations with Putin, calls for his prosecution, and advocates for Ukraine’s immediate NATO and EU accession. Concerns were raised about reported U.S. proposals potentially compromising Ukrainian sovereignty, specifically regarding Crimea. The chairs also urged seizing Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
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Former Las Vegas councilwoman Michele Fiore, convicted of defrauding a police memorial fund of over $70,000 for personal use, received a full pardon from President Trump. This pardon follows the rejection of Fiore’s appeal for a new trial and comes shortly after Trump appointed a close friend of Fiore’s to a key position in the Nevada U.S. Attorney’s office. The White House cited Fiore’s “outspoken conservative views” as justification, while critics condemned the pardon as political favoritism and a betrayal of law enforcement. Fiore’s sentencing, which carried the potential for a lengthy prison term, has been vacated.
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Following the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a strong warning, declaring that the Trump administration will prosecute any American aiding undocumented individuals, regardless of their position. Bondi characterized judges who rule against the administration as “deranged” and asserted that they believe themselves above the law. This aggressive stance represents a direct threat to those who oppose the administration’s policies, extending beyond the judiciary to encompass any citizen deemed complicit. The Attorney General’s comments have sparked significant online concern regarding potential overreach and the erosion of judicial independence.
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In a memo obtained by USA Today, the Justice Department authorized ICE to conduct warrantless searches of homes suspected to harbor “alien enemies,” invoking the Alien Enemies Act. While warrants are preferred, the memo acknowledges practical limitations in swiftly apprehending such individuals. This authorization permits ICE agents to enter residences to apprehend suspected alien enemies if obtaining a warrant beforehand is deemed impractical, for example, during other enforcement operations. The power is contingent on a reasonable belief that the individual meets all four criteria for classification as an “alien enemy.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker