Following a Politico report alleging a plot to oust Ukrainian President Zelensky, two political rivals, Petro Poroshenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed contact with members of Donald Trump’s team. While both deny supporting snap elections during the ongoing war, a Republican foreign policy expert suggests their engagement aims to present themselves as more palatable alternatives to Zelensky. Public opinion polls, however, indicate significantly lower support for Poroshenko and Tymoshenko compared to Zelensky’s approval ratings. Zelensky’s recent improved standing follows a public disagreement with Trump.
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New Zealand recalled its ambassador to the UK, Phil Goff, after he publicly compared President Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict to the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II. Goff’s comments, made during a London panel discussion, were deemed untenable by Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who cited the ambassador’s responsibility to represent government policy, not personal opinions. The decision, while described as “seriously disappointing,” was deemed necessary to protect New Zealand’s international relationships. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized the dismissal as having a “very thin excuse.”
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President Trump’s State of the Union address largely ignored the pressing issues facing working-class Americans, focusing instead on unsubstantiated claims and distractions. His speech prioritized the interests of the billionaire class, evident in the presence of numerous billionaires at his inauguration and the proposed budget cuts to vital programs like Medicaid. The address instead highlighted false narratives about the 2020 election, the January 6th insurrection, and Social Security, diverting attention from critical concerns such as healthcare affordability, income inequality, and the climate crisis. The resulting policies would exacerbate existing inequalities, increasing taxes for the majority while benefiting the wealthy.
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The House of Representatives voted 224-198 to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for disrupting President Trump’s address, with ten Democrats joining Republicans in the censure. Green was removed from the chamber after protesting Trump’s stance on Medicaid cuts, prompting a display of solidarity from fellow Democrats who sang “We Shall Overcome” during the reading of the censure. The censure, a formal expression of disapproval, does not strip Green of his House privileges. This marks the 28th instance of a House member being censured.
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Following President Trump’s imposition of new tariffs on Canadian imports, Prime Minister Trudeau firmly rejected any compromise, demanding the complete removal of all U.S. tariffs. This stance was echoed by key Canadian officials, including Finance Minister LeBlanc and Ontario Premier Ford, who emphasized Canada’s unwillingness to negotiate a reduction in tariffs. While the U.S. administration initially showed signs of softening its position, Secretary Lutnick confirmed that tariffs would remain, though potential exemptions were being considered. The escalating trade war prompted immediate retaliatory measures from Canada, including provincial bans on American alcohol, and sparked significant economic anxieties.
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Concerns are rising among U.S. allies regarding the Trump administration’s warming relationship with Russia, prompting discussions about scaling back intelligence sharing. This potential reduction stems from fears of jeopardizing the safety and identities of foreign assets, a sacrosanct commitment for intelligence agencies. While no decisions have been made, allies, including members of the Five Eyes alliance, are reviewing intelligence-sharing protocols to account for this shift. Publicly, allies downplayed the issue, but underlying anxieties remain regarding the administration’s approach to Russia and the potential for reduced cooperation on cybersecurity. This review is part of a broader reassessment of the entire spectrum of relations with Washington.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez countered President Trump’s State of the Union address with a live Instagram rebuttal, highlighting his omission of Medicaid from his speech. She argued that Trump’s focus on alleged government waste was a distraction from planned cuts to the program, benefiting the wealthy instead of expanding vital social services. This tactic, coupled with the Republican National Committee’s avoidance of town halls, reveals a strategy to insulate lawmakers from constituent pressure before enacting significant cuts. Ocasio-Cortez contends that focusing public attention on these potential cuts presents a crucial opportunity for Democrats.
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President Trump’s March 4, 2025, address to Congress showcased his expansive view of presidential power, claiming unilateral authority over issues ranging from free speech to geographical renaming. This assertion of virtually kinglike power contrasts with Article II of the Constitution, which, while not granting unlimited power, establishes the president as Commander in Chief. Historical concerns, dating back to the Constitution’s ratification, mirrored contemporary anxieties about unchecked presidential authority, focusing on the potential for abuse of power as commander in chief and the granting of pardons. Ultimately, the Constitution’s success hinges not solely on its checks and balances, but on the citizenry’s ability to elect virtuous leaders.
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John Q. Hosedrinker