Latest news with #JohnKennedy
Toronto Star
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Wife of Marine Corps veteran released from ICE custody after advocacy from GOP Senator's office
A Marine Corps veteran's wife has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention following advocacy from Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican who backs President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown. Until this week, Mexican national Paola Clouatre had been one of tens of thousands of people in ICE custody as the Trump administration continues to press immigration officers to arrest 3,000 people a day suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Wife of Marine Corps veteran released from ICE custody after advocacy from GOP Senator's office
A Marine Corps veteran's wife has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention following advocacy from Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican who backs President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown. Until this week, Mexican national Paola Clouatre had been one of tens of thousands of people in ICE custody as the Trump administration continues to press immigration officers to arrest 3,000 people a day suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. John Kennedy shredded for his take on gun control after NYC shooting
Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy advocates for 'idiot control' instead of gun control after a gunman killed four in a Manhattan skyscraper — a reaction that has infuriated some social media users. Shane Tamura, 27, killed three people inside a Midtown Manhattan office building Monday using an AR-15-style rifle. He then turned the weapon on himself. In the wake of the tragedy, the 73-year-old Louisiana Republican told Fox News' 'Hannity' on Monday evening that there's no need for additional gun control measures — a response that's enraged social media users. He predicted that some of his colleagues will call for legislation around heightened gun control, which he suggested wasn't necessary. 'We have hundreds of gun control laws, Sean. Maybe thousands,' the senator said. 'We don't need more gun control, we need more idiot control. And I don't know exactly how to do that but I do know this — I don't want to hear anyone feeling sorry for this guy who did this.' 'All you can do at a time like this is be sorry,' Kennedy said. He said he was sorry for the NYPD officer and civilians who were killed as well as the people of New York. 'This is going to cause them to have to live in further fear,' he said. 'I believe there's objective evil in this world and we saw it today,' he added. Social media users slammed the senator for his comments. 'You can't control idiots, never will. That's why gun control is the answer,' one X user said. 'Keep lunatics from getting easy access any f****** weapon they want would be a good start,' another blasted. Yet another quipped: 'You could try to implement policies to prevent idiots from getting guns. Kind of like gun control.' Some made it personal. 'Maybe his constituents can start by electing him out of office,' another wrote. One user suggested: 'Let's get rid of the idiots in office and vote some in who will try new policies and reduce the rhetoric that is sowing division. That's the idiot control we need.' Another succinctly remarked: 'He could start by controlling himself.' As the work day was coming to an end for many in Manhattan, Tamura walked into the corporate building at 345 Park Ave with a loaded assault rifle and began 'spraying' ammunition inside the lobby, police said. The gunman is accused of killing three civilians, including Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, and one NYPD officer: 36-year-old Didarul Islam. ' No words can describe this act of evil: a man who takes the life of others who are innocent. And no words can fill the void that has been left by this tragedy,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Monday. Several New York Democrats have since called for additional gun safety measures. 'Gun violence in this country is an epidemic,' New York Rep. Jerry Nadler said in a social media post. 'The tragic loss of a brave police officer and innocent civilians is far too common. From Columbine to Sandy Hook, from the Tree of Life synagogue to the Pulse nightclub, from Charleston to today's shooting in Midtown Manhattan, we must put an end to the easy access to weapons of war that continue to take innocent lives.' Senator Chuck Schumer remarked on X: 'Thank you to our brave first responders on the scene in Manhattan tonight. I'm praying for everyone affected. We must do more to stop gun violence in America.'
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Sen. John Kennedy shredded for his take on gun control after NYC shooting
Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy advocates for 'idiot control' instead of gun control after a gunman killed four in a Manhattan skyscraper — a reaction that has infuriated some social media users. Shane Tamura, 27, killed three people inside a Midtown Manhattan office building Monday using an AR-15-style rifle. He then turned the weapon on himself. In the wake of the tragedy, the 73-year-old Louisiana Republican told Fox News' ' Hannity ' on Monday evening that there's no need for additional gun control measures — a response that's enraged social media users. He predicted that some of his colleagues will call for legislation around heightened gun control, which he suggested wasn't necessary. 'We have hundreds of gun control laws, Sean. Maybe thousands,' the senator said. 'We don't need more gun control, we need more idiot control. And I don't know exactly how to do that but I do know this — I don't want to hear anyone feeling sorry for this guy who did this.' 'All you can do at a time like this is be sorry,' Kennedy said. He said he was sorry for the NYPD officer and civilians who were killed as well as the people of New York. 'This is going to cause them to have to live in further fear,' he said. 'I believe there's objective evil in this world and we saw it today,' he added. Social media users slammed the senator for his comments. 'You can't control idiots, never will. That's why gun control is the answer,' one X user said. 'Keep lunatics from getting easy access any f****** weapon they want would be a good start,' another blasted. Yet another quipped: 'You could try to implement policies to prevent idiots from getting guns. Kind of like gun control.' Some made it personal. 'Maybe his constituents can start by electing him out of office,' another wrote. One user suggested: 'Let's get rid of the idiots in office and vote some in who will try new policies and reduce the rhetoric that is sowing division. That's the idiot control we need.' Another succinctly remarked: 'He could start by controlling himself.' As the work day was coming to an end for many in Manhattan, Tamura walked into the corporate building at 345 Park Ave with a loaded assault rifle and began 'spraying' ammunition inside the lobby, police said. The gunman is accused of killing three civilians, including Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, and one NYPD officer: 36-year-old Didarul Islam. ' No words can describe this act of evil: a man who takes the life of others who are innocent. And no words can fill the void that has been left by this tragedy,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Monday. Several New York Democrats have since called for additional gun safety measures. 'Gun violence in this country is an epidemic,' New York Rep. Jerry Nadler said in a social media post. 'The tragic loss of a brave police officer and innocent civilians is far too common. From Columbine to Sandy Hook, from the Tree of Life synagogue to the Pulse nightclub, from Charleston to today's shooting in Midtown Manhattan, we must put an end to the easy access to weapons of war that continue to take innocent lives.' Senator Chuck Schumer remarked on X: 'Thank you to our brave first responders on the scene in Manhattan tonight. I'm praying for everyone affected. We must do more to stop gun violence in America.'
Arab Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
WASHINGTON, July 29: Leading U.S. airlines, travel companies, and airport groups have urged the Senate to reject a proposed bill that would restrict the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) use of facial recognition technology at airport security checkpoints. In a letter viewed by Reuters, the industry groups — including Airlines for America (which represents carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines), U.S. Travel, and two major airport associations—warned that the bill could significantly slow identity verification processes, leading to increased wait times at airports nationwide. The bipartisan bill, which the Senate Commerce Committee is set to consider on Wednesday, aims to protect travelers' privacy rights by ensuring they can opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings and by placing guardrails on the use and potential abuse of passenger biometric data. One of the bill's sponsors, Republican Senator John Kennedy, criticized the current use of facial recognition in May, saying the TSA 'subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings,' adding that it invades passenger privacy without clearly informing them of their right to opt out. Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, another co-sponsor, echoed those concerns, stating that the unchecked expansion of TSA facial recognition programs risks pushing the country toward 'a national surveillance state.' If passed, the legislation would require TSA to offer passengers a clear, non-biometric alternative for identity verification. It would also prohibit discriminatory treatment or harsher screening conditions for travelers who choose not to have their faces scanned. However, airline and travel industry groups strongly oppose the measure. In their letter, they described the proposed restrictions as a step backward for national security, arguing that the limitations would prevent TSA from modernizing its operations through automation. This, they said, would force the agency to continue relying on manual, officer-based processes and keep approximately 75% of its budget tied to staffing instead of advancing technology. The groups further warned that the bill could hinder innovation in airport systems, such as automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, and lead to 'overwhelming and chaotic' conditions at security checkpoints across the country. Senators Kennedy and Merkley did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
