Latest news with #IllegalDiscrimination
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Boston joins lawsuit against Trump admin over $3.6B cut to housing grants
Boston has joined seven other cities and counties in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after $3.6 billion in housing and homelessness prevention grants was cut — unless the communities comply with a slew of executive orders and conditions from the president. Boston would lose $48 million in previously-awarded funding to combat homelessness unless the city complies with the executive orders, which the City administration called 'unrelated to housing and likely unconstitutional.' 'Boston will not back down on making our city a home for everyone,' said Mayor Michelle Wu in a statement. 'We are joining other cities and counties across the country to protect critical funding to prevent homelessness and house families in need,' Wu said. The requirements from the federal government would force the city to 'make legal promises that conflict with local laws, values, and long-standing efforts to support residents and connect them with stable housing,' the city said. This includes conditions on immigration enforcement, health care, practices around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and how the cities support transgender and gender-diverse people. 'The conditions appear to require federal grant recipients to agree to promote the political agenda President Trump campaigned on during his run for office and has continued espousing since,' the lawsuit states. The lawsuit listed several Executive Orders, such as 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,' 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,' and 'Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.' The Executive Orders: Federal agency heads are to ensure that grant recipients do 'not operate any programs promoting DEI,' yet the order does not define DEI. Federal agency heads must ensure that federal payments go to states and municipalities that do not promote 'sanctuary' policies. Direct the Attorney General, along with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to identify 'sanctuary jurisdictions' to take steps to withhold federal funding from such places. 'The EO Condition is unconstitutionally vague,' the lawsuit states. 'Executive orders are the President's directive to federal agencies. These orders are unintelligible as applied to grant recipients. Further, the directives as implemented in the unlawful conditions at issue are vague and unintelligible.' The grants being withheld are part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 'Continuum of Care' (CoC) program, which is 'the single largest source of federal funding' used by Boston and other cities to combat homelessness, the city said. In Boston, the CoC program annually funds more than 18 nonprofit organizations with over 125 employees for their work in permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities, rapid re-housing for those exiting homelessness and transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence and others in crisis. Boston joined seven other jurisdictions the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court through the federal Western District of Washington on Friday. The other communities include including King County, Washington; New York, New York; Columbus, Ohio; the City and County of San Francisco, California; and Pierce County and Snohomish County in Washington. Boston City Councilor pleads guilty to fraud, corruption charges Fire at W.B. Mason warehouse in Boston causes $1 million in damages Boston Red Sox 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect strikes out 12 of 18 batters Boston Red Sox bullpen leads league in blown saves despite closer being 4-for-4 Red Sox reactions: Bullpen blows another lead, Boston falls to .500 Read the original article on MassLive.
The Hill
16-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Thomson Reuters drops ‘diversity' for ‘inclusion' as Trump pressures press
Thomson Reuters said that it would be dropping 'diversity' from company language and would replace it with the word 'inclusion' in an effort to comply with a January executive order from President Trump on diversity, equity and inclusion. The corporation is the parent company of Reuters international news agency and also offers tech services for the federal government as a contractor. 'To ensure ongoing compliance, we are clarifying some of our talent practices and language. This includes renaming 'diversity and inclusion' to 'inclusion and belonging' and building detailed guidance to inform how we articulate and implement programs and practices,' the company wrote in a Tuesday email to employees obtained by The New York Times media reporter Benjamin Mullin. Trump's two orders entitled ' Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing ' and ' Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity ' abolished previous executive orders that outlined policies for equal employment opportunities for the federal workforce, federal contractors and grant recipients. 'It is the policy of the United States to protect the civil rights of all Americans and to promote individual initiative, excellence, and hard work. I therefore order all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to terminate all discriminatory and illegal preferences, mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, and requirements,' Trump wrote in the first EO. 'I further order all agencies to enforce our longstanding civil-rights laws and to combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities,' he added. Since the president signed both January orders, dozens of companies have dropped diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices which Trump described as an 'illegal' violation of 'civil-rights laws.' Last week, Gannett, America's largest newspaper chain, removed the word 'diversity' from its corporate site and said it would no longer publish demographic data regarding its workforce. In February, Paramount and Disney began removing language related to DEI following in the footsteps of tech giants Google, Amazon and Meta. On Wednesday, Thomson Reuters moved in a similar direction. 'As a U.S. federal government contractor, it is especially important that Thomson Reuters continues to comply with any applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as rules, regulations, and EOS,' the email from Thomson Reuters said. 'Over the past couple of months, a cross-functional team has assessed TR's talent, business, and commercial practices relative to the EO from the U.S. federal government,' the correspondence read. Thomson Reuters said they would continue to provide mentorship, coaching and development opportunities that foster 'greater understanding of each other globally' while attracting employees from a broad talent pool.
Ya Libnan
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
From Democracy to Dictatorship: Trump's Disturbing Imitation of Putin
File photo of President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in 2018. 'Never before has an American president played such a subservient role to a Russian leader,' former president Joe Biden was quoted as saying on December 20, 2020 . Trump sides with Putin against FBI at Helsinki summit By Vlad Green Since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has undertaken a series of actions that bear a striking resemblance to the authoritarian practices of Russian President Vladimir Putin. From consolidating power to suppressing dissent, reshaping federal agencies, and even altering the aesthetics of the Oval Office, Trump's leadership appears to be following a playbook that prioritizes personal dominance over democratic norms. This pattern raises significant concerns about the future of American governance and the nation's role as a global democratic leader. A gold coaster reading 'TRUMP' sits on the table in front of US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office © Mandel NGAN / AFP/File Recent reports suggest that the Oval Office under Trump's vision is undergoing a transformation reminiscent of Putin's obsession with gold-plated extravagance. The White House's iconic workspace, traditionally a symbol of American democracy and leadership, is reportedly being adorned with gold fixtures, mirroring Putin's infamous superyacht, where even the toilet paper holders are gold-plated. This gaudy display is more than just a matter of personal taste; it is a reflection of an authoritarian mindset that glorifies excess and personal grandeur over the principles of governance and public service. Inside Putin's $700 million yacht. US President Donald Trump recently hung a portrait of his expansionist predecessor James Polk, seen on the lower right © Mandel NGAN / AFP/File One of the hallmarks of Putin's regime has been the centralization of authority and the marginalization of opposition. Similarly, President Trump has moved swiftly to assert control over various facets of the federal government. Notably, he signed an executive order bringing independent agencies under White House oversight, effectively expanding presidential influence over bodies traditionally insulated from political pressure. Additionally, Trump has initiated mass terminations of federal employees, with reports indicating that tens of thousands of individuals have been dismissed, raising alarms about the politicization of the civil service. In a move reminiscent of autocratic tendencies to suppress minority representation, President Trump issued Executive Order 14173, titled 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.' This order prohibits private organizations from implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs for jobs created through federal contracts. Critics argue that this action undermines efforts to promote workplace diversity and equality, further isolating marginalized groups from professional opportunities. President Trump's actions have also extended to weakening institutional checks and balances. He has dismissed inspectors general and other watchdog officials, prompting concerns about reduced oversight and accountability within the federal government. Such measures parallel Putin's systematic dismantling of democratic institutions in Russia, consolidating power by eliminating independent scrutiny. Trump's foreign policy maneuvers further reflect an alignment with Putin's interests. His administration's approach to international conflicts and alliances often appears to favor Russian geopolitical strategies, raising questions about the United States' commitment to its traditional democratic allies. By undermining NATO and weakening global partnerships, Trump is emboldening authoritarian regimes while distancing the U.S. from its historical role as a defender of democracy. The perceived camaraderie between Trump and Putin has not gone unnoticed in popular culture. Satirical commentaries and late-night shows have lampooned their relationship, highlighting concerns about Trump's admiration for authoritarian figures. Public discourse increasingly questions whether Trump's leadership is veering away from democratic values and toward a more autocratic style of governance. The parallels between President Trump's recent actions and President Putin's authoritarian practices are cause for concern among proponents of democratic governance. The erosion of institutional checks, suppression of diversity initiatives, consolidation of power, and even the aesthetic transformation of the Oval Office suggest a shift towards autocratic rule. As these developments unfold, it is imperative for Americans to remain vigilant in safeguarding the democratic principles that underpin the United States.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hensel details confusion and impact of Trump's executive orders on UH
COURTESY PHOTO Wendy Hensel COURTESY PHOTO Wendy Hensel The University of Hawaii has joined other Hawaii institutions forced to respond to President Donald Trump's flurry of executive orders to eliminate diversity and race-based programs and practices—while also putting at risk over $386 million in federal funding used to pay thousands of UH employees, UH President Wendy Hensel told the 10-campus system Tuesday. 'Moreover, students receive significant federal financial aid and other forms of support implicated by these orders, ' Hensel wrote in her latest update about the fallout from Trump's actions. 'In short, we cannot carry out our core higher education mission without federal government funding.' Hensel has kept UH updated on Trump's impacts since he began issuing a series of executive orders starting on his first day back in the Oval Office in January. On Thursday, Hensel also plans to brief UH regents at their board meeting at UH Hilo. UH officials have been working with state Attorney General Anne Lopez, who has joined a hui of blue-state attorneys general pushing back in court against Trump's policies, some of which courts have temporarily blocked. 'We will continue to pursue every means available to us to preserve our mission and core values, which have not and will not alter with these changes, ' Hensel said. 'Nevertheless, the power of the federal executive branch to set policy prospectively is significant. While these legal actions provide temporary relief, long-term implications remain uncertain.' Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Another Trump order bars diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs, along with ones also directed at affirmative action and 'environmental justice.' Hensel wrote, 'On January 31, 2025, the President issued Executive Order 14173 titled 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.' The directive states that DEIA programs can violate civil rights laws and directs all grant recipients, including universities, to end unlawful 'preferences, mandates, policies, programs and activities.' The EO requires universities, as a condition of receiving federal funding, to certify that they do not operate any programs promoting DEIA. Consequences for false assertions are not only the loss of federal funding, including financial aid for students, but potentially civil and criminal penalties for the university's certifying official.' The U.S. Department of Education on Friday offered guidance that 'states categorically that 'if an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person's race, the educational institution violates the law.' It prohibits universities from using race 'in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.'' A subsequent DOE directive issued Sunday, Hensel said, 'stated more clearly that universities may 'no longer operate programs based on race.'' Trump's attitudes toward race and ethnicity have led to confusion at UH about the future of its ethnic studies programs that focus on specific ethnic populations and their histories in Hawaii, including Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Asians. And UH student organizations and clubs are specifically organized for students representing a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. One Trump executive order makes exceptions for universities that work to protect First Amendment rights of free speech and prevent illegal employment. 'While the meaning and extent of these exemptions are unclear, they suggest that academic programs and curricula currently may fall outside the order, ' Hensel said. Also under Trump, the National Institutes of Health has chopped 'indirect cost recovery rates in federal grants, reducing them from university-negotiated rates (typically from 25 % to 70 %) to a maximum of 15 %, ' Hensel said. 'This move is significant for all universities and potentially could reduce research funding nationally by billions of dollars.' For UH specifically, she said that federal funding represents 'an extremely significant source of financial support for the university.'
