Newly discovered documents challenge the Trump administration’s accusations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook committed mortgage fraud. The dispute centers on whether a federal housing regulator’s referral to the Department of Justice was supported by documents demonstrating criminal intent, and if Trump could lawfully remove a Fed governor. A loan estimate for Cook’s Atlanta property, obtained by Reuters, indicates she intended to use it as a vacation home, contradicting claims that she falsely declared multiple properties as primary residences. Cook has sued to prevent her removal, with a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction allowing her to remain on the Fed while the suit proceeds.
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Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook characterized a condominium as a “vacation home” on a loan estimate, which could contradict claims of mortgage fraud. The Trump administration, seeking Cook’s removal, alleged she falsely claimed both the condo and another property as her primary residence simultaneously. Cook sued to block her firing and secured an injunction, although the administration has appealed the ruling. The Justice Department is investigating these claims, as misrepresenting a property’s primary residence status can impact mortgage terms.
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The National Guard inadvertently shared internal documents with The Washington Post revealing significant troop disillusionment with their deployments in Washington D.C. The documents, meant for internal analysis, highlighted negative public reactions, including veterans expressing “shame and alarm” at the deployments. This unforced error exemplifies the military’s carelessness, mirroring the overall sloppiness of the Trump administration. The released documents show that many troops are unhappy with the current situation.
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Venezuela’s interior minister refuted claims that the 11 individuals killed in the US military strike were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, asserting investigations revealed they were not drug traffickers. US officials confirmed the vessel was fired upon after changing course and heading back to shore. This has led to concerns among US lawmakers, with some questioning the legality of the action and the administration’s justification, particularly regarding the use of military force for law enforcement. The White House maintains the individuals were “narco-terrorists” and that the President acted within the laws of armed conflict, while Venezuela has responded with increased military readiness and has increased military defenses.
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A browser extension is preventing the video player from functioning, and disabling it on the current site may resolve the issue. Content from YouTube requires advertisement tracking and audience measurement to be enabled. In other news, over 300 South Koreans detained in the US after an immigration raid have returned home. In Nepal, violent protests, sparked by a social media ban, led to the prime minister’s resignation. Finally, a seasonal lake in Kerala, India is attracting visitors with its water lilies.
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As part of an investigation into alleged antisemitic incidents, UC Berkeley sent the Trump administration the names of 160 faculty members and students, prompting criticism from targeted individuals. According to a letter sent to affected campus members, the university’s lawyers included their names in reports to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Judith Butler, a prominent professor at the university, questioned the lack of information regarding the specific allegations and the suspension of standard complaint procedures. Concerns were raised about potential consequences for those on the list, including international students, encompassing employment, academic freedom, and the suppression of political debate.
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The U.S. military destroyed a suspected drug-trafficking boat last week, with sources claiming it appeared to be turning around before the attack. The Trump administration asserts the vessel, originating from Venezuela, was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, a designated terrorist organization. However, Venezuelan officials deny gang involvement and dispute the U.S. claims. The White House maintains the President acted within his constitutional authority and will continue to take action against drug traffickers.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued requests for voter information to numerous states, encompassing both Republican and Democratic-led jurisdictions. Some states were offered access to the federal SAVE database to verify their voter lists. However, legal concerns have been raised by election law experts, who suggest that the request may violate the 1974 Privacy Act. Both Democratic and Republican officials across the country have rejected the DOJ’s requests, citing concerns about the federal government’s overreach into state electoral processes.
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the United States is prepared to take strong action against Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine. These comments follow meetings with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan, where discussions focused on intensifying sanctions targeting Russia. The US and EU are aligning on the importance of ending the war, with all options remaining on the table to support peace negotiations. The Treasury Secretary emphasized that increased pressure on Russia requires the full support of European partners, with potential economic sanctions and tariff actions being considered.
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Trump’s administration’s decision to spend millions to reopen a private prison in California immediately raises a lot of eyebrows, doesn’t it? The whole thing, from the outside, looks rather peculiar. First, there’s a private prison that, for whatever reason, needs significant repairs and subsequently shuts down. Then, boom, the government—under Trump—steps in, pouring millions of taxpayer dollars into fixing it up. And what happens next? Well, the newly refurbished prison isn’t handed back to the state; it’s handed over to private investors, who then start collecting money to house prisoners in a facility that the government just fixed. Seems a bit backwards, doesn’t it?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood