In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, stated he would execute orders to attack designated terrorist organizations within the U.S. if he had no concerns about the lawfulness of the order. This revelation comes amid reports of the military conducting extrajudicial killings of alleged “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, raising concerns about the legal justification for such actions. The White House and Justice Department have refused to rule out summary executions of Americans, with the Justice Department announcing arrests of a “far-left, anti-government, domestic terror cell” and a directive from the President to target U.S. progressive groups. The administration’s rhetoric, coupled with the executive order to root out domestic terrorist organizations, raises concerns about the potential for military action within U.S. borders and the suppression of dissent.
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Recent reports detail the detention of U.S. citizens by federal law enforcement agencies who lack proof of citizenship, a practice decried by civil rights advocates as a violation of constitutional rights. One such incident involved a Somali-born Minnesota man who was tackled and arrested despite presenting his REAL ID. This action is allegedly sanctioned by the Trump administration, with a top official falsely suggesting citizens must carry immigration documents. Critics point out that U.S. law does not require citizens to carry such documents.
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The New Normal: Trump Decides Which Beliefs Are ‘Legal’: When dissent becomes an “indicator,” the First Amendment stops being a right and starts being a risk.
It’s a chilling prospect: a government actively seeking out and investigating its own citizens based on their beliefs. This isn’t the premise of a dystopian novel; it’s the reality unfolding under a directive that, frankly, sounds like something out of a satirical newspaper. National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7) orders the FBI and other agencies to target individuals and groups based on a list of “indicators” – markers of potential domestic terrorism. These indicators, however, aren’t about violent acts.… Continue reading
CIVICUS, an international network advocating for stronger civil liberties, has downgraded the U.S.’s civic freedoms assessment from “narrowed” to “obstructed.” This decision follows a report highlighting a “rapid authoritarian shift” in the U.S., citing actions by the Trump administration that undermine democratic institutions, target protesters, and restrict press freedom. Specific concerns include the deployment of federal troops to cities, the targeting of pro-Palestinian activists, and the increased criticism of media outlets leading to censorship and restrictions on access. This assessment places the U.S. in the same category as other nations also experiencing a decline in civil liberties, signaling a broader global trend.
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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from making widespread immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., without warrants or probable cause of imminent flight risk. The ruling, issued late Tuesday, granted a preliminary injunction sought by civil liberties groups against the Department of Homeland Security. Judge Howell found a substantial likelihood of unlawful practices, citing violations of immigration law and the department’s regulations. The judge also ordered documentation of any warrantless arrests, requiring agents to detail the facts supporting their pre-arrest probable cause, and to provide that information to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
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RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Superior Court Intern
The incident, as it unfolds, paints a stark picture of overreach. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge, Joseph McBurney, found himself directly confronting the consequences of what seems to be a flagrant error by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The story begins with an intern at the courthouse being wrongfully detained.
Multiple sources indicate that the events leading up to the detention involved a sheriff noticing an individual, later identified as an ICE agent, taking photographs within the courthouse, including Judge McBurney’s courtroom. Despite being instructed to adhere to standard courthouse rules, including not taking photos, the agent continued their actions.… Continue reading
According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Border Patrol is operating a secretive surveillance program, monitoring millions of American drivers using license plate readers and predictive intelligence. This program analyzes travel patterns to identify and detain individuals deemed suspicious, often leading to aggressive questioning and searches based on pretextual traffic stops. The Border Patrol has expanded its reach beyond the border, collaborating with other agencies and utilizing AI, creating a mass surveillance network impacting people throughout the country. Civil liberties advocates raise concerns about the constitutionality of this program and its potential for abuse, as exemplified by cases where individuals were stopped and searched with no evidence of wrongdoing.
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**Judge permanently blocks deployment of National Guard to Portland, saying Trump exceeded his authority**
The news that a judge permanently blocked the deployment of the National Guard to Portland is a welcome development, a clear indication that a branch of government is actively scrutinizing and attempting to curtail the overreach of presidential power. This ruling, specifically citing that Trump exceeded his authority, is important and serves as a critical check and balance. The judge’s decision, based on the fact that Trump’s deployment was “untethered from the facts” and reality, should ideally be straightforward, and the fact that it is even a victory to be celebrated points to the erosion of basic legal principles in these times.… Continue reading
Speaking to U.S. troops in Japan, President Trump indicated his willingness to deploy more than the National Guard to U.S. cities to address crime and safety concerns. He claimed public support for such actions and asserted that state officials’ cooperation was not essential. This stance echoed earlier comments and followed deployments of the National Guard to various cities. Despite Trump’s claims, polls show that most Americans are opposed to using troops domestically, leading to legal challenges from Democratic governors.
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US appeals court lets Trump send troops to Portland, and the immediate reaction is, well, it’s pretty clear that people are not thrilled. The general sentiment seems to be a mixture of disbelief, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal. The fact that the US appeals court sided with the former president and essentially greenlit the deployment of troops to Portland – a move widely seen as politically motivated – has ignited a firestorm of criticism. The very idea of the military being deployed against American citizens is, for many, a stark violation of democratic principles.
The central issue appears to be the judicial deference granted to the president’s decision.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Court Intern, Threatens Judge
RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Superior Court Intern
The incident, as it unfolds, paints a stark picture of overreach. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge, Joseph McBurney, found himself directly confronting the consequences of what seems to be a flagrant error by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The story begins with an intern at the courthouse being wrongfully detained.
Multiple sources indicate that the events leading up to the detention involved a sheriff noticing an individual, later identified as an ICE agent, taking photographs within the courthouse, including Judge McBurney’s courtroom. Despite being instructed to adhere to standard courthouse rules, including not taking photos, the agent continued their actions.… Continue reading