What if America's red states are about to lose their cheap-housing advantage?
W hy do so many Americans move from blue states to red ones? Ron DeSantis, Florida's governor, crows that 'a collapse in the quality of life' in blue states is making residents flee. During a debate in 2023, he taunted California's governor, Gavin Newsom, for his state's street crime, woke schools and public defecation by homeless people—he even held up a 'poop map' of San Francisco for the cameras. 'They actually at one point ran out of u -Hauls in the state of California because so many people were leaving,' he gloated.
We're looking for writers to cover politics and public policy
The nationalisation of politics finally comes for America's least-populous state
Professional gamblers get beaten by the odds
A dispatch from the elevator bank of the 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza
His administration cannot shake rumours of a cover-up—in part because MAGA types enthusiastically endorsed it
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
33 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘It's a concentration camp': Everything we know about Trump's new ‘Alligator Alcatraz' in the Florida Everglades
The name given by Donald Trump and his allies to Florida 's new barebones immigrant detention camp is ghoulish enough: 'Alligator Alcatraz'. Critics, however, argue that it is nothing less than a concentration camp on American soil, designed to round up disfavored minorities even if they have committed no crimes. Rapidly built and opened in the space of just two weeks on a remote and rarely used airstrip in Florida's reptile-rich Everglades, the camp is intended to hold up to 5,000 people arrested by U.S. immigration authorities while they await deportation. Numerous detainees, their families, and their lawyers have already alleged inhumane and unsafe conditions, including maggoty food and overflowing toilets. Polling suggests that almost half of all Americans disapprove of the facility, with only 26 per cent of independent voters being in favor. So what exactly is Alligator Alcatraz, and what will happen to the so far 700-odd people detained there? Surrounded by alligators and pythons Long before his 2024 election victory, Donald Trump and his team were drawing up plans to deport millions of people every year — and hold them in vast new detention camps while their cases were processed. Alligator Alcatraz is a preview of that potential future. Rather than being the federal government, it's actually a project of Florida's Republican governor — and former Trump election rival — Ron DeSantis, who invoked emergency powers to seize the land last month. Who funded this remains unclear. DeSantis has said he will be reimbursed by the federal government, and Trump's homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, has said it will be "largely funded" by FEMA. Yet in court filings, the U.S. Justice Department has claimed that "not implemented, authorized, directed, or funded Florida's temporary detention center" — despite the fact that immigration enforcement is handled by the federal government. Regardless, Republicans have made no secret of their rationale. "You don't need to invest that much in the perimeter," claimed Florida's attorney general James Uthmeier. "If people get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons." And yes, 'Alligator Alcatraz' is now its official name. It's even emblazoned on road signs that lead to the facility. 'Packed into cages' The facility's construction is extremely basic — and its conditions are allegedly brutal. Detainees are kept in metal cages, with dozens of people packed into each one, housed inside gigantic heavy-duty tents in the sweltering heat. Even the staff appear to be based in temporary prefab huts and mobile trailers parked nearby. Detainees and their families have reported worm-infested food, routine medical neglect, unreliable air conditioning, and inadequate toilets that overflow and cover the floor with feces. Government officials have adamantly disputed these accusations, but have provided few details and have denied access to the media. In total, there are currently around 3,000 beds. 'They have no way to bathe, no way to wash their mouths, the toilet overflows and the floor is flooded with pee and poop,' said the wife of one 35-year-old Cuban detainee. "They eat once a day and have two minutes to eat. The meals have worms." At one point, detainees "all went on a hunger strike" in protest against the conditions, she said, adding that her calls with him were interrupted every three minutes by an automated voice saying the conversation was recorded. Lawyers have also reported being refused access and prevented from speaking to their clients. Leamsy 'La Figura' Izquierdo, a Cuban reggaeton artist arrested last week in Miami-Dade County for assault with a deadly weapon and transferred to Alligator Alcatraz, likewise told CBS News: 'There's no water to take a bath, it's been four days since I've taken a bath. "They only brought a meal once a day and it has maggots. They never take off the lights for 24 hours. The mosquitoes are as big as elephants." Another detainee said guards had taken away his Bible and told him that "here there is no right to religion". Democratic legislators who visited the camp say they're deeply concerned. While a bipartisan group was allowed to visit on July 12 — as required by state law — they were given a "sanitized" tour of still-empty areas with no detainees. Even then, their review was harsh. 'They are essentially packed into cages, wall-to-wall humans," said Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. 'This place needs to be shut the hell down. They're abusing human beings." A spokesperson for the Florida state government said, "The reporting on the conditions in the facility is completely false. The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order." Who is detained there? In early July, Donald Trump claimed that the Florida facility would "handle the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet" — and said he wants to see similar facilities built in "many states". But what we know of Alligator Alcatraz's inmates conflicts with his description. According to The Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times, only one-third of the 700 people currently being held there have any criminal conviction whatsoever. 250 detainees have been judged to have broken immigration law, which is a civil offence and not a criminal one. One detainee, who described the conditions as potentially "a form of torture", told CBS: "A lot of us have our residency documents and we don't understand why we're here." That fits the general pattern of Trump's detentions so far. Despite promising to prioritize "the worst of the worst", data suggests that only 8 percent of the estimated 185,000 people detained by ICE between October 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025 had been convicted of a serious crime. One-third of detainees had some kind of criminal conviction, but among that group, 75 percent had only committed low-level crimes such as traffic offenses. How long detainees will stay at Alligator Alcatraz is unclear, but immigration court proceedings can take months or years, and the Trump administration has said it will deny bail en masse. Hence, it could be a long time for some. Is it a concentration camp? Some critics believe so. Among them is the journalist Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, who made her case in a recent op-ed for MSNBC. "This facility's purpose fits the classic model: mass civilian detention without real trials targeting vulnerable groups for political gain based on ethnicity, race, religion or political affiliation rather than for crimes committed," Pitzer wrote. "We're still in the early stages of this arc, but... the history of this kind of detention underlines that it would be a mistake to think the current cruelties are the endpoint. America is likely just getting started." While the term 'concentration camp' is most associated with the Nazis, such camps have been widely used by numerous nations, including the U.K., the U.S., Spain, and the Soviet Union. Immigration lawyer Raul A. Reyes likewise argued in The Los Angeles Times that Alligator Alcatraz is a "national disgrace" that "will place detainees in life-threatening conditions". He further claimed the facility "appears intentionally designed to inflict suffering on detainees", citing supporters' "gleeful" attitude to the idea of federal detainees being eaten by alligators. The Florida Republican Party, and Uthmeier himself, are even selling Alligator Alcatraz merchandise, including baseball caps, water bottles, and beer koozies.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Kremlin mocks Trump's 50-day deadline – and ‘unfazed' Putin ‘may demand MORE Ukrainian territory over sanctions threat'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Kremlin has mocked Trump's 50-day deadline to strike a peace deal - and may demand even more Ukrainian territory instead of laying down arms. Putin will keep terrorising Ukrainian civilians during the seven-week period, sources said, apparently unfazed by America's threat of sanctions and decision to arm Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of long-range weapons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Putin is reportedly unfazed by Trump's latest threats and may demand even more Ukrainian territory 5 Moscow defiantly blitzed Ukraine again just hours after Trump issued his ultimatum Credit: AP 5 Trump said he is 'disappointed but not done with' Putin Credit: AP Trump on Monday vowed to slap brutal 100 percent tariffs on Russia if Moscow did not reach a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days. Dismissing the President's ultimatum, Russian Foreign Minister said: "We of course want to understand what is behind this statement - 50 days. "It used to be 24 hours, it used to be 100 days, we have been through all of this and we really want to understand what motivates the President of the United States." Lavrov suggested Trump's move was simply driven by "indecent pressure from the European Union". Sources familiar with the internal workings of the Kremlin said that Putin would not end the war under pressure from the west, and believes the economy is strong enough to weather any additional economic measures. He also believes his military has the upper hand on the battlefield - and will be able to deal with the extra "top-of-the-line' long-range weapons Trump intends to supply. A source said: "Appetite comes with eating," meaning he is likely to continue grabbing land until the war has stopped. Explaining the dictator's thinking, another said: "Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine - including the Americans - so he will continue until he gets what he wants." Despite several telephone calls between Trump and Putin, and diplomatic visits to Russia, Putin feels there have not been detailed discussions towards a peace plan, the source said. They added: "Putin values the relationship with Trump and had good discussions with [Steve] Witkoff, but the interests of Russia come above all else." Trump shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine will change face of war' after 'p****d' Don's patience with Putin runs out Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmiitry Medvedev made a jibe on X: "Trump issue a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. "Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care." It was also reported by The Financial Times and The Washington Post that Trump encouraged Ukraine's President Zelensky during a phone call to strike deeper inside Russia in order to crank up the pressure on Putin. He apparently asked whether Ukraine could "hit Moscow" in order to "make Putin feel the pain of war", according to anonymous sources cited by the papers. Zelensky's answer was swift and direct: 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' However, the White House denied Trump was calling for escalation, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling Newsweek: "President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. "He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war." 5 Kremlin sources said Putin will not end the bloodshed during the deadline period Credit: EPA 5 Trump has promised to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles Credit: EPA Putin's indifference was evident just hours after Trump issued the ultimatumwhen he unleashed a fresh devastating blitz on Ukrainian cities from Kharkiv to Zaporizhzhia and Sumy. In Sumy Oblast, Russian drones injured six people, including a 19-year-old student and 14-year-old girl, when they struck a university. A separate missile strike in Shostka wounded another teen and damaged a medical facility. Trump gave a surprise interview to the BBC on Monday night, when he said he was "disappointed but not done with" Putin. He also repeated his new-found backing for Nato and spoke of his respect for The King and Sir Keir Starmer ahead of his September state visit to the UK. Trump - for the first time - opened up about his difficulty trusting Putin, who has stalled four US attempts to end the 40 months Ukraine bloodbath. The President said: 'I thought I had a deal four times. 'I'm not done with him I'm disappointed in him. We thought we had a deal done four time the you go home and find he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv… 'And so what the hell was that all about.' Trump, who once branded Nato 'obsolete,' told the BBC his view has changed. 'No. I think NATO is now becoming the opposite of that,' he said, because members were 'paying their own bills.'
NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
Some conservatives in Congress break with Trump on his handling of the Epstein files
WASHINGTON — Some conservative Republicans in Congress are breaking with the President Donald Trump's handling of the case involving the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the latest development in a rare MAGA revolt against the administration. After the Justice Department and FBI said it would not release any further information related to the case and Trump sought to downplay it, his allies on Capitol Hill kept up their calls for the government to release the "Epstein files," which has consumed right-wing circles for years. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Georgia Republican and staunch Trump ally, said she was interested in a private viewing of the Epstein files at the Justice Department and wants all of them eventually released to the public. 'I'd like to see all the information come out,' said Greene, a member of the House Oversight Committee. Another conservative, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., also said he wants to see more disclosure from the government and focused his comments on Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has come under fire after the Justice Department and FBI released a two-page memo stating they found no evidence Epstein had kept an 'incriminating 'client list'' or evidence that would lead to additional prosecution of third parties. 'If the attorney general has knowledge of people who committed sex crimes with the minors, she should be prosecuting them,' DesJarlais told NBC News. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said Americans expect more accountability from Trump given Epstein's heinous crimes and that others were involved. 'I think it's perfectly understandable that the American people would like to know who he trafficked those women to and why they weren't prosecuted,' Kennedy said. 'I think the Justice Department is going to have to go back to the drawing board in answering those questions.' But top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., are deferring to Trump on the issue without critiquing his decision. 'It's the president's decision,' said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Asked if he has concerns about how Trump's team has handled the Epstein files, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, replied, 'I trust the president. I trust his team.' Epstein, a wealthy financier, died by suicide in his New York City jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial for federal sex trafficking charges. Last month, amid fallout between Trump and billionaire Elon Musk over the GOP's massive domestic policy bill, Musk wrote on his social media platform X that Trump, without any evidence, 'is in the Epstein files' and 'That is the real reason they have not been made public.' Musk later deleted the post. And while Trump and Epstein knew each other, Trump has never been implicated in Epstein's abuse of underage girls. The president also has denied any wrongdoing, saying in a post last year, 'I was never on Epstein's Plane, or at his 'stupid' Island.' There has never been any evidence connecting Trump to Epstein's criminal behavior. Democrats have seized on the rare split in the Republican Party, echoing criticism on the right of Trump and his team's handling of the Epstein episode. 'In February of this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the existence of Jeffrey Epstein's client list. In fact, she said that Jeffrey Epstein's client list is, ' sitting on my desk right now,'' Rep. Ted Lieu of California, a member of the Democratic leadership team, said at a news conference Tuesday morning. 'Where is that client list? What is Attorney General Pam Bondi, hiding?" Lieu said. "She needs to release the Epstein files as soon as possible.' Bondi later clarified that the Epstein case file was sitting on her desk, not a client list. On Monday night, Democrats offered an amendment in the House Rules Committee to require a floor vote on releasing the Epstein files. Republicans, who control the Rules panel, voted it down 7-5. Notably, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, voted for the Democratic amendment. And another HFC member, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, didn't vote.
