Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read expressed concern after a federal call with election officials that he described as lacking facts and driven by conspiracy theories. The call included representatives from federal agencies and individuals known for election misinformation, such as Heather Honey, who urged states to verify voter lists against the DHS's SAVE database, a practice Oregon opposes due to potential risks of voter disenfranchisement. Read criticized high-ranking federal officials for prioritizing power over protecting election integrity, amid ongoing federal efforts to access state voter registration data.
The Pentagon announced it will prohibit military members from attending Columbia, Yale, Brown, and other universities starting next school year, citing concerns over "anti-American resentment" and "wokeness," as part of a broader effort to cut ties with institutions deemed ideologically opposed to military values. This follows previous actions against Harvard University, aiming to restrict attendance at graduate programs and fellowships. The policy has sparked controversy, with some institutions and political figures criticizing the move as a politicized response to perceived ideological biases.
The Pentagon and Scouting America have reached an agreement aimed at maintaining their longstanding partnership while shifting away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth considers "woke" policies. The deal includes stipulations such as listing only male and female options on applications matching birth certificates and maintaining existing policies on transgender youth, with the organization asserting it already accommodates transgender members. Hegseth indicated the Pentagon will review compliance in six months and may withdraw support if the organization does not adhere to these changes. The organization has emphasized its ongoing service to youth, including girls and LGBT members, while reaffirming its focus on traditional values.
Senator Patty Murray criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for delaying disaster relief funding from FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, leading to a backlog of $17 billion in aid owed to communities nationwide. Murray accused Noem of mismanaging FEMA and politicizing aid distribution, despite available funds, and called for the full release of all pending relief resources. She emphasized the need for Congress to fully fund FEMA and pass additional disaster aid if necessary.
Internal documents reviewed by *The Atlantic* reveal that Meta (formerly Facebook) employees were aware of significant risks to children on their platforms and documented efforts to address issues such as grooming and inappropriate contact. Despite acknowledging these dangers, the company often prioritized user growth and engagement, delaying or limiting the implementation of stronger safety measures, such as default private accounts for minors. Meta's responses to child safety concerns have evolved over time, with recent efforts including setting teen accounts to private by default and implementing parental controls, but critics argue that the company's past actions prioritized growth over safety.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the Trump administration after reports that the U.S. military shot down a CBP drone with a laser near the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting FAA airspace closures and raising concerns over interagency communication and drone security policies. The incident involved the use of counter-unmanned aircraft system tools and occurred far from populated areas, with agencies emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve coordination amid concerns over unapproved drone operations and overlap in drone regulation legislation. Critics called for investigations into the handling of such incidents, citing past miscommunications that have led to airspace disruptions.
The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered Anthropic to cease using its AI technology amid disagreements over internal guardrails related to autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance. President Trump ordered a six-month phase-out of Anthropic’s AI, citing national security concerns, while Anthropic's CEO stated the company cannot ethically abandon its policies. The dispute highlights tensions between government demands and ethical commitments by AI firms, with ongoing discussions about the future use of AI in military applications.
President Trump has inquired about the possibility of a rehearing or readjudication of the Supreme Court's tariff decision, according to CNBC. The article reports on his reaction to the ruling and explores potential legal options.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. have asked the Supreme Court to block President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, arguing it is unconstitutional and undermines human dignity. They contend the order violates the 14th Amendment and discriminates against children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, rendering some stateless. The bishops emphasized that the order is morally and legally unsupported and called for the protection of equal dignity for all persons born in the United States.
A draft executive order circulating among anti-voting groups proposes that President Trump declare a national emergency to take control over U.S. elections, but legal experts have stated such an order would be blatantly unconstitutional. The draft, dated April 12, 2025, contains inaccuracies and references laws that do not grant emergency powers, and Trump has denied knowledge of the order. White House officials confirmed that Trump has not considered or heard of such an executive order.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated he would not allow the US to use RAF bases for an attack on Iran, a stance viewed by some as a strategic and diplomatic mistake. The article argues that the UK should support military action against Iran due to its long history of hostile actions towards British interests and its ongoing threats, including nuclear proliferation and sponsorship of terrorism. Critics, including US officials, suggest that Starmer’s opposition hampers alliances and efforts to weaken or remove the Iranian regime.
Senator Peter Welch joined Senate Democrats in a forum to criticize President Trump's threats to influence elections, highlighting that claims of widespread voter fraud lack documentation. The event focused on defending election integrity and countering efforts like the proposed SAVE Act, which panelists described as voter suppression legislation. Participants included other Senators, election officials, and legal experts who discussed threats to voting rights and the importance of protecting election procedures for the 2026 midterms.
