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    Report: Judge Orders Trump Administration To Return Man Deported To El Salvador Prison

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to immediately make arrangements for the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison. 

    Fox News reports that U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said that Kilmar Abrego Garcia had been illegally deported to El Salvador and said he must be returned by Monday before midnight.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    NYC Mayor Ditches Democrats – Announces Re-election Bid As An Independent

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    via Wikimedia Commons

    Shaking things up…

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his re-election campaign but with a big caveat: he’s running as an Independent.

    Adams told Politico on Monday that he wants to “mount a real independent campaign,” saying that the federal bribery charges, which have been dismissed, “handcuffed him.” The New York City Mayor said he’d be “uninhibited” while campaigning.

    “I’m in the race to the end. I’m not running on the Democratic line. It’s just not realistic to turn around my numbers and to run a good campaign (from) where we are right now,” Adams said. “It hurts like hell.”

    Adams faces an uphill battle in his re-election campaign. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on March 1 that he’d be running for New York City mayor.

    U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho on Wednesday dismissed federal charges against Adams, which alleged he used his position to receive luxury travel and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish foreign nationals.

    Adams has maintained his innocence and argued that the case was politically motivated by his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policy. 

    A Quinnipac University survey that was conducted just before and just after Cuomo announced his run for mayor found the former governor enjoying 31% support among New York City Democrats, while Adams garnered 11%.

    During the interview, the incumbent New York City Mayor slammed Cuomo for signing bail reform measures into law which he says led to a rise in crime during the coronavirus era.

    “Look at bail reform — that’s Andrew,” Adams said. “He can’t say, ‘I’m going to save the city from the far left’ when he surrendered to the far left.”

    Adams told the outlet that he would submit the required 3,750 signatures on May 27, which would put him on the ballot for November’s election.

    “Now I need this runway until November to redefine and remind people: This is why you elected me in the first place,” Adams said.

    NYC Mayor Eric Adams Indictment Dismissed

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    via Wikimedia Commons

    On Wednesday, a federal judge dismissed federal corruption charges against New York City mayor Eric Adams, underscoring the prosecutorial power of the Trump administration.

    In his ruling, the judge, Dale E. Ho of federal court in Manhattan, refused to allow the government to keep open the option of reinstating the charges, as the Justice Department had sought.

    The New York Times reports:

    The decision abruptly ended the long-running case weeks before it had been set for trial. It was also the culmination of a bitter clash between the prosecutors who indicted Mr. Adams and the officials at Mr. Trump’s Justice Department who killed the case.

    The fight, in which Manhattan prosecutors and Justice Department officials accused each other of ethical misconduct, left Mr. Adams deeply damaged as he faces a steep uphill climb for re-election this year.

    The Justice Department had moved to dismiss the charges against the mayor after the prosecutors who had brought the indictment refused to do so. One of the department’s highest-ranking officials offered a highly unusual justification, arguing that the case was compromising Mr. Adams’s ability to help enforce the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Winner Projected In Wisconsin Supreme Court Race In Blow To Trump

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    0

    The high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race shaped up to be competitive as predicted, with control of the court—and potentially the future of election law, redistricting and abortion access in the battleground state—hanging in the balance.

    However, the end result saw Susan Crawford, a liberal-leaning Dane County Circuit Court Judge, defeat Brad Schimel, a conservative Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, preserving the court’s 4-3 liberal majority until at least 2028.

    As The Hill reports, Tuesday night’s outcome comes as a blow to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk:

    The election offered the first big test for both parties since the November elections and came after record-breaking amounts of money poured into the race. In particular, the race was seen as a test of Musk’s political sway, as his super PAC, America PAC, alone spent more than $12 million to support Schimel. He also traveled to Wisconsin the Sunday before the election, where he handed out $1 million checks to voters who had signed his petition against “activist judges.”

    Musk’s involvement sparked controversy, with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul unsuccessfully suing to block his actions as potential vote-buying.

    Musk’s unpopularity may have played a role in the election, though it’s not the sole factor in Crawford’s victory. Economic uncertainty, a declining stock market and sweeping cuts to government programs with little congressional oversight seems to have motivated Democrats and independents.

    Trump also waded into the race, repeatedly urging voters to go to the polls and support Schimel.

    The race will also be a bitter disappointment for Wisconsin Republicans, who lost a chance to keep their conservative majority after Justice Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative candidate Dan Kelly in 2023.

    This year’s race, which shattered the 2023 race’s fundraising records by tens of millions of dollars, received outsized national attention not just because it determined the partisan tilt of the court, but also because it comes less than three months into Trump’s second term as president, making it the first critical referendum on the president.

    Turnout was significant in key battleground counties, with Schimel performing worse than Trump in urban, suburban and rural areas.

    According to projections from Decision Desk HQ, Crawford is expected to receive 54.5% of the vote, while Schimel is projected at 45.6%, giving Crawford a decisive 8.9-point margin of victory.

    For context, Trump won Wisconsin in the 2024 presidential election by approximately 0.9%.

    With national implications in a perennial swing state that will help decide control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, all eyes will remain on the Badger State as next year’s election cycle gets underway.

    Trump Secures Release Of US Prisoner From Taliban

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    An American woman being held captive by the Taliban is free…

    American citizen Faye Hall was released finally this week after being held since February and received at the Qatari embassy in Kabul.

    A source informed reporters that she has been confirmed to be in good health after undergoing a series of medical checks. Arrangements are currently underway for her return to the U.S.

    The Taliban agreed to release Hall after President Donald Trump removed multimillion-dollar bounties on senior members of the militant group, according to a report by the Telegraph.

    The White House shared a video on X Saturday afternoon of Hall thanking the president.

    “I’m glad you’re the President, and thank you for bringing me home,” Hall said. “I have never been so proud to be an American citizen. Thank you, Mr. President.”

    In a response posted to Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Thank you Faye — So honored with your words!”

    Trump agreed to remove millions of dollars of bounties on three senior members of the Haqqani network, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban government’s interior minister, the outlet reported, noting that Washington was offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.

    Hall was arrested on Feb. 1 along with a British couple, Peter Reynolds, 79, his wife Barbie, 75, and their interpreter, the outlet reported. 

    Hall’s release comes after the Taliban released American hostage George Glezmann, 65, last week after holding him for more than two years. (RELATED: Trump Admin Frees American Hostage From Taliban)=

    The Trump administration has also secured the release of multiple Americans being held prisoner in Russia, including Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel. (RELATED: Trump Secures Release Of Second American While Revealing Details Of Russian Prisoner Swap)

    Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana. 

    READ NEXT: “Democrats Have Nothing To Sell But Hate” – Texas Gov. Abbott Responds After Sleazy Dem Rep’s ‘Hot Wheels’ Slur

    Trump Revokes Elise Stefanik Nomination For UN Ambassador

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3

    She’s out…

    President Donald Trump announced that he asked Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to bow out of contention to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

    He cited the House GOP’s slim majority, writing on Truth Social:

    “I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

    “With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations,” he said.

    Stefanik had been under pressure to take herself out of contention for the role despite appearing poised to sail through Senate confirmation with bipartisan support, CBS News first reported. 

    This is a breaking news story. Please chec

    Trump Celebrates Arrest Of MS-13 Leader in Virginia

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Arrest image via Pixabay

    On Thursday, President Trump hailed law enforcement officials for apprehending an alleged leader of notorious El Salvador gang MS-13.

    President Trump touted the arrest of a MS-13 leader, praising border czar Tom Homan amid the administration’s crack down of migrants aligned with gangs in the United States.

    “Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar!” Trump said on Truth Social Thursday morning.

    FBI director Kash Patel also confirmed the arrest, calling it a victory for the U.S.

    “I can now confirm that earlier this morning, law enforcement personnel arrested a top MS-13 leader in Virginia. Outstanding work from @AGPamBondi, our brave agents, @CBP, @GovernorVA, and our state and local partners,” Patel wrote on social platform X.

    “This is a massive victory for a safer America. Justice is coming,” he added.

    The 24-year-old suspected MS-13 leader was captured in Woodbridge, Va., outside Washington, D.C., and, while his name hasn’t been released, is considered one of the top three leaders of the gang in the U.S., Fox News reported.

    “They executed a clean, safe operation and the bad guys in custody. And thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of the MS-13 off the streets this morning. Virginia and the country is a lot safer today,” Bondi told Fox News following the arrest.

    The operation included the FBI joined by the Prince William County Police Department, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police.

    Thursday’s operation is only the latest targeting top-level members of gangs and drug-trafficking rings operating in the U.S.

    The FBI has arrested three individuals on its top 10 most wanted list in the past two months alone.

    Report: Appeals Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Deportation Flights

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Image via Pixabay

    A federal appellate court declined to issue a stay on a lower court’s orders in a suit challenging the Trump administration‘s authority to deport Venezuelan nationals via a 1798 wartime law. 

    In a 2-1 decision Wednesday, a three-judge panel sided with the plaintiffs in the suit, further blocking the Trump administration’s ability to move forward with its deportation agenda. 

    Judges Karen Henderson, Patricia Millett, and Justin Walker of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals presided over Monday’s oral arguments, which they agreed to hear last week on an expedited basis. 

    In a concurring opinion of the ruling, Henderson, a Bush appointee, said: “At this early stage, the government has yet to show a likelihood of success on the merits. The equities favor the plaintiffs. And the district court entered the TROs for a quintessentially valid purpose: to protect its remedial authority long enough to consider the parties’ arguments.

    “Accordingly, and for the foregoing reasons, the request to stay the district court’s TROs should be denied.”

    Their decision could ultimately be kicked to the Supreme Court for further review.  

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    US Soldiers Killed During NATO Training Exercise In Lithuania Near Belarus Border

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    U.S. service members walk the casket of George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, towards the hearse, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Dec. 03, 2018. Military and civilian personnel assigned to Joint Task Force-National Capital Region provided ceremonial and civil affairs support during President George H.W. Bush's state funeral. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kalie Frantz)

    Four U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, have died during a training exercise in Lithuania. The incident occurred near the town of Pabradė, close to the Belarus border. The soldiers were traveling in an M88A2 Armored Recovery Vehicle when they went missing on Tuesday, prompting a search operation involving Lithuanian and NATO forces. Their bodies and vehicle were later discovered in a swampy area.

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the deaths, expressing condolences and highlighting the risks associated with military training exercises, especially in challenging environments. The U.S. Army Europe and Africa stated that the soldiers were conducting scheduled tactical training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė.

    The New York Post has additional information about the soldiers who were initially reported as missing:

    The four soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, were last seen alive on Tuesday riding an armored vehicle during tactical training exercises at a military site near the city of Pabrade, in eastern Lithuania.

    The area is about six miles from the border with Belarus — a staunch Russian ally, Army officials said.

    Rutte said he had received word of the deaths of the four soldiers and extended his thoughts and prayers to their families and the United States.

    US Army Africa from Vicenza, Italy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    “This is still early news so we do not know the details,” he told reporters while on a visit to Poland’s capital Warsaw. “This is really terrible news and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones.”

    Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The names of the deceased soldiers have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    The Atlantic Publishes Additional Messages From ‘Secret War Plans’ Groupchat

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel participates in an interview conducted by Jeffrey Goldberg in his office at the Pentagon Oct. 30, 2013 (Not Released)

    The Atlantic has published additional messages from Signal group chat among national security leaders that were inadvertently shared with Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, teeing up potential consequences for the publication.

    The move could trigger consequences for the magazine. Despite officials’ claims on Tuesday that the information contained within the chat was not classified, publishing such information could still violate the Espionage Act, which prohibits the release of national defense information.

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz have faced calls to resign following revelations that the outlet’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a private group chat earlier this month in which Hegseth, Waltz, Vice President JD Vance and other top administration officials reportedly discussed impending airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. 

    The Atlantic noted that the White House opposed its publishing of the information.

    Read the new messages:

    “TEAM UPDATE: TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch. 1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package). 1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s),” Hegseth apparently wrote in a screenshot of a text message released Wednesday by The Atlantic. 

    “1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package). 1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets). 1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched,” Hegseth reportedly continued, before adding “Godspeed to our Warriors.”

    Waltz later allegedly wrote “The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed,” according to The Atlantic. 

    “Excellent,” read a message in response attributed to Vance.

    The Atlantic said in its report Wednesday – titled “Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal” – that “the statements by Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, and Trump – combined with the assertions made by numerous administration officials that we are lying about the content of the Signal texts – have led us to believe that people should see the texts in order to reach their own conclusions.”

    “There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared,” wrote the Atlantic’s Goldberg and reporter Shane Harris. 

    “Experts have repeatedly told us that use of a Signal chat for such sensitive discussions poses a threat to national security. As a case in point, Goldberg received information on the attacks two hours before the scheduled start of the bombing of Houthi positions. If this information – particularly the exact times American aircraft were taking off for Yemen – had fallen into the wrong hands in that crucial two-hour period, American pilots and other American personnel could have been exposed to even greater danger than they ordinarily would face,” they also said.

    The Atlantic report said “A CIA spokesperson asked us to withhold the name of John Ratcliffe’s chief of staff, which Ratcliffe had shared in the Signal chain, because CIA intelligence officers are traditionally not publicly identified.”

    Multiple government officials have rebuked the additional reporting and have accused The Atlantic of peddling a “hoax.”

    White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said in response to the report that “The Atlantic has already abandoned their bulls— ‘war plans’ narrative, and in releasing the full chat , they concede they LIED to perpetuate yet ANOTHER hoax on the American people. What scumbags!”

    “The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT ‘war plans,’” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added. “This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin.”

    House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the highest-ranking Democrat to do so, wrote a letter to President Donald Trump yesterday demanding that Hegseth be “fired immediately.” 

    “The so-called Secretary of Defense recklessly and casually disclosed highly sensitive war plans — including the timing of a pending attack, possible strike targets and the weapons to be used –during an unclassified national security group chat that inexplicably included a reporter. His behavior shocks the conscience, risked American lives and likely violated the law,” Jeffries wrote.

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