Following Trump’s inauguration, officials celebrated budget cuts at USAID, including those impacting humanitarian aid. These cuts, driven by a disdain for the agency and implemented by inexperienced appointees, resulted in the termination of critical programs, particularly in South Sudan. Consequently, essential aid was halted during a severe cholera outbreak, causing death due to lack of medical care and sanitation services. Despite internal warnings and pleas for renewed funding, the Trump administration delayed aid for months, prioritizing its agenda and ultimately downplaying the consequences.
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The Trump administration recently cancelled citizenship ceremonies for immigrants from 19 countries, including Iran, already subject to a travel ban. This decision left legal permanent residents like Sanam, who had completed all prior steps, in limbo. Affected individuals, such as Sanam and Jorge, were informed of the cancellations just days or even hours before their ceremonies. This action is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration rules, following a shooting in Washington D.C., leading to uncertainty and re-evaluation of their futures in the U.S.
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The unredacted version of the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy, as reported by Defense One and summarized by Polish Radio’s Marek Wałkuski, contained a chapter titled “Make Europe Great Again.” This chapter outlined a strategy to prioritize relationships with individual European nations, such as Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland, that were deemed ideologically aligned with the U.S., potentially isolating them from the European Union. Furthermore, the document proposed supporting groups advocating for “sovereignty” and a “traditional European way of life.” The strategy also included the creation of a “C5” bloc, comprised of the United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan, excluding all European nations, which contrasted with the published version.
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Trump administration threatens to take $73 million and all trucker licenses from NY. The news has sparked a flurry of reactions, and it’s easy to see why. The potential ramifications of such a move are far-reaching, hitting at the heart of the supply chain and potentially disrupting the economy of a major state.
This isn’t just about money; it’s about control. The threat to freeze $73 million in funding, coupled with the possible “total decertification” of New York’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) program, is a bold move, especially since the reasoning behind it—allegations of improperly issued licenses for immigrants—is being questioned by many.… Continue reading
A Massachusetts federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate billions of dollars in canceled FEMA disaster mitigation funding, following a lawsuit from 22 states and the District of Columbia. The administration had halted the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, deeming it wasteful and ineffective, and halting $3.6 billion in awarded but unpaid funding. This decision disrupted numerous projects designed to improve infrastructure resilience against climate change impacts. The judge ruled FEMA’s actions unlawful, citing congressional appropriation of the funds for these specific grants and emphasizing the public interest in upholding the law.
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The Trump administration’s use of lethal force against alleged members of “designated terrorist organizations” in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean raises concerns about expanding executive power. The administration’s refusal to clarify if similar actions could occur within the U.S., particularly against groups designated as “domestic terrorist organizations” under NSPM-7, fuels fears of extrajudicial killings. Experts and lawmakers warn that the broad application of this term lacks legal basis and could be used to suppress dissent. Critics highlight the dangers of labeling actions such as drug trafficking as armed conflict to justify lethal actions.
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The Trump administration is arguing against providing real-time American Sign Language interpretation at White House events, claiming it would impede the President’s ability to control his public image. The Department of Justice, in response to a lawsuit from the National Association for the Deaf, stated that providing these services would be an intrusion. This stance aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as reflected in various executive orders and departmental directives. While the White House provides alternative accessibility methods, such as transcripts and closed captioning, the administration is appealing a ruling requiring ASL interpretation, although some services have been provided.
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A bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers has voiced opposition to the Department of Education’s proposal for new student-loan limits within President Trump’s repayment overhaul. The proposal includes lifetime borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, with a $100,000 limit for graduate programs and a $200,000 limit for professional programs, which the department has defined to include programs like medicine, dentistry, and law. Lawmakers argue that excluding post-graduate nursing programs from the professional definition could worsen existing nursing shortages, particularly for programs such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The Department of Education maintains that the caps would affect a small percentage of nursing students, with the changes slated for implementation in 2026 and are still subject to public feedback.
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The House of Representatives recently passed a $900 billion defense spending bill including military aid to Ukraine, specifically reauthorizing the USAI and allocating $400 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The legislation also restricts the Pentagon’s ability to reduce troops in Europe below 76,000 for more than 45 days and mandates congressional notification regarding restrictions on intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Despite the bill’s support, the Trump administration is currently using the PURL to sell arms to Ukraine via NATO partners instead of allocating new defense aid. In his push for a peace deal, Trump has emphasized that the U.S. is not directly funding the war but rather profiting from weapons sales to NATO.
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The Trump administration is taking steps to end the Biden administration’s SAVE student loan forgiveness program, which provided lower monthly payments for over 7 million borrowers. This follows a settlement with Missouri, a state that sued to halt the plan, effectively eliminating it. The settlement also requires the Department of Education to notify Missouri 30 days before any future broad student debt relief, potentially hindering future forgiveness efforts. Critics argue this move will likely force more borrowers into default, exacerbating financial struggles amid rising living costs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood