JQJO — Politics news · Page 879

The Primary School, a tuition-free private school founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, will close next year due to purported funding issues. The school, which served low-income families and people of color, provided access to education, healthcare, and social services. Its closure comes amid Meta's cuts to DEI programs and a broader political shift against such initiatives. While the school offers families financial assistance for enrollment elsewhere, the amount is insufficient to cover the cost of private education. The school's closure is criticized considering the founders' immense wealth, leaving families devastated by the loss of essential support.

The US Department of Justice sent letters to at least three medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and CHEST Journal, questioning their editorial practices. The inquiries, seen by some as harassment and intimidation, prompted journals to defend their editorial independence and raise concerns about chilling effects on academic freedom. The Lancet condemned the actions as part of a broader attack on US science under the Trump administration. The Justice Department has not responded to requests for comment.

In a wide-ranging TIME interview, Donald Trump discussed various topics including trade deals, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Iran nuclear deal. He claimed to have brokered 200 trade deals but offered no specifics. He stated that Crimea would remain with Russia, contradicting US policy. Trump also said he wouldn't use loopholes to seek a third term, despite previous statements. He expressed a willingness to veto significant Medicaid cuts and suggested Canada might become a US state. He also claimed ongoing talks with China, despite denials from Chinese officials.

China denies ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., contradicting claims by the Trump administration. The Chinese Foreign Ministry firmly stated on X that no consultations or negotiations are taking place, accusing the U.S. of misleading the public. This rejection suggests China's unwavering stance in the trade war, betting on its greater resilience to economic pressure than the U.S. due to domestic political factors and market volatility.

X Corp., Elon Musk's social media platform, is suing Minnesota, challenging the constitutionality of a law banning deepfakes used to influence elections. The lawsuit argues the law violates First Amendment rights and is preempted by federal statute. X contends the law could criminalize innocuous speech and force censorship. Minnesota's Attorney General's office is reviewing the lawsuit. A similar challenge is underway by other plaintiffs, with arguments focusing on the law's impact on free speech and the threat posed by deepfakes to elections.

A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump's executive order that would curtail collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. The order, challenged by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), affects numerous agencies. The judge's ruling prevents enforcement at agencies where the NTEU represents employees, pending a full hearing. The NTEU argues the order is designed for mass firings and political retribution, while the government contends it's necessary for national security. The judge will issue a full opinion shortly, and the case will proceed.

A New York Times/Siena College poll reveals declining approval for President Trump, with only 42% approving of his performance. Voters perceive his administration as chaotic and express doubts about his understanding of their daily struggles. His handling of key issues like the economy and immigration shows significant erosion of support, despite overall support for deportations. While his approval rating is historically low for this stage of a presidency, it aligns with his consistent unpopularity that didn't hinder his election victory.

Amidst controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of sensitive information, the Pentagon announced four new senior advisors. This follows the resignation or firing of five senior advisors due to alleged leaks. The White House is reportedly seeking replacements for Hegseth, as the Pentagon faces internal turmoil and criticism. The new appointees have limited government experience, raising concerns about their qualifications. The lack of a chief of staff further exacerbates the situation, delaying crucial decisions and requests.

The Trump administration is preparing a 2026 budget proposal with significant cuts to numerous federal programs. Preliminary documents reveal billions in cuts to programs supporting childcare, healthcare, education, and housing, among others. The proposal, overseen partly by Elon Musk, aims to drastically restructure the federal government, potentially eliminating some programs entirely. While the OMB states no final decisions have been made, the budget reflects Trump's push for reduced government spending, facing potential congressional opposition.

Luigi Mangione's federal death penalty case, stemming from the murder of Brian Thompson, marks a resurgence of capital punishment under the Trump administration. Attorney General Pam Bondi's pre-indictment announcement to pursue the death penalty is unprecedented, prompting Mangione's lawyers to claim due process violations. This case exemplifies the politically charged nature of the death penalty, fluctuating based on presidential administrations and Supreme Court decisions. While public support for capital punishment remains around 53%, the case highlights renewed efforts to increase federal and state executions.