So, let’s break this down: the Trump administration, defying the established rules of the game, decided to shuffle around money specifically earmarked for anti-terrorism efforts. The twist? This wasn’t a random decision; the funds were diverted away from states typically aligned with the Democratic party and steered towards those that lean Republican. It’s like Congress created a system, a framework for how these funds should be used and where they should go, but the administration went, “Nah, we’ll do our own thing.”
It’s important to understand the basics here: Congress, the legislative branch, had a law in place directing how anti-terrorism money should be allocated.… Continue reading
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for President Trump’s impeachment following his unauthorized bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites. AOC cited this action as a grave constitutional violation of Congressional War Powers, recklessly risking a protracted war. In contrast, Senator John Fetterman praised the attack, aligning with a pro-Israel stance. Trump himself claimed a successful operation targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
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Senator Sanders condemned President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles during immigration protests as a move towards authoritarianism, noting the action was taken without the request of local officials. He cited this, along with Trump’s attacks on the media, legal firms, universities, and judges, as evidence of a president exceeding his constitutional authority and undermining the rule of law. Sanders emphasized the critical role of Republican members of Congress in upholding the Constitution and preventing further erosion of democratic norms. This action follows widespread criticism of the deployment and mirrors similar presidential actions only seen during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
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The new travel restrictions, targeting countries deemed high-risk due to insufficient vetting processes, high visa overstay rates, and inadequate information sharing, aim to prevent terrorist entry into the United States. These measures, justified by concerns about national security and exemplified by a recent attack in Colorado, are intended to enhance screening and vetting procedures. The administration asserts the restrictions are country-specific and mirror previous, successful efforts to protect the nation from foreign threats. The White House emphasized the need to prevent the type of attacks experienced in Europe from occurring within the US.
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Over 130 former state and federal judges filed an amicus brief supporting Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan’s motion to dismiss charges of impeding government agents. The brief argues that prosecuting Dugan for actions within her judicial discretion constitutes an assault on judicial independence and threatens the ability of judges to perform their duties without fear of retaliation. This prosecution, they contend, sets a dangerous precedent by prioritizing federal interests over state court proceedings and jeopardizes the balance of federalism. The judges’ brief emphasizes the importance of judicial immunity and the potential chilling effect on judicial decision-making.
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The Trump administration is escalating its campaign to expand executive power, targeting the Library of Congress and claiming it falls under executive branch authority. This assertion, along with attempts to influence other independent agencies like the GAO, represents a broader effort to blur the lines separating government branches. The administration’s actions have faced some resistance, including legal challenges and pushback from Congress, though limited. The White House’s rationale centers on a claimed mandate to rein in spending and reshape governance, ignoring established norms of separation of powers. Control over the Library would grant access to vast amounts of sensitive data, including congressional research requests and copyright information.
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PBS filed a lawsuit against President Trump to prevent the termination of federal funding. The suit, mirroring a similar action by NPR, argues that Trump’s executive order violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law by attempting to control PBS’s programming and funding. PBS contends that the president’s actions constitute viewpoint discrimination and an infringement on editorial independence. The lawsuit cites a federal telecommunications law explicitly prohibiting government interference in public broadcasting.
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Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the Department of Homeland Security and State Department from altering Harvard’s student visa program. This action maintains the status quo following the Trump administration’s attempted revocation, which the judge deemed necessary to prevent further harm to Harvard’s international student population. While the administration claims its recent actions render the case moot, the judge expressed concerns about ongoing visa issuance problems and the university’s First Amendment claims. Both parties will work to finalize the terms of the injunction, ensuring no changes occur.
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Court says Trump doesn’t have the authority to set tariffs. This ruling, stemming from a full court decision, finally puts a stop to a practice many believed was unconstitutional from the start. The decision clarifies a fundamental principle of our system of government: the power to impose tariffs rests with Congress, not the executive branch.
Court says Trump doesn’t have the authority to set tariffs, and this impacts far more than just the immediate economic consequences. The ruling highlights a crucial separation of powers, a cornerstone of our democratic framework. It underscores the importance of adhering to the checks and balances designed to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual, regardless of their position.… Continue reading
Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” would drastically redistribute wealth upward, benefiting the rich at the expense of the poor and working class. The bill also includes a provision effectively eliminating the courts’ power to hold the administration in contempt, rendering judicial orders unenforceable. This would allow Trump to ignore court rulings, including Supreme Court mandates, with impunity. This measure, if enacted, would severely weaken the federal judiciary and effectively end checks on executive power, culminating in a de facto autocracy.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker