NASA astronauts are returning to Earth after nine months in space. Experts have said a prolonged period in space can come with changes to human physiology and psychology.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, March 17, 2025
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Pentagon restores a few webpages honoring servicemembers but still defends DEI purge
By LEAH WILLINGHAM, JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER and TARA COPPUpdated 8:15 PM CDT, March 17, 2025
The Pentagon said Monday that internet pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor winner and Japanese American service members were mistakenly taken down — but staunchly defended its overall campaign to strip out content singling out the contributions by women and minority groups, which the Trump administration considers “DEI.”
A Defense Department webpage honoring Black Medal of Honor recipient Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers was taken down last week. The department actually temporarily changed the web address to insert “deimedal-of-honor”, which then led to a “404 - Page not found” message, according to a screenshot captured by the Internet Archive on March 15.
A U.S. official said the website was mistakenly taken down during an automated removal process.
But it’s not the only one. Thousands of pages honoring contributions by women and minority groups have been taken down in efforts to delete material promoting diversity, equity and inclusion — a step that Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended at a briefing Monday.
“I think the president and the secretary have been very clear on this — that anybody that says in the Department of Defense that diversity is our strength is, is frankly, incorrect,” Parnell said. “Our shared purpose and unity are our strength. And I say this as somebody who led a combat platoon in Afghanistan that was probably the most diverse platoon that you could possibly imagine.” ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Trump claims Biden's pardons for Jan. 6 committee are 'void' because he used an autopen
Trump has argued that the committee members are guilty of unspecified “major crimes.”
www.nbcnews.com
Trump administration deports hundreds of migrants, despite judge's order stopping removal
President Donald Trump's administration transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime declaration.
apnews.com
The deep divisions defining American politics: From the Politics Desk
Plus, the Tesla is no longer the status symbol on the left that it once was.
www.nbcnews.com
Gabbard says Trump and Putin are 'very good friends' focused on strengthening ties
America's director of national intelligence says President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin “are very good friends."
apnews.com
Judge demands to know why Trump administration ignored order about redirecting deportation flights
The government claimed it was not bound by the judge's order to block flights carrying gang members to El Salvador because it wasn't in writing.
www.cbsnews.com
President Trump says some of Joe Biden's pardons are 'null and void.' Who was pardoned?
Donald Trump is calling into question that President Joe Biden authorized pardons because of an autopen. Here's who Biden pardoned in January.
www.usatoday.com
Trump claims Biden pardons for Jan. 6 committee 'void, vacant'
President Donald Trump claimed that former President Joe Biden's pardons of members of the committee and others were "void, vacant, and of no future force of effect."
abcnews.go.com
After Trump halted funding for Afghans who helped the US, this group stepped in to help
An organization of American veterans, Afghans who fled their country and other volunteers has stepped up to help Afghans at risk of being stranded overseas.
apnews.com
Trump's latest deportations test the strength of US courts
Two recent incidents have ignited fears that the White House is willing to defy court orders
www.bbc.com
Israel hits Gaza with 'extensive strikes,' killing over 130 and ending ceasefire
Israel Defense Forces are conducting a series of "extensive strikes" throughout the Gaza Strip overnight on Tuesday local time, officials said in a statement.
abcnews.go.com
Getting paid not to work: Federal probationary workers are being reinstated but put on paid leave | CNN Politics
Days after a Maryland federal judge ruled that terminated probationary workers must be temporarily reinstated, multiple federal agencies have told their staffers that they are complying with the decision – but placing the employees on paid administrative leave.
www.cnn.com
'That's a lie': Judges around US calling out Trump admin for underwhelming defense
Several judges across the U.S. admonished the Trump administration this week for lying and 'cherry picking' data in its explanations for massive changes to the federal government.
www.usatoday.com
Presidents have used autopens for decades. Now Trump objects to Biden's use of one
President Donald Trump is claiming that pardons recently issued by Joe Biden to lawmakers and staff on the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot have no force because, he says, Biden signed them with an autopen.
apnews.com
'Heck of a stretch': Judge grills DOJ over Trump deportation flights
A judge is hearing arguments Monday over whether officials knowingly violated a court order when they handed over 200 alleged gang members to El Salvadoran authorities.
abcnews.go.com
Ground Game: Inside deportations dispute, Trump allies target the courts, Democrats torn apart
This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on March 17. You can subscribe at any time at apnews.com/newsletters.
apnews.com
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Venezuela will face 'severe, and escalating sanctions' if it doesn't accept its citizens, Rubio says
Venezuela will face "severe, and escalating sanctions" if it refuses to accept its citizens who have been deported from the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.
The tough warning comes as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up deportations of Venezuelans living illegally in the U.S. and to need a temporary residency program for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, which could pave the way for them to lose their legal status.
'WEAPONIZED MIGRATION': US FACES DEADLY CONSEQUENCES WITH MADURO IN POWER, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION...
Continue reading...The tough warning comes as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up deportations of Venezuelans living illegally in the U.S. and to need a temporary residency program for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, which could pave the way for them to lose their legal status.
'WEAPONIZED MIGRATION': US FACES DEADLY CONSEQUENCES WITH MADURO IN POWER, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION...
US and European armies should join our war on gangs, Ecuador president tells BBC
Daniel Noboa is calling on international armies to fight the cartels trafficking most of the world's cocaine.
Continue reading...Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews
Anti-apartheid activists like Mzolisi Dyasi feel let down after the sacrifices they made for democracy.
Continue reading...'Nigerian Senate is run like a cult', suspended MP tells BBC
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan says the system is trying "silence" her after she made sexual harassment allegations.
Continue reading...Ron DeSantis' team is urging Florida lobbyists not to back Rep. Byron Donalds for governor
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political operation is making calls to state lobbyists, urging them not to support Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., whose 2026 bid for governor has already socked away more than $3 million — much of which has come from President Donald Trump’s donors.
The calls, according to seven people familiar with the effort who requested anonymity to speak freely, are attempts to curb any potential contributions from mostly Tallahassee-based lobbyists to Donalds’ campaign.
The southwest Florida congressman announced his Trump-backed bid...
Continue reading...The calls, according to seven people familiar with the effort who requested anonymity to speak freely, are attempts to curb any potential contributions from mostly Tallahassee-based lobbyists to Donalds’ campaign.
The southwest Florida congressman announced his Trump-backed bid...
Federal judge blocks Trump admin from banning transgender people from military service
A federal judge blocked enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender people from military service on Tuesday, the latest in a string of legal setbacks for his sweeping agenda.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., ruled that Trump's order to exclude transgender troops from military service likely violates their constitutional rights. She was the second judge of the day to rule against the administration, and both rulings came within hours of an extraordinary conflict as Trump called for impeaching a third...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., ruled that Trump's order to exclude transgender troops from military service likely violates their constitutional rights. She was the second judge of the day to rule against the administration, and both rulings came within hours of an extraordinary conflict as Trump called for impeaching a third...
Lawmakers approve ban on devices that convert semi-automatic weapons
Alabama lawmakers approved a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns
Continue reading...Lawsuit argues Trump's use of war authority for deportation could be limitless
Plaintiffs suing the Trump administration over use of a war authority to deport alleged gang members warned that failing to block the president from its use would mean anyone could be treated as an enemy alien.
The lawyers for Venezuelan migrants suing the government said Tuesday in an appellate court filing: "The implications of the government's position are staggering. If the President can designate any group as enemy aliens under the Act, and that designation is unreviewable, then there is no limit on who can be sent to a Salvadoran prison, or...
Continue reading...The lawyers for Venezuelan migrants suing the government said Tuesday in an appellate court filing: "The implications of the government's position are staggering. If the President can designate any group as enemy aliens under the Act, and that designation is unreviewable, then there is no limit on who can be sent to a Salvadoran prison, or...
Radio Free Europe sues Trump admin, Kari Lake over defunding
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the U.S.-funded news outlet created to reach people living under communism during the Cold War, is suing Kari Lake and the Trump administration over efforts to defund the organization.
The lawsuit, filed in a Washington D.C. federal court, said the station has not been paid a $7.5 million invoice submitted Monday. It claims the funding freeze undermines Congress’s purse strings. Both entities are funded by government grants, with around 1% coming from private donations and other sources, the lawsuit states...
Continue reading...The lawsuit, filed in a Washington D.C. federal court, said the station has not been paid a $7.5 million invoice submitted Monday. It claims the funding freeze undermines Congress’s purse strings. Both entities are funded by government grants, with around 1% coming from private donations and other sources, the lawsuit states...
Putin gives Trump just enough to claim progress on Ukraine peace
Trump made a big deal of his conversation with Putin, but there is little to shout about, Sarah Rainsford writes.
Continue reading...Judge blocks Trump order barring transgender people from military
Washington — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked enforcement of a new Defense Department policy barring transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes granted a request for a preliminary injunction sought by transgender active-duty service members and transgender people who are in the process of enlisting. The judge's order temporarily blocks Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the military services from implementing President Trump's executive order and additional guidance that prohibits transgender people from...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes granted a request for a preliminary injunction sought by transgender active-duty service members and transgender people who are in the process of enlisting. The judge's order temporarily blocks Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the military services from implementing President Trump's executive order and additional guidance that prohibits transgender people from...
Trump administration releases new trove of JFK assassination files
Washington — The Trump administration on Tuesday evening released tens of thousands of pages of government documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy Jr., weeks after President Trump ordered government agencies to unveil their JFK files to the public.
The documents were uploaded by the National Archives and Records Administration, the agency responsible for housing the government's collection of records related to the assassination. The Archives said Tuesday of the JFK files that "all records previously withheld for...
Continue reading...The documents were uploaded by the National Archives and Records Administration, the agency responsible for housing the government's collection of records related to the assassination. The Archives said Tuesday of the JFK files that "all records previously withheld for...
Government releases thousands of declassified records related to JFK assassination
The National Archives has released thousands of pages of declassified records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Continue reading...Woman's 1979 cold case rape, murder solved with genetic genealogy
A man has been arrested in a woman's 1979 cold case murder after investigators used genetic genealogy to zero in on his identity, police in Maryland announced.
Continue reading...