Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, is seeking $20 million in damages from the Trump administration, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation. Khalil’s lawyers filed a claim citing his arrest and subsequent detention in an immigration jail, where he was held while awaiting news of his son’s birth. He claims the administration sought to deport him over his pro-Palestinian activism, with a White House spokesperson and the Department of Homeland Security denying the accusations. Khalil aims to send a message against intimidation, potentially using any settlement to support others targeted for their views, or accepting an apology and policy changes.
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ICE officers are experiencing declining morale due to the Trump administration’s prioritization of mass deportations over criminal investigations. This shift has led to pressure to meet quotas, causing officers to focus on civil immigration arrests and making controversial actions. Several officials have expressed concern over the focus on deportation numbers and the potential damage to the agency’s reputation. Despite public support, ICE’s infrastructure is strained, and many officers feel undervalued and are considering quitting.
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The Trump administration is reportedly planning to cut over 2,000 high-ranking NASA employees with specialized skills, primarily through early retirements and buyouts. These cuts, impacting core mission areas like science and human spaceflight, are part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government. Former NASA officials have voiced strong opposition to the proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2026, which would cancel numerous science programs. They argue such cuts threaten US leadership in space and could cede ground to China’s ambitious space program.
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CNN’s Jake Tapper has accused the Trump administration of attempting to close the book on the Jeffrey Epstein case, despite previously fueling speculation about it. The FBI and Justice Department recently declared the case effectively closed, stating there was no client list and ruling out murder, but Tapper argues the administration possesses additional, unreleased information. He pointed to heavily redacted FBI files and questioned why victim and witness testimonies have not been made public, concluding that the public is being misled. Tapper highlighted the administration’s past claims of shocking revelations, further questioning the lack of transparency.
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Driven by the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration, the Justice Department is targeting naturalized citizens for denaturalization. The department’s memo outlines a focus on individuals who may have committed crimes after becoming citizens, expanding the scope of the law. Critics argue this move is overly broad, potentially allowing the administration to target a wide range of offenses. Historical cases, such as those involving Nazi collaborators, suggest a complex legal process and the importance of due process.
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South Sudan is currently holding eight men deported from the United States, only one of whom is a South Sudanese national, the others coming from various countries. The deportations stem from the Trump administration’s efforts to relocate unwanted migrants to third countries, with the men having been convicted of violent crimes. South Sudan’s foreign ministry stated that the men are being screened and cared for, emphasizing the decision was part of ongoing bilateral engagement with the U.S. The move has drawn criticism from UN experts and raised safety concerns due to the ongoing conflict and instability within South Sudan, with fears of a return to war.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally paused military assistance to Ukraine without informing the White House, leading to confusion within the Trump administration and requiring them to justify the decision to Congress and Ukraine. Despite the controversy, the White House has expressed confidence in Hegseth’s abilities. The decision included pausing shipments of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, catching senior national security officials off guard. Although there are conflicting claims regarding the rationale behind the pause, including concerns about U.S. weapon stockpiles, Democratic members of Congress have contested these claims.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine without informing the White House or key officials, sparking confusion within the administration. President Trump initially distanced himself from the decision, but later ordered the shipments to resume, particularly those containing Patriot interceptor missiles. The pause, initiated by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, was purportedly driven by concerns about US stockpile shortages, despite the lack of a formal briefing or urgent request to Congress. Ultimately, this episode highlights internal policy-making challenges within the Trump administration, particularly regarding coordination with the White House and Congress.
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The El Salvador government has directly contradicted the Trump administration’s stance on responsibility for deported migrants held in its prisons. While the Trump administration has claimed it has no power to bring back the deportees, El Salvador has stated that the U.S. holds the “legal responsibility” for the individuals. These statements were made in response to a U.N. inquiry concerning the disappearance of a relative within the Salvadoran prison system. The article also highlights that many of those deported, accused of gang affiliation, may have no connection to the gangs, raising questions about the legality and treatment of these individuals.
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The new budget law, signed by President Trump, includes over $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, which Senator Elizabeth Warren says the public “needs to know” will be the fault of Trump and Republicans if hospitals are forced to close. Rural hospitals, heavily reliant on Medicaid, are expected to be the most affected, with projections indicating hundreds could close due to financial strain. Critics argue these cuts will limit access to care and lead to widespread devastation, despite White House officials attempting to downplay the impact, while Democrats vow to hold Republicans accountable.
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John Q. Hosedrinker