The Independent continues its reporting on critical US issues, including the government shutdown’s impact. While tens of thousands of federal employees face financial hardship and rely on food banks due to the shutdown, President Trump hosted a second extravagant party at Mar-a-Lago. This occurred as the Supreme Court blocked a lower court’s decision to fully fund the SNAP program, affecting 42 million Americans. Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have condemned Trump’s actions, and the FAA reduced air traffic.
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As the government shutdown persists, the Senate convened over the weekend with little progress made toward a resolution. The stalemate, now in its 39th day, continues to negatively impact the country, affecting federal workers, airlines, and SNAP benefits. While moderate Democrats have proposed a plan to end the shutdown in exchange for a future vote on “Obamacare” subsidies, President Trump is unlikely to compromise. Democrats face a critical decision: continue fighting for an extension of the subsidies or vote to reopen the government with the promise of a future health care vote.
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U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut issued a permanent injunction blocking President Trump from deploying the National Guard to Portland. The decision, the fourth time Immergut has blocked the deployment, comes after a trial where the city and states argued the federal government exceeded its authority, despite acknowledging some violence during protests. Immergut concluded the President lacked a lawful basis for federalizing the Guard, noting that the protests had become predominately peaceful. The court also addressed the Trump administration’s misrepresentation of the number of federal officers deployed.
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The Trump administration is actively working to undermine the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT), a Biden-era measure designed to ensure large, profitable companies pay a minimum 15% tax on their book profits. This effort involves issuing guidance and regulatory proposals that weaken the CAMT, potentially providing significant tax breaks to corporations and investors. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns that these actions create loopholes and may exceed the administration’s legal authority, potentially allowing wealthy corporations to avoid their tax obligations. Specifically, lawmakers are scrutinizing a recent notice that significantly increased the safe harbor threshold, which could exempt companies from CAMT liability.
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The Trump administration is threatening to reduce air traffic at “high-volume” airports due to the ongoing government shutdown, potentially leading to flight cancellations and delays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claims these measures are necessary to alleviate pressure on understaffed and unpaid air traffic controllers, placing blame on Democrats. The White House hopes to leverage this disruption to force a Republican-favorable resolution to the shutdown. However, the plan could backfire as the impacts will affect both Democrats and Republicans nationwide, potentially leading to bipartisan frustration over the issue.
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In a Saturday morning Truth Social post, President Trump proposed redirecting ACA funds from insurance companies to Americans to directly purchase healthcare. This suggestion comes amidst the ongoing government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, as Democrats seek to ensure the continuation of ACA tax credits. Trump’s proposal is another potential solution, although its specifics and implications remain unclear. Further clarification has been sought from the White House, while Republicans and Democrats continue negotiations to end the shutdown.
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**Judge permanently blocks deployment of National Guard to Portland, saying Trump exceeded his authority**
The news that a judge permanently blocked the deployment of the National Guard to Portland is a welcome development, a clear indication that a branch of government is actively scrutinizing and attempting to curtail the overreach of presidential power. This ruling, specifically citing that Trump exceeded his authority, is important and serves as a critical check and balance. The judge’s decision, based on the fact that Trump’s deployment was “untethered from the facts” and reality, should ideally be straightforward, and the fact that it is even a victory to be celebrated points to the erosion of basic legal principles in these times.… Continue reading
The Trump administration’s decision to provide only partial SNAP benefits during a government shutdown has a devastating impact, especially as the President showcases lavish renovations and golf outings. While families struggle with food insecurity, the author draws parallels to the actions of Nicolae Ceaușescu, noting both leaders’ focus on opulent displays while their citizens suffer. Furthermore, the author critiques the tax cuts that benefit the wealthy while simultaneously cutting essential programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. This is compounded by the increased funding of ICE, which is conducting aggressive raids. The author concludes by advocating for community-based solutions and political action to counter the administration’s policies.
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The Trump administration is actively undermining the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT), a Biden-era measure designed to ensure large, profitable companies pay at least 15% in taxes on their reported profits. This move involves issuing regulatory guidance and proposals that create loopholes, effectively providing hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for businesses and investors. Critics, including members of Congress, have raised concerns that the administration is exceeding its legal authority and allowing corporations to avoid their tax obligations. Specifically, a recent notice increased the safe harbor threshold, potentially exempting companies that should be subject to the CAMT.
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When asked if she agreed with the president’s assessment of inflation, the Georgia representative stated that grocery and energy prices remain high. She noted increased electricity bills in both Washington, D.C., and Rome, Georgia, highlighting affordability as a significant issue. Unlike the president’s claims, the representative expressed concern for the financial well-being of the younger generation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood