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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Powerful anti-abortion lawyer, Trump supporter among Braun's IU trustee appointments
Gov. Mike Braun's new appointees to Indiana University's board of trustees include a prominent conservative attorney who's argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and a sports anchor who's openly stumped in support of Donald Trump, stoking fears that the changes to the board's composition are politically motivated. Braun removed all three alumni-elected trustees from the board on May 31 after a controversial provision in the state budget bill granted him the power to appoint all nine of the board's members. On June 2, Braun's office announced that James Bopp Jr., Sage Steele and Brian Eagle would be replacing the three trustees, serving three and two-year terms, respectively. He also reappointed current board chair Quinn Buckner for another year. James Bopp is a prominent conservative attorney who's brought cases before the U.S. and state supreme courts. In 2013, the National Law Journal listed Bopp as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America. Bopp was the attorney in the landmark McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission (FEC) case that eliminated caps on individual campaign contributions. He drafted the initial complaint for Citizens United vs. FEC, the landmark Supreme Court case that paved the way for the creation of super PACs. Bopp has served as general counsel for the anti-abortion group National Right to Life since 1978 and is the attorney for election integrity group True the Vote, which has repeatedly pushed claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen despite admitting before a judge that they had no evidence. He also co-founded Hoosiers for Opportunity, Prosperity & Enterprise (HOPE), a conservative policy making organization that heavily influenced Braun's policy positions. Local news when it happens Access Bloomington news anywhere with the Herald-Times app Between 1992 and 2025, Bopp has contributed over $43,000 to Republican candidates on the state and federal level, according to FEC data. Sage Steele is a sports anchor and media personality who was suspended from her job at ESPN after making controversial comments about vaccine mandates and Barack Obama's race during a podcast appearance. During her appearance on Uncut with Jay Cutler, Steele called vaccine mandates 'sick' and questioned why Obama identified as Black despite being raised by a white mother. She later sued ESPN for violating her First Amendment rights and settled with her former employer for around $500,000. Steele has become more outspoken in her conservative politics in recent years, joining Lara Trump and Tulsi Gabbard for a 'Women for Trump' tour on the campaign trail last October. The board has never been entirely apolitical; former trustee and Indiana Pacers president James T. Morris served on the staff of Republican Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar before his time on the board, and former member Bruce Cole was chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities under George W. Bush before he was a trustee. Still, Braun's decision to select two outspoken conservative personalities has only added to criticism of what some IU faculty have described as a political 'takeover'of the board. The budget provision eliminating alumni-elected trustees, which Braun previously said he didn't recommend but supported, is currently the subject of an ACLU lawsuit. During a media appearance on June 3, Braun defended his decision to select Bopp, touting his reputation as a First Amendment lawyer. Bopp has argued several First Amendment cases before the Supreme Court, mostly about campaign finance contributions. 'He's making it clear that it ought to be a place where all views are listened to, and you don't try to squelch anything based upon what your point of view might be, and make sure it's all within the decorum of law and the Constitution,' Braun said. 'I think he is emblematic that the first amendment makes sense, and he's a guy that's been for it through thick and thin.' Brian Rosenzweig at brian@ Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Gov Braun IU trustee appointments James Bopp Sage Steele prominent conservatives
Fox News
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Michigan Dem who refused to back Harris due to Israel support now blasting Trump Gaza proposal
A Michigan Democratic congresswoman who refused to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential run due to the Biden-Harris administration's stand on Israel is now lashing out against the Republican who defeated her, citing his proposal on ending the Gaza conflict. Rep. Rashida Tlaib blasted President Donald Trump for his comments on the war in Gaza and urged her allies to ramp up a push for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. "This president can only spew this fanatical bulls--- because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing," Tlaib said on Twitter Tuesday. "It's time for my two-state solution colleagues to speak." Tlaib's comments came after Trump proposed a U.S. takeover of war-torn Gaza following the war, saying that Palestinians could be resettled to other countries. But Tlaib's calls for other lawmakers to "speak up" comes after she declined to take a stance on last year's presidential election. Tlaib's decision not to endorse a candidate in the presidential race came during a time of severe backlash against the Biden administration's policies in Gaza by many constituents in her district, with some Muslim leaders going so far as to endorse Trump despite their traditional support for Democratic candidates. One such leader, Bishara Bahbah, chaired a group known as Arab Americans for Trump. But Bahbah announced on Wednesday that he was changing the name of the group, according to a report from the Associated Press, citing Trump's comments on Gaza. "The talk about what the president wants to do with Gaza, obviously we're completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in historic Palestine," he said in a statement announcing the group's name would be changed to Arab Americans for Peace. "And so we did not want to be behind the curve in terms of pushing for peace, because that has been our objective from the very beginning." But the sudden outcry in reaction to Trump's comments wasn't well received by all Democrats, with Democratic strategist Julian Epstein telling Fox News Digital that Trump's proposal was a lot more positive than anything Tlaib appears to be offering as a solution. "Whether you agree or disagree with Trump's proposal, at least he is proposing something that could lead to a bright future for Gaza," Epstein said. "Tlaib, on the other hand, has advocated for policies that would keep the neo-Nazi, terrorist, race-hating Hamas in power while mimicking their rhetoric rom 'river to sea,' for which she was sanctioned by the House, including with Democratic support."
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arab American, Muslim leaders decry Trump comments on Gaza
By Nathan Layne and Andrea Shalal (Reuters) - U.S. Arab American and Muslim leaders, including some who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, criticized the president's proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza and resettle Palestinians as unacceptable and antithetical to the push for lasting peace. The leaders largely dismissed Trump's comments as unrealistic bluster, however, and said he was unlikely to pay a big political price in the community. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "We believe that his ideas, as well intentioned as they might be, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way," Bishara Bahbah, who founded Arab Americans for Trump and helped rally support for him in Michigan and other battleground states, told Reuters. "We're opposed to any transfer of Palestinians, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, out of their homeland." Bahbah said he still supports Trump, seeing him as the best option to avoid conflict in Gaza. He said his organization changed its name to Arab Americans for Peace two days ago, reflecting its shift in focus following Trump's election. Trump outlined the idea for the U.S. to "take over" Gaza during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. Trump also floated a proposal to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries and redevelop the battered territory into a "Riviera of the Middle East." Arab American and Muslim support for Trump likely factored into his wins across several swing states, according to strategists, with the largest impact felt in Michigan, home to the country's biggest population of Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians. Many in the community voted against then-Vice President Kamala Harris to protest the Biden administration's support of Israel in its assault on Gaza in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 attacks. Some also credit Trump with orchestrating a ceasefire, even though it happened before he entered the White House. Rabiul Chowdhury, co-founder of Muslims for Trump, said that while he was frustrated that no viable long-term solution for peace and rebuilding was being discussed for Gaza, he does not regret backing Trump. "Conflating Trump's rhetoric with the actions of Biden and Harris is not only disingenuous but outright dishonest," he said, criticizing the Biden administration's supply of weapons and other support for Israel while it bombed Gaza. "If we were to equate Trump's actions with those of Biden and Harris, the contrast would be undeniable — Trump is the better option." Former President Joe Biden's administration stood firmly by Israel during its assault on Gaza despite repeatedly pushing Israel to do more to curb civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Biden also hailed a ceasefire deal that went into effect last month as largely mirroring the framework of a proposal he made last year. Osama Siblani, publisher of Arab American News based in Dearborn, Michigan, said he didn't think many people in the community would regret their decision to either back Trump or withhold a vote for Harris due to her support of Israel. But Siblani, a spokesperson for the Arab American Political Action Committee, which endorsed neither candidate in the 2024 election, likened Trump's rhetoric to that of a "crazy man" and said they would not advance the cause of peace. "Instead of helping people to recover, he's trying to take advantage of their of their misery," he told Reuters. "I can't believe that a president of the United States is making such a suggestion." Yahya Basha, a doctor and founder of Muslims for American Progress, said he was not surprised by Trump's comments, given earlier statements by his son-in-law Jared Kushner about Gaza being a good site for a future resort, but remained skeptical that the U.S. would execute those plans. "I don't regret anything I did to get Trump elected and I hope we see positive signs in the future," said Basha, an early advocate for Trump in Michigan. Instead, he said he believed Trump's comments were often provocative rather than the basis of policy, citing his comments on wanting to buy Greenland or make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. (reporting by Nathan Layne, Andrea Shalal, Jonathan Allen and Andrew Hay; Editing by Frank McGurty and Deepa Babington)
Reuters
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Arab American, Muslim leaders decry Trump comments on Gaza
Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Arab American and Muslim leaders, including some who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, criticized the president's proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza and resettle Palestinians as unacceptable and antithetical to the push for lasting peace. The leaders largely dismissed Trump's comments as unrealistic bluster, however, and said he was unlikely to pay a big political price in the community. "We believe that his ideas, as well intentioned as they might be, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way," Bishara Bahbah, who founded Arab Americans for Trump and helped rally support for him in Michigan and other battleground states, told Reuters. "We're opposed to any transfer of Palestinians, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, out of their homeland." Bahbah said he still supports Trump, seeing him as the best option to avoid conflict in Gaza. He said his organization changed its name to Arab Americans for Peace two days ago, reflecting its shift in focus following Trump's election. Trump outlined the idea for the U.S. to "take over" Gaza during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. Trump also floated a proposal to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries and redevelop the battered territory into a "Riviera of the Middle East." Arab American and Muslim support for Trump likely factored into his wins across several swing states, according to strategists, with the largest impact felt in Michigan, home to the country's biggest population of Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians. Many in the community voted against then-Vice President Kamala Harris to protest the Biden administration's support of Israel in its assault on Gaza in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 attacks. Some also credit Trump with orchestrating a ceasefire, even though it happened before he entered the White House. Rabiul Chowdhury, co-founder of Muslims for Trump, said that while he was frustrated that no viable long-term solution for peace and rebuilding was being discussed for Gaza, he does not regret backing Trump. "Conflating Trump's rhetoric with the actions of Biden and Harris is not only disingenuous but outright dishonest," he said, criticizing the Biden administration's supply of weapons and other support for Israel while it bombed Gaza. "If we were to equate Trump's actions with those of Biden and Harris, the contrast would be undeniable — Trump is the better option." Former President Joe Biden's administration stood firmly by Israel during its assault on Gaza despite repeatedly pushing Israel to do more to curb civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Biden also hailed a ceasefire deal that went into effect last month as largely mirroring the framework of a proposal he made last year. Osama Siblani, publisher of Arab American News based in Dearborn, Michigan, said he didn't think many people in the community would regret their decision to either back Trump or withhold a vote for Harris due to her support of Israel. But Siblani, a spokesperson for the Arab American Political Action Committee, which endorsed neither candidate in the 2024 election, likened Trump's rhetoric to that of a "crazy man" and said they would not advance the cause of peace. "Instead of helping people to recover, he's trying to take advantage of their of their misery," he told Reuters. "I can't believe that a president of the United States is making such a suggestion." Yahya Basha, a doctor and founder of Muslims for American Progress, said he was not surprised by Trump's comments, given earlier statements by his son-in-law Jared Kushner about Gaza being a good site for a future resort, but remained skeptical that the U.S. would execute those plans. "I don't regret anything I did to get Trump elected and I hope we see positive signs in the future," said Basha, an early advocate for Trump in Michigan. Instead, he said he believed Trump's comments were often provocative rather than the basis of policy, citing his comments on wanting to buy Greenland or make Canada the 51st state of the U.S.
Boston Globe
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president's Gaza ‘Riviera' comments
'The talk about what the president wants to do with Gaza, obviously we're completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in Historic Palestine,' Bahbah said. 'And so we did not want to be behind the curve in terms of pushing for peace, because that has been our objective from the very beginning.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Arab Americans for Trump helped lead voter outreach efforts for Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election in swing states such as Michigan and Arizona. Advertisement The group, independent from the Trump campaign, frequently facilitated meetings between Arab American community leaders and Trump's allies, including Richard Grenell, now serving as Trump's envoy for special missions, and Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany and now a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. In the 2024 election, Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Dearborn, Michigan — home to the nation's largest concentration of Arab Americans — since 2000 on his way to winning the state. Trump visited Dearborn on Nov. 1. Bahbah said the group had been thinking about changing its name for 'a while' and ultimately made the decision Tuesday. But Bahbah had said during a phone interview just prior to Trump's Tuesday night press conference with Netanyahu that the group's name was Arab Americans for Trump. In a press release issued Wednesday by Arab Americans for Peace, the group said its members 'appreciate the president's offer to clean and rebuild Gaza' but 'take issue with the president's suggestion of taking over Gaza and removing its Palestinian inhabitants.' Advertisement
