In his first public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, former Special Counsel Jack Smith defended his decision to bring criminal charges against Donald Trump. Smith stated that he stood by his decisions, asserting that the investigation revealed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of Trump’s criminal activity. He elaborated on the charges, mentioning Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the illegal retention of classified documents, including sensitive national security information stored in insecure locations. Smith emphasized his commitment to the rule of law, indicating that he would prosecute a former president based on the same facts today and that no one should be above the law.
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China has declined an invitation from the United States to join the proposed Gaza Board of Peace. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it remains committed to the United Nations-centered international system. The Board, proposed by former US President Donald Trump, aims to mediate global conflicts and is part of a larger peace plan for the Middle East. While Trump claimed widespread acceptance, China’s rejection underscores a divergence in approaches to international diplomacy and conflict resolution.
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The Columbia Heights Public Schools district shared photos of Liam Ramos, a young child, being apprehended by an officer outside his home, prompting concern from the school and the child’s lawyer, Marc Prokosch, who believes the family is currently being held in Texas. School officials stated that the child’s father has an active asylum case. The incident is part of a larger operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting individuals in the area, which has led to the detention of multiple students and sparked outrage among residents. The DHS described the arrest as a “targeted operation” and stated that an ICE officer remained with the child for his safety.
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The article argues that the Trump administration is exhibiting alarming signs of Nazism, pointing to the appropriation of Nazi imagery and rhetoric in official government communications. Examples include social media posts echoing Nazi slogans and officials employing fascist aesthetics. Furthermore, the article highlights instances of officials expressing Nazi sympathies and associating with individuals known for their hateful ideologies. These actions, coupled with Trump’s own rhetoric and associations, lead the author to conclude that the current government is normalizing and, in some ways, emboldening Nazi-glorifying elements.
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The White House released a list of countries prior to the signing of the ‘Board of Peace’ treaty at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. However, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot clarified on X that Belgium has not signed the treaty, labeling the announcement as incorrect. Belgium, along with many other European countries, expresses reservations about the proposal and seeks a unified and coordinated European response.
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Amidst potential demotion from the Pentagon, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is considering a run for president in 2028, according to recent interviews. Kelly stated he feels an increased obligation to combat political turmoil, particularly after being censured. He is facing federal scrutiny for a video released with Democratic colleagues that urged military and intelligence community members to refuse “illegal orders,” prompting an investigation and accusations of misconduct. Kelly is currently suing the Secretary of War over efforts to demote him.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed President Donald Trump’s Davos speech received “rave reviews.” However, critics quickly disputed this assessment, describing the 72-minute speech as rambling and filled with attacks on various topics. Trump’s speech included demanding control of Greenland (while mistakenly referring to Iceland), insulting other nations, and veering into unrelated tangents. Social media users and public figures widely mocked Leavitt’s claims, contrasting her statement with the actual content and delivery of Trump’s speech.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at Davos, emphasizing the need for middle-power countries to forge alliances, resonated strongly in Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum echoed Carney’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of strengthened ties between Canada and Mexico. Mexican officials like Deputy Dolores Padierna Luna emphasized the necessity of a united front with Canada to negotiate CUSMA renewal and defend sovereignty against potential U.S. pressure. Both countries see their economies as complementary, recognizing the need for strategic alliances to navigate global trade.
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Following an anti-immigration protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist. The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation after protesters interrupted a service at Cities Church, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, chanting against ICE. The FACE Act is being considered for charging the protesters, as the Justice Department investigates. The incident comes amid growing tensions, with Vice President Vance visiting Minnesota and advocating for the enforcement of immigration laws.
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The article details accounts of extreme sexual violence and torture inflicted upon Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as documented by human rights groups. These accounts include beatings, forced anal penetration with objects, and threats of sexual assault, often inflicted in a manner where guards were laughing. Reports indicate that such abuse is systemic and widespread, occurring within a network of what is described as torture camps, with some guards attempting to prevent the documentation of the abuses. Despite documented evidence from both domestic and international observers, the Israeli government denies the allegations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Detains 5-Year-Old Liam Ramos in Minnesota, Sparks Outrage
The Columbia Heights Public Schools district shared photos of Liam Ramos, a young child, being apprehended by an officer outside his home, prompting concern from the school and the child’s lawyer, Marc Prokosch, who believes the family is currently being held in Texas. School officials stated that the child’s father has an active asylum case. The incident is part of a larger operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting individuals in the area, which has led to the detention of multiple students and sparked outrage among residents. The DHS described the arrest as a “targeted operation” and stated that an ICE officer remained with the child for his safety.
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