The Trump administration’s executive order mandates the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the sole federal agency supporting museums, despite strong public support for these institutions. This action, part of a broader effort to reduce the federal government’s size, threatens museums’ crucial roles in education, economic growth, and community engagement. The IMLS, operating on a minuscule portion of the federal budget, provides vital grants and support for museums contributing billions to the U.S. economy annually. This decision risks jeopardizing jobs, cultural preservation, and vital community programs.
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A French researcher, employed by the CNRS, was denied entry to the United States and subsequently deported. American authorities cited messages on his phone expressing opinions critical of the Trump administration’s research policies as the reason for denial, classifying the opinions as “hateful” and even “terrorism.” The French government, while acknowledging US sovereignty over entry, deplores the incident, emphasizing the importance of freedom of opinion and academic freedom. Following an FBI investigation, charges were dropped.
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A French researcher, visiting the U.S. for a conference, was denied entry and subsequently deported after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allegedly found concerning messages on his phone. French officials expressed serious concern, citing the researcher’s affiliation with the CNRS and the seemingly arbitrary nature of the expulsion. Conflicting reports suggest the messages were characterized as either expressing personal opinions critical of Trump administration policies or as “hate and conspiracy messages,” even potentially involving terrorism accusations, though these charges were later dropped. The researcher’s electronic devices were seized prior to his deportation.
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A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, temporarily halting its implementation. The judge’s decision, following hearings where the Defense Department’s justifications were questioned, found the ban unconstitutional, citing likely success on claims of discriminatory animus and failure to meet intermediate scrutiny. The ruling, which is subject to a potential appeal, deemed the policy overbroad and based on unsubstantiated generalizations. The judge emphasized the inherent contradiction of denying equal protection rights to transgender service members who risk their lives to defend those very rights.
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Governor Walz criticized Senate Democrats’ handling of the continuing resolution, arguing that they should have forced Trump to justify his actions, causing the pain of a government shutdown to fall directly on him rather than on the states. He believes improved inter-state communication and a more unified strategy among Democrats would have been beneficial. Further, he emphasized that he will not comply with unlawful presidential orders and cited the current administration’s illegal deportations as an example of why firm opposition is necessary. Walz also stressed the importance of the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, viewing it as a crucial test of whether the judiciary can resist partisan influence. Finally, he expressed concern over the potential for Republicans to leverage Trump’s appeal even without his direct presence on the ballot.
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The US State Department’s deletion of evidence compiled by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab has severely hampered international efforts to rescue thousands of Ukrainian children abducted to Russia. The lab, using US-provided resources, had been tracking these abductions and building a case for prosecution, including against Vladimir Putin. This data loss not only jeopardizes the prosecution of those responsible but also hinders active rescue efforts to return the children to Ukraine. The act may constitute a violation of the Jones War Crimes Act, potentially resulting in criminal liability for the Trump administration. The deleted information included details supporting an international arrest warrant for Putin.
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A recent sworn declaration by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official revealed that a significant number of individuals deported under the Alien Enemies Act during the Trump administration lacked criminal records in the United States. These deportations, often labeled as targeting gang members, involved non-citizens whose alleged gang affiliations were the primary basis for removal. The statement highlights a discrepancy between the stated rationale for the deportations and the actual criminal history of those removed. This finding raises questions about the accuracy of the Trump administration’s claims regarding gang membership and the justification for these deportations.
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The Department of Defense removed an article detailing Jackie Robinson’s WWII service, along with numerous other articles celebrating the contributions of minority groups. This removal, seemingly connected to President Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), resulted in a “404” error for URLs now including “dei”. While the Robinson article remains accessible via Archive.org, 14 of 18 related Army website articles were deleted. This action is part of a broader pattern of removing historical content the administration deems DEI-focused.
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A recent change to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) removes the explicit prohibition of segregated facilities in federal contracts. This alteration, prompted by President Trump’s executive orders on diversity and gender identity, rescinds a clause dating back to the 1960s that mandated integrated workplaces for federal contractors. While existing state and federal laws against segregation remain in effect, legal experts deem this change symbolically significant, potentially undermining decades of progress toward racial and gender equality. The removal of the clause occurred without the typical public comment period, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
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John Q. Hosedrinker