The Trump administration has conducted ten military strikes against civilian targets in international waters, resulting in 43 reported civilian deaths in the past seven weeks, with the potential for more. President Trump has stated he would bypass Congress in authorizing these strikes, even expanding the operation to land-based targets. This action raises legal questions, as some suggest the White House is ignoring legal limits, with critics calling the actions war crimes. The lack of congressional oversight and the open disregard for legal norms signify a concerning erosion of checks and balances within the American system.
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Despite a shift in tactics, Vought’s efforts to dismantle the rule of law have been hampered by various obstacles. While Musk’s influence has waned and promised budget cuts fell short, Vought’s progress on Project 2025 has been limited. Legal challenges and the president’s spending habits have further stalled the agenda, as Vought is forced to navigate the president’s priorities. These distractions are ultimately undermining Vought’s attempts to eliminate certain programs, such as WIC.
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US military strikes suspected drug vessel in the Pacific. Okay, so we’re talking about a situation where the US military has targeted a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, allegedly suspected of carrying drugs. My initial thoughts? This feels like a really murky situation, and honestly, the whole thing raises a lot of red flags.
US military strikes suspected drug vessel in the Pacific. It’s difficult to avoid the immediate question: Is this even legal? We’re essentially talking about a military operation that results in the destruction of a vessel and potential loss of life. Even if there were a suspicion of drug activity, doesn’t the idea of extrajudicial killings feel inherently wrong?… Continue reading
According to an Ecuadorian government official, Andrés Fernando Tufiño, a survivor of a U.S. strike on a drug-transporting submersible, was released by Ecuadorian authorities due to a lack of evidence of criminal activity. After being repatriated by the United States following the strike in the Caribbean, medical evaluations showed Tufiño was in good health. The U.S. military attacked the vessel, suspected of carrying drugs, killing two others. The attack has led to increased tensions in the region, including between the United States, Venezuela, and Colombia.
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Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed in 2020, stated the Supreme Court lacks the power to enforce its rulings if a president chooses to ignore them, lacking the “power of the purse” and “power of the sword.” She discussed her legal theory of originalism and the ongoing debate surrounding executive power, specifically referencing the “unitary executive theory.” Barrett acknowledged that the court often makes decisions along partisan lines, though she maintains she is “nobody’s justice.” During the interview, she was hesitant to discuss what the court’s role might be in the face of an executive challenging its authority.
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Judge April Perry released a full opinion justifying her decision to block President Trump from deploying Texas National Guard troops in Chicago, citing concerns about the administration’s grasp on reality. Perry’s ruling stated the administration’s justification for deployment did not meet the necessary criteria, finding no evidence of rebellion or significant disorder. She criticized the administration’s conflation of protests with riots and a lack of objectivity. Perry concluded the administration’s perceptions were unreliable, supporting the decision to block the deployment.
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U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut expressed concern over the Trump administration’s attempt to circumvent her order blocking Oregon National Guard troops from Portland by deploying troops from other states like California and Texas. At a late-night hearing, Immergut questioned the legality of this action, specifically asking if bringing in federalized National Guard troops from California contradicted her previous ruling. After hearing arguments, the judge expanded her order to prevent troops from any state from being sent to Portland, citing the relatively small size of the protests and potential violations of Oregon’s self-governance.
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The article highlights the Trump administration’s aggressive actions against non-citizen residents, specifically targeting them based on their speech and viewpoints. Judge William Young, in *American Association of University Professors v Rubio*, ruled the administration violated the First Amendment by detaining and deporting pro-Palestinian foreign scholars, emphasizing that the Constitution does not differentiate between citizens and immigrants regarding freedom of speech. Young’s decision condemned Trump’s actions as unconstitutional and a threat to fundamental rights, citing instances of immigrants like Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk being targeted for their speech. The judge’s opinion extends beyond the immediate case, framing Trump’s actions as a broader threat to American values and urging Americans to defend constitutional principles.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Supreme Court’s newest justice, is quickly establishing herself as a powerful liberal voice, especially in her dissents. In a footnote of her dissent in Trump v. Casa, Jackson cited Ernst Fraenkel’s work on Nazi Germany’s dual legal system, drawing a parallel between the current legal landscape and unchecked executive power. This subtle yet striking comparison serves as a warning about the potential threats to the rule of law. Jackson’s dissents, notably in the face of conservative court decisions, are a consistent call for justice.
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Trump says he is authorizing military to use ‘Full Force’ in Portland, a statement that immediately raises alarm bells. The sheer absurdity of the claim that Portland is “war ravaged” is frankly baffling. The image conjured – of a city under siege, requiring a military intervention – is completely divorced from reality. Reports from individuals living in Portland paint a picture of a place far from a war zone, with fall colors and generally peaceful conditions. It’s difficult to understand what threat the military would even be responding to.
The very idea of deploying the military with “full force” against citizens, without any apparent justification, is deeply concerning.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood