JQJO — Politics news · Page 911

President Biden's surprise visit to Harvard University's Institute of Politics was overshadowed by protests and gaffes. The event, intended to be discreet, was disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Biden also made several verbal errors, including confusing Ukraine with Iraq. This visit occurred amidst Harvard's ongoing conflict with the Trump administration over funding and accusations of antisemitism on campus. Neither Harvard nor Biden's office commented on the event.

President Trump issued an executive order opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, reversing a decision made by previous administrations. The monument, encompassing nearly 500,000 square miles, is home to diverse marine life, including endangered species. A second order directs a review of all marine monuments to assess potential openings for commercial fishing, aiming to ease regulations on fishing industries.

President Trump issued a proclamation modifying the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM) to allow US commercial fishing within a designated area. Previously, commercial fishing was prohibited across over 400,000 square miles. The decision cites effective fisheries management by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the argument that migratory fish populations aren't significantly impacted by the ban. The move aims to improve access for US fishermen, who've been disadvantaged by competing with foreign fleets in international waters, particularly impacting US territories like American Samoa. The changes will be implemented via new regulations by the Secretary of Commerce.

The Associated Press (AP) is battling the Trump administration in court over the White House's exclusion of AP journalists from events. A lower court ruled against the administration, ordering the reinstatement of AP access to events like briefings in the Oval Office and Air Force One. The administration argues the president has the right to choose who covers him, while the AP contends this violates the First Amendment by suppressing viewpoint. Further court hearings are scheduled to determine the outcome, with the AP seeking enforcement of the initial ruling.

Wisconsin Elections Commission's meeting on uncounted Madison ballots turned contentious. Chair Ann Jacobs, a Democrat, clashed with Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell, silencing him when he attempted to discuss Milwaukee election issues. The commission is investigating former Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl for failing to count 200 absentee ballots. Spindell wants an investigation into Milwaukee's ballot shortages, while Jacobs dismissed his concerns as "whining and conspiracy theories." The uncounted ballots didn't change election results, but four voters filed claims for damages.

A draft federal budget proposal suggests drastic cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), potentially slashing discretionary spending by one-third. This includes eliminating programs like Head Start and significantly reducing funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The NIH's budget could fall from $48.5 billion to $27.3 billion, with a restructuring to consolidate institutes. The CDC's core budget faces a similar reduction. While the proposal is preliminary and unconfirmed by the administration, health experts are deeply concerned about the potential impact on public health.

Over 1,400 employees, nearly 88% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), were terminated Thursday. This follows a court ruling allowing terminations after individual assessments. The agency's focus will shift from supervision to addressing "tangible harm to consumers," deprioritizing areas like medical debt and student loans. Critics claim the firings violate the collective bargaining agreement and Dodd-Frank Act, effectively gutting the agency, a move aligned with previous calls from Elon Musk and conservative groups for its abolition. The agency's future remains uncertain.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the historical injustice of France imposing a massive indemnity on Haiti after its independence in 1825. He announced a joint French-Haitian historical commission to examine their shared past, but stopped short of directly addressing Haitian calls for reparations. The indemnity, initially 150 million gold francs, crippled Haiti's economy for decades. Macron's statement comes amidst escalating gang violence in Haiti, a situation experts link to the country's historical burdens. The commission will aim to propose recommendations for a more peaceful future.

The Trump administration is seizing control of Pennsylvania Station's renovation from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), escalating tensions between the federal government and New York's transportation agency. This follows the administration's halting of New York's congestion pricing program. The aging station desperately needs an overhaul, but competing interests have hampered progress. The administration's specific plans for the renovation remain undisclosed.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is selling its Washington, D.C. headquarters, a 1968 building needing over $500 million in repairs. HUD cites staff occupying only half the space and aims to reduce taxpayer burden. The move aligns with the Trump administration's broader effort to shrink the federal workforce and office space. While a new location within the D.C. metro area is prioritized, President Trump's recent order allows more flexibility in choosing lower-cost facilities outside city centers.