The current political climate resembles a circus, and resisting the Trump administration can inadvertently become part of it. To counter this, a new form of political theatre is proposed, drawing inspiration from historical resistance movements. This involves blue states creating an invitation-only, embryonic constitutional convention to draft an interstate compact outlining rights, obligations, and funding. The compact would address Trump-era abuses, including crucial social programs and acknowledging the dangers of AI and climate change. Ultimately, the author hopes this initiative would shift focus away from the Trump presidency, potentially inspiring other states to join, and encouraging ordinary citizens to become politically involved.
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The Trump administration’s plan to drastically reduce refugee admissions to 7,500 in 2026, a significant decrease from previous discussions, is under scrutiny. This decision, reportedly giving preference to white South Africans, has sparked criticism from advocacy groups and Democrats. The administration is facing accusations of failing to consult with Congress on the legally required refugee limits. The proposed cap and prioritization have been met with widespread condemnation.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a video on X that included a brief image of “Mac Tonight,” a character associated with online white supremacist and neo-Nazi content. The character’s inclusion sparked controversy due to its history of association with racist and hateful imagery. This incident follows a period where DHS’s social media has exhibited nationalist content, and the government has severed ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) which has documented the racist use of the “Mac Tonight” character. While a DHS spokesperson stated the character’s presence was unrelated to any racist undertones, the incident has raised concerns about the potential use of white supremacist memes and imagery within the Trump administration.
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In recent weeks, former President Barack Obama has notably intensified his criticisms of the Trump administration, a shift welcomed by Democrats. This change marks a departure from his more reserved approach during Trump’s first term and has been fueled by the current administration’s actions. Despite the increased frequency of Obama’s comments, some within the party recognize the need for new leadership to emerge. While his voice is valued, Democrats acknowledge the importance of looking beyond Obama to secure future success.
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The Trump administration is offering unaccompanied migrant children a $2,500 stipend to voluntarily leave the United States, as confirmed by Department of Homeland Security officials. This financial offer, detailed in a letter sent to migrant shelters, is available to children aged 14 and older, with the program initially targeting 17-year-olds. This initiative, part of a broader effort to encourage voluntary deportations, follows a similar move in June offering $1,000 to self-deporting migrants. Critics, however, are condemning the tactic, citing concerns that this undermines existing laws designed to protect vulnerable children.
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A senior White House official, Anthony Salisbury, inadvertently revealed plans to deploy the 82nd Airborne Division to Portland via Signal messages. The Minnesota Star Tribune obtained images of the messages, which were sent to other high-ranking officials, including a senior adviser to the US defense secretary, discussing the potential deployment due to potential backlash of using the army. While the defense secretary initially preferred the National Guard, Trump’s administration ultimately deployed 200 members of the National Guard, contradicting initial reports. This incident adds to a pattern of intelligence leaks within the Trump administration, highlighting security concerns.
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The Trump administration, under the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has conducted a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, with the latest occurring off the coast of Venezuela. These strikes, the fourth such incident since early September, have been met with condemnation from critics, including legal scholars and human rights groups, who argue the attacks violate international and federal law. Despite these criticisms, the administration has continued the attacks, claiming they target “narco-terrorists” and are vital for national security, even without providing definitive proof of drug trafficking. Legal experts and members of Congress have expressed alarm, pointing to the lack of legal justification and potential for abuse of power.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported that the Trump administration informed him of plans to federalize and deploy 300 Illinois National Guard members within the state. Pritzker strongly condemned this action, stating there was no need for military troops and that he would not comply with the demand. This news followed the President’s authorization of National Guard deployment in Portland, Oregon, where a federal judge is considering a lawsuit challenging the deployment. Trump’s actions are part of a broader trend of deploying or threatening to deploy troops to various cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., facing legal challenges and criticism.
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A federal judge believes the immigrant defendant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, may have been targeted with a criminal charge by the Justice Department out of vindictiveness for suing the Trump administration. The judge is allowing further evidence gathering and a hearing to investigate this claim, potentially including testimony from officials. This follows Abrego Garcia’s wrongful removal to El Salvador and subsequent indictment for transporting undocumented immigrants after a 2022 traffic stop, with the timing of the charges being unusually delayed. Furthermore, public statements from administration officials and a Deputy Attorney General’s comments on TV have raised suspicions of an improper motive, potentially providing direct evidence of vindictiveness.
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Federal workers’ union sues administration over partisan email language. This is, without a doubt, a story that screams legal trouble, even before we get into the specifics. Imagine your employer taking control of your out-of-office message, injecting politically charged statements that you never authorized. This is not just a matter of bad form; it’s a potential violation of the law, and the legal eagles are circling.
Federal workers’ union sues administration over partisan email language. Now, let’s break down exactly what happened. During a government shutdown, some furloughed employees set up automated “out of office” replies. Then, and this is where the story gets truly eyebrow-raising, those messages were deleted and replaced with ones that blamed “radical left Democrats” for the shutdown.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Obama Steps Up Trump Criticism Amid Democratic Leadership Concerns
In recent weeks, former President Barack Obama has notably intensified his criticisms of the Trump administration, a shift welcomed by Democrats. This change marks a departure from his more reserved approach during Trump’s first term and has been fueled by the current administration’s actions. Despite the increased frequency of Obama’s comments, some within the party recognize the need for new leadership to emerge. While his voice is valued, Democrats acknowledge the importance of looking beyond Obama to secure future success.
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