Federal authorities are now charging immigrants who do not provide fingerprints, using an old law from the 1940s that had not been enforced for seventy-five years. The Alien Registration Act requires non-citizens to with the federal government, but it has been ignored for decades. The Trump istration is pushing the enforcement to bring back a World War II-era law requiring almost all U.S. non-citizens to and give their fingerprints to the government.

As found by Politico, law enforcement in several states, including Louisiana, Arizona, Montana, Alabama, Texas, and Washington, D.C., has started charging people for intentionally failing to under the Alien Registration Act. This misdemeanor crime is punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of $1,000. Many of those charged were already in custody and going through deportation proceedings when these new charges were added.

The registration part of this 1940 law was originally ed during a time when many Americans were worried about immigrants’ loyalty to the U.S. It had not been used for seventy-five years but was still technically in effect. The Trump istration’s decision to enforce this law puts undocumented immigrants in a tough position. If they choose to , they must give the federal government detailed information that could be used against them, including how they entered the country. On the other hand, if they refuse to on purpose, they could face criminal charges, arrest, prosecution, and the risk of deportation.

Outdated laws are being used against immigrants

One possible reason for bringing back the registration rule is the expectation that people will , effectively turning themselves in by itting they entered the country illegally. However, the Trump istration has a bigger goal. It claims that another purpose of this registration system is to push undocumented immigrants toward a third option: leaving the country voluntarily. The Department of Homeland Security calls this “mass self-deportation.”

These efforts, along with the istration’s use of another old law about enemy aliens and a more aggressive approach to immigration raids, are part of a larger campaign promise to create the biggest deportation program in U.S. history. In a statement from February, the department said this long-ignored law would now be enforced. The department described “mass self-deportation” as a safer option for both non-citizens and law enforcement, and it also claimed this would save money for U.S. taxpayers.

The Alien Registration Act ed in 1940 due to fears about immigrant loyalties, includes another section that makes it a crime to advocate overthrowing the government. This part of the law was used for about twenty years to prosecute people accused of ing fascism or communism. The registration part, however, was mostly unused and had not been enforced for seventy-five years. It applies to non-citizens who have been in the U.S. for thirty days or more, regardless of their legal status.

Some legal immigrants have already met this requirement. For example, immigrants who have applied for permanent residency are considered ed by the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, some undocumented residents are already seen as ed, such as those granted “parole,” a form of protection from deportation for humanitarian reasons. Still, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that up to 3.2 million immigrants are currently uned and could be affected by this new enforcement.

There’s a critical public safety situation still ongoing in Minnesota. There have been targeted shootings in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, where two state lawmakers — Sen. John Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman — were shot alongside their spouses, prompting Governor Tim Walz to order a state emergency operation.

There’s a shelter-in-place order in effect for a three-mile radius around Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, warning residents not to approach the suspect, who is believed to be armed and dangerous. There’s an unusual aspect about the suspect that adds a whole other level of concern, however, as he is believed to be currently impersonating law enforcement officers. This one detail complicates the situation further and lends additional credibility to the belief that these shootings are targeted. As a result, law enforcement has issued highly unusual instructions.

Around 5:30 AM local time, police instructed residents within the designated area to stay indoors. A report from FOX 9 confirmed that authorities have yet to identify a motive. In an unusual move, police have advised residents not to cooperate with individuals claiming to be officers and not to open their doors to anyone—even those in police uniforms.

Instead, residents are being urged to wait for the arrival of two officers or to call 911 to confirm whether the officer at their door is legitimate. The suspect is reportedly a white male with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants.

Some updates suggest there were initially two suspects, but one has since been arrested. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, avoid engagement if they see the other suspect, and especially steer clear of Windsor Terrace North and Champlin, where active scenes are still unfolding. A reporter familiar with the situation has taken to X and informed people that a manhunt for the suspect is currently underway

In response, the former VP candidate Governor Tim Walz has activated the State Emergency Operations Center and placed all Minnesota lawmakers on high alert following the targeting of two of their colleagues. Walz also posted a firm statement on X, promising to give law enforcement all the tools and resources they need — and potentially increasing security for other lawmakers across the state.

I’ve activated the State Emergency Operations Center.

Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them.

We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 14, 2025

This state emergency operations differs from the LA protest situation in several key ways — chiefly in that the governor here is using the state emergency operation specifically so that he can take swift and direct action to local enforcement. Importantly, as this story continues to develop, the health conditions of the lawmakers and their spouses remain unknown. For now, hope is all we have — hope that they are recovering.

Zach Lindstrom, the Mayor of Mounds View, was the first political figure to speak out, expressing deep concern about the normalization of violence against public officials. He also shared that his thoughts are with the victims and their families, and that he genuinely hopes the lawmakers pull through.

I'm just learning of the events that took place last night due to getting a safety alert for elected officials. I never thought we'd be here. My prayers are with the Hortman, and Hoffman families. I hope everyone comes out of this ok.

I cannot emphasize enough that this is not…

— Mayor Zach Lindstrom (@MoundsViewMayor) June 14, 2025

This is still a developing story, and information continues to emerge. We’ll provide updates as they become available. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected by this violence.

In the months since Donald Trump took up the White House as the president of America for a second term, there has been nothing but chaos. Some he backed, and some he created from ground zero – the common factor being the civilians paying the price. The role the POTUS played in Israel’s latest attack on Iran is shaping up to be a deadly new example of the very hell.

Soon after the attack, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasted no time in distancing America from it all. He released a statement clarifying that America was not involved in the strikes and that their only “priority is protecting American forces in the region.”

“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the istration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” he added.

But a new report, sharing revelations by several anonymous Israeli officials, paints a very different and scandalous picture. Axios, based on its sources, has alleged that “Trump and his aides were only pretending to oppose an Israeli attack in public — and didn’t express opposition in private.”

Reportedly, Trump’s plan was to blindside Iran by convincing them that they would not be attacked. This was to ensure that Iranians on Israel’s target list don’t move to new locations. The sources have claimed that while he made calls for diplomacy, he was actually coordinating with Israel and giving his “green light” to the attack.

If true, will America face any consequences?

On paper, Trump will not have to defend or say anything. But as highlighted by ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, America is forgetting that it is home to Iran’s “terror cells.’

In a chat with Fox News, Pompeo reflected on Israel’s attack on Iran and the presence of Trump throughout the deadly chapter.

“It’s not just the missiles or drones, they’ll fly to Israel, but the Iranian IRGC, the very leadership the Israelis destroyed last night, has been working in nearly every country around the world, including the United States of America, to plant little terror cells all across the world. Hezbollah was doing the same.”

Though he made his of the attack clear, he also warned that these terror cells could be used to seek revenge from America. Oh, and how is Trump planning on dealing with any consequences of this attack that may or may not affect America? Go back and forth on what he thinks and offer empty words, of course.

Bernie Sanders has always been the politician of note when it comes to calling out things that people in his position usually have too many quid pro quo relationships to blurt out. Recently, Sanders took stock of Trump’s tenure so far and asked why no one in the Republican Party will just come out and call his authoritarian rule for what it is.

The recent federalization of the National Guard in California has slowly become Trump’s final straw in a lot of people’s psyche. The news cycle moves so fast these days, and with that comes the inability to properly take everything in perspective. Bernie Sanders, however—always one to go against the grain — took to X to talk about how Trump has been suing the media, investigating universities that don’t do his bidding, and even recently flirted with the idea of arresting the democratically elected governor of California.

Trump usurps the power of Congress, threatens judges who rule against him, sues the media, extorts law firms that oppose him & “investigates” universities he dislikes.

Now he wants to arrest the governor of CA.

Will a SINGLE Republican in Congress oppose his authoritarianism?

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 11, 2025

Gavin Newsom’s relationship with Trump has fractured beyond repair at this point, and the Trump istration is now even publicly declaring that they want to “liberate” LA. But as long-time proponents of state responsibility and smaller government, questions have slowly started to arise around the Republican silence on this entire matter.

Much like the legal maneuvering Trump used in his attempt to suspend habeas corpus, he exploited a loophole in the Posse Comitatus Act — whose main role is to prevent federal troops from being used in domestic law enforcement. The act states that the federal government may intervene in the case of an attempted insurrection, which would explain the framing the Trump istration keeps using when it talks about the LA protest situation.

There’s a broader trend suggesting this is not the first time the world has seen this kind of behavior from an authoritarian leader. History is filled with figures who ramp up nationwide security features and personnel to quell off any instances of criticism. And that’s clearly what Bernie Sanders was alluding to. That this is happening as Trump plans a military parade for his birthday — and is threatening any protesters who have a problem with it — suggests a really grim outlook for the near future.

In the comments, opinions on Sen. Sanders were quite split. One pointed out that even Elon Musk had to walk back his comments. Some didn’t even bother defending Trump’s actions and instead accused Democrats of also doing this sort of thing for years.

Elon Musk tried, didn't last long. Doubt any Republican in ckngress has the courage for this.

— Chris Summer (@TVision36898) June 11, 2025

Sounds like the exact same things Democrats have been doing to conservatives for years and years!!

— Thomas O'Connor '62 baby, #GodBlessAmerica (@TheyCallMeTomO1) June 11, 2025

Things are moving fast, and regardless of personal political opinions, various groups have moved to court to challenge Trump’s decisions, believing many of them lean on the illegal side. And as the courts hand out rulings as quickly as they possibly can, it seems Californians are expressing their disapproval of the deployment, with 63% of people in the state reportedly against it in a particular poll.

The US has grown extremely polarized. And Trump—whether he means to or not—has become a human stress test of the institutional checks and balances. With every move, he exerts more pressure on just how much the executive can bend laws to its will. Sen. Sanders is ultimately right: this is more than just another two-party political duel. A lot more is on the line.

If the last few months have shown us anything it’s that Donald Trump is a power hungry tyrant hell bent on getting his grubby fingers on as much power as he can. The dictator comparisons have been coming from all sides of the political board but Democratic Rep Yassamin Ansari was the only one thoughtful enough to provide us with a helpful list of every reason Trump is a dictator.

In a video shared to her Instagram the Democratic representative for Arizona’s 3rd congressional district called out Scott Perry for mocking the idea of Trump being a dictator. It seems many Republicans are still in denial. Anyways, Ansari made a pretty compelling case as to why we should be referring to the president as a dictator. 

A long list of reasons to be wary of Donald Trump

Considering he only took office at the start of this year Trump has already done plenty of things that could be considered dictator-y. Literally the day he was sworn in he pardoned the violent January 6th insurrectionists. pardoning literal criminals just because they you doesn’t exactly scream “democracy.”

Ansari’s been keeping track of his actions, every unconstitutional move the president has made so far has been listed and it all comes together to back up her dictator claims. She mentions his defiance of Supreme Court orders, his methodical dismantling of multiple federal agencies, his deportation of people to foreign prisons without due process. Honestly the list is too long to go into full detail here, but when you have the benefit of hindsight it’s surprising just how much Trump is behaving like a tyrant.

Obviously we can’t forget his military parade for his birthday. Ansari asks “is this North Korea?” It almost seems like Trump expects U.S. citizens to worship him. 

Is the president intentionally causing chaos?

Ansari also touches on Trump’s use of military force “without the consent of local authorities or the state’s governor.” Typically a governor would have to consent to the National Guard being deployed in their state but the president has undermined California governor Gavin Newsom and sent them in to quell the protests in L.A. anyway.

The whole ordeal has caused chaos and Ansari compares it to a “dystopian, horrific episode of Black Mirror.” As the president continues to drag the U.S. into fascism while we all just stand by and watch. Comments responding to Ansari’s speech on Instagram agreed with her, one person wrote, “Yep…sounds like we officially live in the FORMER United States of America.” Others called for impeachment.

It seems more people are finally opening their eyes and realizing the threat Trump poses to democracy. The events of the last week have only served to show his true nature. We don’t need to wait for the next season of Black Mirror, we’re living it.

While most Americans are worried about the militarization of Washington, D.C., in advance of Trump’s June 14 parade, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) appears to be absolutely thrilled.

In a post that reads like a gym rat’s love letter to authoritarian aesthetics, Greene praised the current state of the nation’s capital, writing, “Having the military here is the BEST!!!”

Her post also said, “As a long time CrossFitter and former owner, I absolutely LOVE seeing this on the lawn here in Washington DC!!” It added, “I’d rather have the military here in our nations capital and along our borders defending our nation, then fighting other countries wars!!

‘Go talk to your war mongering boss’

Green’s post came as armored vehicles rolled through the streets of D.C. for Trump’s parade amid unrest in L.A. and planned protests. Meanwhile, thousands of troops have been stationed throughout the city.

Bulldozing the rose garden—literally

While Greene is busy praising pecs and push-ups, the Trump istration is doing actual landscaping damage. According to reports, bulldozers were spotted in the White House Rose Garden this week as part of a controversial redesign effort.

This comes after the garden, originally restored by Jacqueline Kennedy and later modified by Melania Trump, had already been a point of public criticism. The latest iteration appears to involve tearing out historic plantings in favor of a more austere layout.

Critics argue that the destruction of the garden is symbolic of broader cultural and institutional damage, but Greene doesn’t seem bothered.

Military presence raises eyebrows

Though Greene might be swooning over uniforms and biceps, the presence of active-duty troops in D.C. has sparked alarm among legal scholars and civil rights groups. Some warn the deployment could signal a normalization of military intervention in civilian governance—something historically considered a red flag in democratic societies.

The Pentagon has stated the troops are in place to ensure order following national protests and unrest, but their presence near the Capitol and Supreme Court steps has prompted comparisons to military rule.

Referring to Trump’s planned parade, GOP maverick Rand Paul said, “I’ve never been a big fan of goose‑stepping soldiers in big tanks and missiles rolling down the street… So if you asked me, I wouldn’t have done it. We were always different than the images you saw of the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud not to be that.”

Aesthetic authoritarianism?

Greene’s CrossFit commentary may sound absurd, but it taps into a deeper trend on the far right: conflating brute force with virtue and governance with spectacle. While roses are being ripped out, Greene seems perfectly content to swap democracy’s symbols for flexed deltoids and riot shields.

The juxtaposition of bulldozers in the Rose Garden and troops on the Capitol lawn paints a picture that’s less Norman Rockwell and more boot camp cosplay. But for Greene, it’s all apparently part of the “Best” America. And if you’re wondering what democracy looks like, Greene would probably just point to a shirtless guy doing kettlebell swings in front of the Capitol dome.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, urging the nation to negotiate a deal before it faces complete destruction, as tensions escalate following Israel’s bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets.

According to Politico, the situation intensified after Israel’s Thursday night attack, which targeted Iran’s nuclear installations, regime officials, military leaders, and key atomic scientists. Iran responded with a counterattack involving more than 100 drones, according to Israeli military sources.

Trump, posting on Truth Social, reminded Iran that he had previously given them a “60-day ultimatum” to make a deal, and as “today is day 61,” they now have “perhaps, a second chance.” The former president emphasized that he had given Iran multiple opportunities to reach an agreement regarding their nuclear program, but negotiations had repeatedly failed.

World leaders call for immediate de-escalation as Israel closes diplomatic missions

The crisis has prompted Israel’s foreign ministry to take unprecedented security measures, announcing the closure of all Israeli missions worldwide and the suspension of consular services. Israeli citizens have been advised against displaying Jewish symbols in public or sharing their location on social media.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to the attacks with a stern warning, stating that Israel had “prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself.” This exchange of threats has raised international concerns about the potential for a catastrophic regional war in the Middle East.

European leaders have responded swiftly to the escalating crisis. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as “deeply alarming” and called for restraint from all parties. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the crucial need for Israel’s allies to work toward de-escalation of tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a more concrete approach, announcing comprehensive measures to protect French nationals, diplomatic facilities, and military bases in the region. While ing other European leaders in calling for de-escalation, Macron reiterated ’s condemnation of Iran’s nuclear program and referenced ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation.

Trump’s message to Iran included a pointed reminder of U.S. military capabilities, stating that “the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come.” He warned that those who didn’t heed earlier warnings are now “all DEAD,” and the situation “will only get worse” without a diplomatic resolution.

The dramatic escalation of hostilities marks a significant turning point in Middle Eastern relations, with the international community watching closely as both nations continue to exchange threats and military actions. The closure of Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide underscores the severity of the current situation and the potential for further escalation if diplomatic solutions are not reached.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has replaced every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) important vaccine advisory group, with people whose opinions on vaccine safety and effectiveness have worried many in the medical field. The ACIP has a key role in shaping public health policy by advising the CDC on which vaccines should be recommended for children and adults.

These recommendations directly affect which vaccines insurance companies cover and which ones are given for free to millions of low-income children through the government-funded Vaccines for Children program. The ’s choices ultimately impact the health of every American, according to NPR.

Secretary Kennedy’s unusual move to remove all 17 of the current ACIP and then appoint people who have openly questioned vaccines has caused widespread concern among immunization experts. Some of the new became well-known during the COVID-19 pandemic for publicly disagreeing with government policies on school closures, lockdowns, and the use of mRNA vaccines. Additionally, at least one of the new appointees is connected to a group that actively warns about what they see as vaccine risks, which has added to fears about where the committee might be headed.

RFK Jr. has replaced the CDC committee with those friendly to his views

Experts in immunization and infectious diseases are very worried that the new committee’s existing doubts about vaccines could lead to less emphasis on certain vaccines. This, in turn, might make it harder for families to get potentially life-saving preventive care. The ACIP’s recommendations directly affect insurance coverage because the Affordable Care Act requires health insurers to cover all vaccines approved by the committee.

If the changes the current vaccine schedule, insurance might stop covering some vaccines, putting an extra financial strain on families. The ’s advice also affects state-level policies, including which vaccines are required for children to attend school. If these recommendations become weaker, vaccination rates among school-aged children could drop, raising the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases. The impact would be especially hard on vulnerable groups who depend on the Vaccines for Children program.

Any changes to the recommended vaccine schedule could create major obstacles for a large number of children in the United States, possibly undoing decades of progress in preventing diseases. Another big concern is the possibility that the new ACIP might change more vaccine recommendations to what is called “shared clinical decision-making.” Routine recommendations usually say that everyone in a certain risk group should get a specific vaccine unless there’s a medical reason not to. “Shared clinical decision-making,” however, means the doctor and patient decide together whether the vaccine is right for them.

This kind of change could have serious effects on vaccine availability, especially in rural areas. Many family doctors in these areas already struggle financially to keep vaccines in stock, and a shift to shared clinical decision-making could make them even less likely to do so. The way the ACIP phrases its recommendations also plays a big role in how doctors talk to patients about vaccines. Routine recommendations give a clear and straightforward message, making it easier for healthcare providers to explain the importance of vaccines to families.

A move toward shared clinical decision-making, on the other hand, could create uncertainty and confusion, making it harder for families to make informed decisions. Some argue that when medical professionals seem unsure about whether a vaccine is necessary, it can create distrust and make families less likely to follow vaccination advice. There is concern that switching to shared clinical decision-making will create doubt about vaccines with strong safety and effectiveness records.

President Donald Trump finds himself in a precarious position following Israel’s Thursday night pre-emptive strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, as his core MAGA ers express outrage over potential U.S. involvement in another Middle East conflict.

According to Politico, the situation presents a significant challenge for Trump, who campaigned on ending U.S. foreign interventions and promised to keep America out of international conflicts. While the istration maintains that the United States played no role in Israel’s offensive, questions remain about whether the U.S. can maintain its neutrality.

“What the president does from here could end up defining his presidency,” said Matt Boyle of Breitbart, highlighting the delicate balance Trump must strike between ing Israel and avoiding military engagement. The president now faces the difficult choice of either allowing Israel to defend itself alone or ing the conflict against Iran.

MAGA base warns against involvement as tensions escalate

Prior to the strike, prominent MAGA figures had publicly urged Trump to prevent Israel from taking military action. Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk warned that such a strike would cause “a massive schism in MAGA,” while The Federalist’s editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway argued it would be seen as “an unforgivable betrayal” by Trump’s voter base.

The timing of Israel’s action is particularly problematic, as it occurred just days before scheduled peace talks between Iran and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. The strike has effectively derailed these diplomatic efforts and raised concerns about potential Iranian retaliation against American bases in the region.

Trump’s earlier statements indicated a preference for diplomatic solutions, with the president explicitly directing his istration to negotiate with Iran. However, Israel’s unilateral action appears to have undermined these efforts, leading to increased tension within the MAGA coalition.

Breaking Points host Saagar Enjeti expressed strong criticism, stating that “Israel has now made a mockery of the United States,” and arguing that the timing of the strike appeared to be a deliberate attempt to force American involvement. This sentiment echoes throughout the MAGA base, which sees the situation as a potential betrayal of Trump’s America First foreign policy doctrine.

The crisis has exposed potential limitations in Trump’s influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions, as the strike proceeded despite Trump’s public preference for diplomacy. This development has left the president in an unprecedented position, caught between maintaining from his base and upholding traditional U.S. commitments to Israel.

California Senator Alex Padilla was forcefully removed and handcuffed at a press conference held by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident, which was caught on video, has caused widespread anger and led to accusations of authoritarian behavior, especially after Secretary Noem claimed that Senator Padilla did not identify himself.

The video footage directly contradicted this statement. The incident happened at a press briefing where Secretary Noem was supposed to speak about immigration enforcement. Senator Padilla attended the conference because he and several colleagues had not received responses from the Department of Homeland Security about increasingly strict immigration policies.

According to MSNBC, he wanted to understand the reasoning behind recent actions and ask the Secretary questions directly. According to Senator Padilla, he was there peacefully and tried to ask a question related to the Secretary’s statements. However, before he could finish, he was forcibly removed from the room, taken to the ground, and handcuffed. Video released by Senator Padilla’s office shows law enforcement officers restraining him after he clearly identified himself.

Video shows Department of Homeland Security secretary lied about why Senator was arrested

The main controversy began when Secretary Noem later appeared on a major news network and claimed that Senator Padilla had not identified himself before asking his question. This statement directly conflicts with the video evidence, clearly showing Senator Padilla saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla,” before trying to speak with Secretary Noem.

This means Noem was not being entirely honest when she said, “This man burst into the room, started lunging towards the podium, interrupting me and elevating his voice, and was stopped, did not identify himself, and was removed from the room.” As you can clearly hear Padilla identifying himself and not even causing much of a struggle.

Kristi Noem is one of the most controversial names on Trump’s list, and things like this are why. This contradiction has led to accusations that Noem was deliberately dishonest and may have tried to abuse her power.

The incident was quickly condemned by well-known political figures. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the treatment of Senator Padilla outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful, blaming the istration for the actions. He praised Senator Padilla’s character, calling him one of the most decent people he knows.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who once held the same Senate seat as Senator Padilla, also expressed anger, calling it a shameful and shocking abuse of power. She pointed out that Senator Padilla was representing millions of Californians who want answers about the istration’s actions in Southern California.

The situation also raises concerns about how ordinary citizens might be treated. Kristi Noem has cultivated a reputation as the controversial “ICE Barbie,” emblematic of a new hardline immigration posture. Beyond the immediate reactions, the incident continues a larger debate about whether democratic norms are weakening and if authoritarian behavior is increasing.

Senator Padilla said that if the istration handles a Senator with a question in this manner, it makes people wonder how they might treat farmworkers, cooks, day laborers, and other vulnerable groups. This worry is especially strong because these communities often lack the resources and political power to fight back against abuses of authority.

The handcuffing of Senator Padilla is extremely unusual, and the fact that it happened to a U.S. Senator makes it even more serious. The fact that Republican leaders in the Senate did not condemn the incident has added to concerns that checks on executive power are weakening.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has dealt a major setback to President Donald Trump’s executive order that tried to claim sweeping federal control over elections and voter registration. The ruling, made on June 13, 2025, marks a clear legal defeat for the istration’s disputed efforts to push through election policy changes without approval from Congress. The judge’s decision to block the order temporarily highlights key constitutional principles about the division of power and who has the authority to manage election rules.

As found by CBS News, Judge Casper’s 44-page ruling carefully explained the constitutional and legal reasons for her decision. She noted that while U.S. citizenship is undeniably required to vote in federal elections, and federal voter registration forms already include a statement confirming citizenship, the key question was whether the President had the power to demand official documents as proof.

Her ruling emphasized that Congress holds the authority to set election rules, and current federal law does not require such documentation. Additionally, the ruling pointed out that the Election Assistance Commission, which was created by law, must follow a formal process (including public notice and input, as well as consulting with states) before making any changes to federal voter registration forms. The executive order appeared to skip this process entirely.

Trump’s attempt to interfere with voting rights blocked

The original executive order, signed by President Trump in March, aimed to introduce new rules requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. Beyond this main change, the order also touched on other parts of election istration, including altering mail-in ballot deadlines and setting voting equipment rules. These proposed “reforms” raised immediate concerns among many groups, with reports warning that the broad changes and the President’s apparent overreach could risk stripping millions of Americans of their voting rights.

The istration’s move to enforce these changes through executive action was widely expected to face legal opposition. This prediction came true when attorneys general from 19 states filed a lawsuit in April to stop major parts of the order. This is because dictators are known to do stuff like this. Even Stephen Colbert joked Trump was “bringing a taste of dictatorship back home.”

The Democratic Party and several voting rights organizations also launched separate legal challenges, leading to earlier court orders blocking parts of the Republican President’s directive. The latest ruling by U.S. District Judge Denise Casper follows the same path as these earlier cases, further strengthening the judiciary’s rejection of the executive order’s provisions.

The central issue in the legal battle was whether the President had the authority to make changes to federal elections. The U.S. Constitution clearly gives states the power to regulate the “time, place, and manner” of elections. While it allows Congress to step in and override state laws, it does not give the President any such power. Election experts had repeatedly pointed out that President Trump was trying to claim authority he did not have, making legal challenges against the order almost inevitable.

This executive order was linked to an earlier failed attempt by congressional Republicans to a law. Last year, lawmakers tried to push through a bill called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, which would have required proof of citizenship for voter registration, similar to a key part of President Trump’s later executive order. However, the SAVE Act was not ed in the Senate and never became law.

The President’s decision to then impose similar policies through an executive order was seen as an effort to by Congress and make policy without legislative approval. Critics called this approach a deeply flawed way of governing, suggesting that a president could simply enforce laws that Congress had refused to .

Despite a strong stock market and mostly positive economic signs, a widespread feeling of worry is taking hold in corporate boardrooms all over the United States. Goldman Sachs, in an unusual acknowledgment, has pointed out the increasing concerns of CEOs due to the Trump istration’s unpredictable economic policies, especially its large tax bill and ongoing trade talks.

The investment banking firm suggests these worries are causing a slowdown in investment and could harm future economic growth. The year started with clear optimism among business leaders, driven by hopes of fewer regulations and tax cuts. However, this early excitement faded quickly as the istration pushed aggressively for trade policies that protect U.S. industries, unsettling global supply chains and creating doubt about future trade relationships.

As reported by Politco, these changes led many companies to rethink their spending plans. Goldman Sachs told Politco, At the moment, there’s a sense that things are moving forward constructively, people would like the level of certainty around the policy direction to continue to increase.

Investment groups may be hurting thanks to Trump

Many have had to delay their plans. This hesitation in making investment decisions is expected to hurt economic growth in 2025. While Solomon notes that the istration’s recent trade language has seemed less aggressive, uncertainty remains. Businesses want more predictability and clear policy direction to feel confident and move forward with delayed investments.

The unpredictable nature of the istration’s trade maneuvers has sent shockwaves through supply chains. This is despite Wall Street noting a fresh surge of optimism following a court’s move to overturn major Trump tariffs.

Interestingly, Goldman Sachs’ own deal activity has stayed surprisingly strong despite the uncertainty. The total number of mergers and acquisitions has gone up. The firm explains this resilience by pointing to a backlog of strategic deals that were postponed due to strict regulations under the previous istration. Now, CEOs seem more confident that they have flexibility, which has encouraged them to move forward with these deals.

This positive trend is balanced by ongoing worries about regulations. The Federal Trade Commission’s decision to keep stricter merger rules from the last istration is causing concern. Along with political risks coming from Washington, these factors make corporate strategy more complicated and require careful handling. And it’s not only investors who’ve pulled back; international business travel to the U.S. has slumped sharply amid growing concerns over Washington’s unpredictable policy tone.

The proposed tax bill, which the istration calls the “big, beautiful bill,” is another major source of anxiety. While the idea of making the current tax system permanent is generally ed, the bill’s long-term effect on the country’s finances, especially the national debt and deficit, is still a key topic of debate. Goldman Sachs notes the absence of a clear plan to lower debt and deficit levels, raising fears that these issues could eventually limit investment and slow economic growth.

Certain parts of the tax bill, like Section 899, are adding to the frustration. This section, which aims to increase taxes on foreign individuals linked to “discriminatory foreign countries,” could discourage foreign investment in the U.S. The investment bank hopes lawmakers will consider the possible negative effects.