Canyon Anthony Amarys, a Kansas National Guard member, has been arrested and charged with attempting to violate the Export Control Reform Act. Allegedly, Amarys met with a suspected Russian intelligence agent and agreed to photograph a Fort Riley military installation and obtain a helicopter radio for the Russian military. As part of this agreement, Amarys purchased the radio in March 2025 and traveled to Kansas to send it to Romania. These actions violated U.S. export laws.
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In response to President Trump’s order to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago to quell protests, Illinois National Guard Captain Dylan Blaha and Staff Sgt. Demi Palecek have stated they will defy the order. They believe the deployment is unjust, particularly given the focus on immigration enforcement and the impact on the community. Both cite concerns about the legality of the order and the potential for it to target innocent civilians. Refusal to comply could result in court-martial, imprisonment, or a felony-level discharge.
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As part of an ongoing initiative, the Pentagon has directed thousands of National Guard personnel to undergo civil unrest mission training in the coming months. This training signals a potential shift, suggesting the Trump administration may be moving toward deploying uniformed military forces in urban areas, a practice previously reserved for extreme emergencies. This decision follows a period of heightened tensions and public demonstrations across the country. The increased focus on civil unrest training indicates a growing concern within the government about potential social instability.
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According to an internal Pentagon directive, all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and US territories have been ordered to create “quick reaction forces” trained in riot control, including the use of various crowd control equipment. The directive, citing a prior executive order, mandates specific training for thousands of National Guard members nationwide, with a goal to be operational by January 1, 2026. This initiative has raised concerns that the forces could be used for political purposes, such as suppressing elections, and recalls the historical use of National Guard troops in quelling civil unrest. Military trainers will be deployed to each state to facilitate the training, and each state is required to report monthly on its progress.
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In a recent legal battle over the use of National Guard troops, the Trump administration initially secured a win when a 9th Circuit panel stayed a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. District Judge. However, the victory was short-lived as Oregon attorneys alerted the appellate court to a factual error, revealing the government exaggerated the number of federal officers deployed. The court relied on the inaccurate information, but the 9th Circuit swiftly paused the panel’s stay of the first restraining order. This occurred after the government admitted that the number of troops used was significantly less than originally claimed.
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On the evening of the homecoming celebrations, a shooting near Howard University resulted in at least four people being shot. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Howard Place, prompting a response from the police at approximately 8:23 p.m. Of the injured, one person is in critical condition and another is in serious condition, and seven individuals were treated overall. Authorities have secured the scene and initiated an investigation, while homecoming events continue through the weekend.
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The Supreme Court is currently hearing *Trump v. Illinois*, a case regarding President Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard to quell protests outside an immigration detention facility. Trump argues his authority to control the National Guard is exclusive and non-reviewable by courts, citing federal law allowing such action in cases of rebellion or inability to execute laws. However, lower courts have ruled against Trump, finding the situation doesn’t meet the legal requirements for military intervention. The crux of the case lies in whether the Supreme Court will limit Trump’s power or grant him broad authority to use military personnel domestically, especially considering the current court’s composition and past rulings.
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A Washington, D.C. resident is suing after being detained while protesting the National Guard deployment, alleging violations of his rights. The individual, Sam O’Hara, played “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars” as a form of protest and was subsequently detained by D.C. police after a sergeant from the Ohio National Guard contacted them. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims violations of the First and Fourth Amendments, as well as false arrest and battery, naming the sergeant, several D.C. officers, and the District of Columbia as defendants. This case is unfolding amidst other legal battles concerning deployments under the previous administration.
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A Washington D.C. resident is suing local police officers, a member of the Ohio National Guard, and the District of Columbia after being detained while protesting the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops. The plaintiff, Sam O’Hara, was playing Darth Vader’s theme song from Star Wars while following a National Guard patrol, actions he shared on TikTok. The lawsuit alleges that his First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated and that the arrest constituted false arrest, imprisonment, and battery. O’Hara seeks compensatory damages, claiming the actions of the military and law enforcement were unconstitutional.
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To address potential food shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown, Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard and California Volunteers to support food banks across the state. This action is taken in response to delayed SNAP benefits affecting 5.5 million Californians and the potential depletion of CalFresh funding. The state is also allocating up to $80 million in emergency funding to further assist food banks. This humanitarian mission echoes similar efforts during the pandemic and aims to ensure families have access to essential food resources.
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John Q. Hosedrinker