Latest news with #ShriThanedar
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Progressive knives come out for Democrat behind Trump impeachment push
Progressive knives are out for Rep. Shri Thanedar (D), a Michigan lawmaker who has emerged as something of a lightning rod within his party as he braces for a potentially tough reelection fight. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) last week became the first House Democrat this cycle to back a primary challenger to an incumbent when she threw her support behind Thanedar's progressive rival, arguing Thanedar has failed his constituents. Meanwhile, the second-term lawmaker has drawn criticism from moderates after his push to impeach President Trump, which received no oxygen from Democratic leadership. The developments signal a potentially explosive primary that could be one of the highest-profile intraparty clashes in next year's midterms. 'The question is can there be a clear alternative vs. a multiprimary field,' said former Michigan Rep. Mark Schauer (D), arguing that a more crowded field to split the anti-Thanedar vote may benefit him. Thanedar has undergone a political evolution during his relatively short amount of time serving in public office. After building a career as a businessman, he first entered politics when he ran for governor of Michigan in 2018, coming in third place with 18 percent of the vote but performing more strongly in the Detroit area. He was elected to the Michigan state House in 2020 and won an open seat representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House two years later. He had sought to establish his reputation as a progressive, having run for governor on issues like advocating for a $15 minimum wage and single-payer health care. But critics have raised questions about Thanedar's progressive credentials for years. During his gubernatorial run, they pointed to issues like his donation to the late Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign and allegations that he considered running as a Republican in 2018. Thanedar denied that he considered running as a Republican and said at the time that he only made the donation to attend an event and ask McCain a question. He's also faced criticism throughout his political career over the millions of dollars that he has lent his campaigns, leaning on his significant wealth to boost his candidacy. He became even more of a target after he renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America in October 2023 over the group's promotion of a rally in New York City that Thanedar said was antisemitic. The rally was held just a day after Hamas's deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 and saw hundreds taken as hostages. Thanedar maintained that his ideals hadn't changed at all and he still supported issues like universal health care, labor unions, environmental justice and equity for communities of color. He faced a progressive challenge last year from Detroit City Council member Mary Waters but won his primary by 20 points. But the effort to oust him this time has gotten a fresh boost thanks to Tlaib, who has thrown her support behind state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D). Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, who planned to run last year but didn't receive enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot, is also running. McKinney has sought to portray Thanedar as an out-of-touch multimillionaire, arguing in his campaign launch video that he has more in common with President Trump and Elon Musk than his constituents. McKinney told The Hill in a statement that he feels he can win the race despite last year's challenge failing because of the 'incredibly broad spectrum of support' he has rallied. He noted that Tlaib is the only other member of Congress representing Detroit, and she supports him because she needs a 'real partner in Washington to deliver for our communities at home.' He said he truly understands the issues facing constituents because he's experienced them himself, noting that he represents the poorest state House district in Michigan and had a single mother who worked multiple jobs. He also said he understands the impacts of environmental pollution as he has to regularly check his children's lead levels to ensure the water isn't poisoning them. 'From Detroit to Downriver and beyond, we've been left behind and forgotten by Washington for far too long,' McKinney said. 'And that's because you can't fight for our communities if you're an out-of-touch millionaire bought by corporate super PACs and billionaire-funded lobbies.' A spokesperson for Thanedar's campaign argued that the congressman remains 'highly popular' in the district, enjoying widespread grassroots support. 'While some in the establishment may support one of his opponents, voters resonate more with the Congressman because they know his story of struggle, overcoming poverty, and achieving his American Dream,' they said. 'Voters know that Congressman Thanedar is fighting for them every day in Congress, for things like education, workforce development, healthcare, housing, so they can achieve their American Dream.' Thanedar has often pointed to his own story of growing up poor, immigrating to the U.S. from India and becoming a successful businessman. The spokesperson said the primary, still 15 months away, is not at the top of anyone's mind and noted Thanedar hasn't lost an election in Detroit previously. 'The media making this about the primary, instead of focusing on the substance of Trump's crimes, is giving Trump a pass,' they said. Thanedar dropped his effort to force votes on impeaching Trump, at least temporarily, last week after his proposal received no support from other Democrats, particularly as it had almost no chance of succeeding in the GOP-controlled House. Democratic strategist Len Foxwell said the effort is a distraction from a focus on the economy as polls show voters dissatisfied with Trump's handling of it, and any time spent not discussing the economy is a 'missed opportunity.' Thanedar, who has argued that pushing for impeachment is the right thing to do, said his constituents are 'fully supportive' of his efforts. Strategists said the effort could be helpful for boosting support among the Democratic base, but Thanedar still could face his biggest challenge yet in his career. 'I think he's tremendously vulnerable with candidates that put together a strong race that is focused on the community,' said strategist Andrew Feldman, who's worked in Michigan. As a Democrat wanting change in Washington, Schauer said he would prefer the focus to be on competitive seats that Democrats could pick up next year, but the primary race still matters, particularly to the constituents of the 13th District. 'Every seat in Congress is important,' he said. 'We need Democrats that are going to be effective in office. So it's important, for sure.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Progressive knives come out for Democrat behind Trump impeachment push
Progressive knives are out for Rep. Shri Thanedar (D), a Michigan lawmaker who has emerged as something of a lightning rod within his party as he braces for a potentially tough reelection fight. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) last week became the first House Democrat this cycle to back a primary challenger to an incumbent when she threw her support behind Thanedar's progressive rival, arguing Thanedar has failed his constituents. Meanwhile, the second-term lawmaker has drawn criticism from moderates after his push to impeach President Trump, which received no oxygen from Democratic leadership. The developments signal a potentially explosive primary that could be one of the highest-profile intraparty clashes in next year's midterms. 'The question is can there be a clear alternative vs. a multiprimary field,' said former Michigan Rep. Mark Schauer (D), arguing that a more crowded field to split the anti-Thanedar vote may benefit him. Thanedar has undergone a political evolution during his relatively short amount of time serving in public office. After building a career as a businessman, he first entered politics when he ran for governor of Michigan in 2018, coming in third place with 18 percent of the vote but performing more strongly in the Detroit area. He was elected to the Michigan state House in 2020 and won an open seat representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House two years later. He had sought to establish his reputation as a progressive, having run for governor on issues like advocating for a $15 minimum wage and single-payer health care. But critics have raised questions about Thanedar's progressive credentials for years. During his gubernatorial run, they pointed to issues like his donation to the late Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign and allegations that he considered running as a Republican in 2018. Thanedar denied that he considered running as a Republican and said at the time that he only made the donation to attend an event and ask McCain a question. He's also faced criticism throughout his political career over the millions of dollars that he has lent his campaigns, leaning on his significant wealth to boost his candidacy. He became even more of a target after he renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America in October 2023 over the group's promotion of a rally in New York City that Thanedar said was antisemitic. The rally was held just a day after Hamas's deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 and saw hundreds taken as hostages. Thanedar maintained that his ideals hadn't changed at all and he still supported issues like universal health care, labor unions, environmental justice and equity for communities of color. He faced a progressive challenge last year from Detroit City Council member Mary Waters but won his primary by 20 points. But the effort to oust him this time has gotten a fresh boost thanks to Tlaib, who has thrown her support behind state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D). Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, who planned to run last year but didn't receive enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot, is also running. McKinney has sought to portray Thanedar as an out-of-touch multimillionaire, arguing in his campaign launch video that he has more in common with President Trump and Elon Musk than his constituents. McKinney told The Hill in a statement that he feels he can win the race despite last year's challenge failing because of the 'incredibly broad spectrum of support' he has rallied. He noted that Tlaib is the only other member of Congress representing Detroit, and she supports him because she needs a 'real partner in Washington to deliver for our communities at home.' He said he truly understands the issues facing constituents because he's experienced them himself, noting that he represents the poorest state House district in Michigan and had a single mother who worked multiple jobs. He also said he understands the impacts of environmental pollution as he has to regularly check his children's lead levels to ensure the water isn't poisoning them. 'From Detroit to Downriver and beyond, we've been left behind and forgotten by Washington for far too long,' McKinney said. 'And that's because you can't fight for our communities if you're an out-of-touch millionaire bought by corporate super PACs and billionaire-funded lobbies.' A spokesperson for Thanedar's campaign argued that the congressman remains 'highly popular' in the district, enjoying widespread grassroots support. 'While some in the establishment may support one of his opponents, voters resonate more with the Congressman because they know his story of struggle, overcoming poverty, and achieving his American Dream,' they said. 'Voters know that Congressman Thanedar is fighting for them every day in Congress, for things like education, workforce development, healthcare, housing, so they can achieve their American Dream.' Thanedar has often pointed to his own story of growing up poor, immigrating to the U.S. from India and becoming a successful businessman. The spokesperson said the primary, still 15 months away, is not at the top of anyone's mind and noted Thanedar hasn't lost an election in Detroit previously. 'The media making this about the primary, instead of focusing on the substance of Trump's crimes, is giving Trump a pass,' they said. Thanedar dropped his effort to force votes on impeaching Trump, at least temporarily, last week after his proposal received no support from other Democrats, particularly as it had almost no chance of succeeding in the GOP-controlled House. Democratic strategist Len Foxwell said the effort is a distraction from a focus on the economy as polls show voters dissatisfied with Trump's handling of it, and any time spent not discussing the economy is a 'missed opportunity.' Thanedar, who has argued that pushing for impeachment is the right thing to do, said his constituents are 'fully supportive' of his efforts. Strategists said the effort could be helpful for boosting support among the Democratic base, but Thanedar still could face his biggest challenge yet in his career. 'I think he's tremendously vulnerable with candidates that put together a strong race that is focused on the community,' said strategist Andrew Feldman, who's worked in Michigan. As a Democrat wanting change in Washington, Schauer said he would prefer the focus to be on competitive seats that Democrats could pick up next year, but the primary race still matters, particularly to the constituents of the 13th District. 'Every seat in Congress is important,' he said. 'We need Democrats that are going to be effective in office. So it's important, for sure.'
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Does India have a right to selfe-defence against cross-border terrorism?
A navy miniature is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration. Although China has not engaged in any major war in the past 40 years, Beijing has astutely capitalised on the Military Industrial Complex. Image: Dado Ruvic/Reuters ON May 7, US Congressman Shri Thanedar supported India's right to defend itself against terrorist attacks allegedly by Pakistan-backed militant groups targeting Hindu communities. This highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, tied to historical issues and current security concerns. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China is the largest supplier of military weapons to Pakistan, having supplied over 81% of Pakistan's arms imports in the past five years, which accounts for more than 63% of China's total arms exports. A litany of Chinese media houses views the sales of armaments to Pakistan as a huge push by China to improve self-reliance in its defence industry. Although China has not engaged in any major war in the past 40 years, Beijing has astutely capitalised on the Military Industrial Complex. As confirmed by Arab News Japan, citing that China's defence shares and arms exports to Pakistan have soared precisely as civilian casualties mount in the India/Pakistan cross-border conflict. The report outlines how China emerged as the 'real winner' in the recent India-Pakistan conflict after AVIC Chengdu Aircraft shares Pakistan brought from China rose 40% this week, while AVIC Aerospace shares increased by 6% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The report also elucidates in an interview with Nikkei Asia how China's military technology is being tested in 'actual conflict scenarios'. This testing is enhancing the credibility of Chinese equipment, improving China's psychological and strategic position, and demonstrating that its military equipment can compete with Western standards. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As reported by Arab News in Islamabad: 'The market capitalisation of China's premier jet manufacturer, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, surged by more than $7.6 billion following the recent India-Pakistan conflict last week.' The People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is the military of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Republic of China (PRC), military-industrial complex now profits from: $5 billion annual arms trade to Pakistan (SIPRI 2024) 81% of Pakistan's weapons imports being Chinese-origin Joint development of fighter jets (JF-17) deployed in Kashmir operations This commercial militarisation of colonial wounds has transformed the Indo-Pacific plain, once a unified civilizational zone, into a perpetual theatre of conflict where external powers extract strategic and economic value from brotherly strife. This exploitation of Colonial legacies between India and Pakistan by China and the Chinese Military Industrial Complex is no different to the United States is very disturbing. This arms trade as political and economic leverage and the weakening of diplomatic solutions are nothing but proxy wars, which are damaging to emerging nations such as India and Pakistan, with multiple implications to the Global South. India, with a population six times larger than Pakistan's and the world's second-largest military, holds conventional superiority but also exposes unresolved territorial disputes, which are weaponised by the largest superpowers. The ongoing India/Pakistan situation also serves as a critical case study in postcolonial state formation. The conflict involves not just territorial disputes but also issues of identity, sovereignty, and historical memory. While some groups may present the struggle in religious terms, the underlying tensions relate to the borders and policies established during British rule. As proponents of decolonial discourse, it is essential to examine how imperial legacies influence current conflicts. Of course, International law recognises the right of nations to self-defence; however, addressing historical injustices that contribute to such conflicts remains a critical task. India, similar to many postcolonial states, contends with the impact of a colonial history that prioritised administrative efficiency over organic nation-building. The world-renowned African literary giant, Wole Soyinka, in his fascinating clash with the late Professor Ali Mazrui on 'imperialism' teaches us that all forms of imperialism (Arab or European) must be contested and not whitewashed. The overlooked history of India includes the creation of two nation-states by Britain, which ultimately resulted in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The establishment of Pakistan in 1947 and the creation of Israel in 1948 were instances of British colonial boundary-making that transformed religious demographics into political territories. While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict receives considerable historical scrutiny, fewer recognise the similar historical process that divided the Indian subcontinent. This observation is intended to highlight how colonial-era decisions continue to influence modern geopolitical conflicts in both regions. Historically, the Indian subcontinent maintained a Hindu-Buddhist civilizational core for millennia prior to Arab incursions into Sindh in the 8th century. This period of transformation mirrored similar Arabic expansions into North Africa, leading to significant migration of Arabs to the African continent, where they now preside over countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The 1947 partition orchestrated by the Muslim League in India marked a significant disruption of the region's historical continuum. Comparable to the establishment of Israel in the same year, the British agreed to the demand for separate Muslim-majority states, leading to the creation of Pakistan (which initially included East Bengal) and subsequently Bangladesh in 1971. This division formalised previously fluid cultural boundaries, transforming shared civilizational spaces into contested religious territories almost overnight with the introduction of the Radcliffe Line. The partition resulted in the displacement of 15 million people and caused up to 1 million deaths due to sectarian violence, consequences that continue to affect the region today. India's right to self-defence against terrorism is well-established under international norms. However, achieving long-term stability requires addressing historical context. It is unfortunate that, while India and Pakistan grapple with their shared history, external powers exploit these divisions for strategic and economic advantages, aiming to dominate the Indo-Pacific Region. True decolonial justice necessitates acknowledging and confronting such exploitative interventions, whether they originate from Western or Eastern blocs. Enduring peace is achievable not merely through military deterrence but also by addressing the colonial-era decisions that disrupted shared histories and identities, whilst taking into context the nationhood of these new states, no matter their origins. Viewing South Asia's challenges through this perspective allows for progress beyond recurring violence towards true reconciliation. * Phapano Phasha is the chairperson of the Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought, whose focus is on the Global South and BRICS Plus countries. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Annoying Dem lawmaker who wants to impeach Trump makes hugely embarrassing gaffe on camera
A Michigan Democrat leading a rogue attempt to impeach Donald Trump struggled to name even basic details of his own district in an excruciating interview. Congressman Shri Thanedar was confronted by independent journalist Charlie LeDuff over the weekend as he asked the Democrat a simple question about his district in the Detroit suburbs. 'What are the five Grosse Pointe cities?' LeDuff asked the lawmaker. The Grosse Pointe cities make up much of Thanedar's 13th Congressional District, but the congressman appeared stumped when asked to simply name them. 'Well, look,' he responded with a stalling laugh. 'I'm, uh, I'm not here to answer a quiz.' 'I'm here to say that I'm going to fight for the people of Detroit,' he went on, repeatedly saying he would 'fight' for his voters without being able to name the cities where they live. After he said again he was 'going to fight for my constituents', LeDuff began listing off the Grosse Pointe cities, leading Thanedar to incorporate them into his answer. LeDuff appeared bemused that the lawmaker clearly didn't know the names of the cities, as he interrupted to say: 'Let me just do this real quick - Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Shores.' After Thanedar failed to name the cities in his own district, LeDuff also brought up a controversy from the lawmaker's past as a pharmaceutical executive. Thanedar has been accused of abandoning over 100 dogs to starve after his company cruelly tested pharmaceuticals on them. The Detroit congressman was behind a testing lab that shut down in 2010. The lab - AniClin Preclinical Services - was closed after its parent company, Azopharma, owned by the Democrat, went bankrupt. Months after the New Jersey lab closed, local animal rights activists alerted authorities to 118 beagles that had been left behind locked in the facility. LeDuff told Thanedar he was 'getting nailed with this one' as the controversy made headlines following the Democrat's attempts to impeach Trump. 'The beagles - you abandoned the beagles and left them to die in their cages at your pharmaceutical testing,' the journalist said. Thanedar appeared lost for an answer as he smiled and responded: 'Ah, I love animals.' Congressman Shri Thanedar impeaches Donald J. Trump. But first, he impeaches himself. Watch. — Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) May 14, 2025 Thanedar has been accused of abandoning over 100 dogs to starve after his company cruelly tested pharmaceuticals on them, seen in footage of the canines being rescued 'My family loves animals, we have raised a beagle,' he said. 'Those are all, uh, you know, political attacks on me... uh, I love animals.' When pressed for an 'explanation' to the beagle controversy, Thanedar could not offer one, but claimed the Humane Society had given him 'two awards as the best legislator in protecting animal rights.' LeDuff showed images of the beagles being saved from Thanedar's lab and sarcastically agreed with Thanedar that it is not a big deal 'because those beagles were going to die anyway.' The lawmaker responded again with his rehearsed line: 'Look, I love animals... thank you.' Thanedar quickly left the interview as LeDuff asked him why other congressmembers had withdrawn support for his impeachment efforts. It comes as even Thanedar's liberal colleagues have come out to condemn his impeachment acts as a 'waste of f***ing time.' The Democrat proposed seven articles of impeachment against the 78-year-old president, including bribery, abuse of power, obstruction of justice and more. 'This is the dumbest f***ing thing. Utterly selfish behavior,' one anonymous Democrat told Axios of Thanedar's impeachment push. 'What a dumbs***,' said another. Party members indicated that focusing on impeachment is unproductive as they attempt to resist Republicans' maneuvering on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Veteran Democrats reportedly ripped the impeachment plan to shreds in a closed door hearing on Wednesday, the same day the Michigan lawmaker was supposed to force further action on the impeachment, Axios reports. They fumed with frustration over Thanedar's 'idiotic' and 'horrible' solo attempt to remove the president.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Democrat leading Trump impeachment faces colleague backlash
A Democrat lawmaker's rogue attempt to impeach Donald Trump has fallen flat on its face, and now the liberal's colleagues are annoyed at the 'waste of [expletive] time.' Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich. (Pictured), launched an unlikely bid to impeach the president weeks ago and just introduced the articles on the House floor on Tuesday. The Democrat proposed seven articles of impeachment against the 78-year-old president, including bribery, abuse of power, obstruction of justice and more. His triggering the articles instantly provoked a headache for his fellow colleagues who were overwhelmingly unsupportive of the effort. 'This is the dumbest [expletive] thing. Utterly selfish behavior,' one anonymous Democrat told Axios of Thanedar's impeachment push. 'What a dumb[expletive],' said another. Party members indicated that focusing on impeachment is unproductive as they attempt to resist Republicans' maneuvering on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Veteran Democrats reportedly ripped the impeachment plan to shreds in a closed door hearing on Wednesday, the same day the Michigan lawmaker was supposed to force further action on the impeachment, Axios reports. They fumed with frustration over Thanedar's 'idiotic' and 'horrible' solo attempt to remove the president. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and former Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., reportedly tore into the plan in the meeting. After discussing the matter with his colleagues the Democrat released a statement indicating he would hold off on the effort - for now. 'After talking with many colleagues, I have decided not to force a vote on impeachment today.' 'Instead, I will add to my articles of impeachment and continue to rally the support of both Democrats and Republicans to defend the Constitution with me.' At a press conference regarding his effort to remove Trump, Thanedar admitted he knows his fellow Democrats are at odds with his plan. 'Some Democrats have called me lunatic,' the congressman said. 'Just like the president has called me lunatic.' Thanedar, who has a background in pharmaceuticals, also found himself in hot water earlier this year when a report surfaced alleging he abandoned over 100 dogs to starve at one of his research facilities. The story, along with the impeachment, are hurting the Democrat's career, one staffer warned. 'Shri is killing his career so brutally you'd think it was one of his lab animals,' a Democratic aide joked to the Daily Mail. Thanedar's articles are not the only ones Democrats are planning, however. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, has also said that he is working on articles of impeachment against the president, though he has not stated when he would release them. Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.
