Friday, February 21, 2025

Kash Patel confirmed as F.B.I Director

 On Thursday, February 20th, Kash Patel was confirmed by the Senate to serve as the next FBI Director, passing in a very close vote of 51-49, in which two republicans defected and voted no to confirming him. Patel, which has been a very controversial pick from the beginning, for his undying and unwavering loyalty to President Donald J. Trump and threatening to “come after” those who oppose him once appointed, to unconventional beliefs in the “Deep State” and having strong concerns about national security, to overall having a lack of experience in leading and  running an organization, will now serve as the ninth FBI director, succeeding Christopher A. Wray, who served in Biden’s administration. 

During his confirmation meeting, he switched his position on wanting to seek retribution towards opposers and Democrats, denying having a list of enemies he wishes to target and saying that there would be “no politicization” in the FBI, and that he was simply misunderstood. However, there is no way to hold him to that promise, and with a strong track record of blindly following Trump (publishing not one, but TWO pro-Trump children’s books), he might be willing to cross those lines and abuse his power. 

Now, only a few days into his role, he has already ordered the relocation of 1,500 employees of the FBI from Washington to locations all across the country. This is all a part of his plan to “rebuild” the FBI, promising to bring it to local communities and simultaneously limit its power,  a trend that the Trump administration seems to be following with the introduction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the villainizing of the bureaucracy. 

Patel has been promising to “overhaul” the FBI, who are responsible for protecting the country against foreign threats, collecting information on them, and finding criminals found to be breaking federal laws. Which begs the question: what exactly needs to be overhauled? What is the FBI doing that is harming the American public? Protecting the country does not seem inherently political, yet it is slowly becoming a political topic with Kash Patel as Director. 

In the future, as he continues his role, important questions come to mind: How will the role of the FBI be changed with the introduction of Patel as director? Why is the bureaucracy being looked down upon and villainized? How will the government’s role in our lives change with the Trump administration's clear desire to limit its role?

Sources: 




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Trump's Foreign Policy Shift on Russia and Ukraine

Since the start of his presidency, US President Donald J. Trump has been making major shifts in American policy, taking drastic measures at a rapid pace, one of these being a shit in stance on foreign relations. Recently, on the stance of the Ukrainian-Russian War, which has been ongoing ever since the Russian invasion in February of 2022, he has blamed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a long time ally of America, for the fault of the war and all its casualties in Ukraine and has called him a “dictator without elections”, signaling a reversal in previous US stance. 

This past week, President Trump and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have been engaged in “talks” in order to take the next step forward, but without the attendance or the invitation of Ukraine. Which begs the question, why exclude them? Can it really be a “peace” talk if one side of the story is being completely ignored?

Additionally, President Trump has made many false claims when it comes to the information surrounding Ukraine and Russia. He claimed that the US has offered more aid than Europe combined, which proved to be false. Europe has given around $238 billion dollars, with America giving $120 billion dollars. He also told reporters that Zelenskyy approval ratings have dropped to “around 4%”, when in reality, it is around 57% (when Trump’s approval rating is only around 45%). 

Just today, President Trump has slightly backpedaled by acknowledging the fact that Russia did indeed attack Ukraine first and with no reason, but all of that remains futile when he continues to insist that Ukraine could have ended the war earlier by “talking it out”. Thus, by publicly defending Russia’s actions and the sidelining Ukraine, Trump almost strong handles Zelenskyy to sign a mineral deal in which the US will invest in Kyiv’s mines, with Trump even boasting with how it will bring almost $500 billion dollars to America. A clear and disgusting attempt to pressure Ukraine into fear of losing America’s support, to force them to sign this deal. Russia, which has been suffering from the sanctions placed on it from America during the beginning of the war, now is encouraging America to start using Russia as a market for opportunity to grow businesses and have valuable resources. 

Can peace really be brought to Ukraine when Trump hopes to get on the good side of Russia, changing the history of decades and decades of the alliance, and the history of anti-Russian sentiment since the Cold War? How can there be, when our president uses war and the deaths of tens of thousands of lives as a way to make friends and for economic gain?

Sources:


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Monday, February 17, 2025

“No Kings on Presidents Day”: 50501 Protests Unfold Across the Nation

On Presidents Day, thousands of protestors gathered in major cities across the United States to oppose Donald Trump’s overreach in reshaping the federal government, as well as Elon Musk’s involvement with DOGE. Demonstrators condemned the administration’s executive actions targeting transgender rights, undocumented immigrants, and federal overreach, as a response to what organizers describe as "the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration." 

The demonstrations occurred in key locations nationwide, including Union Square in New York, the California State Capitol in Sacramento, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. Protestors embraced the American flag as a symbol of patriotism, and carried signs with messages: “No Billionaire Kings,” “Stop the Coup,” and “Fight Fascism Everywhere.”



The protest was organized by the 50501 Movement, short for  “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” Originating on Reddit, and quickly gaining traction from people frustrated with the Trump administration, the rapid growth of this movement demonstrates the increasing role of technology in modern political activism. The Presidents Day protest will be their second: the first protest occurred on Feb. 5, with nearly 80 protests across 88 cities in all 50 states, calling for Trump’s impeachment and investigation into Elon Musk.  


Although the protests are not affiliated with any political party and are loosely organized locally, they have joined forces with Political Revolution, an organization that emerged from Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, further amplifying its reach. 


Unlike Trump’s first term, where mass protests were a defining feature of the opposition, public protests so far during his second term have been much more subdued due to fears of retribution, as well as a sense of resignation. However, this recent wave of mobilization hints at a shift in momentum, as protesters see their efforts not just as resistance, but as a show of solidarity, and a commitment to democracy and civic engagement. 


With public opinion increasingly polarized, the resurgence of mass mobilization raises a few key questions: Can grassroots movements like 50501 sustain long-term pressure? Will protests shift political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections? So far though, these protests serve as a sign of hope, and activists are refusing to stay silent.


sources: 

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/16/nx-s1-5297117/50501-movement-presidents-day-protests-explainer


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/politics/trump-musk-protests-50501-presidents-day.html


https://apnews.com/article/president-donald-trump-protest-c8796556fbf20e796f42167f61c3d942


https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/donald-trump-elon-musk-protests-no-kings-day-1235270646/



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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Trump's Development Plan for the Gaza Strip Sparks International Outrage

President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to oversee the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip has triggered widespread backlash, with critics warning that it could deepen regional instability and undermine Palestinian sovereignty. Unveiled as part of a broader initiative to boost Gaza’s economy, the plan involves placing the territory under temporary U.S. administration and launching large-scale reconstruction projects led by American companies. While the administration presents the initiative as a humanitarian effort, the plan’s legal and geopolitical implications have drawn significant international criticism.

According to The Washington Post, the plan outlines a U.S.-led effort to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, with key projects focused on clearing unexploded ordnance, constructing new housing developments, and modernizing transportation systems. American businesses would take the lead in redevelopment, with the goal of turning Gaza into a model of economic progress. Under this initiative, U.S. businesses would play a pivotal role in Gaza’s rebuilding process. However, critics argue that this approach sidelines Palestinian leadership and imposes external control over Gaza’s future without addressing the deeper political conflict. Additionally, Palestinian displacement remains a critical issue, with many individuals forced from their homes due to conflict and military operations. Trump's plan risks further exacerbating these conditions, as the proposal does not offer a path for returning displaced Palestinians to their homes.

Netanyahu and Trump hold a press conference at the White House on February 4, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced strong support for the proposal, calling it a step toward lasting stability. However, Palestinian leaders have rejected the plan outright, viewing it as an affront to their sovereignty and a continuation of American favoritism toward Israel. In response, protests have erupted across the world, with demonstrators condemning the plan as a neo-colonial maneuver to reshape the region to serve U.S. and Israeli interests.

NPR reports that key U.S. allies, including Germany, have called the proposal a violation of international law, warning of its destabilizing potential. NPR also notes that Saudi Arabia has rejected the proposal, viewing it as an attempt by the Trump administration to expand U.S. influence in the Middle East. Saudi officials emphasized the importance of a Palestinian-led solution and expressed concerns that the plan would exacerbate tensions rather than promote peace.

Despite its ambitious scope, Trump’s Gaza development plan displays the complexities of U.S. involvement in the Middle East. While economic recovery is vital for Gaza’s future, experts caution that lasting peace can only be achieved through an approach that respects Palestinian sovereignty and prioritizes local voices. Currently, the proposal remains a source of diplomatic tension, with its long-term consequences for the region still uncertain.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/09/trump-gaza-development-intervention/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/us/politics/trump-gaza-takeover.html 

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/05/nx-s1-5287576/trump-gaza-takeover 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/us/politics/trump-gaza-strip-netanyahu.html 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g9xgj2429o

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/1230862336/trump-says-the-us-will-own-gaza-what-that-could-mean-for-the-middle-east

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Federal Judge Allows Trump's Federal Worker Buyout Offer to Proceed

After having paused nationwide the Trump Administration’s offer of buyouts to federal employees, on February 11th, U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. allowed the administration to proceed. 

The buyout offer, pushed by the Trump administration and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, had been offered to over 2 million federal employees offering the chance to take a “deferred resignation,” meaning they would agree to resign immediately, but get paid through September, as part of their plan to downsize the federal workforce. As of Tuesday (2/11) morning, over 65,000 federal employees, about 3% of the federal workforce, had agreed to resign. 


In attempt to stop the program, the nonprofit group Democracy Forward, on behalf of three government unions, and representing over 800,000 civil servants, argued that the offer was unlawful because Congress had not appropriated the funds needed to compensate workers who took up the offer, and it was "arbitrary and capricious in numerous respects."


In his ruling, O’Toole wrote that the plaintiffs (labor unions) lacked standing to sue because they were not directly impacted by the buyout program. In addition, he stated that his court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because federal employees are supposed to take their complaints to independent agencies that are set up specifically to handle personnel matters within the government. O’Toole’s decision reflects a strong application of judicial restraint, reinforcing the idea that the judiciary does not have the authority to intervene in all disputes, in this case, the executive branch’s authority in federal employment. 


However, the ruling did not address the legality of the buyout program, and the union’s lawyers are considering next steps. As we have learned in class, this could be done through appealing to a higher court, or through class action lawsuits by affected employees challenging the scope of executive power or protection of workers’ rights. This ongoing legal challenge is important as it raises several key issues, including potential conflicts with the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits federal spending beyond congressional appropriations, the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the procedures of administrative law, as well as the power of the executive order in major workforce changes. As this situation continues to play out, the question of presidential authority remains, as well as constitutional implications which could redefine executive authority in the future. 


sources:
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Sunday, February 9, 2025

RFK Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)

 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is progressing through the nomination process to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position that has a significant impact on health policy and administration in the US. Kennedy's career focus has mostly been on environmental protection and litigation against pollutants, but he is also known for controversial anti-vaccine advocacy and leadership within organizations like Children's Health Defense.


On November 14, 2024, President Trump nominated Kennedy to become Secretary of HHS. Since then, Kennedy has attended confirmation hearings conducted by the Senate Finance Committee, where he has been questioned on various topics such as vaccines, Medicaid, abortion, and other public health issues. 


Following the hearings, the Senate committee took a vote on whether to advance his nomination. The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 to advance his nomination to the full Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy played a crucial role in advancing his nomination. Cassidy has been concerned about Kennedy's past anti-vaccine rhetoric but decided to vote in favor of advancing Kennedy after receiving certain commitments from him and the Trump administration. Kennedy and the Trump administration have said that they will keep the existing vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems instead of creating separate ones and ensure that the CDC's statements on vaccine safety will stay as they were. The full Senate vote is likely to happen in the next week or so.

Kennedy has a well-documented history of controversial statements, particularly regarding vaccines. He has repeatedly promoted the theory that vaccines are linked to autism, although this stance has been widely criticized and discredited by scientific research. His organization, Children's Health Defense, has been involved in several legal actions against vaccine mandates.

However, during his hearings, Kennedy has attempted to position himself as "pro-safety" rather than anti-vaccine. He has promised a collaborative working relationship with the Senate and to uphold certain public health standards if confirmed. He continues to contradict his prior claims about vaccines and many senators have raised concerns about the potential impacts of his views on public health policy.

Sources:

NPR - Trump picks RFK Jr. to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services

ABC - RFK Jr. passes key Senate panel vote to advance health secretary nomination

NPR - RFK Jr., Trump's health secretary pick, grilled about vaccines and abortion

ABC - Fact-checking RFK Jr.'s claims on vaccines, pesticides at confirmation hearing

AP - Takeaways from RFK Jr.'s first confirmation hearing as Trump's nominee for health secretary

Fierce Healthcare - Senate Finance Committee endorses RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary in 14-13 vote

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Judge Blocks Department of Government Efficiency's Access to Treasury Department Payments

In a legal setback for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal judge temporarily blocked the agency’s attempt to access the Treasury Department’s payment system. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by 19 state attorneys general, who argued that DOGE’s involvement posed significant security risks and lacked the necessary congressional oversight. This decision halts Musk’s controversial initiative to integrate cryptocurrency and private-sector efficiency into federal financial operations, a move that critics argue could destabilize the government’s payment infrastructure.

DOGE had already secured partial access to the Treasury’s financial system, which processes trillions of dollars in payments, including Social Security and federal payroll. However, state officials raised alarms that granting Musk’s agency control over such critical functions could lead to financial instability and potential misuse. CNN reports that the lawsuit emphasized DOGE’s legally questionable authority and risk of "irreparable harm", while The New York Times highlighted concerns over Musk’s expanding influence in government operations. The decision signals growing resistance to what many see as an attempt to centralize power in the hands of unelected private individuals.

A rally held for protestors against Elon Musk outside of the Department of Treasury (via Times Union) 

Critics of DOGE argue that its lack of congressional oversight creates a dangerous precedent, allowing private interests to exert disproportionate control over public financial mechanisms. The BBC notes that this ruling represents just the beginning of a broader legal battle over Musk’s role in federal governance, with additional challenges expected in the coming months. Critics contend that DOGE undermines democratic accountability by bypassing traditional government structures, while Musk and his supporters maintain that the agency is essential to eliminating inefficiencies and modernizing federal operations.

The ruling highlights the political tensions surrounding Musk’s growing partnership with the Trump administration. The BBC reports that multiple states are challenging DOGE’s authority in court, reflecting broader concerns about the privatization of government functions. As the case progresses, the future of DOGE remains uncertain, with legal experts predicting an extended battle over the agency’s legitimacy and Musk’s vision for government modernization. For now, the injunction ensures that Treasury payment systems remain under direct federal control, reaffirming the role of institutional safeguards in maintaining financial stability. 

Sources: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw4g2q62xqo 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/nyregion/attorneys-general-trump-musk-suit.html 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/08/politics/elon-musk-doge-treasury-payment-system/index.html 

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/19-states-sue-block-elon-musks-doge-team/story?id=118592966 

https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-doge-states-47912249bf4b79477cbe211565c9743c 

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Trump's Anti-Transgender Executive Orders

Over the past three weeks, President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders specifically aimed toward revoking and restricting the rights of transgender Americans. Trump’s orders are an extension of campaigns he set in place during his first term as president. 

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order defining sex as male and female and limiting it to the one assigned at birth. The executive order itself does not hold much power, but Trump’s administration has made moves to begin signing many of the order’s policies into bills that could then become law. The order calls for federally administered documents to reflect citizen’s sex assigned at birth and even for transgender female inmates to be transferred to male prisons. However, District Judge Royce Lambert ruled, in a lawsuit filed by three transgender inmates, that the inmates had a right to remain in the prison they were currently housed in, signifying a fight against Trump’s executive order. 


On January 28th, President Trump signed an executive order which stated, “the United States…will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called “transition” of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.” Trump’s executive order has aimed to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care through Medicare and Medicaid, as well as banning institutions which receive federal research and education grants from providing gender affirming care to children, which for the purposes of this bill, are defined as individuals under the age of 19 years old. Agency leaders will have 60 days to submit progress reports to the Trump administration about their progress in implementing the executive order. 


On February 4th, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender female athletes from competing in sports competitions. To ensure compliance with the order, the order states that any schools which continue to allow transgender female athletes to participate in sports will have federal funding cut. On the same day the order was signed, the NCAA moved to ban transgender female athletes from competing at the collegiate level in sports. 


Trump holding up the signed “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order, via NPR


As Trump’s executive orders and its policies are being put into place, several states and other individuals have already moved to file lawsuits over many of Trump’s orders. Three states, including Washington, have already made moves to file a lawsuit for Trump’s order banning affirming care for minors. More lawsuits are sure to follow as Trump continues issuing executive orders.


Before Trump returned to office, the U.S. Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments on December 4th, 2024 for the case of US v. Skrmetti. The case centers on a Tennessee bill that banned gender-affirming health care for minors, much like Trump’s executive order. The ban has been upheld in a 6th Circuit court before being appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case will ultimately determine if the right of minors in America to receive gender affirming care is protected under the Equal Protection Clause of the United States. While a decision on the case has not yet been reached, it is anticipated that one will come out some time by the summer of 2025. If the ban is upheld by the Supreme Court, it is likely that other states will follow suit due to the precedent the Supreme Court would set. This case is similar to many of the pivotal cases we have been covering in class as it relates to civil liberties, in this case, the Supreme Court will determine if the protections guaranteed by the U.S.’ constitution also apply to the right of minors to receive gender-affirming care. 


Sources: 


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/us/politics/trump-order-transgender-athletes-womens-sports.html 


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/us/politics/trump-trans-athletes-executive-order.html?searchResultPosition=1 


https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/02/trump-changes-governments-position-in-pending-trans-healthcare-case-at-supreme-court/ 


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transgender-rights-lawsuits-challenge-trump-policies/ 


https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-children-from-chemical-and-surgical-mutilation/ 


https://www.npr.org/2025/01/29/nx-s1-5279092/trump-executive-order-gender-affirming-care 


https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/politics/judge-lamberth-trump-transgender-prison-executive-order/index.html 


https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-passports-prisons-eggs-sperm-da1d1d280658a8c85c57cfec2f30cefb 


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgezz0k3mno 


https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/backgrounder-how-the-first-supreme-court-case-on-transgender-medical-care-could-impact-the-state-of-healthcare-and-lgbtq-rights-across-the-country#:~:text=On%20December%204th%2C%202024%2C%20the,medical%20care%20for%20transgender%20youth. 
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Trump Announces Blanket Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

On Sunday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports starting Monday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to New Orleans for the 2025 Super Bowl, he emphasized that the tariffs will apply universally, affecting all countries, including key trade partners like Canada and Mexico. Additionally, Trump announced that he will introduce “reciprocal tariffs” later this week, imposing import duties on foreign products in cases where other countries have levied tariffs on U.S. goods. 


The 25% tariffs will be applied to all steel and aluminum entering the U.S., significantly increasing costs for industries reliant on these materials, such as automotive, aerospace, and infrastructure. Trump has argued that these tariffs will protect American manufacturing and national security. However, they also risk raising costs for businesses dependent on imported metals. In addition to the new metal tariffs, Trump has signaled that reciprocal tariffs will take effect immediately after their announcement later in the week. This measure aims to ensure what he calls “fair trade,” targeting countries that impose higher tariffs on U.S. exports. 

Earlier this month, he authorized tariffs on America's three closest trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China before agreeing to a temporary 30-day pause on certain tariffs for Canada and Mexico. Additionally, tariffs on smaller consumer imports, such as goods from fast-fashion retailers like Temu and Shein, are under review. Trump argues that these measures will encourage foreign cooperation on issues like illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling while also boosting domestic manufacturing. His administration has also launched audits into potential fraud related to U.S. debt payments, led by billionaire Elon Musk’s government efficiency team.

Financial markets reacted negatively to Trump’s tariff announcement, with stock prices dipping and consumer sentiment surveys indicating growing inflation concerns due to increased import costs. Historically, tariffs have led to price hikes in manufacturing and construction, as domestic producers raise their prices in response to reduced foreign competition. Data from the American Iron and Steel Institute shows that the U.S. steel import market shrank by 27% between 2017 and 2019, following similar tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term. While domestic steel production initially rose, it did not fully offset the decline in imports, and overall production has since dipped below 2023.

Trade partners are likely to retaliate. Canada is the largest supplier of aluminum to the U.S., accounting for 79% of total imports in 2024, while Mexico is a major supplier of aluminum scrap and alloy. The European Union, which imposes a 10% tariff on U.S. auto imports while benefiting from a lower 2.5% tariff on European cars entering the U.S., may also respond with countermeasures. Meanwhile, China recently imposed retaliatory measures following Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese goods, launching investigations into American companies, including Google and major fashion brands. Similar countermeasures may follow in response to the latest metal tariffs.

As details on reciprocal tariffs emerge this week, industries and global markets will be watching closely to assess the long-term implications of Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Businesses reliant on steel and aluminum imports must brace for increased costs and potential supply chain disruptions.


Sources: 

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