On This Day, March 23: Obama signs Affordable Care Act into law
In 1775, in a speech supporting the arming of the Virginia militia, Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death."
In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt began his post-presidency, embarking on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition, part specimen collection, part hunting trip.
In 1933, the Enabling Act was passed by the German government, giving Chancellor Adolf Hitler the ability to enact laws unilaterally. Opening a session of the Reichstag, Hitler threatened to "destroy all those seeking to damage our people," while at the same time stressing "we are sincere friends of peace and shall heal the wounds from which all are suffering."
In 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young were launched in Gemini 3, the first U.S. two-man crew in space. Along for the ride, a corned beef sandwich snuck aboard the Gemini 3 probe by astronaut John Young.
In 1966, Pope Paul VI met Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, the first meeting between the heads of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches in 400 years.
In 1983, the world's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart, Barney Clark of Seattle, died in a Salt Lake City hospital.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks. The Strategic Defense Initiative was dubbed "Star Wars" by some.
In 1985, the United States completed the secret air evacuation of 800 Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
In 1994, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party was fatally shot during a campaign appearance in Tijuana.
In 1996, Taiwan elected Lee Teng-hui in the island's first direct presidential election.
In 1998, Titanic won 11 Academy Awards, tying the record total won by Ben-Hur in 1959. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King also won 11 -- in 2004.
In 2001, the Russian space station Mir was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji after more than 15 years in orbit.
In 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The landmark legislation was designed to extend health insurance to about 32 million Americans over a 10-year period. Obama said it would "set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see."
In 2021, the Ever Given, a large container ship, ran aground and became stuck horizontally in the Suez Canal, blocking traffic for six days.
In 2023, Canada announced it had a record 1 million increase in population in 2022 as the government's strategy to address labor shortages and an aging population through immigration stepped up a gear.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
'Stupid Republicans': Trump mocks GOP allies for seeking Epstein files release
President Donald Trump is getting more desperate and aggressive in his battle to mute calls for transparency on the Epstein files – and Americans aren't having it. President Donald Trump may have finally discovered the limit of his power and persuasion with his Republican allies in Congress and his MAGA base during his second term as president. They're just not following his strict edicts to stop discussing the "Epstein files," the sordid scandal metastasizing from a conspiracy theory Trump previously pumped for political gain but now wants erased from history. It's really harshing the vibe for Trump's victory lap, after his subservient Republican proxies in Congress delivered on his signature budget bill, trading short-term tax relief for tipped employees and retirees for permanent tax cuts for America's wealthiest people. That's what Trump wants to talk about these days, not Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile who committed suicide in federal prison in 2019, awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges during Trump's first term. Republicans in Congress seem open to releasing the Epstein files But House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who has loyally followed every Trump command for the last six months, tipped toward the outraged MAGA crowd during a July 15 interview, when asked about Attorney General Pam Bondi's memo last week, announcing she would not release any more files about Epstein, while also denying the existence of a "client list" thought to contain the names of wealthy, powerful people the now-dead financier had blackmailed. "I'm for transparency," Johnson said when asked about Republicans in Congress calling for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's now-imprisoned associate, to testify in a hearing. Johnson also sounded open to some House Republicans wanting to subpoena Trump for the Epstein files. "We should put everything out there and let the people decide," he said. Tell us: Trump, MAGA and the media can't stop talking about Epstein. Do you care? | Opinion Forum Republicans in the House, joined by some Democrats, are now pushing legislation to mandate the release of more information about Epstein. Trump, speaking at the White House on July 16, again tried to float the revised – and ridiculous – conspiracy theory that the Epstein files were really crafted and created by his most prominent Democratic critics. "Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net," Trump added. Trump blamed Democrats, but this is all his doing By pivoting to blame Democrats, Trump is hoping you forget that Epstein was charged with sex trafficking in July 2019 by a federal prosecutor appointed by Trump during his first term. It's a weak dodge that dissolves with the lightest dose of scrutiny. That's not surprising, since the Epstein files have been a fiasco for Trump and his administration for months. Bondi, back in February, called to the White House a group of MAGA influencers to distribute binders clearly labeled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" from "the most transparent administration in history." In an astounding public relations face-plant, it quickly became clear that the binders held documents anyone with internet access could obtain. That came six days after Bondi told Fox News in February that the Epstein "client list" was sitting on her desk to be reviewed, as a mandate from Trump. The "client list," Bondi now says, never existed. Opinion: MAGA is coming for Trump over lost Epstein files. Bondi may pay the price. Trump now demands that everyone shut up about Epstein. And, if you were counting on more from the "most transparent administration in history," well, you're "stupid" and "foolish," according to Trump. Trump turns on MAGA's insistence that the Epstein files be released Trump's rage hit MAGA too on July 16, where he used his website Truth Social to post that supporters who are still pushing publicly for access to the Epstein files are "weaklings" and "I don't want their support anymore!" This might be the height of petulance for this president. And he may get his wish. Social media, where this storm has raged, is piling up with MAGA posts about disappointment in Trump. Opinion: MAGA, I feel bad Trump lied to you about the Epstein list. Who saw this coming? Trump's Truth Social tantrum also prattled on about Democrats railing about the lack of transparency about the Epstein files. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker." Trump, of course, is the fisherman in this scenario. He encouraged chatter about the Epstein files while running for office and then installed at the FBI and Department of Justice people who peddled those conspiracy theories. He is now whining about his supporters swallowing the conspiracy he fed them. As for "past supporters," he might be on target there, too. Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on people, power and policies in the time of Trump from columnist Chris Brennan. Get it delivered to your inbox. An Economist/YouGov national poll last week found 79% of Americans said the Trump administration should release all its files on Epstein, including 75% of Republicans surveyed. That poll found that 67% of Americans think the Trump administration is 'covering up' the Epstein files, including 50% of Republicans. I wrote a few days ago that Trump seemed to have the advantage here, since the MAGA influencers now outraged about Epstein still need the president to create their content, which fuels their profits. Some MAGA big names tried to pull back from the Epstein talk. But it didn't last. Now I don't see an exit ramp for Trump, who thrives on grievance while demanding a kind of loyalty he seldom reciprocates. He may not have the capacity to stay silent on this, the very thing he demands from his allies. Follow USA TODAY columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Suffers Major Polling Blow Over Jeffrey Epstein Files
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. President Donald Trump has been hit with a negative poll about his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, the majority of U.S. voters disapprove of Trump's handling of files related to Epstein, a wealthy financier who died by suicide in jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Why It Matters Trump has been embroiled in controversy after backtracking on the Epstein case. Initially, the White House had ordered a review of the case and said it would publish names and evidence about Epstein's associates. However, a recent memo from the Department of Justice and the FBI said there was no "client list" and that no further charges would be brought. Amid the backlash, Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release "whatever she thinks is credible" regarding Epstein. While the president has repeatedly called on his supporters to move past what he describes as the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax," the controversy has continued, and negative polling could affect the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms. President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House after signing the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act on July 16. President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House after signing the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act on July 16. AP Photo/Evan Vucci What To Know According to the poll of 1,290 registered voters, 63 percent disapproved of the administration's handling of the files, while 17 percent approved. The disapproval is more pronounced among Democrats, with 83 percent disapproving. Meanwhile, 36 percent of Republicans disapproved of the administration's handling of the case. The poll, conducted between July 10 and 14, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. Other polls similarly showed public discontent with the Trump administration's handling of the case. A The Economist/YouGov poll of 1,680 adults found that 79 percent of Americans wanted all documents pertaining to Epstein to be released. Meanwhile, 67 percent believed the government was covering up evidence related to Epstein, including 59 percent of Trump voters. Another poll of 1,164 likely voters, conducted by Rasmussen Reports, found that 56 percent of likely voters did not believe the FBI and DOJ were telling the truth about Epstein, while 21 percent believed the government. What People Are Saying Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey, previously told Newsweek: "The Epstein backlash has the power to hurt Trump badly and will be far and away the largest factor in his latest polling slip. Releasing the Epstein Files is the Holy Grail for the MAGA base. Trump told them he was going to do so in the run-up to the presidential election, and they believed him. "They took it on faith that he was not involved in Epstein's underage sex activities and that there were dark forces at play in Epstein's death. The release of the files was going to expose the actions of their political opponents and place the president atop a moral high horse. But that hasn't happened, and some within MAGA are definitely questioning Trump's role and wondering what he has to hide." President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull****,' hook, line, and sinker. They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the attorney general will release more information related to the case.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Trump is right to shrink our government. Even if I worry about how he'll do it.
The U.S. government has reached a level of bloat that needs to be dealt with. Trump is right to take that challenge head-on. The Trump administration received a huge win from the Supreme Court on July 14, allowing the government to proceed with its plan to fire more than 1,300 employees of the Department of Education. These staffing cuts come in addition to the State Department's recent layoffs of a similar size. I have been a critic of many of the government efficiency measures proposed by the Trump administration, not because I oppose shrinking government, but rather because they have been unlikely to succeed in achieving that goal. Many opponents of the Republican plan to downsize government don't come from my perspective. Many oppose the slashing of current government programs because the result is seen as unfair to government employees. But it is not immoral for the government to cut jobs for the sake of efficiency. Pursuing efficiency at the expense of existing jobs is a proper goal, even if how President Donald Trump is chasing that efficiency needs to be examined. Layoffs are hard, but that's no reason for government to stay bloated Fired State Department workers made a show out of their job loss this week, staging a sort of ceremony in the lobby as people packed up their desks. Teary federal employees made for great publicity for Democrats opposed to Trump's plans. Many believe that the human toll of these layoffs is a sufficient reason not to implement them at all. That view is significantly mistaken, and one of the reasons government bloat has reached its current level. Layoffs are difficult, but good companies do them all the time. While the common maxim that 'government should be run like a business' is often a ridiculous one, the attitude toward laying off workers in bloated departments ought to be the same among Americans as among managers at a Fortune 500 company. Opinion: Do you think the Supreme Court is partisan? Well you're wrong. When it comes to publicly traded companies, nobody disputes the right of a company to fire its employees for the sake of efficiency. In fact, it is their obligation. Even the charge that corporate layoffs are driven by greed tends to favor the layoffs when it comes to the government. Where a corporation may lay off workers in pursuit of maximizing profits, the government doing the same thing serves to decrease expenditures compared to revenue, which means lower budget deficits. I understand why the robotic calculation of reducing people's employment to a cost-benefit analysis is off-putting to some, but it's the sort of thing that is necessary when our federal workforce is far larger than it was ever intended to be. Cutting excessive positions is a sign of good governance. Again, I understand that being out of work sucks and that layoffs produce hard times for these employees and their families. I have plenty of sympathy for individuals going through tough times because of all this. The administration should take care not to callously celebrate shoving people out of their jobs, a caveat they are horribly failing at. Critics should focus on the 'how' of Trump's layoffs All of this is good in theory, but as with most things, the Trump administration has done little to earn the benefit of the doubt on the matter. Their approach looks more like pulling wires out of a machine on a whim than it does a butcher trimming fat precisely. The administration has already had to walk back many of the firings that took place under Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, signaling that they had gone too far in some instances. Your Turn: Musk caused US long-term damage. A citizen should never have this much power. | Opinion Forum There is plenty of opposition that can be raised regarding the "how" of the push to slash government bloat. However, this is not the sentiment that is sometimes being shared. Many are arguing that it is a mistake, or even immoral, for the Trump administration to perform layoffs, even if they do genuinely lead to cutting government waste. If the government is genuinely slashing necessary employees, then by all means, that position ought to be refilled. Layoffs go too far all the time, and those companies rehire for positions as needed. However, it is all the more likely that the federal government can do without many of these jobs, and if not, then the administration has already shown an indication that it will refill vital roles. Government is not a jobs program; it is meant to do a select number of things with the smallest intrusion into our lives possible. Those who oppose Trump's actions with regard to federal layoffs should focus on critiquing how he is going about these cuts, rather than arguing against the cuts themselves. Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.
