Fox News Politics Newsletter: 'Disturbing Pattern' at Migrant Shelters
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content.
Here's what's happening…
A former immigrant shelter director in Massachusetts is petitioning Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the "disturbing pattern" of criminal activity, sexual assaults and financial abuse that he says is widespread in the state-run migrant shelter system.
Jon Fetherston, a former director of an immigrant shelter in Marlborough, Massachusetts, first blew the whistle about the widespread abuse in the shelter system after he discovered a Haitian migrant named Ronald Joseph, who was living in his shelter, had repeatedly raped and impregnated his 13-year-old daughter… READ MORE.
LAW AND DISORDER: Fresh wave of anti-ICE protests threatens uncertainty, volatility before massive military parade
'ABUSE OF POWER': White House mocks Newsom address, accuses governor of hiring Kamala, Biden's campaign manager
ORDER BY FORCE: Trump deployment of troops to quell LA rioters latest page in president's political playbook
NOW AND THEN: How Trump's response to LA riots has changed from 2020 Black Lives Matter and Antifa
PODIUM PUSHBACK: Leavitt balks at reporters' LA riot coverage, 'disingenuous attack' in briefing: 'What a stupid question'
POWER TO REVOKE: DOJ argues Trump may cancel Biden-era national monuments
PENNY PINCHING: Treasury chief says 'remains to be seen' if Trump tax bill will add to $36T national debt
'POISONING' ECONOMY: 'Congress must act': Nonprofit study exposes green energy org's ties to CCP interests while undermining US
US REJECTION: Trump admin slams UK, Canada, Australia and others who sanctioned Israeli officials
IMMIGRATION BACKLASH: Police use water cannon in response to anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland town
FINANCIAL GAINS: European nation agrees to 'temporarily' host deported migrants from US
PUSHING FOR PEACE: Trump's 'peace through strength' message resonates with Russian neighbor
CULTURE WAR: Nation's largest Protestant denomination calls for overturning Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage
'LAW AND ORDER': Hegseth spars with Senate Democrats over Marine deployment to LA anti-ICE riots: 'Not about lethality'
'CREDIBLE REPORTING': Senator launches investigation into Democratic org over potential support for LA rioters
'UNACCEPTABLE': GOP congressman 'remains concerned' over ICE operations in deep blue state
DEBT BURDEN BACKLASH: Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' cracks down on Biden's student loan 'scheme,' top Republican says
VISA CRACKDOWN: New legislation would ban anyone associated with Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, ISIS from entering US
'WAGES FLATLINE': Republican senator teams up with Democrat to push $15 per hour minimum wage plus annual inflation increases
'RULE OF LAW': Republicans target vulnerable Senate Democrat over Los Angeles rioting
ELEVATING RESISTANCE: Newsom under fire from Trump world, but Democrats hope his speech resets his image
POWER PLAY IN IOWA: GOP congressman takes major step toward gubernatorial announcement
BOOTS ON THE GROUND: Federal judge refuses to block Trump's LA National Guard deployment on Newsom's timeframe
'DUSTBIN OF HISTORY': Newsom compared to infamous Dem governor who also tried to block National Guard
PURPLE JERSEY: Democrat Mikie Sherrill wins NJ gubernatorial primary, setting up showdown with Trump-backed GOP winner
Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
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The Verge
39 minutes ago
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Even if it's not clear whether other surveillance tools might be used, experts say that it's prudent for demonstrators to assume they will be. Past government use of such technologies strengthens their reason for concern, as does Trump's recent deployment of military troops to Los Angeles in response to protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, an escalation made against Gov. Gavin Newsom's wishes. 'If we're talking about a president who is threatening heavy force in Washington, is already using heavy force in Los Angeles, I think it would be certainly unwise to rule out any potential surveillance uses,' says American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) senior policy counsel Chad Marlow. The Department of Homeland Security admitted to using drones to monitor Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer in 2020. 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Information on protesters' whereabouts and activities could be used against them, for example, to allege they engaged in crimes or assist a deportation — and some surveillance tools, like facial recognition, can cause false identifications, especially among people of color. The courts have so far blocked many attempted actions by the Trump administration. But Marlow warns that even if groups like the ACLU secure wins in court later on against the use of surveillance technology, some damage could already be done — including scaring people away from showing up to protest. 'There is damage there that can't be reversed,' he says. Protesters can take steps to limit their privacy risks. Those include wearing a face covering to weaken the efficacy of facial recognition technology, leaving your smartphone at home — or at least logging out of accounts in case it's seized — and writing down important phone numbers like emergency contacts and legal aid on your arm. The ACLU maintains a list of protesters' rights, and The Verge has a guide on how to secure your phone ahead of a protest. 'At a moment like this, we just don't know what the risks are as the rule of law in this country continues to erode' Marlow and Cahn note that these warnings might make some people reticent to exercise their First Amendment rights — but they're important to deliver anyway. 'As public interest lawyers, our role is to give people honest information. And in chilling moments, that data might make some unwilling to protest,' Cahn says. 'But the goal isn't to spread fear, and I think we also combat a lot of misinformation as well. But it's so important, not just to equip protesters with an understanding of what their rights are, with an understanding of what tactics help preserve their privacy, but with an honest assessment of the risks. And frustratingly, at a moment like this, we just don't know what the risks are as the rule of law in this country continues to erode.' It's because of this chilling effect that Cahn says 'protest surveillance is simply not compatible with freedom of speech. When you give the government the power to create a dossier of everyone who raises their voice in dissent, it's going to silence millions.'
