Latest news with #MarjoryStonemanDouglasHighSchool
Time Magazine
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time Magazine
Citigroup Reverses Its Firearms Policy Months After Trump Called Out U.S. Banks. Here's What to Know
Citigroup has reversed its policy restricting banking services to retail clients selling firearms, ending the practice that was put into place in 2018. In a statement shared on June 3, the bank said that the decision had been made in response to concerns raised over 'fair access' to banking services. As a result, Citigroup said it would 'no longer have a specific policy as it relates to firearms.' The reversal comes after criticism from President Donald Trump and other conservatives regarding 'de-banking,' citing what they believe to be unfair practices from U.S. banks preventing conservatives from using their services. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos virtually in January, Trump said: 'Many conservatives complain that the banks are not allowing them to do business,' taking aim at U.S. bank CEOs. Here's what to know about Citigroup's reversal and how it fits into wider discussions about banks and politics in America. What firearms policy did Citigroup reverse? Citigroup outlined the specifics of its previous restrictions, saying: 'Our U.S. Commercial Firearms Policy was implemented in 2018 and pertained to sale of firearms by our retail clients and partners. The policy was intended to promote the adoption of best sales practices as prudent risk management and didn't address the manufacturing of firearms.' Since 2018, Citigroup had restricted its services to retail clients selling firearms, requiring them to adhere to three practices. Under the policy, 'new retail sector clients or partners,' clients could not sell firearms to those who hadn't passed a background check, had to restrict the sale of firearms for individuals under 21, and could not sell bump stocks or high-capacity magazines. In its June 3 update, the bank said that after reviewing its policies, it will be updating its "Employee Code of Conduct" and its "customer-facing Global Financial Access Policy," to clearly state that the Citigroup does "not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation." 'These changes reinforce our commitment to serve all clients fairly, and we will continue to work with regulators and elected officials on ways to improve transparency and trust in the banking sector,' the statement continued. Why did Citigroup initially put the firearms policy into place? The banking service introduced new restrictions in March 2018 following a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on Feb. 14 of that year, which left 17 people dead. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, aged 19 at the time, was able to obtain firearms after a background check, despite previous warning signs. Both Cruz's age and circumstances were addressed in Citigroup's firearm policy. Not allowing retailers to sell bump stocks was also included in the bank's 2018 policy, after the device was used during a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. A bump stock allows semi-automatic rifles to fire at a higher rate, and were banned by the Trump Administration in December 2018. However, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down this ban in 2024. After the shooting in Parkland, Florida, investment management firm BlackRock also announced that it would be asking for further details and information on business practices from firearms manufacturers and retailers. In April 2018, Bank of America said that it would be restricting firearms-related business and would stop lending money to manufacturers that make military-inspired weapons to be used by civilians. In particular, Bank of America started to wind down relationships with manufacturers that produced AR-15 style rifles that have been used in mass shootings. In 2024, Bank of America loosened some of its restrictions surrounding lending to the firearms and energy industries, amid pressure from politicians in Texas and Florida. What grievances have Trump and high-profile conservatives aired with U.S. banks? Criticism amongst conservatives and Republicans have long been aimed at banking institutions for imposing restrictions on firearms and other issues. In 2022, a number of conservative-led states considered a number of new bills, with some passing, penalizing banks for such policies. According to Reuters, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs were all sidelined by state law that barred firms from the municipal bond market if they were found to 'discriminate' against the firearms industry in the state. In April 2024, over a dozen Republican state attorneys general addressed a letter to The Bank of America, raising their concerns with the bank's 'de-banking policies and practices threaten the company's financial health, its reputation with customers, our nation's economy, and the civil liberties of everyday Americans.' Within the letter, Bank of America was criticized for 'systemic biases' against political views. The letter cited a report in which the bank is said to have shared a list with the FBI of anyone who had bought a firearm with a credit or debit card from the bank in Washington, D.C., in the days surrounding the Capitol Riots on Jan. 6, 2021. 'We are shocked that Bank of America would so cavalierly disregard its customers' privacy and their First, Second, and Fourth Amendment rights at the behest of the federal government,' the letter continued. Shortly after his inauguration in January, Trump launched criticism at banks, in particular at the Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, during a virtual appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking directly to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, Trump said: 'The Bank of America, they don't take conservative business… you, Jamie (Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase) and everybody, I hope you're going to open your banks to conservatives because what you're doing is wrong.' In response, Bank of America said that it 'welcomes conservatives' as part of the 70 million customers that it serves. 'We would never close accounts for political reasons and don't have a political litmus test,' the bank said in a statement after Trump's remarks. Elsewhere, the Trump Organization sued Capitol One in March, accusing the bank of closing hundreds of accounts belonging to the company. In its complaint, the Trump Organization said it believes 'that Capital One's unilateral decision came about as a result of political and social motivations and Capital One's unsubstantiated, 'woke' beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views.' The complaint argued that Capitol One's decision was 'part of a growing trend by financial institutions in the United States of America to cut off a consumer's access to banking services if their political views contradict with those of the financial institution.' Capitol One responded, requesting that the lawsuit be thrown out, and in turn arguing that the Trump Organization's complaint 'fails to provide any factual or legal support for the claims asserted, requiring dismissal on several grounds.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Byron Donalds says he supports repealing Florida's red-flag law
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a GOP candidate for Florida governor, wants to repeal the "red-flag" law. Byron Donalds says 'job one' for him if elected governor of Florida next year would be the repeal two provisions of the gun-safety package passed by the Florida Legislature following the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. However, so does Ron DeSantis, and the two measures in question — the state's 'red-flag' law and the ban on individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing a long gun — very much remain the law of the land in Florida. Donalds appeared Thursday on the Bob Rose Show in Gainesville, where he was asked if he would push for Florida to legalize the open carrying of firearms, another idea the governor has said he supports but which the Legislature has not enacted. 'I would support and push for that, but I think that the bigger thing that we need to get done is really unwinding the red flag laws in our state,' Donalds said. 'When I was in the Legislature, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas bill came through the Legislature. I was a freshman at that time and I opposed that legislation. And I opposed it because I thought that red flag laws really did take away your Fifth Amendment rights as a citizen, and I also felt that there should not be a two-tier system for adults between the ages of 18 and 21. 'I felt that was wrong then, and I still feel that way, so I would tell you that making sure that those two provisions — those constitutional rights are actually restored will probably be job one.' Formally known as risk-protection orders, the red flag law allows courts to order someone to surrender their firearms if they pose a threat to themselves or others. Former Panhandle Republican Joel Rudman filed a measure to repeal that law late last year, but he resigned to run for Congress in January, and his legislation was never picked up by any of his colleagues during this session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSantis signs law allowing child care center employees to undergo training to carry guns
Employees of child care centers would have to undergo a 144-hour training as part of the expanded school guardian program (Getty Images) Child care center employees can undergo training to carry guns at work under a law Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Wednesday. The change is part of an expansion of the school guardian program that already allows public and private school employees to act as law enforcement when an active shooter enters their campus. The Florida Legislature established the program after the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people. Currently, 53 counties participate in the program, which requires volunteer school employees to undergo a 144-hour training, according to a legislative analysis of the bill, SB 1470, which lawmakers passed unanimously. 'I think that's going to be something that people are going to like,' DeSantis said of the program expansion during a Wednesday press conference at Winter Haven Senior High. Additionally, the law revises school door locking requirements, appeasing sheriffs' concerns. The new law allows classrooms to use temporary locks, requires school safety protocol to apply for 30 minutes before and after school, and exempts door locking for career and technical education classrooms where ventilation is required. 'I think what the Legislature did is they tweaked this. They made sure that, yes, we want to be able to create blocks to keep bad guys out, but we also want it to be practical,' the governor said. 'We want to make sure people are able to do their daily tasks and get to where they need to go.' Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd previously told Florida Phoenix that the door-locking law passed in 2024 was 'clunky and difficult to understand and easy to violate it even without the intent to violate it.' DeSantis signed two other bills. HB 279 brings harsher penalties for false reporting of a crime, and HB 1099 gives police officers discretion over whether they should immediately arrest someone in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
David Hogg, Victim of Wokeness
David Hogg is a 25-year-old political activist and, for now, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. A survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Hogg first drew national attention for speaking out vigorously in favor of gun control. He has since become an all-purpose progressive campaigner. He is controversial, even among Democratic circles, because he has clashed with the party's establishment. He previously pledged to spend $20 million to primary members of his own party, though he insisted that he would only target Democrats who reside in safe districts. His thinking is that elected Democrats are too old and that the current iteration of the party fails to appeal to younger voters, particularly young males. Hogg is definitely onto something there: Donald Trump made huge inroads with Gen Z voters, in part because Democratic messaging to young men failed to resonate with them. Hogg made a version of this argument on Bill Maher's show last weekend, and the comedian was impressed enough to give Hogg a standing ovation and shake his hand. Hogg also won over centrist Democratic strategist James Carville, who had previously called him a "twerp." But Hogg has not won over everybody. On the contrary, the DNC is trying to oust him as vice chair. And the reason for that is, frankly, hilarious. Kalyn Free, a 61-year-old woman with Native American ancestry and a rival candidate, filed a complaint that Hogg's election as vice chair had violated certain DNC bylaws designed to promote gender-based equity. Essentially, she argued that the process was unfair because it was not sufficiently rigged in favor of her as a woman. For now, the DNC is buying it and has taken steps to void Hogg's election. The party may schedule a redo, which would require Hogg to rerun for the vice chair position. What's funny about all this is that it illustrates the DNC's precise problem with appealing to young male voters. Essentially, the DNC is clinging to its principles of identity politics, affirmative action, and gender-based preferencing—concepts that are toxic to most voters, including many Democratic voters—to undo the election of a younger, more rebellious political actor in favor of an older woman. I don't know whether Hogg's ideas for winning elections are better than Kalyn Free's. But I suspect that constantly overlooking and overriding younger Democrats will continue to hurt the party's appeal. Moreover, voiding the election of a young, male Democrat for an explicitly identity-based reason does not exactly suggest that the party is trying hard to shed its image as an enforcer of culturally woke orthodoxy. The DNC can't complain that voters, particularly Gen Z males, are skeptical that Democrats have their best interests in mind and actually value them as potential sources of support. Unless they make a much more strident effort to distance themselves from extremely unpopular—indeed, cringe—progressive norms like pronoun policing, identity politics, land acknowledgements, and all the rest of the woke milieu, the Dems might as well be the Ruthkanda Forever Party. I am again joined by Amber Duke to discuss Jake Tapper's book on Joe Biden, President Donald Trump's price fixing scheme, the brawl at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, and more! It's finally time for me to read something other than Agatha Christie: I settled on The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. I think I'm about halfway through, and it hasn't quite hooked me yet—but perhaps that's just because I miss Hercule Poirot so much. The post David Hogg, Victim of Wokeness appeared first on
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is David Hogg? DNC vice chair says Dems make young men feel ‘judged' and 'ostracised'
Gun control activist and DNC Vice Chairman David Hogg sparked a heated exchange with Bill Maher during a live taping of Real Time with Bill Maher, after offering a blunt critique of the Democratic Party's disconnect with young male voters. At just 24, Hogg argued that Democrats have become culturally out of touch, alienating younger men who, despite agreeing with the party's policies, feel judged and scrutinised by its tone. Also Read: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez eye 'unusual' Venetian venue for wedding of the year: Report In the episode that aired Friday on HBO, Hogg said, '"What I think happened last election is younger men—they would rather vote for somebody who they don't completely agree with, they don't feel judged by, than somebody who they do agree with, that they feel like they have to walk on eggshells around constantly because they're going to be judged or ostracized or excommunicated.' He also stated that the party must focus on restructuring its message to form a genuine connection with the youth of the country who are concerned about their everyday challenges. He continued, 'Ultimately, what we have to do here is figure out how to bring people back in and work towards the bigger goal of advancing the future of this country. Young people should be able to focus on what young people should be focused on, which is how to get laid and how to go and have fun. Instead of how are they going to pay their rent, for example, or how are they working their two jobs.' Also Read: Alex Jones claims couple died of Fentanyl overdose at SoFi Stadium, shares video Born as David Miles Hogg on April 12, 2000, to Kevin Hogg and Rebecca Boldrick. He completed his schooling at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2019. He earned his graduation degree from the Harvard University in 2023. Despite graduating high school with a 4.2 GPA, David Hogg's SAT score of 1270 surprised many, especially since he was rejected by several top schools, including UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, and UC Irvine. Born in Los Angeles, California, Hogg's rise to prominence came after a life-changing moment in February 2018, when he and his classmates were forced to hide in a closet during the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire. His net worth is estimated to be roughly $2 million, as reported by Distractify.
