President Trump rescinded President Biden’s executive order that ensured the inclusion of all residents, regardless of immigration status, in the census count used for apportionment of House seats and Electoral College votes. This reversal reinstates the Trump administration’s attempt to exclude undocumented residents, a move previously blocked by the Supreme Court. The decision potentially paves the way for the creation of gerrymandered districts advantageous to Republicans, building on prior efforts to collect citizenship data at the neighborhood level. The implications of this action on the 2030 census remain to be seen, with ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of non-citizens in apportionment counts.
Read More
Trump signs an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This action immediately cuts off access to a vast amount of crucial research data the WHO compiles, impacting medical research and healthcare globally. The loss of this data will hamper research efforts and limit the resources available to doctors diagnosing and treating patients. This move is seen by many as severely detrimental to global public health.
This decision raises serious concerns about the future of collaborative medical research. The US previously benefited greatly from being a member of the WHO, and now that access is lost, building new research facilities might require considering different locations.… Continue reading
Trump’s withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) is a decision fraught with potential consequences, raising serious concerns about global health security and America’s role in international cooperation. The stated reasons for this move, primarily the WHO’s perceived failures in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceived disproportionate financial contribution of the U.S., feel insufficient given the wider implications.
This decision casts a long shadow over America’s future pandemic preparedness. The timing, with the threat of a potential avian flu outbreak looming, is particularly alarming. The WHO provides crucial global surveillance, facilitating early detection of emerging infectious diseases.… Continue reading
Nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees, cleared for resettlement in the United States, are facing flight cancellations due to a Trump administration order suspending U.S. refugee programs. This impacts a diverse group of individuals, including unaccompanied minors seeking family reunification and Afghans who risked their lives fighting alongside the former U.S.-backed Afghan government and now face potential Taliban retribution. The sheer scale of the cancellations – nearly 1,660 individuals – underscores the significant impact of this policy decision.
This situation highlights the precarious position of those who aided the U.S. military during the conflict in Afghanistan. Many risked their lives and the lives of their families in support of U.S.… Continue reading
President Biden issued preemptive pardons to three siblings, two spouses, and several other individuals, including Dr. Fauci and Gen. Milley, citing concerns about politically motivated investigations. These pardons, announced shortly before President-elect Trump’s inauguration, aimed to protect those targeted from the damaging effects of baseless probes, regardless of guilt or innocence. The president stated that such investigations can cause irreparable harm to reputations and finances. This action, while breaking with historical norms, follows precedent of outgoing presidents granting eleventh-hour pardons, including family members.
Read More
In his final hours in office, President Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th Committee, citing fears of potential retribution from the incoming Trump administration. This unprecedented action, spurred by Trump’s threats and selection of partisan cabinet nominees, protects individuals who have been targeted for their roles in investigating the former president. While Biden insisted the pardons don’t imply guilt, the move represents a broad, untested use of presidential power and sets a precedent for future administrations. The pardons aim to safeguard these individuals from politically motivated prosecutions, acknowledging the potential for irreparable damage to their reputations and finances.
Read More
This article presents a challenge or quiz to the reader, indicated by the question “Can you pass the test?”. The nature of the test itself is not revealed in the provided text. A call to action encourages reader participation by suggesting they submit tips or information. The context or subject matter of the quiz remains undefined.
Read More
Thousands of activists converged on Washington D.C. for the People’s March, protesting a range of issues from the incoming Trump administration’s policies. Three separate marches, focusing on democracy/immigration, D.C. statehood, and LGBTQIA/bodily autonomy, respectively, culminated in a rally at the Lincoln Memorial. The event, organized by several national activist groups, drew participants from across the East Coast and aimed to mobilize opposition to perceived threats to civil rights and freedoms. Counter-protesters also gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, focusing on abortion rights.
Read More
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su expressed deep concern that a second Trump administration, advised by billionaires like Elon Musk, would dismantle numerous pro-worker policies enacted under President Biden. These policies include crucial protections for workers facing extreme heat, expanded overtime pay, and increased enforcement of labor laws resulting in over $1 billion recovered for wage theft victims. Su highlighted the Biden administration’s successes in infrastructure investment, union support, and worker safety regulations, contrasting them with the potential rollback of these achievements under a Trump presidency. She emphasized the importance of a strong Labor Department to protect vulnerable workers and enforce existing labor laws.
Read More
Michel Bérrios, a Nicaraguan political activist with temporary legal status in the U.S., chose to self-deport to Ireland before the inauguration of President Trump, fearing the return of anti-immigrant policies. Her decision, though legally unnecessary, reflects a growing trend of self-deportation driven by uncertainty and hostility towards immigrants. This “self-deportation” strategy allows Trump to achieve his immigration goals without the logistical challenges of mass deportations. Bérrios’s departure highlights the anxieties felt by many with temporary legal status, particularly those from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, whose statuses Trump has vowed to end.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood