JQJO — Politics news · Page 935

Donald Trump endorsed Douglas Murray's book, "On Democracies and Death Cults," following Murray's confrontation with Joe Rogan. Murray criticized Rogan for interviewing Holocaust deniers who spread false narratives about World War II figures like Winston Churchill. Murray argued Rogan's platform amplified dangerous misinformation. Trump's endorsement praised Murray's stance as vital for supporting America and Israel. Rogan, however, seemed unconcerned, prioritizing diverse perspectives over historical accuracy.

The Trump administration plans drastic budget cuts to NOAA and NASA, significantly impacting climate change research. Internal documents reveal a proposed $1.3 billion cut to NOAA, effectively eliminating its research office and slashing funding for climate, weather, and ocean programs. NASA faces a 20% budget reduction, with deeper cuts targeting planetary, earth, and astrophysics research, jeopardizing ongoing missions like the Nancy Grace Roman telescope. Former agency officials express deep concern, highlighting the potential for loss of life and economic consequences. While the proposal isn't final, its severity reveals the administration's stance on climate science.

The Trump administration will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 10,000 Afghan and Cameroonian nationals, leading to potential deportation in May and June. Many Afghans arrived after the 2021 US withdrawal. The decision is part of a broader crackdown on immigration, with the administration arguing that TPS is misused for indefinite stays. This follows similar actions against Venezuelan and Haitian TPS recipients.

California defied a Trump administration order to certify the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in its 1,000 school districts, risking billions in federal funding. The state argues that DEI programs are legal and the federal request is vague. Sixteen states are complying, while ten, including California, New York, and Oregon, have refused. The federal government contends DEI programs constitute illegal race-based discrimination, citing the Supreme Court's affirmative action ban. California maintains its compliance with federal law and challenges the federal agency's authority to impose new requirements without proper procedure. The conflict highlights a broader tension between federal and state control over education policy.

The GOP budget resolution proposes significant cuts to federal spending, potentially impacting retirement and healthcare benefits for federal employees. Proposals include shifting the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to a voucher model, increasing FERS contribution rates, changing the retirement annuity calculation from "high-3" to "high-5", and eliminating FERS supplemental payments. These changes, estimated to save billions over ten years, are raising concerns among federal employees and retirees about reduced benefits and increased costs. While details are still being finalized, the potential impact on federal employees' financial security is significant.

Homeland Security agents visited two Los Angeles elementary schools to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied migrant children, but were denied access by school principals. The agents claimed they were authorized by the children's parents, a claim denied by the school district superintendent, Alberto Carvalho. The visit sparked criticism and concerns about the safety and wellbeing of immigrant children. The DHS stated the checks were for safety and to prevent exploitation, not immigration enforcement. The principals refused entry without a court order.

NASA's Acting Administrator Janet Petro announced several milestones: Jonny Kim's arrival at the ISS, Bangladesh joining the Artemis Accords, progress on Artemis II, air taxi integration tests, and advancements in entry, descent, and landing technology. NASA also responded to severe weather and participated in the Space Symposium, focusing on space communications and commercial destinations. Internal work continues on workforce optimization and potential HQ relocation, aligning with the Trump Administration's guidance.

President Trump issued a memorandum deploying the military to the US Southern border to repel invasions and seal it from illegal entry. The memorandum directs the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to coordinate land use and jurisdiction for military operations, including border barrier construction. This action follows a previous executive order assigning the military these missions and declares a national emergency at the border. Implementation will be phased, starting with a limited sector, with a 45-day assessment.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) canceled at least 42 humanitarian aid contracts worth over $1.3 billion last weekend, impacting programs in countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria. The State Department attributed the cancellations to efforts to "reorient foreign assistance programming", citing mismanagement and misaligned priorities. However, some cancellations were later reversed after it was revealed some were made in error. The cuts particularly affected cash-based assistance programs due to concerns about misuse. Critics argue the actions harm vulnerable populations and increase their reliance on oppressive regimes.

North Carolina's Supreme Court ruled that thousands of absentee and military ballots must be corrected within 30 days or be discarded, impacting a close election for a Supreme Court seat. However, the court also ordered that roughly 60,000 ballots with missing registration information, through no voter fault, must be counted. This decision, resulting from a legal challenge by Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, potentially reverses a lower court ruling and could significantly alter election results. The 4-2 ruling follows recounts affirming Riggs's win by a narrow margin.