Last month, the Trump administration justified massive tariffs as addressing an “unusual and extraordinary threat,” yet this weekend, tariffs on Canadian goods were increased by 10% in response to a television ad. The ad, created by Ontario, featured edited remarks from Ronald Reagan, promoting free-market views, which drew criticism from Trump and the Reagan Foundation. Despite Ontario agreeing to remove the ad, Trump retaliated, claiming the ad was a “hostile act” and announced the tariff increase. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the move, characterizing the ad as “propaganda” and “interference in US sovereign matters.”
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Experts in political communication believe an Ontario government ad targeting U.S. tariffs was successful in garnering attention, even if it didn’t achieve the intended outcome. The ad, which featured audio clips of Ronald Reagan, prompted a strong reaction from President Trump, who denounced it and abruptly halted trade talks. Despite criticism from the Reagan Foundation, legal challenges in the U.S. are unlikely due to the wide latitude afforded to political commentary. While the ad’s impact on voters is uncertain, it has undeniably captured the attention of U.S. audiences and sparked discussion about its effectiveness.
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Two staff members from the Ontario Advanced Surgery Center have been charged with allegedly interfering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were attempting to detain landscapers on July 8th. Jose de Jesus Ortega has been arrested, and authorities are still seeking Danielle Nadine Davila, both facing charges of assaulting a federal officer and conspiracy. The incident involved landscapers fleeing into the surgery center, and staff members reportedly intervened, as captured in video footage. The charges stem from a broader context of increased immigration enforcement efforts in Southern California, especially during the Trump administration, and follow U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli’s aggressive approach to charging individuals during ICE operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker