Seventeen transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a lawsuit alleging the Air Force unlawfully revoked their approved retirement orders. The plaintiffs, with 15-18 years of service, were granted retirement dates, but those orders were rescinded following the Trump administration’s transgender military ban. The complaint argues the reversal violated the Air Force’s own rules, as the orders were valid and revocation should only occur in narrow circumstances that did not apply. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of the original retirement orders, restoration of benefits, and compensation for lost pay.
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Following the direction of President Trump, US forces conducted lethal strikes on two vessels off the coast of South America, resulting in the deaths of six individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The strikes, which began in early September, have targeted vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 70 deaths to date. These actions have drawn criticism, with the UN human rights chief condemning them as a violation of international law, and Venezuela denouncing them as illegal and aggressive. Despite the attacks, the US has not made public any concrete evidence of the targets’ activities.
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Amidst the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration has returned to the Supreme Court seeking to halt full payments in the SNAP program, despite lower court rulings to the contrary. The administration’s request follows a whirlwind of legal action regarding food aid for 42 million Americans, with states facing uncertainty on how to proceed. While the Supreme Court has temporarily paused full payments, the outcome remains uncertain as Congress considers a funding package to resolve the shutdown. Several states are voicing concerns about “catastrophic operational disruptions” should the government not reimburse them for benefits already authorized, leaving millions waiting for their SNAP payments.
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A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order to fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, citing the president’s own statements as evidence of defiance. Despite the judge’s directive for full payment by Friday, the administration appealed the ruling and benefits remained unpaid, leaving millions without food assistance. The judge had previously pointed out the administration’s intent to withhold the payments for political reasons and highlighted the precedent of SNAP funding continuing during past shutdowns. An administrative order from Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson halted the lower court’s ruling, allowing the government to continue withholding funds while the appellate court reviews the matter.
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Trump Administration demands states ‘undo’ work to send full food stamps, which is a situation that seems designed to create hardship for some of the most vulnerable people in the country. The whole situation has an unmistakable air of cruelty. It’s difficult not to see this as a deliberate move to cause suffering, especially when considering the timing and the potential impact on families already struggling to make ends meet. The fact that this is happening as winter approaches just adds another layer of concern.
Now, it’s pretty clear where the blame lies. This isn’t a case of some complex political maneuver; it’s a direct action by the Trump administration to restrict access to food assistance.… Continue reading
A federal judge determined the Trump administration violated the First Amendment rights of Education Department employees. The violation occurred when the department replaced personalized out-of-office email replies with partisan messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the department to restore union members’ personalized out-of-office email notices immediately, or remove the partisan language from all employee accounts. The lawsuit was filed by the American Federation of Government Employees, who argued the action infringed on employee’s rights and used them as political mouthpieces.
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During the government shutdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism for distributing a taxpayer-funded video blaming Democrats, which some airports declined to air. Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint, alleging the video and other government communications violated ethics laws prohibiting the use of government resources for partisan purposes. Ethics experts believe the administration’s actions demonstrate a disregard for ethical norms, and note that enforcement is difficult as agencies are dominated by Trump loyalists. While the administration claims it is simply sharing the truth, experts believe the administration’s disregard for ethical norms has resulted in personal profit and constitutional issues.
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In a recent development, Judge Mark Wolf, a Reagan appointee, resigned to publicly criticize the Trump administration’s actions, citing an “assault on the rule of law.” Wolf accused Trump of using the law for partisan purposes, targeting political adversaries while protecting allies. This resignation follows rising tensions between the judiciary and the Trump administration, with other Reagan-appointed judges also voicing similar concerns. Wolf’s primary concerns include Trump’s dismantling of agencies investigating corruption and the increase in threats against judges.
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The Trump administration is now demanding states reverse full SNAP benefits paid out after a legal battle over the anti-hunger program, following a Supreme Court stay on lower court rulings. The Department of Agriculture considers the payments unauthorized and warned states could face penalties for non-compliance. Over two dozen states have warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if the administration does not reimburse them for these benefits. Several states, like Massachusetts and Wisconsin, have stated that they will not comply with the directive and will fight it in court.
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The Trump administration has ordered states to reverse actions taken to provide full SNAP benefits to low-income Americans, citing them as “unauthorized” and threatening financial penalties for non-compliance. This follows a federal judge’s order to provide the funds, which was temporarily paused by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The resulting uncertainty has left nearly 1 in 8 Americans, who rely on SNAP benefits, in a state of flux, increasing demand at food banks and pantries nationwide. The USDA memo, first reported by The New York Times, has been met with criticism from state officials who cite a lack of clarity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood