This uptick in executions comes after President Donald Trump urged governors to increase their use of capital punishment and pursue new death sentences for the 37 men whose death sentences were commuted to life without parole under the Biden administration.
Read MoreFollowing an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss future collaboration. In a press conference, Rubio defended the Israeli airstrike and reaffirmed the U.S.’s interest in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement. While the Trump administration has not condemned Israel for the attack, it does not support or back the decision.
Read MoreThe operation’s scope is immense, with Customs and Border Protection spokesman David Kim noting that DHS and ICE intend to use all resources at their disposal to investigate and apprehend what they describe as “illegal immigrants”...The Trump administration has also stated that it will be committing National Guard troops to Chicago if necessary. This rhetoric and implementation of resources mark an unprecedented shift in the executive’s approach to immigration enforcement…and has been met with major criticism from advocacy groups, elected officials, and everyday citizens concerned by the increasing militarization of their city’s streets.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump’s recent claim that the common pain reliever acetaminophen “causes autism” has ignited a storm of controversy at the intersection of medicine and politics. Speaking at a White House event alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump urged pregnant women to avoid the drug, better known under the Tylenol brand. The controversy not only underscores the challenges of communicating uncertain science but also raises pressing questions about how political leaders shape public trust in health guidance.
Read MoreSince President Trump took office in January, 15 migrants have died in detention centers, with 10 deaths occurring between January and June alone. Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting more information about the recent surge. Now, both ICE’s failure to enforce its own regulations and the Department of Homeland Security’s lack of oversight raise serious concerns about how immigrants will continue to be treated in U.S. custody.
Read MoreThe White House has announced a deal that will give tech company Oracle, led by an avid Trump supporter, Larry Ellison, control over TikTok’s algorithms and data. Many are concerned with Oracle’s previous history of mishandling user data, as well as the company’s close ties to the Trump administration. TikTok's possible further “Trumpification”, or the influx of pro-Trump media, could lead to further polarization on the app and in America’s youth.
Read MoreAn endorsement from Hochul, a powerful establishment figure, could help further solidify Mamdani’s lead in New York City’s mayoral race and reinforce his path to victory in November. However, it remains to be seen whether it represents a genuine shift towards unity or simply an outlier in a Democratic party defined by infighting.
Read MoreOn September 12th, Missouri became the latest state to redraw its voting patterns under the backing of President Trump. This plan, implemented by Republican lawmakers, aims to redistrict Missouri so that Republicans retain seven of eight congressional districts, a small piece of the redistricting puzzle that strives to help Republicans hold the House amidst a presidency that has lost seats in the past.
Read MoreEach defendant was charged with eight felony counts, including forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery, on the assertion that the group of Republicans had falsely claimed to be Michigan’s “duly elected and qualified electors” for president and vice president of the 2020 election.
Read MoreSocial media and harmful rhetoric from party leaders and political commentators are fanning the flames of the fire Kirk’s murder has ignited, with a frightening increase in calls for violence and even civil war. If major social media platforms do not work to take down videos of graphic violence, such as that of Charlie Kirk’s murder, and politicians do not tone down their rhetoric, it will be difficult for things to change for the better.
Read MoreThe Congressional Delegation comes amid rising economic tensions due to the Trump Administration’s tariffs, the struggle over the ownership of TikTok, and the seemingly constant race between the two powers to have the technological advantage.
Read MoreThe impacts of this $2.3 billion-dollar gamble stretch far beyond Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard’s confrontation with the Trump administration is more than a single university’s defiance—its outcome is a test case for the future of higher education in America with the potential to redefine the power balance between federal authority and institutional independence.
Read MoreEarlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the Associated Press must be restored to the White House press pool. U.S. district judge Trevor McFadden ruled in favor of the AP’s claim that its ban from the Oval Office is a fundamental attack on free speech. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling to the U.S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Read MoreThough its impacts are still unfolding, the recent executive order targeting the Smithsonian appears to be part of a broader, coordinated effort by the Trump administration to assert influence over educational and cultural institutions. As the United States prepares for the 250th anniversary of its independence, which Trump has stated will “showcase the glory of every state in the Union, promote pride in our history, and put forth innovative visions for America’s future,” debates over the narrative of American history and whose version of it will dominate are likely to intensify.
Read MoreMany Democrats, voters and leaders alike, have been critical of the party for not doing more to stand up to the Trump administration. Booker’s speech came amidst a time where there have been calls for Democrats to do more and act with a greater sense of urgency, and provides an example for how Democrats can resist the Trump administration.
Read MoreOn April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump gave a news conference at the White House Rose Garden proclaiming "Liberation Day," marking the initiation of extensive tariffs aimed at addressing perceived inequities in international trade. The implementation of these tariffs has elicited swift reactions both domestically and internationally.
Read MoreDemocracies have rarely collapsed overnight — instead, the process often unfolds gradually, through legal and political maneuvers that slowly chip away at institutional norms. The future of American democracy, therefore, hinges on whether institutions and civil society can resist these internal and external pressures.
Read MoreThe tumultuous outcome of this increase in federal oversight leaves university administrators in a delicate position as they grapple with campus protests and the consequences of potentially losing federal funding if they refuse to comply, which could hinder their ability to govern themselves and maintain environments where diverse political views can be freely expressed.
Read MoreOn March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. While the full dissolution requires congressional approval, the order signals major shifts in federal education policy, likely leading to significant budget cuts and decentralization of education oversight.
Read MoreOn March 15, a significant national security breach occurred when high-ranking Trump administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, were inadvertently joined by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing a sensitive U.S. military operation in Yemen. Despite Signal's encryption, the breach highlighted vulnerabilities in digital communication platforms and underscored the risks of casually discussing sensitive matters. This incident raises critical questions about the integrity of government decision-making, the potential for security oversights, and the implications for national defense and public trust.
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