Former South Carolina state lawmaker RJ May received a 17.5-year federal prison sentence for distributing child sexual abuse material, a sentence the judge deemed the most severe she had seen. May, a former Republican representative, pleaded guilty to five counts related to the distribution of explicit videos shared with users across multiple states and countries. His sentence also includes lifetime sex offender registration and 20 years of court supervision, with prosecutors emphasizing that no one is above the law. May admitted to using aliases and deleting apps to conceal his activity, which included a sexual interest in child sexual abuse, while also serving in the State House.
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Ciji Graham, a pregnant police officer with a rapid heartbeat, was denied immediate treatment for atrial fibrillation due to her pregnancy and state abortion restrictions. Despite the expert consensus that cardioversion was safe, her initial cardiologist hesitated to treat her, sending her home without providing necessary care. After seeking a second opinion, she was sent home again without receiving the necessary tests to determine her health. Unable to access timely abortion care due to state laws, Graham’s condition worsened, ultimately leading to her tragic death.
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While the “Defund the Police” movement faced political setbacks, “Abolish ICE” may see a different trajectory. ICE’s net approval rating has plummeted, and the agency is increasingly viewed with hostility, in part due to its perceived overreach under the Trump administration. Unlike local police forces, ICE lacks historical support or an emotional connection with the public. With a shift in public sentiment and increasing criticism of ICE’s tactics, Democrats are likely to find political advantage in advocating for reduced funding or the agency’s complete abolition, and possibly with little or no political backlash.
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In a recent CBS News interview, former President Donald Trump addressed the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent. While expressing sympathy for the victim, Trump stated that Good was likely a “wonderful person” but her “actions were pretty tough,” a remark that has fueled further debate. This incident has reignited national discussions on ICE’s use of force and accountability, especially given the administration’s stance on aggressive immigration policies. Notably, the interview occurred against a backdrop of conflicting interpretations of the shooting, with some officials defending the agent’s actions and others, including witnesses, raising serious concerns.
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Recent reports highlight growing concerns about the practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shooting of a civilian. Critics are raising questions about the lack of oversight and potential for abuse, as ICE agents operate with anonymity and immunity from accountability. These agents often operate without local oversight, using unmarked vehicles and detaining individuals, raising serious concerns about due process. The current situation suggests a troubling shift towards a police state where a federal law enforcement agency is operating with minimal accountability.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a change in its approach to air pollution regulations. The agency will no longer calculate the monetary value of health benefits, such as avoided healthcare costs and prevented deaths, when assessing rules for fine particulate matter and ozone, focusing instead on costs to industry. This shift, part of a broader business-friendly realignment, has drawn criticism from environmental and public health advocates who view it as a dangerous abandonment of the agency’s core mission to protect public health. While the EPA insists it remains committed to its mission and will still quantify emissions, critics argue that the change could lead to weakened safeguards, potentially allowing increased pollution and disregarding the value of lives saved and health benefits.
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FBI seizes devices from Washington Post reporter in classified leak probe, and it’s a situation that immediately sparks a lot of questions. The fact that the FBI is involved, specifically going after a journalist, is something that rightfully raises eyebrows. It feels like an aggressive move, especially when it involves potentially impinging on the freedom of the press. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill investigation; it’s a direct incursion into the professional life of someone whose job is to report the news, and it’s understandable why people are reacting so strongly to it.
The context is crucial here: the probe centers around a leak investigation related to classified information, and it’s tied to a Pentagon contractor.… Continue reading
Following the shooting of an unarmed woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, the Trump administration quickly attempted to frame the victim as a villain involved in a “coordinated” act of domestic terrorism. Despite video evidence and local officials discrediting these claims, the administration persisted in its narrative, aiming to sway public opinion. However, a recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed a majority of Americans viewed the shooting as unjustified and believed state and federal officials should be responsible for the investigation, indicating the administration’s efforts may have been unsuccessful.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has blocked Louisiana’s attempt to extradite a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills. This decision follows Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s request for extradition, as Louisiana has strict anti-abortion laws, contrasting with California’s protections for abortion providers. Newsom cited a 2022 executive order preventing state agencies from assisting in the prosecution of abortion providers from other states as the reason for his action. The doctor, Remy Coeytaux, faces criminal charges in Louisiana and potential jail time if convicted.
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Federal officers shot a man in the leg during a traffic stop attempt Wednesday night in Minneapolis, approximately twelve miles from where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman last week. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the shooting occurred after law enforcement officials were attacked with a shovel or broom while attempting the stop of a Venezuelan man in the country illegally. Tensions are high due to increased federal immigration enforcement and the recent death, prompting calls for calm from city officials and a request for federal immigration authorities to leave the city and state. The incident led to protests and the deployment of pepper spray by agents, while the shooting of the woman last week is still under investigation by the FBI.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Abolish ICE: Is It Becoming a Mainstream Position?
While the “Defund the Police” movement faced political setbacks, “Abolish ICE” may see a different trajectory. ICE’s net approval rating has plummeted, and the agency is increasingly viewed with hostility, in part due to its perceived overreach under the Trump administration. Unlike local police forces, ICE lacks historical support or an emotional connection with the public. With a shift in public sentiment and increasing criticism of ICE’s tactics, Democrats are likely to find political advantage in advocating for reduced funding or the agency’s complete abolition, and possibly with little or no political backlash.
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