America used to broadly support freedom. Not anymore.
Over America's long history, Americans have often hesitated to support foreign wars and international machinations. George Washington's Farewell Address warning against entangling alliances cast a long shadow. But from the nation's beginnings, Americans have usually known whom to root for — those who seek freedom — and whom to condemn — those who try to crush liberty.
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Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mass. Sen. Warren: DOGE accessed ‘sensitive' student loan data at Education Dept., calls for probe
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren says she wants to know how the quasi-governmental Department of Government Efficiency gained access to 'sensitive' student loan information at the U.S. Department of Education. On Monday, Warren and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, both Democrats, called for the agency's acting inspector general to find out how that breach happened. They were joined by Democratic senators from eight states, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Warren said lawmakers learned of the potential breach of systems at Federal Student Aid after DOGE, which was helmed until recently by tech titan Elon Musk, infiltrated the agency. In response, Education Department officials revealed that DOGE workers 'supported' a review of the FSA's contracts. As a part of that review, one employee was granted 'read-only' access to two internal systems that held sensitive personal information about borrowers. The agency said it had since revoked that access. But, according to Warren, it did not explain why that access had been revoked, or whether the employee had continued access to other databases. 'Because of the [Education] department's refusal to provide full and complete information, the full extent of DOGE's role and influence at ED remains unknown,' the lawmakers wrote in a June 8 letter to René L. Rocque, the agency's acting inspector general. That 'lack of clarity is not only frustrating for borrowers but also dangerous for the future of an agency that handles an extensive student loan portfolio and a range of federal aid programs for higher education,' the lawmakers continued. Warren, Markey and their colleagues have called on Roque's office to determine whether the department adhered to the Federal Privacy Act, which dictates how the government can collect and use personal information. They also asked Roque to 'determine the impact of DOGE's new plans to consolidate Americans' personal information across government databases.' 'It won't end well for Trump' if he does this amid LA protests, ex-GOP rep says All Ivy League schools are supporting Harvard lawsuit — except these 2 Embassies directed to resume processing Harvard University student visas Over 12,000 Harvard alums lend weight to court battle with Trump in new filing Markey: Trump using National Guard in LA to distract from big cuts in 'Big Beautiful Bill' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Harris ripped for 'appalling' LA ICE raids statement placing blame on Trump: 'The country dodged a bullet'
Former Vice President Kamala Harris was slammed by conservatives on social media after she issued a statement on the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, blaming the Trump administration and calling the unrest "overwhelmingly peaceful." "Los Angeles is my home," Harris posted Sunday as riots had broken out across the city for several days, led by protesters upset with federal agents arresting illegal immigrants in the city, prompting the Trump administration to send in the National Guard. "And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city," she said. "Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos. In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump Administration's cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division." Harris added that the Trump administration is not concerned about "public safety" but rather "stoking fear." Anti-ice Protesters In Los Angeles Spit On And Burn American Flag "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," Harris said. "I continue to support the millions of Americans who are standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms." Read On The Fox News App Harris' comments were immediately criticized by conservatives online and by Trump officials. "The country really dodged a bullet in November," Fox News contributor Guy Benson posted on X. In another post, Benson added, "Their official position is that they're appalled by what's happening in Los Angeles…because of Trump and ICE, not the violent rioters. In its current form, this party cannot be salvaged." Fbi Searching For Suspect Who Allegedly Assaulted Federal Officer During Anti-ice Riots In Los Angeles "Thank you, America, for employing brain cells and rejecting this woman's quest to become president of the United States," Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich posted on X. Others, including the conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok, took issue with Harris calling the unrest "mostly peaceful" by responding with pictures of rioters burning cars and attacking law enforcement. "No surprise[sic] that the most incompetent Vice President in history stands with the illegal alien rioters," GOP Sen. Tom Cotton posted on X. White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields responded on X by saying, "America's statement" along with a photo showing the gains President Donald Trump made across the country in the November 2024 election. "No one is interested in your opinion," Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell posted on X. "President Trump didn't start these riots," California GOP gubernatorial candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco posted on X. "He's not out there lighting cars on fire, hurling projectiles at law enforcement or blocking freeways. This statement is an embarrassment and does nothing to diffuse the violent riots taking place across the city." "The Democrats and their 'leaders' own this." Trump's Ice Launches Bold Courthouse Migrant Arrest Strategy To Fast-track Deportations Biden Avoided Steve Hilton, a Fox News contributor also running for California governor as a Republican, posted on X, "In this appalling statement you are siding with violent criminals over California communities; rioters over law enforcement; illegal immigrants over legal immigrants and American citizens." "You are a pandering machine politician who should never hold public office again." In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said, "Everyone already knows that Kamala Harris supports violent criminal illegal aliens -- that's why the American people resoundingly rejected her in November. "Harris's tenure as Vice President was defined by one humiliating failure after another, including overseeing the invasion of tens of millions of illegal immigrants as Biden's Border Czar, that President Trump is now cleaning up. Harris should stop embarrassing herself by pretending anyone cares about her opinion and slink back into irrelevancy where she belongs." Fox News Digital reached out to Harris' office for comment but did not receive a reply. Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in an effort to quell some of the unrest, much to the dismay of Democratic officials. The violent protests erupted as ICE officials carried out plans to remove individuals illegally residing in the left-wing city, which dubbed itself a "sanctuary" for illegal immigrants in November 2024 before Trump was sworn back into the Oval Office in January. ICE raids began Friday, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issuing a statement supporting illegal immigrants in the city and bucking the Trump administration's deportation efforts. California Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly criticized ICE efforts, branding the immigration raids "chaotic and reckless." "Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel," a statement from the governor read. "Donald Trump's chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America's economy." During the riots, ICE officers were targeted with violence that included throwing rocks and other projectiles along with vandalism in the form of graffiti calling for violence against ICE officers. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks shared a photo of one Border Patrol agent's bloody hand, which was injured by a rock flying through the windshield. Federal sources said agents could have been killed by the flying debris and several officers have been reported as injured during the rioting. ICE agents captured the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal immigrants during Friday operations, including murderers, sex offenders and other violent criminals, the agency said Sunday. About 45 people were arrested across several locations, including two Home Depot stores, a store in the fashion district and a doughnut shop. "Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens?" asked Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets," she said. "Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer." Fox News Digital's Taylor Penley, Alex Nitzberg, Emma Colton, Greg Wehner and Bill Melugin contributed to this report. Original article source: Harris ripped for 'appalling' LA ICE raids statement placing blame on Trump: 'The country dodged a bullet'
USA Today
39 minutes ago
- USA Today
'Trump accounts' for babies? Why the White House is pushing cash for kids
'Trump accounts' for babies? Why the White House is pushing cash for kids The program for babies born during Trump's second term would involve a one-time $1,000 federal contribution into an index fund tied to the stock market - with some of the money available at age 18. Show Caption Hide Caption Who will benefit from President Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'? The nations richest Americans will see benefits from the Trump administration's "Big, Beautiful Bill," while the poorest will be left behind. WASHINGTON — In his first term, President Donald Trump made waves when he put his name on stimulus checks the U.S. government sent to millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the Republican president is celebrating a provision tucked into the GOP tax bill that would create and affix his name onto investment accounts for babies, if the legislation that very narrowly passed the House makes it through the Senate and becomes law. The program for American children born during Trump's current term would involve a one-time contribution from the federal government of $1,000 per toddler into a mutual or index fund that is tied to the performance of the stock market. The legislation also allows for parents to make contributions of up to $5,000 in outside contributions annually during childhood - and the child could then access some of the money when they turn 18 for things like education, training or a first-time home purchase. The full balance would be available at age 30. From gym memberships to gun silencers, Trump's tax bill is full of surprises House Republicans changed the name of the program from "MAGA accounts" to "Trump accounts" before the bill's passage last month, offering the president a tangible benefit for working-class Americans that he can put his stamp on. The program also serves as a counter to Democratic arguments that the legislation that extends the GOP's 2017 tax cuts primarily helps the nation's wealthiest Americans. Trump is set to announce at a June 9 event that a handful of large corporations have further pledged to contribute to their employees' accounts. The term-limited Trump is set to leave office on Jan. 20, 2029, but he and the GOP could benefit politically from the creation of the program in the 2026 campaign. Midterm elections have historically been unkind to the sitting president's political party, and Republicans have been sprinting to get their tax cut bill through quick enough to improve their political fortunes. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the bill would "change the lives of working, middle class families across America" through tax cuts, increasing the child tax credit, "AND by creating this incredible new ''Trump Account' program, which will put the lives of young Americans on the right financial path!' White House pushes 'Trump accounts' as Senate debates tax cut bill The House overcame a myriad of obstacles, coming from pockets of lawmakers in the GOP and a unified opposition from Democrat, to pass the lower chamber in late May. It has since run into trouble in the Senate, where conservative Republicans have raised fresh concerns that the bill would balloon the national debt. They are also fighting over provisions dealing with Medicaid and the state and local tax deduction that were critical to the bill's passage in the House. Only three Republicans can defect for the bill to pass. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has said he's a no, while senators such as Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, have pushed to get the pricetag down. Donald Trump Airport? Trump on the $500 bill? Republicans can't stop honoring ex-president Trump has been putting public and private pressure on lawmakers to vote for the bill. The White House last week touted support from police officers in a bid to bring attention to Trump's fulfillment of a campaign pledge in the legislation to eliminate taxes on overtime. This week, he's turning his attention to the investment fund for newborns in the legislation that would start as a pilot program. The benefit is backdated to begin on January 1, 2024 and end on January 1, 2029, just before the end of Trump's second term, though the White House hopes the program will be so popular that it is permanently extended. CEOs pledge to invest in 'Trump account' program The White House offered to sweeten the pot on June 9, when it said the CEOs of several large corporations would make billons of dollars in additional investments into accounts for the children of their employees. Dell Technologies, Salesforce, Uber and Goldman Sachs were among the companies the White House said would be participating. In a statement provided by the White House ahead of the event, Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell Technologies, said his company would "match dollar for dollar the government's seed investment into these accounts for all the children born to Dell team members." Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called Trump's plan "visionary—a seed fund for America's next generation" and said his company would contribute an unspecified amount to the accounts of its employees children.
