JQJO — Politics news · Page 774

Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor, denounced a Justice Department criminal investigation into his testimony regarding COVID-19 pandemic actions as governor. Cuomo's spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, called it 'lawfare and election interference,' echoing criticisms of similar tactics under the Trump administration. The investigation stems from a New York Times report detailing the DOJ's probe into Cuomo's pandemic-era conduct.

The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, is dropping investigations into police misconduct in several cities, including Minneapolis, Louisville, Phoenix, Trenton, Memphis, Mount Vernon, Oklahoma City, and Louisiana State Police. This reverses the Biden administration's use of consent decrees to hold police accountable. The decision comes days before the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, although the department claims the timing is coincidental, citing looming court deadlines and characterizing previous agreements as 'micromanagement'. The DOJ states it will still pursue action against individual officers who violate civil rights.

President Trump is engaged in a public feud with Bruce Springsteen, escalating after Springsteen criticized the Trump administration during his European tour. Trump responded with angry accusations, including a claim that Springsteen received illegal campaign contributions from Kamala Harris, and shared a doctored video seemingly depicting him knocking Springsteen over with a golf ball. Springsteen's criticisms included accusations of abandoning the poor and siding with dictators.

Wyoming's Freedom Caucus, advocating for "local control," is undermining local governments by threatening to cut funding for associations of local elected officials who resist their initiatives. The Caucus, despite claiming to represent grassroots interests, is accused of hypocrisy for targeting these associations while operating similarly as an association itself. The author argues for equal treatment, suggesting the Caucus should forgo state resources if they deny them to other groups, urging citizens to voice their concerns to the Joint Corporations Committee.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 75, passed away Wednesday after a battle with esophageal cancer. His family announced his peaceful passing at home. Connolly, a long-serving Congressman since 2008, was the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform until recently stepping down due to his illness. He was known for his advocacy for federal employees and bipartisan friendships. The House Rules Committee held a moment of silence in his honor.

Newly released emails reveal that Joe Kent, Tulsi Gabbard's chief of staff, directed intelligence analysts to revise a February assessment on Venezuela's ties to a criminal gang. Kent's emails, obtained by the New York Times, instructed analysts to rewrite the assessment to protect Gabbard and President Trump from criticism. The revised April memo, while altered, still contradicts Trump's claims used to justify sending alleged gang members to a Salvadoran prison without due process, highlighting a potential politicization of intelligence.

59 White South Africans were granted refugee status in the US, a move that has strained US-South Africa relations. President Ramaphosa will meet with President Trump to address this, along with broader economic issues. However, some Afrikaners reject refugee status, instead seeking US support to combat crime or establish an independent Afrikaner state within South Africa, like Orania. Claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa, used to justify the refugee resettlement, are disputed by South African authorities. While some Afrikaners flee, others remain, hoping for government intervention to address escalating crime and farm attacks.

The US Senate unanimously passed the No Tax on Tips Act, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Jacky Rosen. The bill provides a tax deduction of up to $25,000 for reported cash tips, with a salary cap of $160,000. While gaining bipartisan support and endorsed by both Trump and Harris during the 2024 election, the legislation faces criticism from economists and labor advocates who worry it could incentivize tipped work, undermine pay increases, and only benefit a small percentage of low-wage earners. The bill now moves to the House.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer announced a U-turn on cuts to winter fuel payments affecting over nine million pensioners. The cuts, implemented last year, reduced eligibility for the £200-£300 payment. Starmer stated the government will review the eligibility threshold, aiming to restore payments to more pensioners in a future budget. This decision follows criticism from Labour MPs, pensioner charities, and opposition parties, along with pressure from within the party. While the Conservative party appeared initially receptive, they later criticized the change as insufficient.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his war in Ukraine while pursuing a negotiated peace on his terms. His hardline stance, resisting calls for an immediate ceasefire, has withstood pressure from Ukraine and the West. A recent phone call between Putin and President Trump revealed that Trump now supports direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a shift from his previous stance. However, this diplomatic success for Putin might hinder his economic goals of normalized US relations and sanctions relief, as Trump conditions economic rapprochement on a Ukrainian peace agreement.