New York to release some prison inmates early over shortage of guard staff
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state prisons will release some inmates early because the system does not have enough corrections officers, weeks after the state fired more than 2,000 guards who went on strike over poor working conditions.
In a memo Monday, corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello directed prison leaders to begin identifying inmates who were convicted of minor crimes and already set for release within 15 to 110 days to be considered for an early discharge.
Inmates convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or serious felonies such as murder, terrorism and arson would not be eligible for early release, the state corrections department said.
Martuscello wrote that the early releases would occur 'in view of the current staffing crisis, and in order to have the appropriate balance between the safety and well-being of those working and residing" in state prisons.
The move came after a widespread corrections officer strike that lasted for 22 days and crippled the operations of state's prison system. The state eventually fired more than 2,000 guards who refused to return to work after the state and guards' union reached a deal to end the work stoppage.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed an executive order that prevents state agencies from hiring guards who were fired for striking.
A spokeswoman for Hochul said the governor supports Martuscello's 'efforts to safely address staffing shortages and personnel concerns' in a statement Tuesday.
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Hamilton Spectator
34 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
California governor plans to file lawsuit against Trump over National Guard deployment to protests
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to file a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump in response to the administration's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard to confront immigration protesters who took to the streets in Los Angeles. 'Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the Governor of that state is illegal and immoral,' Newsom, a Democrat, told MSNBC on Sunday. The streets of the sprawling city of 4 million people were mostly quiet Monday morning, the day after crowds blocked off a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades. Sunday's protests were centered in several blocks of downtown and a handful of other places. It was the third and most intense day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 Guard troops spurred anger and fear among many residents. Many protesters dispersed as evening fell and police declared an unlawful assembly, a precursor to officers moving in and arresting those who don't leave. Some of those who stayed threw objects at police from behind a makeshift barrier. Others hurled chunks of concrete, rocks, electric scooters and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles parked on the closed southbound 101 Freeway. Officers ran under an overpass to take cover at one point. The Guard was deployed specifically to protect federal buildings, including the downtown detention center where protesters concentrated. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were 'overwhelmed' by the remaining protesters. He said they included regular agitators who show up at demonstrations to cause trouble. Several dozen people were arrested throughout the weekend. One was detained Sunday for throwing a Molotov cocktail at police and another for ramming a motorcycle into a line of officers. Trump responded to McDonnell on Truth Social, telling him to arrest protesters in face masks. 'Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' he wrote. Governor says Guard not needed Newsom called on Trump to rescind the Guard deployment in a letter Sunday afternoon, calling it a 'serious breach of state sovereignty.' The governor, who was was in Los Angeles meeting with local law enforcement and officials, also told protesters that they were playing into Trump's plans and would face arrest for violence or property destruction. 'Trump wants chaos and he's instigated violence,' he said. 'Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don't give him the excuse he's looking for.' The deployment appeared to be the first time in decades that a state's National Guard was activated without a request from its governor, a significant escalation against those who have sought to hinder the administration's mass deportation efforts. McDonnell pushed back against claims by the Trump administration that the LAPD had failed to help federal authorities when protests broke out Friday after a series of immigration raids. He said his department responded as quickly as it could and had not been notified in advance of the raids. Newsom, meanwhile, has repeatedly said that California authorities had the situation under control. He mocked Trump for posting a congratulatory message to the Guard on social media before troops had even arrived in Los Angeles, and he told MSNBC that Trump never floated deploying the Guard during a Friday phone call. He called Trump a 'stone cold liar.' The admonishments did not deter the administration. 'It's a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved,' White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. Clashes escalate as National Guard troops arrive National Guard troops stood shoulder to shoulder Sunday morning in LA, carrying long guns and riot shields as protesters shouted 'shame' and 'go home.' After some demonstrators closely approached the Guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street. Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway until state patrol officers cleared them. Nearby, at least four self-driving Waymo cars were set on fire, sending large plumes of black smoke into the sky and exploding intermittently. By evening, police had shut down several blocks of downtown Los Angeles. Flash-bang grenades echoed out every few seconds into the evening. Deployment follows days of protest The arrival of the National Guard followed two days of protests that began Friday in downtown Los Angeles before spreading Saturday to Paramount, a heavily Latino city south of the city, and neighboring Compton . Federal agents arrested immigrants in LA's fashion district, in a Home Depot parking lot and at several other locations on Friday. The next day, they were staging at a Department of Homeland Security office near another Home Depot in Paramount, which drew out protesters who suspected another raid. Federal authorities later said there was no enforcement activity at that Home Depot. The weeklong tally of immigrant arrests in the LA area climbed above 100, federal authorities said. Many more were arrested while protesting, including a prominent union leader who was accused of impeding law enforcement. The last time the National Guard was activated without a governor's permission was in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Trump says there will be 'very strong law and order' In a directive Saturday, Trump invoked a legal provision allowing him to deploy federal service members when there is 'a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.' He said he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 members of the National Guard. Trump told reporters Sunday as he prepared to board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, that there were 'violent people' in Los Angeles 'and they're not going to get away with it.' In San Francisco, officers arrested dozens of protesters Sunday night after a group refused to disperse, police said in a statement on social media . Officers monitoring one protest declared an unlawful assembly when people in the group became violent, the San Francisco Police Department said. Many protesters left the scene, but some remained while others moved to another area where they vandalized buildings and a police vehicle. ___ Offenhartz reported from New York. Associated Press Writer Michelle Price contributed to this report from Bridgewater, New Jersey. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
California Republicans React to Donald Trump Deploying National Guard
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California Republican lawmakers are largely backing President Donald Trump's decision to send the National Guard into Los Angeles amid immigration protests, with Representative Kevin Kiley telling Newsweek that the president chose to "protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so." Why It Matters U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have conducted raids across the country and have faced large protests in Los Angeles, as Trump's administration pledged to carry out the largest mass deportations in U.S. history. While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles." The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority. Trump deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to quell the protests in Los Angeles, sparking opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, who has said the move is "unlawful" and a "serious breach of state sovereignty." Some Republicans in the state, however, are siding with the president. What to Know Representative Kiley responded to Trump's move to call in the National Guard in a statement to Newsweek. "The acts of violence, lawlessness, and obstruction we are seeing in Los Angeles pose an ongoing risk to public safety," Kiley said. "The President has chosen to protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so. I am praying for everyone's safety during this time." He said ICE officials are looking for "illegal immigrants with criminal convictions and existing deportation orders" and criticized Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the situation, accusing them of choosing to "obstruct and interfere with these standard operations." "In addition to adopting 'sanctuary' policies that force ICE to apprehend criminals in the community rather than at jails, the Governor and Mayor have used inaccurate and inflammatory rhetoric that has encouraged the lawless activity we are seeing in LA right now," the congressman said. California Highway Patrol officers attempt to control crowds on the 101 Freeway during protest in Los Angeles on June 8. California Highway Patrol officers attempt to control crowds on the 101 Freeway during protest in Los Angeles on June 8. BENJAMIN HANSON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Other California Republicans reacted to the president's decision in social media posts. "The National Guard has been deployed, not at the request of California officials, but by direct order from President Trump. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles officials refused to act, letting the situation spiral before criticizing the effort to restore order," Representative Doug LaMalfa wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "This is what happens when politicians prioritize making headlines over doing their jobs. Earlier this year Gavin and many Democrats were telling people to resist and fight back against ICE arresting illegal alien criminals." He added: "The rioters need to be arrested immediately to stop the threat. And the elected officials who are inciting and aiding them need to be dealt with sternly. I stand with our National Guard, DHS, and every law enforcement officer on site working to protect people and property while California's leaders cower behind press conferences and attempt to shift blame. It's an embarrassment to all Californians at the same time the State asks for federal assistance on other issues. Enough with the excuses. Law and order still matters." Representative Vince Fong wrote on X that Trump is "acting to restore law and order while local leaders refuse to acknowledge the consequences of their failed policies." Other California Republican lawmakers also reacted to the protests but did not comment specifically on Trump calling in the National Guard. "Peaceful protests are a right, but crime, hate, and violence are unacceptable and unAmerican," Representative Young Kim wrote on X. What People Are Saying California Governor Newsom wrote on X on Sunday: "I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command. We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X: "We will always protect the constitutional right for Angelenos to peacefully protest. However, violence, destruction and vandalism will not be tolerated in our City and those responsible will be held fully accountable." Representative Ken Calvert, a California Republican, wrote to X on Sunday: "Pay attention to how many times liberals like Gov. Newsom & Mayor Bass try to blame those enforcing the law for causing 'chaos.' What is the biggest contributor to this chaos? Their sanctuary policies that prevent local authorities from transferring criminal illegal immigrants." President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a statement: "This administration's actions are not about public safety – they're about stoking fear. Fear of a community demanding dignity and due process. Protest is a powerful tool – essential in the fight for justice. And as the LAPD, Mayor, and Governor have noted, demonstrations in defense of our immigrant neighbors have been overwhelmingly peaceful." What Happens Next Although Newsom has called for the National Guard troops to be returned to California control, the Trump administration has not said they plan to do so. It's unclear how long the National Guard will stay in Los Angeles.
New York Post
43 minutes ago
- New York Post
The message behind a 51-star American flag flying across from the White House
WASHINGTON — One of the capital's newest curiosities is an American flag bearing 51 stars rather than the regulation 50. The unusual take on the Stars and Stripes went up across Lafayette Park from the White House last week, and features a green star just below its white fellows. District of Columbia officials have been agitating for statehood for decades — but Ryan Lambert, the man behind the standard, told The Post he has a very different idea. 'Greenland makes a lot of sense for America, from a strategic perspective,' said Lambert, who placed the flag on the National Grange building on H Street Northwest after hanging a 'Welcome back, Mr. President!' banner to mark Trump's return to office this past January. Advertisement 'I wanna help America, and part of helping America is by getting other Americans to understand and amplify the president's message.' 3 51 star flag across from White House, spotted from Lafayette Square on June 5, 2025. Trump, 78, has repeatedly said he wants to acquire Greenland, which has a population of just over 56,000, from Denmark in order to bring the Arctic island's strategic resources under US influence. Advertisement The president has also teased desires to annex Canada and the Panama Canal Zone, but Lambert says he is less enthused by those prospects. 'As Americans, we build the canals, we've already done our part for Panama,' he explained. 'Canada is a great country for some really nice, sweet people, but I'm not sure we really need a bunch of more socialists added to the American populace. 'Once they learn about capitalism, once they learn free markets, once they they learn about, kind of the American way of doing things and they wanna start being a little bit more American, they'd be ready to maybe be a 51st state. But I think Greenland right now, there's a lot of natural beauty. There's a lot of resources.' 3 The Greenland flag flies from a pole on March 12, 2025 in Nuuk, Greenland. Getty Images Advertisement 3 Pituffik Space Base is pictured as Vice President JD Vance visits, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Greenland. AP Lambert decided to add a green star to a white stripe on the US flag rather than put an extra white star on the blue field to try to make the message more obvious. 'It makes it visible, right? I mean, whenever the people who are really the quality folks who do flag design, they're going to arrange things in the way they're gonna arrange things. But part of what we're doing right now is building awareness and building support for the president by making this star green,' he said. Lambert claimed most people he's seen walking past the building have indicated support and excitement when they see the flag — but acknowledged 'there's always haters.' Advertisement 'There's always people who want to say no,' he said. 'People are afraid of change, but if we didn't have Alaska right now, we'd be less of a country. If we didn't have Hawaii right now, we'd be less of a country.' The White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
