Friday, February 28, 2025

            In the ongoing fight of Ukraine to resist Russia’s threat of invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump have been engaged in a lasting (and quite eventful) meeting over this past week to decide on the next course of action. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a smooth deal for America to gain more access to Ukrainian rare earth metal deposits in exchange for the over $180 billion the US has provided to Ukraine and future aid devolved into a heated banter between the two presidents in front of the media. Trump, painting himself as a mediator and a middle party, said that Zelenskyy was “gambling with World War III” and was being “very disrespectful” to the USA, which has backed Ukraine. Zelenskyy went into the White House looking to gain backing from Trump and to persuade Trump to move away from Putin; instead, Zelenskyy was met with shouting and challenges to his character and decision making–keep in mind this is supposed to be one of the most formal settings possible, with two leaders discussing war and peace. 


The talks went well for the first half hour, with both sides showing a mutual respect and admiration for the other until Zelenskyy raised the issue of not trusting Putin’s promises to end the fighting. Zelenskyy asserts that Ukraine will not enter peace talks with Russia to end the three-year-long war–as he believes Putin is not yet willing to stop in his goal of conquest–until Ukraine is guaranteed security against another attack. And to be honest, it makes perfect sense from a logical standpoint. Ukraine has been resisting Russia’s advances since 2014, and it needs to know whether it can depend on the US as an ally or not. Instead of being assured by the American president, they were booted out of the White House for being “disrespectful” and unready for peace with JD Vance viewing this ‘transgression’ as broadcasting Zelenskyy’s disagreements with Trump to the public. Trump, expressing his anger at the insufficient gratitude shown by Zelenskyy towards the US, turned on the mineral deal, saying the Ukrainian leader does not have the cards right now and put himself and his country into a dangerous position (despite the war starting with an unprovoked attack from Moscow). 



In short, this does not bode well for Ukraine. Because of our administration’s fragile egos and constant need to be revered, the Trump-Zelenskyy fall out has been spectacular, as well as publicly covered by the media, and it leaves us and the whole of Ukraine wondering if relations will be repaired to continue providing aid that Ukraine still desperately needs.


Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d 


https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/a-timeline-of-the-russia-ukraine-conflict 


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/us/politics/trump-zelensky-europe-leaders.html 


https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/28/trump-ukraine-russia-zelensky/ 


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2erwgwy8vgo 
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Thursday, February 27, 2025

National Parks at Risk Amid Layoffs and Budget Cuts

  


    Trump’s budget cuts of 2025 are his attempt to reduce the federal workforce, supposedly saving the nation money and staying in line with the Republican values of having a more hands-off government. However, protecting America’s national parks is an ongoing, nationwide project to keep pockets of nature preserved and beautiful, and these budget cuts are going to make that much, much more difficult. As of last week, 700 park rangers/employees have taken buyouts offered by the Trump administration, adding to the 1,000 employees laid off on Valentine's Day. Why, you might ask? Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has offered federal employees an incentive to resign now but keep their salaries through September, especially appealing to older employees. The unelected multi-billionaire jams his foot in the door of government once again, this time threatening our natural wonders that are so often taken for granted.





    In January, the Trump administration rescinded job offers for thousands of seasonal employees hired by the National Park Services who are essential in getting the parks ready to deal with the busy summer season, without whom millions of vacation plans would be disrupted and the health of our parks severely threatened. However, this past week, due to public outcry, the administration has reversed their aggressive firings and instead opted to hire an additional 3,000 workers for the busy season, bringing the total allocated number of seasonal employees up to 7,700, more than the last three years’ average. Despite this doubling back on their layoff policy, these temporary workers will not be able to make up for the loss of permanent employees who provide park expertise and operate facilities like restrooms and visitor centers, as the NPS has already been understaffed and working with 20% fewer staff than in 2010.


    Our national parks are extremely vulnerable; without proper oversight, problems with litter, graffiti, and even damage to the natural habitats run rampant, and larger issues like wildfire control, detecting poachers, and search and rescue will have even fewer people dedicated to managing them. To protest these budget cuts, park workers at Yosemite National Park exercised their right to free speech this week by hanging an upside-down American flag from the top of El Capitan, a gesture that traditionally signals extreme distress. For rangers and park staff who already don’t have an incredibly high salary, these positions are passion projects and dream jobs that allow them to protect, to educate, and to take in the natural beauty of our world. And we shouldn’t allow that to be ruined by a man who cares more about internet memes than what’s outside.

Sources:

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Monday, February 24, 2025

Nationwide Protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk

 On Presidents Day, protesters gathered around the United States to speak out against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who are bringing sweeping changes to the federal government.



From Florida to California, local media began titling the series of protests as “Not My Presidents Day” or the “No Kings”. These protests were convened by the 50501 movement, which stands for; “50 protests, 50 states, 1 day”, with the largest protest being in Washington DC, where thousands participated.


​​Another national rally on February 5 was attended by individuals from various cities. Both rallies were against Mr. Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who heads the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which the administration claims is intended to reduce federal spending. Their methods to reduce federal spending have been controversial, and arguably unconstitutional. The public and press alike fear the power Musk has over the government, leading to a growing distrust towards the multi-billionaire.


Critics argue that the DOGE initiative is a thinly veiled attempt to dismantle key federal agencies, including those dedicated to environmental protections, healthcare, and social services, and most notably USAID, with thousands of employees being fired overnight. Protesters are concerned that Musk's participation is the increasing privatization of government action at the expense of public interest. Some protesters carried signs reading "Democracy, Not Oligarchy", in reference to Bidens farewell speech, and "No Billionaire Bureaucrats," highlighting their concern about the influence of very rich individuals in policymaking. 


In addition to policy reform protests, the protests featured speeches by civil rights activists, ex-public officials, and civil rights activists. The majority of speakers highlighted checks and balances in government and cautioned against power centralization. Social media facilitated the protests, with trending hashtags nationwide being #NotMyKing and #ResistDOGE. Though demonstrations stretched well into the night, the leaders vowed to continue their campaign with more rallies, petitions, and get-out-the-vote efforts throughout the upcoming election cycle.


Washington, D.C., reports indicated thousands had gathered outside the White House, chanting slogans and calling for greater transparency in governmental decision-making. Replica scenes were enacted in New York City's Times Square, with protesters across the streets clutching banners displaying Trump and Musk with crowns embossed on them and the caption "No Kings in America." Several high-profile politicians, including members of Congress, showed up at rallies, protesting what they called an "erosion of democratic norms."

Sources:

CNN-https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-russia-ukraine-02-17-25/index.html

npr-https://www.npr.org/2025/02/17/nx-s1-5299915/dc-protests

AP-https://apnews.com/article/50501-protests-project-2025-trump-state-capitols-ddd341171a54ba9b498cbfe7530e18ab

50501-https://www.fiftyfifty.one/



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Associated Press sues Trump administration over ‘Gulf of America’ dispute

The Associated Press initiated legal action against three officials from the Trump administration on Friday, seeking judicial intervention regarding access to presidential events. The agency invoked freedom of speech in its request for a federal judge to prevent the obstruction of its journalists. In response, the White House press secretary stated, "We’ll see them in court."



The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court of Washington on Friday afternoon. The AP has also requested an emergency hearing and a court order declaring the ban to be unconstitutional and mandating its withdrawal. Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, has been designated to hear the case, all the while the Trump administration has not responded to a request for comment.


Earlier this month, the White House went out of its way to identify the Associated Press, one of the world's largest news agencies, for employing the term "Gulf of Mexico" even after Trump (and Google Maps) rebranded the area as the "Gulf of America." Public opinion was divided over the renaming, with Trump supporters welcoming the decision as patriotic, and critics condemning it as unnecessary and politically motivated rebranding. The international community and a majority of media outlets retained "Gulf of Mexico," largely ignoring the administration's preferred terminology.


These political moves highlight his choice to rule with a strong-arm approach—one that is in line with his campaign promise to exercise vigorous executive power. Critics view such moves as undermining democratic principles, but by his supporters as an exercise of necessary power against what they perceive as institutional bias.
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Elon Musk's Demand Raising Controversy, Sparking Lawsuit Among Federal Employees

 

Over this past weekend, Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has followed a bold move, sending controversy throughout the federal workforce. The billionaire entrepreneur and President Donald Trump's adviser, has triggered a battle over his recent directive that federal employees must report their weekly accomplishments or they will be at risk for possible termination. The demand was sent in an email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) this past Saturday, leading to the continuous raise of significant concerns and widespread resistance towards the government.

The email sent from the OPM - an agency responsible for the management of human resources - requested for employees to include up to 5 detailed accomplishments from the previous week to be sent in by Monday. Musk initiated this to move closer to his goal of downsizing the federal workforce, coinciding with his efforts to assist Trump in reshaping the federal government. Musk claims that employees who fail to comply with his demand, should consider resigning from their positions.

He further goes to spread this message through a post on X, previously known as Twitter, describing "those who do not take this email seriously will soon be furthering their career elsewhere." This demand has left many federal employees in a state of shock, confusion, and anxiety, unknowing how to respond further to Musk's directive.



There was immediate backlash in response to Musk's email, with a following lawsuit being filed in the federal court in California. There is also swift resistance being held from several key U.S. agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon - instructing the employees to not respond to the email that was sent. The lawsuit is arguing that Musk is violating regulations and long-lasting rules that govern federal employment. The lawsuit challenges the morality and legality of requiring employees to submit reports of their work, describing there has never been a previous rule requiring these reports beforehand. 

Some government agencies chose to follow Musk's directive, while others refused. Important key agencies including the FBI, the State Department - and others previously mentioned - told their employees to ignore the request, urging a pause on any response to Musk. Other departments like the Department of Health and Human Services, told employees to comply and submit their reports per Musk's instructions.

In a statement to CBS, Sen. John Curtis of Utah continues to support the criticism of this ultimatum, expressing concerns that surround Musk's approach, hoping that he will show more compassion to federal workers. Curtis reports to CBS "These are real people. These are real lives," 

Despite the growing resistance, Musk continues to defend his actions, claiming that they are working towards the increase of efficiency throughout the government. While the exact number of employees that have been affected is still unclear, reports show that there are thousands of workers facing the consequences of Musk's demand.

As Musk's DOGE and the Trump Administration are attempting to reshape the federal workforce, it is clear that the controversy over this demanding email is just the beginning of a long fight for those in the federal workforce. Many might be thinking of the question, what is the future impact of these decisions on federal employment and those who rely on it?

Sources:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-workers-sue-over-elon-musks-threat-to-fire-them-if-they-dont-explain-their-accomplishments

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/feb/24/elon-musk-email-donald-trump-us-government-latest-live-politics-news?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-67bc82b28f08f637c9747a7d

https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/elon-musk-doubles-down-fed-workers-explanation/

https://www.newsweek.com/doge-news-elon-musk-fed-deadline-2035260



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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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