Following initial post-election distancing from the Democratic Party, California Governor Gavin Newsom has emerged as a prominent voice of resistance against President Trump’s authoritarian actions. Newsom’s strong defense of undocumented immigrants in the face of federal crackdowns, including a forceful rebuke of threats against him, directly counters the party’s typical cautious approach to immigration. This bold stance, exemplified by his condemnation of the federalization of the National Guard in Los Angeles, showcases a leadership style sharply contrasting with the hesitant responses of other Democrats to similar situations. His actions, while potentially risky politically, are presented as a necessary defense of democratic values.
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Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Canada’s sovereignty, directly countering Donald Trump’s annexation rhetoric. His upcoming meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will focus on strengthening UK-Canada trade relations, building upon the existing £28 billion trade volume. While aiming to boost economic ties, Starmer also highlighted his positive relationships with G7 leaders, including Trump, suggesting a potential mediating role in future international discussions. This strong stance on Canadian sovereignty and focus on economic cooperation underscore the UK’s commitment to its transatlantic partnerships.
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Bryan Bedford, Donald Trump’s FAA nominee, has been accused of falsely claiming to hold a commercial pilot’s license, a claim contradicted by FAA records but previously listed on Republic Airways’ website. While Bedford possesses a private pilot’s license with multi-engine and instrument ratings, the Department of Transportation attributes the discrepancy to an administrative error. This controversy arises amid heightened scrutiny of the FAA following a fatal air crash and Bedford’s evasiveness regarding pilot training hour requirements during his Senate confirmation hearing. The incident highlights concerns about qualifications and safety standards within the FAA.
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Former Vice President Pence condemned President Trump’s deployment of troops to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, asserting that violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and those responsible must be held accountable. He further criticized Trump’s pardoning of January 6th rioters who assaulted police officers. Pence also criticized President Putin’s actions in Ukraine, suggesting the current administration should not seek advice from him regarding the Israel-Iran conflict. This multifaceted critique highlights Pence’s sharp disagreement with Trump’s handling of both domestic and international issues.
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Internet trolls mocked Donald Trump’s military parade by contrasting its comparatively small turnout and less synchronized marching with the impressive displays of other nations, including North Korea, Mexico, and India. Social media posts highlighted the stark differences in scale, crowd enthusiasm, and marching precision, emphasizing the perceived failure of Trump’s highly-expensive event. The contrasting images fueled criticism of the parade, described by some as a “vulgar display” and a stark contrast to massive simultaneous No Kings protests across the US. This incident follows Trump’s past admiration for other countries’ military parades and his prior pronouncements about showcasing American military might.
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Despite significant resources—including 36 horses, 28 Abrams tanks, 6,700 soldiers, and millions of dollars—Donald Trump’s military birthday parade was largely underwhelming. The parade itself featured minimal excitement, with unsynchronized marching, infrequent cheers, and long stretches of quiet punctuated by announcements. While the initial anticipation and the concluding fireworks and speeches generated some enthusiasm, the main event fell short of expectations, leaving many attendees, including children, bored and unimpressed. The event’s overall energy was significantly less than projected.
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Widespread “No Kings” protests erupted across major US cities, coordinated to oppose President Trump’s military parade in Washington D.C. These demonstrations, numbering nearly 100,000 in Philadelphia alone, followed politically motivated shootings of Democratic politicians in Minnesota. While largely peaceful, the Los Angeles protest saw clashes with law enforcement, resulting in the use of tear gas after protesters threw projectiles. Motivations ranged from opposition to Trump’s immigration policies and deployment of the National Guard to concerns about presidential overreach and attacks on democratic norms.
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The Bulwark’s JVL, Sarah Longwell, Will Sommer, and Andrew Egger discussed the stark contrast between Donald Trump’s poorly attended military/birthday parade and the massive, nationwide “No Kings” protests. These protests drew unprecedented crowds, highlighting a significant division in public opinion. The discussion was part of a Bulwark+ Takes video, available to subscribers. Audio-only options were also provided.
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President Trump’s lavish birthday parade, ostensibly celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, featured a two-and-a-half-mile procession of troops representing various American military conflicts, along with tanks, robot dogs, and aerial displays. The event, described by some officials as “Donald Trump’s birthday parade,” included speeches by Trump and other officials, as well as musical performances. Despite its reported $45 million cost, the parade drew a smaller-than-expected crowd, contrasting sharply with widespread “No Kings” Day protests across the nation. The event was heavily sponsored by corporations, including defense contractors and cryptocurrency exchanges.
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The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Donald Trump’s request to reconsider the $5 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll’s sexual abuse and defamation case. The court upheld its December 2024 decision affirming the jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll. Trump’s arguments for reconsideration centered on the admission of the “Access Hollywood” tape and testimony from other women alleging similar misconduct. This ruling comes separate from a pending appeal of an $83.3 million defamation verdict against Trump in the same case, where he invokes Supreme Court precedent on presidential immunity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker