A group called Our Republican Legacy (ORL), comprising self-described "shadow RNC" members, is working to challenge Trump's influence within the GOP and prevent MAGA candidates like JD Vance from securing the 2028 presidential nomination. The organization, which has grown to include 25 state chairs, aims to influence elections at the local level and shift the party’s focus toward economic issues as cultural concerns are addressed. The group expresses concern over perceived authoritarian tendencies within the current GOP leadership.
A public comment at the Amherst Town Council meeting criticized federal immigration enforcement and local police for prioritizing some groups' rights over others, citing incidents involving the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk and police actions against protesters. The speaker argued that such actions foster dehumanization and authoritarianism, affecting marginalized communities including Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and Palestinian individuals. The comment emphasized the need for the community and council to take further action to address systemic harm and inequality.
President Trump is set to deliver the State of the Union address amid ongoing crises, including a partial government shutdown, economic concerns, and foreign conflicts. The speech occurs at a politically turbulent time, with some Democrats boycotting and Republicans urging focus on economic issues, while Trump's stance on tariffs and executive authority remains contentious. The address will be closely analyzed for how Trump plans to navigate a divided Congress and address national challenges.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s claims about the success of a U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, reiterating that it had "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear program, despite conflicting statements from officials suggesting Iran remains a threat. She criticized the media for sensationalist reporting and emphasized that President Trump has the ultimate authority over Iran policy. Trump himself dismissed reports of military reservations, asserting that any decision would be his alone. Despite claims of success, Leavitt acknowledged the possibility of Iran's future efforts to develop nuclear weapons and noted increased U.S. military presence in the region, while also maintaining that diplomacy remains a priority.
Sen. Mark Kelly announced he will attend the upcoming State of the Union address, despite recent political tensions, including an attempt by Donald Trump to have him arrested and a federal judge blocking punishment related to his military video participation. Kelly stated he will be there to stand for Arizona and the Constitution and will bring Navy Veteran Martin Sepulveda as his guest. Some Democrats plan to boycott the event by attending a nearby rally.
Some Arizona Democrats, including Senators Ruben Gallego and Congresswomen Adelita Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari, plan to skip President Trump's State of the Union address, with Grijalva offering her ticket to a detained citizen. Republican Congressman Paul Gosar joked about the attendance, while Rep. Andy Biggs expressed support for Trump. Democratic representatives Mark Kelly and Greg Stanton will attend, bringing guests—veteran Martin Sepulveda and aerospace executive Greg Farley, respectively.
The article explains that constitutional birthright citizenship in the U.S. is based on whether a baby is born on American soil beneath the flag, rather than parental allegiance or lawfulness. It emphasizes that the original understanding of the 14th Amendment equates being “under the flag” with being “subject to jurisdiction,” affirming that all children born on U.S. territory with the flag flying above are citizens. The piece also discusses historical examples and legal interpretations that support this view, including the current Supreme Court case, Trump v. Barbara, which questions the legality of ending birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against President Trump's authority to impose tariffs, with the decision described as a "small improvement" by Illinois toymaker Rick Woldenberg, a plaintiff in the case who argued that tariffs harmed his business and consumers. Woldenberg, along with MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian, criticized the tariffs as harmful economic policies, with Larian noting the impracticality of shifting manufacturing back to the U.S. under current price points. Woldenberg plans to attend Trump's State of the Union despite having called Trump and his supporters "sleazebags."
President Trump recently signed new tariffs under a different law after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariffs, which were also deemed likely unlawful. Legal experts note that the new tariffs, imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, are problematic because the law does not authorize tariffs to address trade deficits, and the administration's interpretation conflates trade deficits with balance-of-payments deficits, which are no longer a significant issue. Additionally, the use of executive powers to impose these tariffs may violate constitutional and statutory limits, and further legal action or congressional intervention would be needed to stop them.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume discussed the damaging impact of Donald Trump's presidency on American society, criticizing his divisive policies, law-breaking conduct, and efforts to undermine democratic institutions and voting rights. He highlighted issues such as ICE detention conditions in Baltimore, the significance of the Vote by Mail Act to protect voters from intimidation, and ongoing investigations into the Epstein files involving high-profile individuals. Mfume emphasized the need for unity, continued advocacy, and confronting government misconduct to uphold democratic values and address social injustices.
A former FBI supervisory agent, forced out during the Trump administration, is running for Maryland's Fifth Congressional District seat to replace retiring Steny Hoyer. Sundberg led investigations into January 6th and Trump’s classified documents, which drew criticism from conservatives and led to his ousting. He claims he was targeted for opposing the weaponization of government agencies and is one of about two dozen candidates seeking the seat, which covers several counties and is considered a Democratic stronghold.
Maryland's congressional delegation has planned varied responses to President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, with some members boycotting the speech and others attending with invited guests who have been affected by administration policies. The boycott reflects Democratic efforts to oppose Trump through silent protest or alternative programming, while attending members aim to emphasize particular issues and reinforce the role of Congress. Several Maryland representatives, including Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin, will attend with guests highlighting issues such as healthcare and justice, whereas others, like Sen. Van Hollen and Reps. Ivey, McClain Delaney, and Mfume, will boycott to focus on district-specific concerns.
