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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, May 5, 2025
AP Photo
The federal Bureau of Prisons has lots of problems. Reopening Alcatraz is now one of them
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and MICHAEL BALSAMOUpdated 9:03 PM CDT, May 5, 2025
Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months. More than 4,000 staff vacancies. A $3 billion repair backlog.
And now, a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago.
Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing, chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities, Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as “The Rock.”
Trump declared in a social media post Sunday that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders.” It will “serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE,” he wrote on Truth Social. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Judge orders Trump administration to admit roughly 12,000 refugees
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to admit some 12,000 refugees into the United States. The court order on Monday partially blocks the president’s efforts to suspend the nation’s refugee admissions program.
apnews.com
'Shocking': Experts question Trump claiming 'I don't know' about upholding Constitution
Trump, months after taking the oath of office, questioned whether he had a duty to uphold the constitutional right to due process when it comes to mass deportations.
abcnews.go.com
Republicans squabble over Trump spending plan as Fiscal Year 2026 looms: 'Stay until we pass it'
The new Trump administration's first budget request comes with expectations of staggering spending cuts – and not all members of his party are on board.
www.foxnews.com
Trump administration asks judge to toss suit restricting access to abortion medication
The Trump administration on Monday asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit from three GOP-led states seeking to cut off telehealth access to abortion medication mifepristone.
apnews.com
U.S. seeking deportation deals with far-flung countries like Angola and Equatorial Guinea
The Trump administration has mounted an intense diplomatic campaign to convince distant countries to accept migrants who are not their own.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump hasn't said who funded his presidential transition effort despite pledging to disclose donors
The White House didn't respond to multiple questions about when the transition would disclose who funded it.
www.nbcnews.com
Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified
A federal judge has ruled that disputed ballots in the still unresolved 2024 race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat must remain in the final count. U.S.
apnews.com
Netanyahu says Gaza population to be moved in intensive Israeli operation
Remarks come as reports say Israel now eyeing occupation of Gaza, control of aid and possible expulsion of Palestinians.
www.aljazeera.com
Donald Trump hosts a $1.5 million-per-person fundraiser, raising ethics concerns
The purpose of the fundraiser was unclear as the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment bars Trump from seeking a third term.
www.usatoday.com
GOP dealt a blow in the battle for the Senate: From the Politics Desk
Plus, the Trump administration spends big bucks on the airwaves touting its mass deportation campaign.
www.nbcnews.com
Regional strikes: Israel attacks Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza in one day
Israeli strikes killed 54 in Gaza as Netanyahu says the enclave’s population ‘will be moved’ in new ground invasion.
www.aljazeera.com
US bill to ban Israel boycotts faces right-wing backlash over free speech
Allies of Donald Trump voice opposition to bipartisan proposal that would expand a law that punishes boycotting Israel.
www.aljazeera.com
'They can't take a joke': Trump says he knew 'nothing' about AI image of him as the pope
President Donald Trump says he had nothing to do with artificially generated image of him dressed as the pope.
www.usatoday.com
19 states and D.C. sue Trump administration over mass HHS layoffs
Over a dozen states filed a lawsuit alleging RFK Jr. and the Trump administration are trying to "dismantle" the Department of Health and Human Services through sweeping cuts.
www.cbsnews.com
Deadline looms allowing left-wing court to select US attorney as state AGs urge confirmation of Trump pick
State attorneys general sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Chuck Grassley to confirm Ed Martin as U.S. attorney.
www.foxnews.com
Trump is acting like it’s his choice whether he obeys the Constitution | CNN Politics
Americans are learning what it’s like to live with a president who sees no constraints on his actions and who apparently fears paying no price for them.
www.cnn.com
Trump says he'll call CEOs when he disagrees with their business decisions
Retailers have increasingly offered warnings about the tariffs' impact on consumers.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump foe Letitia James leading charge on new multistate lawsuit over HHS cuts
New York is leading 20 states in suing the Trump administration over its HHS cuts, described as one the most "sweeping and unlawful assault on public health" in U.S. history.
www.foxnews.com
Europe launches a drive to attract scientists and researchers after Trump freezes US funding
The European Union is launching a drive to attract scientists and researchers with offers of grants and new policy plans.
apnews.com
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Newark air traffic controllers briefly lost contact with planes
The incident led to multiple employees being on trauma leave, contributing to hundreds of delayed or diverted flights.
Continue reading...Met Gala 2025: Stars don their tailored best in suits, feathers and ties
The theme for this year's event is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," the first since 2003 to focus exclusively on menswear.
Continue reading...Kamala Harris makes Met Gala debut, says art and politics are related
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made an appearance at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, days after her anticipated return to the public stage, where she delivered her first major speech since losing the 2024 presidential election.
It was Harris' first time at the benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. In an interview with Vogue published ahead of the blue carpet event, Harris emphasized the importance of art and how it intertwines with politics.
"Art has always had a significant impact on not just culture, but also our...
Continue reading...It was Harris' first time at the benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. In an interview with Vogue published ahead of the blue carpet event, Harris emphasized the importance of art and how it intertwines with politics.
"Art has always had a significant impact on not just culture, but also our...
'We were happy to be invited,' only survivor of toxic mushroom lunch tells court
Ian Wilkinson was left seriously ill after the meal, which led to the deaths of his wife and two relatives.
Continue reading...Rihanna reveals she is pregnant with third child at Met Gala
Partner A$AP Rocky confirmed the news on the red carpet, telling reporters the couple were "happy".
Continue reading...Barbie maker warns of price hikes as tariffs increase costs
Mattel joins growing list of big businesses warning about the impact of Trump's import taxes.
Continue reading...India worried about Chinese 'dumping' as trade tensions with Trump escalate
Experts warn that a flood of cheap Chinese goods could hurt the competitiveness of Indian exports.
Continue reading...Ex-DHS official targeted by Trump vows to fight president's ‘revenge machine'
A former Homeland Security official whom President Donald Trump accused of potentially “treasonous” conduct fears he is under federal investigation and plans to challenge what he calls an illegal attempt to silence critics.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Miles Taylor said that he is prepared to “fight back” in court and that his repeated warnings that Trump would use presidential power to retaliate against perceived political enemies have proved accurate.
“My concern was he would turn the government into a revenge machine, and that’s...
Continue reading...In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Miles Taylor said that he is prepared to “fight back” in court and that his repeated warnings that Trump would use presidential power to retaliate against perceived political enemies have proved accurate.
“My concern was he would turn the government into a revenge machine, and that’s...
Trump's Hollywood tariffs announcement is met with confusion and fear
President Donald Trump’s Sunday night proposal to impose tariffs on movies made outside the U.S. has been met with a mix of confusion and fear by the entertainment industry.
And by noon Monday, White House officials clarified that “no final decisions” had been made and that it was “exploring all options.”
Trump’s initial proposal, posted to Truth Social, called for tariffs “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,” citing what he said was the harmful impact of incentives being offered by other countries...
Continue reading...And by noon Monday, White House officials clarified that “no final decisions” had been made and that it was “exploring all options.”
Trump’s initial proposal, posted to Truth Social, called for tariffs “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,” citing what he said was the harmful impact of incentives being offered by other countries...
Linda McMahon blasts Harvard in scathing letter telling elite university it will no longer get federal grants
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a scathing letter to Harvard University President Alan Garber on Monday, not only blasting the Massachusetts Ivy League school’s handling of antisemitism on campus but also advising school officials to refrain from applying for future federal grants because they will not "be provided."
In her no-holds-barred letter, McMahon told Garber that the federal government has a "sacred responsibility" to be an important steward of American taxpayer funds, adding that the school has amassed a largely tax-free $53.2...
Continue reading...In her no-holds-barred letter, McMahon told Garber that the federal government has a "sacred responsibility" to be an important steward of American taxpayer funds, adding that the school has amassed a largely tax-free $53.2...
National Endowment for the Arts sending grant terminations
The National Endowment for the Arts, the nation's largest funder of arts and arts education, has begun sending grant terminations to arts organizations.
President Trump's proposed budget, released last week, calls for shutting down the agency, which was founded in 1965. Mr. Trump's budget proposals in his first term had called to shut down the agency, though Congress has decided each time to fund the agency.
In 2024, the NEA has doled out about $200 million in grants to nonprofit art organizations, public arts agencies and organizations, colleges...
Continue reading...President Trump's proposed budget, released last week, calls for shutting down the agency, which was founded in 1965. Mr. Trump's budget proposals in his first term had called to shut down the agency, though Congress has decided each time to fund the agency.
In 2024, the NEA has doled out about $200 million in grants to nonprofit art organizations, public arts agencies and organizations, colleges...
Columbia activist Mohsen Mahdawi calls his detention a "betrayal"
A Columbia student activist and green card holder who was detained when he went for a citizenship interview last month said President Trump "will not silence me," in an interview with CBS News from Vermont on Monday.
Mohsen Mahdawi's comments marked his first network interview since a judge ordered his release last week — a move Mahdawi called a "light of hope" to other student activists who have been detained, like Columbia's Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University's Rumeysa Ozturk
Shortly after Mahdawi's release, he addressed a group of supporters...
Continue reading...Mohsen Mahdawi's comments marked his first network interview since a judge ordered his release last week — a move Mahdawi called a "light of hope" to other student activists who have been detained, like Columbia's Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University's Rumeysa Ozturk
Shortly after Mahdawi's release, he addressed a group of supporters...
IRS has lost 31% of its auditors after DOGE cuts, report says
The Trump administration's plan to trim the IRS workforce has resulted in almost one-third of its tax auditors leaving the agency through March, according to a report from the U.S. Treasury Department's watchdog.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has sought to trim the federal workforce through a combination of layoffs and so-called deferred resignation. Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, said on the electric vehicle maker's April 22 earnings call that DOGE's efforts "in addressing waste and fraud" will "get the country back...
Continue reading...Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has sought to trim the federal workforce through a combination of layoffs and so-called deferred resignation. Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, said on the electric vehicle maker's April 22 earnings call that DOGE's efforts "in addressing waste and fraud" will "get the country back...
India worried about Chinese 'dumping' as trade tensions with Trump escalate
Experts warn that a flood of cheap Chinese goods could hurt the competitiveness of Indian exports.
Continue reading...