A secret group of Trump allies met last year to investigate election fraud, but members such as Ed Martin and Mac Warner were removed or demoted after the December meetings, which reportedly undermines Trump's efforts from within his administration. The group aimed to understand how election fraud occurs, but key figures involved were marginalized, leading to concerns that Trump is being secretly sabotaged by individuals close to him. Despite widespread rejection of his claims of election fraud by courts and officials, Trump continues to emphasize allegations of widespread cheating.
The 2026 Winter Olympics occurred amidst political turmoil in the United States, highlighting social issues such as anti-immigration protests, LGBTQ+ threats, and political polarization. Protesters in Milan called for the removal of U.S. immigration enforcement agents, while athletes like Amber Glenn and Hunter Hess voiced their opposition to Trump's policies and faced backlash. The Games also showcased tensions around national loyalty, with athlete Eileen Gu representing China and critics questioning her allegiance to the U.S. Despite these conflicts, the Olympics concluded with a US victory in men's hockey, celebrated by officials including FBI Director Kash Patel and former President Trump.
Despite economy and affordability being key issues for the 2026 midterms, Trump and the MAGA movement are prioritizing immigration as their main focus, advocating for strict immigration policies and promoting the SAVE Act, which aims to restrict voter registration based on citizenship documentation. They are also using campaign ads and rhetoric to frame immigration and Democrat protests as disloyalty, despite declining public support for such measures and potential negative impacts on voter participation. These strategies divert attention from economic concerns and risk alienating moderate voters.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is stalling peace negotiations by attempting to manipulate US President Trump and avoid making concessions. Zelenskyy expressed readiness for a ceasefire along current lines but rejected Russian demands for Ukraine to surrender territory they have not lost in years. He emphasized Ukraine's continued defense and described Ukraine as having achieved a victory in defending its independence and sovereignty.
Morocco has joined Donald Trump's controversial "Board of Peace," established in January 2026, marking a significant geopolitical shift by positioning itself as a key regional actor in a new peace architecture aimed at stabilizing Gaza and addressing the Western Sahara dispute. Morocco's participation involves financial contributions, troop commitments, and diplomatic initiatives, reflecting its strategic aim to enhance its influence and leverage its roles in regional and international diplomacy. While the move has garnered criticism over its governance structure and legitimacy, Morocco's engagement demonstrates its pragmatic approach to diplomacy amid a shifting global order, prioritizing actionable influence over traditional multilateral institutions.
The article discusses how the response to the Epstein case reflects a broader tendency to turn genuine crimes into sensationalized “everything crimes” driven by media and online outrage. It compares current Epstein-related conspiracy theories to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting how moral panics can lead to wrongful accusations, erosion of due process, and real harm to innocent people. The author warns that the evolution of media—particularly podcasting and social media—amplifies speculation without verification, enabling misinformation and mob justice, and emphasizes the need to resist turning real crimes into exaggerated narratives for clicks and attention.
A senior DHS official stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be present at polling places during the November midterm elections, dismissing reports of federal immigration agents at voting sites as disinformation. Despite assurances, some Democratic election officials expressed skepticism and concerns about potential federal interference, especially amid claims from political figures and misinformation suggesting otherwise. The department emphasized that federal law prohibits armed federal agents at polling locations and reaffirmed the constitutional authority of states to oversee elections.
Marshall Yates, a senior FBI official involved in investigating allegations related to President Trump, is expected to resign to focus on his family. His departure comes amid broader reports of the FBI leadership removing agents connected to investigations of Trump, including inquiries into Mar-a-Lago classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The FBI has also shut down its public corruption squad supporting probes into Trump-related cases, amid accusations from the Trump administration of weaponizing the Justice Department.
A Department of Homeland Security official assured state election officials that immigration agents will not be stationed at polling sites during the November midterm elections, addressing concerns about election interference. The pledge was confirmed by officials from Oregon, Arizona, and Kentucky, and comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal involvement in election security. DHS and other federal agencies participated in a call with secretaries of state, with some officials raising concerns about potential federal law enforcement presence and election security funding cuts.
The Trump administration has requested the Supreme Court to issue an emergency order to terminate temporary protected status for Syrian migrants, marking the third time the government has sought SCOTUS intervention over such decisions. The White House argues that lower courts have improperly blocked the termination process, which was initiated after Syria's government was overthrown in 2024, and seeks to prevent further litigation that delays the administration’s authority to end protections for approximately 6,100 Syrians. The court has asked for responses from the affected migrants by March 5.
The article discusses the increasing significance of bystander video in shaping public understanding of major events, from the 1991 Rodney King beating to the Arab Spring protests, the deaths of Eric Garner and George Floyd, and recent incidents involving federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. It highlights how citizen-recorded footage has provided critical evidence, often challenging official accounts and inspiring social movements, despite some limitations in context and perspective. The proliferation of personal recording devices has transformed citizen journalism and accountability in high-profile incidents worldwide.
From February 20 to 26, U.S. policy actions in Latin America included Secretary of State Marco Rubio's participation in the CARICOM summit, where regional security and Venezuela issues were discussed, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Trump's use of the IEEPA to impose tariffs. Notably, U.S. intelligence supported the capture of Mexican cartel leader "El Mencho," marking a significant blow to organized crime, while Trump highlighted increased counternarcotic efforts and relations with Venezuela in his State of the Union address. The U.S. also imposed visa restrictions on Chilean officials over a submarine cable project and extended invitations for regional security summits, with potential visits from Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
