Urban League declares a ‘state of emergency' for civil rights in the US in response to Trump
The National Urban League's annual State of Black America report accuses the federal government of being 'increasingly determined to sacrifice its founding principles' and 'threatening to impose a uniform education system and a homogenous workforce that sidelines anyone who doesn't fit a narrow, exclusionary mold,' according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
10 minutes ago
- CTV News
In their own words: Trump, Patel, Bongino and Bondi on the Epstein scandal
Commuters walk past a bus stop near Nine Elms Station as activists put up a poster showing U.S. President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein near the U.S. Embassy in London, Thursday, July 17, 2025.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych) PHOENIX — When Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, then-U.S. president Donald Trump speculated that authorities might be wrong in ruling it a suicide. Many of his allies in the pro-Trump media went further, casting Epstein's death as a murder meant to continue a decades-long coverup of pedophilia by elites. Now back in the White House, Trump has elevated prominent proponents of Epstein conspiracies to senior law enforcement roles, and they're struggling to contain a fire that they spent years stoking. Much of Trump's base is choosing to believe the president's earlier claims about Epstein over his latest contention that there's nothing of substance in government files. Here's a look at how Trump and his aides, including the attorney general and FBI leadership, fanned the flames of the Epstein conspiracy theories over the years, and how they're now trying to extinguish them. In their own words: Trump and Epstein were friends Before Epstein's sexual predation was well-known, he and Trump were friends. Both were New Yorkers with homes in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump knew something about Epstein's 'social life' and interest in women 'on the younger side,' though there's no evidence Trump was aware Epstein was involved in sex trafficking of minors, as prosecutors allege. 'I've known Jeff for 15 years,' Trump told New York Magazine for a 2002 profile of Epstein. 'Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' The friendship later fell apart, according to Trump. He has since distanced himself from Epstein and more recently describes their relationship as far more distant than he portrayed in 2002. 'Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said on July 9, 2019, after Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges. 'I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan.' Three days later, Trump was asked what led to his falling out with Epstein and whether the financier had been banned from Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach home. 'Yes. And I did have a falling out a long time ago. The reason doesn't make any difference, frankly,' Trump said. He said he had 'no idea' Epstein was molesting women. A month later, on Aug. 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell. His death was ruled a suicide. Trump nods toward conspiracy theories The day Epstein was found in his cell, Trump shared a social media post that linked his death to former U.S. president Bill Clinton. 'I want a full investigation, and that's what I absolutely am demanding,' Trump told reporters on Aug. 13, 2019. Pressed on whether he really believed Clinton was involved in Epstein's death, Trump responded at length about Clinton travelling on Epstein's private plane. 'Because Epstein had an island that was not a good place, as I understand it,' Trump said. 'And I was never there. So you have to ask: Did Bill Clinton go to the island?' In a 2020 interview with Axios, Trump cast doubt on the New York medical examiner's ruling that Epstein's death was a suicide. He was asked about Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime companion. Maxwell had been charged a month earlier with luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, and Trump had controversially responded: 'I wish her well.' 'Well, her boyfriend died in jail and people are still trying to figure out how did it happen? Was it suicide? Was he killed? And I do wish her well. I'm not looking for anything bad for her. I'm not looking bad for anybody,' Trump told Axios on Aug. 3, 2020. After Trump left office, Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In the years since, Trump has said he's unsure whether Epstein killed himself. In a Fox News interview during his 2024 campaign, Trump hedged when asked whether he'd release the Epstein files. His noncommittal answer came right after he'd agreed without hesitation to declassify files related to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the John F. Kennedy assassination. 'I guess I would. I think that, less so, because you don't want to affect people's lives if it's phony stuff in there because it's a lot of phony stuff with that whole world. But I think I would,' Trump said on June 2, 2024. FBI director Kash Patel arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) FBI Director Kash Patel arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Trump allies lean in Trump's unconventional picks to lead the FBI — Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino — were commentators in Trump's Make America Great Again movement before joining federal law enforcement. In their prior roles, both aggressively promoted theories that Epstein was killed to keep him quiet. In a 2023 appearance on Benny Johnson's podcast, Patel was incensed that House Republicans weren't trying harder to force the release of an alleged list of high-powered Epstein associates — a document the Patel-led FBI now says doesn't exist. 'What the hell are the House Republicans doing? They have the majority. You can't get the list? ... Put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are,' Patel said in the interview, which Johnson posted to social media on Dec. 19, 2023. As a podcaster, Bongino called the Epstein story 'one of the biggest political scandals of our time' and portrayed it as a wide-ranging conspiracy involving global elites. 'What the hell are they hiding with Jeffrey Epstein?' Bongino asked on his show on May 4, 2023. 'What do Clinton, Obama officials, big money leftists, a former prime minister of Israel — why do they want to make this Jeffrey Epstein story go away so bad?' Attorney General Pam Bondi stoked the conspiracy even after taking the helm at the Justice Department. The alleged Epstein client list is 'sitting on my desk right now to review,' Bondi said in a February interview on Fox News. She later told reporters, 'There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn.' Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as U.S. President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Trump and his team try to put the genie back in the bottle Patel, Bongino and Bondi now contradict their earlier selves. The U.S. Justice Department this month said Epstein did not maintain a 'client list' of powerful men for whom he trafficked underage girls and said no more files would be released. Patel and Bongino offered assurances that they'd reviewed the evidence and there was no reason to doubt Epstein killed himself. Daniel Bongino speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, June 10, 2020, in Washington. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP, File) Daniel Bongino speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, June 10, 2020, in Washington. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP, File) 'I believe he hung himself in a cell in the Metropolitan Detention Center,' Patel testified in a Senate hearing on May 8. Trump himself has been the most aggressive. In a lengthy post Wednesday on Truth Social, he lashed out at his 'PAST supporters' who have believed in Epstein conspiracy theories, calling them 'weaklings' and saying he doesn't 'want their support anymore!' He claimed, without offering evidence, that Democrats concocted the Epstein stories that have animated his base. 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' Trump wrote. In another lengthy post on Saturday, he vouched for Bondi and pressed his supporters to move on. 'What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals'? They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!' Trump wrote. Jonathan J. Cooper, The Associated Press
Globe and Mail
13 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Manitoba holds the key to nation building in Canada
Dr. B. Mario Pinto is a vice-president (research and international) at the University of Manitoba. Donald Trump's insistent focus on tariffs and trade rebalancing represents a serious challenge for Canada. In responding to calls for action, individual Canadians have been boycotting American goods and travel and rallying around the 'Buy Canadian' mantra. Nationally, easing or removing inter-provincial trade barriers, diversifying our trading partners, and initiating large-scale, national infrastructure projects to ensure our resources and products can flow readily across Canada (and reach global markets) has been in the spotlight. The House of Commons recently passed Bill C-5, or the Building Canada Act. In his speech announcing the legislation's passage through the House, Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted his vision for advancing nation-building projects in order to strengthen Canada's economy. However, it will be challenging to rally and sustain public backing and the support of all provincial and territorial governments. For example, there is no clear consensus on expanding existing energy pipelines or building new ones to transport energy products to tidal water. In B.C., Premier David Eby is focused on maximizing the TransMountain pipeline before considering additional infrastructure between Alberta and Prince Rupert, B.C. Quebec Premier François Legault has committed only to studying any proposed projects going through his province. Opinion: Yes, absolutely – Canada needs more oil and gas pipelines to our coasts In addition, Mr. Carney has framed this nation-building strategy in the context of economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. He has characterized his government's vision of building trust and shared leadership with Indigenous communities across the country as the 'first step' to implementing the Building Canada Act. Mr. Carney has also spoken at length about the critical need to ensure that Indigenous communities participate fully in the national economy, with rights holders, leaders and experts outlining their ambitions and concerns. The Prime Minister will meet with First Nations leaders on Thursday. A new alternative to the West-East infrastructure issue, which builds on economic reconciliation, is worth serious consideration: a new shipping route through Northern Manitoba to the Port of Churchill, one of just two functioning deepwater Arctic ports in Canada (the other is in Iqaluit). Ongoing climate change is likely to make shipping feasible for at least some, if not most, of the year, opening new and valuable trade routes to global markets including key European partners. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has signaled his government's openness to exploring a pipeline to transport energy and other exports through the Churchill port. While any such project would require careful environmental and community consultation, this political will reflects a growing recognition that Northern infrastructure is essential to nation building and national resilience. Given today's geopolitical competition in the region, this route is also highly relevant in enhancing Canadian Arctic security. In Manitoba, building trust and shared leadership among governments, Indigenous communities, academia, industry and business is already well established, with full Indigenous participation. Deep and sustained partnerships with Northern and Arctic communities, built over decades, are rooted in mutual respect, capacity-building and common goals. The Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), an Indigenous-owned Manitoba company, owns and operates the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway, from The Pas, Man., to Churchill. Researchers at the University of Manitoba, together with the AGG, are examining contiguous corridors, with low-ice risk, for 'open-water' vessels to transport energy products and critical minerals through the Hudson Strait, with icebreakers navigating the Northwest Passage and higher Arctic region. The communities of Churchill, Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut, and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, have also been working with researchers on other integrated solutions, including advanced remote-sensing satellite and drone communications. Sea water and sea ice environmental experimentation is ongoing through the Churchill Marine Observatory research centre. Finally, research at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, working closely with NORAD, helps shape defence policies tailored to the region's unique needs. Although serious challenges remain before this Northern shipping route becomes a reality, established commitments by the federal and Manitoba governments, the town of Churchill, local industries, First Nations and Inuit communities and University of Manitoba researchers make this alternative idea of a new shipping route to the Port of Churchill increasingly compelling.
Toronto Star
14 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Pro-Palestinian protester takes issue with Israeli team at Tour de France
TOULOUSE, France (AP) — A man protesting the participation of an Israel-based team in the Tour de France ran onto the course as the leaders raced for the finish line on Wednesday. Norwegian rider Jonas Abrahamsen won the 11th stage in a photo finish just ahead of Swiss rider Mauro Schmid, but their final sprint was accompanied by a man running alongside who wore a T-shirt saying, 'Israel out of the Tour,' and who waved a keffiyeh, the black-and-white checkered headscarf that has become a potent symbol of the Palestinian cause.
