In 2019, JPMorgan Chase alerted the Trump administration to over $1 billion in potentially suspicious transactions linked to Jeffrey Epstein, as revealed in recently unsealed court documents. The report flagged over 4,700 transactions and highlighted figures like Leon Black, Glenn Dubin, Alan Dershowitz, and trusts linked to Leslie Wexner, though the nature of the transactions remains unclear. Notably, the report mentioned wire transfers to Russian banks and sensitivities surrounding Epstein’s relationships with former U.S. presidents. JPMorgan stated they made repeated efforts to alert regulators to concerns surrounding Epstein by filing suspicious activity reports, despite working with him for over a decade.
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Inspired by reports of high failure rates among new ICE recruits, Josh Sorbe, a Democratic Senate press secretary, completed the agency’s physical fitness test, a 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in under 14 minutes, in a video posted to social media. The challenge was part of a push to hire new deportation officers. The video, which mocked the lowered standards, highlighted the Trump administration’s recruitment efforts. Sorbe, a fitness instructor and marathoner, used the challenge to critique ICE’s actions and reclaim fitness culture from the right. He hoped to bring attention to the issues surrounding the agency.
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A federal judge in Boston expressed skepticism regarding the Trump administration’s plan to suspend SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, suggesting the process involves finding an equitable way to reduce benefits. The judge indicated a preference for utilizing emergency funds to maintain the program, emphasizing that Congress’s intent was to prioritize funding. This hearing occurred as the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments, impacting approximately one in eight Americans who rely on the program. The court considered the arguments of 25 Democratic-led states, and a ruling was expected to apply nationwide, regardless of the Supreme Court’s limitations on nationwide injunctions.
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As reported by the Associated Press, Maine Family Planning, a network of 18 clinics serving low-income residents, is closing its primary care operations due to the Trump administration’s cuts to abortion providers. The network, which offers a range of services beyond abortions, including cancer screenings and STD testing, stated the cuts forced them to make difficult decisions. The move to defund abortion providers is driving patients away from their doctors and has resulted in over 600 patients losing access to care. Maine Family Planning is fighting the funding cuts in federal court, with the Center for Reproductive Rights vowing to continue the legal battle.
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The Trump administration has announced plans to limit the number of refugees admitted to the United States next year to a mere 7,500, with a focus on white South Africans. This drastic reduction represents a significant decrease from the previous levels under the Biden administration. Critics have swiftly condemned this decision, citing concerns that the administration is prioritizing political interests over humanitarian ones and potentially undermining the program’s moral standing. This move follows an executive order by Trump that cut financial aid to South Africa, driven by the claim of alleged discrimination towards white Afrikaners.
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During the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration allocated nearly $10 million towards advertising campaigns, as revealed by a new report. These ads, analyzed by Equis and Priorities USA, targeted immigrants with messages urging self-deportation and encouraged Americans to join ICE. The spending, which included social media and TV campaigns, occurred while crucial government services faced funding freezes and federal workers experienced pay delays. DHS justified the expenditure, citing funds allocated for law enforcement recruitment, even as critics questioned the priorities during the ongoing government shutdown.
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Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has stated that the United States revoked his visa and banned him from the country, a move he links to his criticism of the Trump administration. Soyinka, who previously renounced his US green card in protest of Trump’s 2016 election, made the announcement after being asked to surrender his passport for visa cancellation. The author has been a frequent critic of Trump’s immigration policies and suggested that his comparison of Trump to Idi Amin may have contributed to the recent development. The US embassy has declined to comment on the individual case.
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Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning immigrant journalist, believes he may have been the first deported under the Trump administration, warning other immigrant journalists to be cautious of aggressive immigration agents who do not respect the media. Guevara was deported on October 3rd following his arrest while live-streaming an anti-Trump protest, despite having a work permit and two U.S. citizen children. Legal proceedings followed, with Guevara’s lawyers arguing his detention aimed to silence his reporting, a claim countered by the administration. His deportation, a result of his reopened immigration case, left him with a brief goodbye to his family and the loss of his American dream.
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Dozens of States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts. This situation is really hitting hard, with the news that many states are taking legal action against the Trump administration over the proposed cuts to food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits. The fact that so many states, possibly even more than half, are banding together to fight this says a lot about the severity of the issue.
The optics are just striking, too. You have this administration, potentially at the same time, allocating resources for things like a lavish ballroom while, on the other hand, cutting back on programs that help feed families and children.… Continue reading
A class-action lawsuit has been filed by New Yorkers receiving food stamps against the Trump administration in response to new work requirements taking effect soon. The plaintiffs allege the changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were implemented too quickly and will result in thousands losing monthly food aid. The lawsuit specifically challenges the USDA’s rescinding of state and local waivers, which previously exempted recipients from work requirements. The suit is concerned about the impact on recipients who rely on the benefits, which provide a critical lifeline for many in the city.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood