January 6th, election interference, acts of authoritarianism, voter suppression, and systematic undermining of democratic institutions.
Stories
JPMorgan Chase informed Donald Trump and his hospitality business in February 2021 that it was closing their accounts, according to documents released as part of Trump's $5 billion lawsuit against the bank and CEO Jamie Dimon. Several other businesses also severed ties with Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack, but the bank did not specify a reason for the account closures.
The article commemorates four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians, including children, and emphasizing Russia’s violations of international agreements such as the Budapest Memorandum. It criticizes the influence of MAGA politics in undermining global alliances and enabling autocratic aggression, particularly citing former U.S. President Donald Trump's actions that weakened NATO and U.S. support for Ukraine. The author condemns Russia’s ongoing atrocities and underscores the importance of international solidarity with Ukraine, criticizing global indifference and the deterioration of diplomatic norms.
Steve Bannon's War Room podcast serves as a strategic operations center for the MAGA movement, emphasizing organizational infrastructure, ideological discipline, and long-term power retention beyond Trump. Bannon focuses on embedding MAGA in government procedures, controlling Republican internal politics, and cultivating a resilient movement through persistent pressure and coordination. He aims to prepare supporters for ongoing political battles, with a focus on generational transfer and institutional influence, positioning himself as a persistent, strategic figure even post-Trump.
The article defends the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, affirming that individuals born in the US are automatically citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status. It criticizes recent efforts by political figures and legal challenges aimed at undermining birthright citizenship, highlighting the historical context and moral principles that support recognizing all children born in the US as citizens. The author condemns the dehumanization and vilification of immigrant children, emphasizing that such attitudes contradict American values and our historical commitment to equality and dignity.
North Carolina GOP Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not seek re-election in 2026 and has recently criticized White House staff, including Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, for their comments and actions. Tillis voiced disapproval of Miller's statements about Greenland and expressed frustration with partisan polarization, which he attributes to a decline in political compromise. His outspoken criticism has elicited mixed responses and highlights the contentious political climate in North Carolina, a key swing state, with implications for national party dynamics.
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated President Trump's tariffs, reducing his leverage ahead of the April summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This ruling limited the use of tariffs as a trade tool and potentially strengthened China's negotiating position on issues including Taiwan, export controls, and tariffs, while Trump responded by imposing new tariffs under Section 122. Despite the legal setback, the U.S. retains other non-tariff measures and ongoing trade investigations that influence relations, with analysts predicting limited progress on key issues in upcoming talks.
Student veterans at Harvard Kennedy School criticized the Department of Defense's decision to cut academic partnerships with Harvard starting in 2026-27, arguing that it will harm military education and increase the civil-military divide. The move, justified by claims of Harvard’s campus culture and foreign ties, is seen by critics as politically motivated and short-sighted, with concerns that it will weaken civilian-military relations and limit exposure to diverse policy perspectives for active-duty officers. Harvard faculty and alumni also expressed disapproval, emphasizing the mutual benefits of these programs and warning of long-term institutional consequences.
Six Democratic lawmakers who issued a video instructing military personnel to disobey illegal orders were not indicted, despite calls from President Trump for their execution and accusations of treason by prosecutors. The lawmakers emphasized that obeying unlawful orders is not mandatory, referencing legal principles established after WWII, such as the Nuremberg Principles. Critics argue that recent U.S. military actions may violate international law, and some military officials, like Admiral Holsey, have resigned over concerns about the legality of certain operations.
A man named John Barron, whose voice resembled Donald Trump's and who historically used the pseudonym Trump employed in the 1980s, called into C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" to criticize the Supreme Court's ruling invalidating Trump's tariffs. Trump publicly condemned the decision, describing it as a "disgrace" and "embarrassment," while C-SPAN clarified the call was not from the president and occurred during a time when Trump was in a private meeting with governors. The incident highlights Trump's past use of pseudonyms, including John Barron and John Miller, to communicate with the media.
Brandi Carlile expressed her belief that Trump voters and others who feel duped by political and social injustices have the power to change their minds through anger and activism. During her Minneapolis concert supporting immigrant rights, she criticized current immigration policies and emphasized the importance of resilience, unity, and collective action in resisting oppression. Carlile also shared a personal story about being scammed to illustrate themes of awakening and empowerment, advocating for hope and change in the face of societal challenges.
The U.S. implemented a temporary 15% surcharge on most imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective from February 24, 2026, for 150 days, raising from an initial 10%. This change followed the Supreme Court's nullification of IEEPA tariffs, leading the White House to invoke Section 122 as a replacement, with certain exemptions for products under existing tariffs and trade agreements. The new tariff regime has reduced tariffs for some countries previously subjected to higher IEEPA rates, especially those with high initial surcharges, and has narrowed the relative tariff disparities among trading partners.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when implementing sweeping tariffs under a 1970s emergency statute, ruling against his tariff policy. Despite this setback, Trump announced plans to impose more tariffs. The decision significantly affects his economic agenda, which heavily relied on tariff measures.