Stephen Miller, a longtime aide to President Donald Trump, plays a significant role in various domestic and foreign policy initiatives, including immigration enforcement, education reform targeting "woke" universities, and city beautification efforts in Washington, D.C. He is known for his influence within the White House, his broad portfolio, and his tight loyalty to Trump, maintaining his position despite criticism and personnel changes in the administration. Miller's sense of urgency and extensive involvement in policy implementation highlight his importance in advancing Trump’s agenda.
This week's episode of The Monday Edit discusses topics including Punch the Monkey, the return of the perm hairstyle, the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Trump-era tariffs, and Kristi Noem's private jet funded by ICE's budget. The hosts also explore the shelf life of slang and highlight their "hot b*tches of the week." The show is available on YouTube, with additional content on Patreon.
The New Hampshire congressional delegation has urged Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to engage with Merrimack officials regarding a proposed ICE detention facility, expressing concerns about community safety and economic impact and noting a lack of outreach to local leaders. Congressman Chris Pappas and others have previously called for a timely DHS response and protection of local decision-making.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at the National Religious Broadcasters' convention in Nashville, promoting Christian nationalist views and emphasizing the influence of Christianity on American history, military, and values. He criticized foreign ideologies, immigration, and progressive policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, framing them as incompatible with Western and Christian principles. Hegseth also praised former President Trump’s efforts to defend Christian values and discussed policies related to military transgender service bans and environmental issues.
The article reports on a resurgence of activism against family detention in the United States, highlighting protests at the Dilley immigration facility in Texas and nationwide efforts to end the practice. It notes the significant increase in children in ICE detention under the Trump administration, criticisms of inhumane conditions, and calls for legislative change and abolition of family detention centers. The case of five-year-old Liam Ramos, detained and later released, has become a symbol of the cruelty of current immigration policies and the psychological trauma experienced by detained children.
The Department of Homeland Security is purchasing large warehouses across the United States, some capable of housing over 8,000 people, raising concerns about local impacts, as explained by Socorro, Texas’s mayor. Following the Supreme Court's ruling against President Trump's global import fees, he imposed a 15% tariff. Additionally, Mexico's army killed the leader of a prominent drug cartel, with the Trump administration expressing approval of Mexico’s actions.
A former ICE academy instructor, Ryan Schwank, is set to testify before Congress that the agency is misleading the public about its training program and that it is now deficient and broken. He will reportedly warn that without reform, ICE may graduate officers lacking proper knowledge of their constitutional duties, authority limits, and recognition of unlawful orders. The testimony comes amid public criticism of ICE's aggressive enforcement and recent incidents involving the use of force and officer misconduct, with leaked documents suggesting significant reductions in training hours and curriculum content.
Donald Trump was criticized for a comment during a phone call with the US women's ice hockey team, in which he implied their invitation to the White House was humorous and expressed concern about "getting impeached" for hosting them. The remark, made during a celebration after the USA men's team won gold at the Winter Olympics 2026, was widely condemned for belittling the women's team, who also secured gold. Many viewed the interaction as dismissive and misogynistic, prompting calls for responses from Team USA and US hockey.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to invalidate President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, raising questions about presidential authority and trade policy. Additionally, Q4 GDP growth slowed to 1.4%, below the expected 2.5%, with analysts attributing the decline to factors such as the government shutdown and trade uncertainties.
New Hampshire’s Senators introduced legislation to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from establishing immigration detention centers without approval from local officials and the state governor, citing lack of consultation in Merrimack. Opposition to detention centers is growing in multiple states, with some governors and lawmakers publicly opposing proposed facilities, though the legislation faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Senate. DHS has identified roughly 20 potential sites nationwide for detention centers, amid concerns from local communities.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026, that the President cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, as tariffs are considered taxes under the Constitution and such authority rests with Congress. While this decision invalidates tariffs imposed under IEEPA, tariffs under other statutes remain in effect, and the ruling does not reverse existing tariffs or revenue collected. The Court did not address whether importers are entitled to refunds of previously paid IEEPA-based tariffs, which is expected to be addressed by lower courts, potentially leading to a complex and prolonged refund process. Businesses with import exposure are advised to monitor developments, audit tariff liabilities, preserve refund rights, and update contracts to address potential tariff-related risks.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in *Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump* that the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful, with Chief Justice Roberts writing the majority opinion. The Court rejected the government's position, stating that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, and sent the issue of refunds back to lower courts. The decision was a 6-3 ruling, with notable opinions including a concurrence by Justice Gorsuch and dissents from Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh.
