Secretary Kristi Noem is facing accusations of fabricating an emergency to justify demolishing 17 historic buildings on the St. Elizabeths Campus West, a designated National Historic Landmark being transformed into DHS headquarters. DHS claims the vacant buildings pose a security risk, potentially offering “tactical advantage” to a “malicious insider.” Preservationists, however, strongly object, arguing that the alleged security concerns stem from failures to secure the site and not the buildings themselves. They assert the emergency declaration bypasses proper procedures, with many buildings still lacking the necessary reviews.
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The current political climate resembles a circus, and resisting the Trump administration can inadvertently become part of it. To counter this, a new form of political theatre is proposed, drawing inspiration from historical resistance movements. This involves blue states creating an invitation-only, embryonic constitutional convention to draft an interstate compact outlining rights, obligations, and funding. The compact would address Trump-era abuses, including crucial social programs and acknowledging the dangers of AI and climate change. Ultimately, the author hopes this initiative would shift focus away from the Trump presidency, potentially inspiring other states to join, and encouraging ordinary citizens to become politically involved.
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Fifteen states are suing the Trump administration for declaring a “national energy emergency” on his first day in office, a claim the states argue is false given the US’s record-high energy production. The lawsuit alleges the executive order, bypassing environmental protections, will cause irreparable harm to natural resources and violates the National Energy Act by pursuing partisan interests under the guise of an emergency. The plaintiffs contend the order prioritizes fossil fuels while ignoring domestic renewable energy sources. The case challenges the administration’s authority to enact energy policies through an unfounded emergency declaration, potentially setting a significant legal precedent.
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John Q. Hosedrinker