Domestic Politics Archives

Judge Orders ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Close on Environmental Concerns

29Aug

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Immigration, Migration, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Judge Orders ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Close on Environmental Concerns

Florida Spent $245 Million on the Now-Closed Facility August 29, 2025—One of the most notorious migrant detention centers in the United States, located in the Florida Everglades, is closing over environmental concerns. The mass detention center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," is the center of multiple lawsuits and widespread controversy due to its inhumane conditions and location. The roughly 336 detainees who had been held there have reportedly been moved. In June, President Donald Trump dubbed the massive facility “Alligator Alcatraz” because the surrounding swamp is “not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon.” “We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland, and the only way out is really deportation,” Trump said in June at the announced opening. Deplorable Cond...

Trump Deploys National Guard Soldiers to DC Against Homeless, Civilians

11Aug

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Human rights, Types of News: Brief, United States

Trump Deploys National Guard Soldiers to DC Against Homeless, Civilians

August 11, 2025—In the latest display of executive power, President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., taking over the nation’s capital with military force. “This is liberation day in D.C., and we’re going to take our Capitol back. We’re taking it back…. I’m officially invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. You know what that is? And placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” Trump said. “In addition, I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order, and public safety.” The White House declared a "crime emergency" and placed the District under the control of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The plan involves 800 National Guard troops charged with removing homel...

U.S. Ships Noncitizen Inmates to Third Countries

20Jul

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, Immigration, Migration, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Types of News: Analysis, United States

U.S. Ships Noncitizen Inmates to Third Countries

Eswatini Joins El Salvador and South Sudan for Importing Detainees U.S. ships noncitizens abroad, including convicted criminals July 20, 2025—In undisclosed deals with third countries, the U.S. government is shipping noncitizens abroad to be locked up in detention centers. The latest shipment to the Kingdom of Eswatini included five people who had been previously convicted in U.S. courts of murder, child rape, robbery, and homicide, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS released photos of the detainees, along with their convictions, but not their names. DHS says the home countries of Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Cuba, and Yemen “refused to take them back.” Notably, neither country disclosed details of the deal or revealed information about the financial agreement. The s...

Globally, Dissatisfaction With Democracy Grows

10Jul

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Types of News: Brief

Globally, Dissatisfaction With Democracy Grows

July 10, 2025—An increasing number of people in Western democracies are expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of their representation in government, according to an annual survey by Pew Research. The survey shows that a median of 64 percent of adults is dissatisfied with the way democracies are working today, up from 49 percent in 2017. Pew’s research suggests that people still prefer the idea of representative government but are “frustrated with political elites or feel their views are not truly represented in government.” Survey countries included Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The results varied widely with the highest dissatisfaction rates coming from the United States...

1Jul

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief, United States

Senate Clears Trump’s Mega Budget Bill

Tax Cut Extension Would Increase the U.S. Debt by $4.2 Trillion July 1, 2025--The Senate approved President Trump's signature budget and policy bill today, as Vice President JD Vance broke a tie vote, clearing the bill for the House. The legislation, formerly known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill," would reduce taxes on the wealthy, cut the SNAP food aid program, and reduce the Medicaid healthcare for low-income people by $1 trillion. Furthermore, H.R. 1 would implement significant budgetary and policy changes. The new text totals 887 pages.The bill masks an estimated $3.3 to $3.8 trillion revenue loss to the federal budget. The bill, H.R. 1, would raise the current U.S. national debt of $37 trillion to historic new highs. The House passed a different version of the bill in May, rockin...

Less Than 4 Percent of People in Gaza Want Hamas to Lead, Poll Shows

12Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Domestic Politics, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

Less Than 4 Percent of People in Gaza Want Hamas to Lead, Poll Shows

June 12, 2025—Only 4 percent of the population in Gaza wants Hamas to remain in control, according to a recent poll commissioned by Zogby Reseach Services. In a poll conducted by Zogby for the Tony Blair Institute from April 9 to May 12, 2025, the majority of people in Gaza stated that they would prefer government by the Palestinian Authority (35 percent) or a transitional international coalition that works with local administrators (27 percent). Palestinian Authority Commits to Major Reforms & Elections It comes at a time when the PA outlined plans for reforms and governance. It also comes ahead of a major international conference for a two-state solution cosponsored by France and Saudi Arabia. Today, French President Emmanuel Macron released a letter from PA President Mah...

U.S. Removes Welcome for Students from China

29May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Types of News: Brief, United States

U.S. Removes Welcome for Students from China

State Department Announces 'Aggressive Revocation' of Visas for Chinese Students May 29, 2025—In another move to assert control over U.S. universities, the Trump Administration announced an aggressive policy to revoke visas for students from China. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the department and the Department of Homeland Security would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” He said the government would also scrutinize future visa applications from China and Hong Kong. The change in policy impacts more than 270,000 students of the 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. universities. Moreover, the decision is expected to have a detrimental financial impact ...

Trump Escalates Battle With Universities

23May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Diplomacy and International Law, Middle East, Types of News: Brief, United States

Trump Escalates Battle With Universities

DHS Says Harvard Conducts ‘Pro-Terror’ Activities May 23, 2025—As part of its ongoing battle to control U.S. federally-funded universities, the Trump Administration amplified its criticism of Harvard University on Thursday, accusing the 388-year old U.S. institution of carrying out “pro-terrorist conduct.” Harvard University responded forcefully, saying the government is trying to "control whom we hire and what we teach." The university was quick to file a lawsuit, which a federal judge supported with a restraining order against the government on Friday. But the federal action leaves both the university and students in limbo. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security decertify the institution’s student and exchange visitors program. “This administration is holding Harvard...

22May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief, United States

House Passes Massive Budget Bill

Big, Beautiful Bill Would Add $3.8 Trillion to the $36.9 Trillion U.S. Debt The House passed a significant budget bill in the wee hours of the morning that would add $3.8 trillion to the U.S. debt of $36.89 trillion. The chamber voted 217-212 on final passage at 2:30 a.m. "The House has passed generational, truly nation-shaping legislation," House Speaker Mike Johnson said. Trump’s party, the Republicans, control both chambers of Congress. They have a 220-212 majority in the lower chamber. Next, the Senate will take up the measure. It is divided on a 53-47 margin. 'Big and Beautiful' Basics Called “The Big, Beautiful Bill,” H.R. 1 is 1,100 pages long. A summary of it is available through Congress.gov here. For details to changes to federal spending, see the CBO. On ...

United States: The Big, Beautiful Bond Drop

21May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief, United States

United States: The Big, Beautiful Bond Drop

Trump Budget Plan Prompts Rating Drop And Loss of Confidence in Treasuries May 21, 2025—The bond markets for long-term U.S. Treasuries spoke clearly on Wednesday, and it wasn’t pretty. The 30-year Treasury yield rose to 5.096 percent as bond dealers sold off U.S. long-term debt holdings. The bond markets underpin a country's economic stability. Volatility in government bonds can impact politics, as it did in the United Kingdom under the short-term leadership stint of Liz Truss. Now, President Trump is testing the limits as he pushes forward a multitrillion-dollar budget plan for the next 10 years. Trump and House Republicans call it the tax cut and budget plan the “big, beautiful bill,” but today, the bond markets signaled their displeasure. Furthermore, the Financial Times warned...