This Week’s Chaos and Power Grabs

📜Democracy on the Line📜

📌Supreme Court Lets Trump Withhold $4 Billion in Foreign Aid Approved by Congress

What Happened: The Supreme Court allowed Trump to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid payments approved by Congress last year. The funds were going to support global health and HIV programs—initiatives Trump deemed wasteful. Setting a precedent for silencing the voice of Congress, the Supreme Court opened the door for Trump to disrupt the global presence of the United States under the guise of foreign affairs.

Why It Matters: Congress holds the power of the purse, but this constitutional right has been violated by the very body sworn in to protect it. Through siding with Trump’s unjust funding cuts, the Supreme Court has prioritized authoritarian wishes over the voice of our representatives. These funds were anything but wasteful as the money was going to help struggling communities worldwide and address the HIV crisis. The United States backing down from this promised support decreases trust in our word and ability to serve as a global leader. Now, thousands of people will be left without basic healthcare all because the conservative justices care more about appeasing Trump than the law.

📌Oregon Sues Trump Administration Over Deployment of National Guard Troops to Portland

What Happened: Trump plans to deport 200 National Guards to Portland, Oregon to suppress its nonexistent rampant lawlessness. Though statistics indicate that crime in Portland is remaining steady and even decreasing in some respects, Trump argues he can overcome the authority of the state's governor. Oregon is suing the Trump administration to stop this authoritarian overreach and attempts to silence protestors.

Why It Matters: Trump’s repeated targeting of blue cities is a clear sign of an authoritarian leader determined to silence the opposition. The falsification of statistics to justify these efforts are part of a trend to trick the public into supporting constitutional overreach. It is solely the governor’s right to deploy the National Guard, and if Trump is allowed to continue making and acting on these threats, the balance of power will shift in a dangerous direction. Oregon is taking a stand by suing the administration, so we must support its governor and other states who decide to take a stand. The Trump administration must be held accountable or we risk setting a precedent where dissent is handled with force.

📌YouTube to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over Trump’s Account Suspension After Jan. 6 Attack

What Happened: To settle a lawsuit filed by Trump after YouTube suspended his account following January 6th, 2021, the site's parent company Google has agreed to pay $24.5 million. Trump called the suspension unfair and an attack on free speech. This lawsuit echoes others filed against Meta and ABC News for their attempts to hold Trump accountable for his actions.

Why It Matters: These lawsuits are not isolated incidents—they signal a president bent on avoiding accountability. January 6th was a dark day in our nation’s history where people lost their lives over the results of a free and fair election. Social media and news companies should be allowed to address Trump’s role in the day, but under the guise of free speech, Trump is challenging any pushback. The success of the Youtube lawsuit is alarming since it could lead Trump to seek further retribution. Having the ability to propagate violent speech without consequence will only enhance Trump’s authoritarian image.

📌Environmental Enforcement Drops to a New Low in Trump Administration, Data Shows

What Happened: Compared to other administrations in the 21st century, the Trump administration has brought fewer lawsuits against companies for environmental violations in its first six months. Scaling back regulations and budget cuts at the EPA both contribute to this historic statistic. Without polluters being held accountable, communities, mainly those of low-income, will be vulnerable to poor air quality and the health risks it brings.

Why It Matters: Climate change is a real issue that affects already vulnerable, low-income communities the most, but Trump is once again dismissing the science. Fewer lawsuits for environmental violations indicates that regulations meant to protect the American people are being pushed aside. Poor air quality can lead to reduced lung functions, severe asthma attacks, and raise the risk of certain cancers. It is the responsibility of the EPA to stand up against communities who pose these threats, yet its budget cuts are preventing the EPA from meeting its purpose. Though the Trump administration’s lack of care for everyday Americans is not surprising, its consequences should not be ignored.

📌Hegseth Rails Against 'Woke,' Lays Out Standards in Speech to Top Generals, Admirals

What Happened: In a speech in front of seasoned military commanders, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed to end “woke” culture in the military, including quotas and probes into hazing. Recruitment efforts that aim to diversify the military will be halted as Hegseth argues they lead to weak, unprepared troops. Hegseth is also overhauling the Inspector General’s Office that is currently investigating him for creating a culture that feels like “walking on eggshells.” 

Why It Matters: The focus of our military is not training or warfare anymore but diversity. Demonizing “woke” culture as weak and distracting, Hegseth is paving the way for a homogenous military that fails to represent the American people. This effort is being accompanied by an overhaul of the office attempting to hold Hegseth accountable. As our military struggles to recruit, the apprehensive culture being promoted by Hegseth is not doing our country any good. His speech demonstrates how attacks by Republicans on DEI and equality are seeping into every aspect of our nation.

📌US Government Shuts Down With Funding Deal Out of Reach on Capitol Hill

What Happened: After Congress failed to pass a funding measure, the federal government has officially shut down. Republicans are proposing a temporary extension, but Democrats are adamant that any appropriations package must include Obamacare subsidies. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees will now be laid off while others will have to report to work without pay.

Why It Matters: It is the responsibility of the majority party to make the necessary compromises to gather minority votes for a budget. The cancelling of meetings and avoidance of negotiations by Republicans show a lack of care for their role. Because of Republicans, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are temporarily losing their jobs and paychecks. What Democrats are asking for is not extreme or impossible—they simply want to secure Americans the right to healthcare. By failing to pass a budget, Republicans are not only demonstrating an unwillingness to compromise, but a continued neglect for the needs for everyday Americans.

🎭 Meme of the Week

See you next week—stay informed, stay engaged, and don’t let the BS fool you.

✨Your movement bestie – Shae

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