All articles tagged with #news and politics
Slate’s Jurisprudence column argues that Trump’s fixation on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has sparked a politically charged legal fray, from an investigation into a prosecutor’s handling of the pool controversy to discussions of potential new charges, all under Todd Blanche’s watch as the DOJ leader-in-waiting, signaling a high-stakes struggle where partisan pressure and accountability collide.
The article argues Rand Paul’s push to hold Fauci in contempt and release his diary is a partisan tactic aimed at discrediting Fauci and pressuring the DOJ, rather than a serious legal case. It notes that while the diary could be used to cherry-pick inconsistencies and Fauci could face perjury questions, the Biden pardon complicates prosecutions for actions up to 2025. With state investigations looming and political dynamics in Washington, the piece suggests the move is more about political theater and embarrassing Fauci than a likely criminal outcome.
Slate argues that the Cyclospora outbreak is less about a single food source and more about systemic policy failures—drastic budget cuts to the CDC and FDA under Kennedy Jr., a delayed Food Traceability Rule, opaque supplier disclosures from Taylor Farms and Taco Bell, and messaging that muddies the investigation—reflecting broader Trump-era influence on public health and food safety.
Slate's Fred Kaplan critiques Pete Hegseth's proposal to test all service members over 30 for testosterone and provide shots for those with low levels, arguing that hormone levels vary widely and lack a clear 'normal' baseline; higher muscle mass does not automatically translate to combat effectiveness; testosterone therapy carries risks like high blood pressure and mood changes; in Kaplan's view, modern warfare relies more on strategy, technology, and coordination than hormonal boosts, making the plan ill-informed and dangerous.
The Supreme Court’s ruling preserves counting mail ballots received by Election Day, a win for access, but the piece warns that President Trump continues to threaten mail voting through executive actions and USPS policy, with multiple lawsuits and redistricting battles shaping the midterm election landscape.
The Supreme Court, in a 6–3 decision, overruled Humphrey’s Executor and held that the president may remove heads of independent agencies (as with the FTC), advancing the Project 2025 blueprint; in a separate 5–4 ruling it preserved the Federal Reserve’s independence by allowing Lisa Cook to remain on the board after concerns about due process. The paired rulings mark a major shift toward executive control over agency officials, while preserving a narrow exception for the Fed.
Slate argues there’s no credible evidence of fraud in California and Trump’s post–primary comments, along with the First Assistant U.S. Attorney’s investigations, are largely performative — aimed at sowing doubt and training for potential prosecutions rather than exposing real fraud. The piece notes that California’s mail-in voting and the LA vote-count timeline are normal, and scholars criticize the move as a tactic to undermine confidence in elections and broaden legal pressures in future cycles.
Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick argues that Todd Blanche’s bid to be attorney general could become a GOP test of independence and accountability, given his Trump-aligned DOJ tenure, the controversy over a $1.776 billion slush fund settlement and a broad civil release, and whether Senate Republicans will demand real scrutiny or yield to total deference to the president—shaping the future handling of the rule of law.
A planned $10 billion IRS settlement over a leaked tax-return scandal would immunize Trump and his family and create a $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund, but courts and lawmakers have derailed the deal: acting AG Todd Blanche says the fund isn’t moving forward, a temporary restraining order blocked it, and Judge Kathleen Williams reopened the Trump–DOJ case to probe collusion and legitimacy, with Democrats promising to curb presidential tax immunity—potentially affecting Trump’s holdings and the rule of law.
An unsigned Supreme Court order handed Alabama a sweeping victory by reinstating a long-disputed 2023 map that heavily dilutes Black voters, expanding a Callais-like standard into constitutional voting-rights rules, and eroding a key remedy against racial gerrymandering; dissenters warn the move invites chaos in elections, undermines democratic norms, and signals that minority rights in redistricting can be sacrificed for partisan ends.
In Pitchford v. Cain, the Supreme Court, in a 5–4 decision joined by Chief Justice Roberts and the court’s liberals, held that Mississippi trial courts violated Batson by allowing Black jurors to be struck and denying the defense a chance to rebut the reasons, a procedural error that could lead to a new trial. The opinion highlights Kavanaugh’s historically clear-eyed stance on jury racism, while also noting Roberts’ selective approach to racism in other contexts and suggesting that the court’s colorblind framework can, in limited cases, promote equality.
The New York state legislature has introduced a bill proposing new congressional district lines, which would extend Rep. Tom Suozzi’s district into Suffolk County and move Co-Op City into Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s district. The proposed bill overrules existing state law and could impact an upcoming Democratic primary. This comes after lawmakers rejected the bipartisan proposal from the Independent Redistricting Commission, prompting the Legislature to draw their own lines following previous legal battles over redistricting.
Three years after the January 6 Capitol riot, the inquiry continues to be a significant point of discussion, reflecting on the long-term implications for American democracy. Meanwhile, in France, consumers are initiating a boycott against PepsiCo, although the specific reasons for the boycott are not detailed in the excerpt provided. The New York Times Audio app offers a platform for engaging with these stories through immersive journalism, available exclusively to Times subscribers on iOS.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has officially announced his campaign for the 16th Congressional District, setting up a Democratic primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Latimer's entry into the race poses a serious threat to Bowman, who has gained national recognition as a progressive voice. While Latimer has been courted by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), he downplayed the AIPAC connection and stated that the race should not be solely focused on Israel. The primary is expected to be expensive, with AIPAC potentially spending $100 million to oust progressive congress members. The race could serve as a litmus test for moderate policies versus progressive ideology within the Democratic Party.
Manhattan-based lobbying firm Gotham Government Relations has severed ties with Stuart Seldowitz, a former Obama administration official, after a video went viral showing him harassing a halal cart vendor in New York City. Seldowitz, who previously worked in the U.S. State Department, was named Foreign Affairs Chair at Gotham Government Relations last year. The video shows Seldowitz asking racist and Islamophobic questions, making derogatory comments, and threatening the vendor. Other companies, including Northwestern Mutual, have also distanced themselves from Seldowitz. Local officials have condemned his behavior, and the NYPD is monitoring the situation.