After Canada, the anti-Trump backlash moves to Australia
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A few months ago, it seemed a dead certainty that Pierre Poilievre would be Canada's next prime minister. His Conservatives had a double-digit lead in the polls over the incumbent Liberals and Poilievre channeled the mounting frustrations of an electorate fatigued by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decade-long tenure. But by Tuesday morning, Poilievre's hopes for national victory were dashed, and also, perhaps, his political future: Not only had the Conservatives failed to win Monday's national election, but their leader looked set to lose his own parliamentary seat.
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Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
House Republicans spar with Democratic governors in tense immigration hearing
House Republicans clashed with three Democratic governors over immigration policies during a testy hearing Thursday that served as a broader forum for one of President Donald Trump's landmark issues amid the breakout of anti-deportation protests in California and around the country. Over the course of an hourslong hearing convened by the House Oversight Committee on so-called sanctuary state policies, Republican lawmakers repeatedly accused those three blue-state leaders — Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Tim Walz of Minnesota — of bearing responsibility for the deaths and abuse of people who were killed or assaulted by immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally. The three governors defended themselves, frequently and forcefully pointing out that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility — not a state one — and at times suggested that Republicans on the panel were creating a political spectacle to impress Trump. House Democrats led the criticism of Trump directly, with some calling him a 'gangster' or a 'dictator' and others lambasting his decision to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to maintain control of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Conservatives have said sanctuary laws refer to policies that prevent local authorities from being compelled to participate in federal immigration enforcement. Trump has in his second term signed multiple executive orders that target such cities and states, including one that withholds federal funds. The hearing got off to a hostile start, with Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the panel's chair, kicking off his opening statement by declaring that the three governors — as well as other Democratic leaders — were running 'sanctuary cities and states' that were 'siding with illegal aliens.' Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., the ranking Democrat on the committee, hit back in his own opening statement by comparing several recent ICE actions to moves conducted by the 'Gestapo' — referring to the secret police in Nazi Germany. During a particularly tense exchange, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., asked Hochul, 'Do you go along with the strategy from the Biden administration, which massively expanded immigration protocols that overwhelmed your city and overwhelmed your state?' 'We call for secure borders,' Hochul interjected, prompting Donalds to retort, 'I never remember you calling for secure borders at all, governor.' 'You're putting a federal problem on our laps. And know what? It gets old after a while,' Hochul responded. 'I wish you would just do your job.' At one point, Walz attempted to take a more conciliatory tone, while also pointing out that immigration enforcement remains a federal duty. 'No one here wants to hear these horrific stories. But we have a job to do on limited resources,' Walz said. He added that it was a mistake for Republicans to say "that not doing ICE's job means we're not cooperating." 'Nothing we do precludes them from doing their job,' Walz said. 'We have the responsibility of the American public to work together, and I think threatening arrests on elected officials … doesn't help any of us.' (Trump has suggested he would support the arrest of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.) The hearing also featured numerous distinctly political moments. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who is considering a run for governor of New York, is not a member of the committee, but Comer allowed several lawmakers to join in on the questioning. Stefanik used the opportunity to attack Hochul, repeatedly bringing up instances of undocumented immigrants committing crimes in the state, saying that they were emblematic of 'Kathy Hochul's New York.' 'No amount of words is going to clean up your failed record, and these horrific crimes committed in the sanctuary state that you created,' Stefanik said. In what at times resembled potential campaign messaging, Stefanik said, 'We deserve a governor who stands up for law-abiding New Yorkers, who doesn't put illegals first, but actually puts New Yorkers first." Hochul hit back by saying that Stefanik was simply 'going after the viral moment.' It was just one of several examples where a questioner on Thursday's panel was running for higher office. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., is running for U.S. Senate, for example, while Donalds, as well as Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., are both running for governor in their states next year. In addition, Walz and Pritzker are viewed as potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates. Both in recent weeks have taken steps to limit government-funded health care coverage for undocumented immigrants, a potential move to the right on the broader issue of immigration. The latter half of the hearing featured numerous Democrats seeking to introduce reports for the record documenting the forcible removal of Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from a news conference in Los Angeles after he tried to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., repeatedly pressed Comer and other Republicans to commit to subpoenaing Noem. 'Just shut up,' Comer replied, after moments of back-and-forth yelling. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said "Democrats can't follow the rules, can't follow the law" as Frost continued to demand Comer's attention. The hearing took a brief recess after that. Later in the hearing, Democrats played the clip of the incident. 'I want to say to all of you, all of you on both sides, but particularly those on the Republican side, that I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator, who was thrown down, handcuffed and not allowed to ask a question of our secretary of homeland security," Pritzker said. Earlier, the hearing veered off track numerous times, with Republicans using the stage to pepper the governors with questions on topics that GOP lawmakers are currently investigating or that are popular with their conservative base. At one point, Comer asked Walz if he'd ever asked former Vice President Kamala Harris about former President Joe Biden's 'cognitive decline.' Walz, who ran on the Democratic Party's 2024 ticket with Harris, replied he had not, triggering Comer to press harder. At another point, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas., asked Pritzker about whether he thought that 'biological men should be able to use women's restrooms.' Prtizker eventually replied, 'so you're admitting that this is just a political circus.' The three Democratic governors also slammed Trump for calling up the National Guard to respond to the protests in California, expressing concern that the move could be replicated in other states. Pritzker said that, "When the president of the United States is calling up your National Guard over the top of local law enforcement, saying that they don't need it, that they have things under control, it tends to have an inflaming effect on what's going on on the ground." Hochul, for her part, said Trump's actions 'absolutely undermine the sovereignty of individual states.' 'Undermining confidence in local law enforcement — you're basically saying that there's not a belief that the highly trained individuals of our municipal police departments ... can handle their jobs,' she said. 'This is an overreach of epic proportions." This article was originally published on
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Senator Alex Padilla's Detention Is being Celebrated On The Right
Reactions are rolling in after Senator Alex Padilla was kicked out of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. The California Democrat was dragged out of the room by DHS officers as he tride to raise a question about ICE's presence in his home state at the press conference. 'I am Senator Alex Padilla,' he yelled as two agents grabbed him. He was then forced out of a pair of double doors, Padilla was heard shouting, 'Hands off!' Padilla was then forced face down on the ground and handcuffed by three FBI agents. The right is framing Padilla as a violent stranger who 'lunged' at Secretary Noem. 'Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem,' the Department of Homeland Security posted from its official X account. 'Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers' repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.' 'Was Padilla there to protest the enforcement of the law? Was he there to protest law and order? I'm not quite sure,' said Fox News anchor John Roberts. 'When we're voting in the united states senate, or an important legislation for the country, he's not here, is that right?' Republican Senator John Barasso said to reporters when asked if he'd seen the video of Padilla's arrest. He then asked them if they'd seen golfer Rory McIlroy's drive. 'Gavin Newsom watched this video of a sitting Democrat Senator being removed for barging into a briefing and thinks the law enforcement officers are the ones out of control…' The Republican National Committee Research account wrote on X in response to Newsom's denunciation of Padilla's arrest. Chuck Schumer is 'sickened' by Alex Padilla getting removed from a briefing he forcibly interrupted but not by the violent riots attacking ICE agents in major cities?' they wrote again. Liberals are united in their condemnation. 'I never thought I would imagine having to stand here and discuss what i saw today. A United States senator in his own community, in the city in which he grew up, elected under the authority of the people, stepping forward to get answers to legitimate questions—and we see him being thrown to the ground after being removed from a room forcibly, and put into handcuffs by multiple people,' Senator Cory Booker said on the Senate floor shortly after the incident. 'This to me is such an abuse of authority, it is a violent act, and there can be no justification of seeing a senator forced to their knees, laid flat on the ground, their hands twisted behind their back, and being put into restraints … This is a pattern and a practice, this is not an isolated incident. 'United States Senator Alex Padilla was representing the millions of Californians who are demanding answers to this Administration's actions in Southern California,' former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X. 'This is a shameful and stunning abuse of power.' 'Senator Alex Padilla is a good man and principled public servant. The brazen and aggressive manhandling of Senator Padilla by the Trump administration is a sickening disgrace,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries chimed in. 'Anyone who assaulted the Senator should be held accountable. No one is above the law.' Senator Padilla had his own press conference to set the record straight. 'If this is how this administration responds to a senator wish a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security response to a senator, with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers, out in the Los Angeles community, and throughout California, and throughout the country' he said. 'We will hold this administration accountable.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rachel Reeves 'a gnat's whisker' from having to raise taxes, says IFS
Rachel Reeves is a "gnat's whisker" away from having to raise taxes in the autumn budget, a leading economist has warned - despite the chancellor insisting her plans are "fully funded". Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said "any move in the wrong direction" for the economy before the next fiscal event would "almost certainly spark more tax rises". 'Sting in the tail' in chancellor's plans - politics latest Speaking the morning after she delivered her spending review, which sets government budgets until 2029, Ms Reeves told Wilfred Frost hiking taxes wasn't inevitable. "Everything I set out yesterday was fully costed and fully funded," she told Sky News Breakfast. Her plans - which include £29bn for day-to-day NHS spending, £39bn for affordable and social housing, and boosts for defence and transport - are based on what she set out in October's budget. That budget, her first as chancellor, included controversial tax hikes on employers and increased borrowing to help public services. Chancellor won't rule out tax rises The Labour government has long vowed not to raise taxes on "working people" - specifically income tax, national insurance for employees, and VAT. Ms Reeves refused to completely rule out tax rises in her next budget, saying the world is "very uncertain". The Conservatives have claimed she will almost certainly have to put taxes up, with shadow chancellor Mel Stride accusing her of mismanaging the economy. Taxes on businesses had "destroyed growth" and increased spending had been "inflationary", he told Sky News. New official figures showed the economy contracted in April by 0.3% - more than expected. It coincided with Donald Trump imposing tariffs across the world. Ms Reeves admitted the figures were "disappointing" but pointed to more positive figures from previous months. Read more:Chancellor running out of levers to pullGrowth stats make for unpleasant readingYour spending review questions answered 'Sting in the tail' She is hoping Labour's plans will provide more jobs and boost growth, with major infrastructure projects "spread" across the country - from the Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk, to a rail line connecting Liverpool and Manchester. But the IFS said further contractions in the economy, and poor forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, would likely require the chancellor to increase the national tax take once again. It said her spending review already accounted for a 5% rise in council tax to help local authorities, labelling it a "sting in the tail" after she told Sky's Beth Rigby that it wouldn't have to go up.
