Category: Policies

Trump administration announces new probes into Harvard over race and religion | The Independent

The Trump administration’s Education Department has opened two new federal investigations into Harvard University, alleging the institution discriminates against students based on race, color, and national origin in violation of federal law. The probes will examine whether Harvard employs race-based preferences in admissions following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in higher education, and will also investigate allegations of antisemitism on campus. Harvard’s spokesperson rejected the accusations, stating the university is “firmly committed to confronting antisemitism,” does not discriminate on grounds of race, and complies with all applicable laws including the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision.

The investigations represent part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign targeting universities over pro-Palestinian protests, transgender policies, climate programs, and diversity initiatives. Last week, the administration sued Harvard seeking billions of dollars for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students, while a separate February lawsuit demanded documents to determine whether the university considered race in admissions. Academic advocates have warned these efforts could violate privacy rights and constitute “a tool for anti-civil rights enforcement,” according to a former Biden administration official.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue the government conflates legitimate criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and wrongly characterizes Palestinian rights advocacy as support for extremism. The Trump administration has not initiated equivalent investigations into allegations of Islamophobia or anti-Palestinian bias at universities. Legal and judicial obstacles have impeded the administration’s efforts to freeze federal funding at universities, though it has reached settlement deals with some institutions including Columbia University, which agreed to pay over $200 million.

Academic experts have flagged concerns that settlement agreements set a dangerous precedent for “pay-to-play” arrangements between the government and universities. Harvard’s spokesperson characterized the new investigations as “retaliatory actions” against the university for refusing to “surrender our independence and constitutional rights.” A deal to resolve the multiple probes against Harvard remains unresolved, as the administration continues escalating its pressure campaign against the institution.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-harvard-university-investigations-race-religion-b2944219.html)

Trump Posts Third Term Image on Truth Social Defying 22nd Amendment

Donald Trump posted an image on Truth Social on Sunday depicting himself with text reading “3RD TERM FOR TRUMP AS A REWARD FROM STOLEN ELECTION,” continuing his pattern of promoting a third presidential term despite the constitutional ban imposed by the 22nd Amendment. The post references his false claims about the 2020 election, the same disinformation that motivated supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

This marks the latest instance of Trump openly discussing a third term while simultaneously selling “Trump 2028” merchandise and discussing the possibility of serving a fourth term. Trump has floated the concept of a “president for life” since at least 2018 and told NBC News in March 2025 that he was “not joking” about seeking a third term, stating “a lot of people want me to do it.”

Trump ally Steve Bannon declared in March 2025 that he and others were “working” to secure Trump a third term, telling NewsNation “I’m a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028.” Last month, Trump claimed he was “entitled” to a third term, despite the constitutional restriction preventing any president from serving more than two terms.

This persistent focus on extending Trump’s time in office reflects broader authoritarian aspirations, mirroring rhetoric about Trump’s designation of Democrats as America’s “greatest enemy” and his pattern of using Truth Social to communicate directly with supporters while bypassing traditional media scrutiny. Trump’s approval rating averaged approximately 41% according to The New York Times reporting on Sunday.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-once-again-posting-third-173638956.html)

Trump Delays Iran Strikes Claiming Talks Iran Denies

Trump postponed threatened strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, claiming “productive conversations” with Iranian officials about ending the month-long war. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected Trump’s account as fabrication designed to manipulate oil markets, stating on X that “no negotiations have been held with the U.S.” and characterizing the claim as an attempt to “escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.” Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner allegedly engaged in late-night talks Sunday, though the Iranian Foreign Ministry acknowledged only regional mediation efforts through intermediaries like Oman, Turkey, and Egypt.

Trump claimed the U.S. and Iran had reached 15 points of agreement, including that Iran cease nuclear weapons development and allow joint control of the Strait of Hormuz. He acknowledged killing Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said he was negotiating with “a top person” whom he believes is the most respected leader, though he expressed uncertainty about whether current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei remains alive after U.S. military operations destroyed telecommunications networks. Trump also stated the U.S. would confiscate Iran’s remaining enriched uranium and threatened to “keep bombing our little hearts out” if negotiations fail.

The war has killed more than 2,000 people in its fourth week and severely damaged 40 energy assets across nine countries, destabilizing global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices plummeted after Trump’s announcement, which he attributed to market relief, and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that infrastructure attacks were “escalating this war even further.” The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that deliberate attacks on essential services and civilian infrastructure can amount to war crimes.

Trump’s de-escalatory rhetoric contradicted his simultaneous military buildup, as the Pentagon deployed three California-based warships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East—the second major deployment in one week. Senator Adam Schiff criticized the troop surge as raising “alarm bells” about another “forever war.” When asked about the deployment, Trump refused to discuss strategy, stating “Do you really believe I’d give you an answer? Crazy question.”

Trump previously declared Iran ceased to exist as a threat while simultaneously requesting $200 billion in additional military funding from Congress, and he assailed NATO allies as “cowards” for refusing to deploy troops to the Strait. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump indicated the U.S. war objectives had been met but confirmed Israel would continue striking targets in Iran and Lebanon with “more to come.”

(Source: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-03-23/trump-iran-strait-of-hormuz-deadline)

Trump Demands Republicans Skip Easter to Pass Voter ID

Trump pressured Republican senators to skip Easter recess and pass voter identification legislation by linking the bill to religious obligation. Speaking at a Memphis, Tennessee roundtable on March 23, 2026, Trump demanded lawmakers prioritize the voting measure, stating “make this one for Jesus,” framing legislative work during the holiday as a religious duty rather than a policy choice.

The voter identification bill requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for voting. Democrats oppose the measure, which currently lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome opposition in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans hold only 53 seats. Trump attempted to leverage a partial Homeland Security department shutdown, which began February 13, to force passage by conditioning funding on the bill’s inclusion in any spending agreement.

The shutdown has created immediate hardship for federal workers. Approximately tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration personnel have worked without pay for five weeks, with some airport security staff calling in sick or resigning. Lawmakers are scheduled for a two-week Easter recess beginning at the end of the week, but Trump’s demand sought to override this planned break.

Trump’s tactic exploits religious language to manufacture political pressure on Republican senators. By framing legislative gridlock as a matter of faith, he weaponized Christianity to advance a voting restrictions agenda that he has claimed will guarantee electoral outcomes. The abuse of power extends to holding government funding hostage until his preferred legislation advances, regardless of Democratic opposition or worker suffering.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-tells-republicans-pass-voting-173951250.html)

Trump Brands Democrats America’s Greatest Enemy

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that Iran has effectively ceased to exist as a threat, then immediately branded the Democratic Party as America’s “greatest enemy.” Trump’s proclamation that “the death of Iran” has already occurred stands in stark contradiction to his administration’s simultaneous request for $200 billion in additional funding from Congress to continue military operations against Iran.

Hours before declaring Iran defeated, Trump issued an ultimatum threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the country does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This threat reveals the disinformation embedded in Trump’s claim of Iran’s demise, as an already-destroyed adversary would require no such coercive demands. Trump’s escalating Iran war has alienated NATO allies and contradicts his stated position on military drawdowns in the Middle East.

Trump’s characterization of the Democratic Party as a greater threat than a foreign adversary reflects his abuse of power in weaponizing the presidency against political opponents. Trump previously claimed the Iran war was nearing success while spreading disinformation about its purpose and progress, establishing a pattern of deliberately misleading the public about military objectives and outcomes.

The president’s weekend social media posts also included celebration of former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s death, stating “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.” This statement demonstrates Trump’s use of the presidency to attack officials who conducted legitimate investigations into his conduct, further illustrating his contempt for institutional independence and the rule of law.

Trump’s contradictory claims about Iran’s status, coupled with his simultaneous demands for expanded war funding and threats of escalated military strikes, exemplify his reliance on disinformation to consolidate power. His equation of domestic political opposition with foreign military threats weaponizes national security rhetoric to justify suppression of dissent and consolidation of authoritarian control.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-declares-the-death-of-iran-then-brands-democratic-party-americas-greatest-enemy-in-stunning-post/)

Trump Claims Iran War Nearing Success Despite Disinformation

Trump stated he is considering “winding down” military operations in the Middle East while the war with Iran continues, claiming the United States is approaching its objectives in the conflict. However, the broader context of Trump’s Iran policy demonstrates a pattern of disinformation about the war’s purpose and progress. Trump previously attacked Israel over strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, revealing internal discord over military strategy even among allies.

Trump has repeatedly lied about the war’s justifications and achievements. He claimed an imminent nuclear threat from Iran, which intelligence officials and counterterrorism experts contradicted. The former director of the National Counterterrorism Center resigned over Trump’s abuse of power in ordering the February 28 airstrikes, after Trump deliberately prevented senior officials from presenting their objections. The Iranian government remains in power unchanged, no nuclear agreement has been negotiated to replace the accord Trump withdrew from under the Obama administration, and no credible imminent threat existed or exists.

Trump’s military decisions abroad have strained relationships with international partners. Trump denounced NATO allies as “cowards” for refusing to deploy troops to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while his unilateral Iran war has backfired diplomatically. He initiated military strikes without coordinating with partners, then demanded their support for an undeclared conflict.

The war has inflicted human costs that Trump exploited politically. Six U.S. Air Force airmen were killed in a refueling aircraft crash during military operations in Iran. Trump attended their dignified transfer despite families explicitly requesting privacy and barring cameras, converting a solemn military ceremony into a public relations event.

Trump’s claim of meeting objectives lacks credible foundation. The regime he sought to destabilize remains intact, no nuclear threat has been eliminated, and the conflict has cost American lives while destabilizing the Middle East further. His description of progress is a lie designed to justify an endless military commitment that benefits no legitimate national interest.

(Source: https://abcnews.com/video/131285673/)

Trump DOJ Shredded Huge Epstein Document Cache After Death

Shortly after Jeffrey Epstein’s death in a New York jail in 2019, the Justice Department under Trump’s first administration ordered the destruction of extensive documentation. A Bureau of Prisons “After-Actions team” systematically shredded files at the facility, according to an FBI report with a redacted official’s name. The unnamed official stated they had never witnessed such volume of shredded documents being disposed of at the jail’s rear gate.

The shredding operation occurred within days of Epstein’s death and involved what the report characterized as “huge amounts of paperwork.” This action took place while the Trump administration maintained control of the DOJ, which oversees federal detention facilities and investigative protocols. The destruction of these materials raises questions about what records were eliminated and whether they contained evidence relevant to ongoing investigations.

Details of the document destruction emerged when the DOJ released Epstein-related files earlier this year. The FBI report’s documentation of the shredding contradicts any claim that records were preserved for investigative or accountability purposes. The timing and scale of the operation suggest a coordinated effort rather than routine waste management.

Trump has repeatedly denied any connection to Epstein and has attacked those who suggest otherwise, including threatening legal action against comedian Trevor Noah over an Epstein joke at the Grammys. The destruction of federal records under Trump’s DOJ administration contradicts his claims of transparency and his self-portrayal as uninvolved in Epstein matters. Trump has also threatened to sue author Michael Wolff over Epstein-related allegations.

This destruction of evidence represents abuse of power by Trump’s DOJ to conceal potentially damaging information. The shredding of federal records violates standard document preservation protocols and obstructs the public’s right to understand the full scope of Epstein’s criminal network and any connections to powerful figures, including those within the Trump administration.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/know-epstein-groomed-america-corrupt-041542936.html)

Trump Threatens ICE Deployment at Airports if Funding Fails

President Trump threatened Saturday to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports Monday if Democrats do not agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security during an ongoing partial government shutdown. Trump posted on Truth Social that ICE would “do the job far better than ever done before” and stated he had already instructed agents to “GET READY,” framing the deployment as a response to alleged security failures.

ICE agents lack training in airport security screening, a role that typically requires several months of preparation for TSA personnel. Trump’s proposal to use untrained immigration agents in security checkpoint roles contradicts established protocols and raises operational questions about how ICE would function in an airport environment designed for trained screeners.

The threat emerges as a weeks-long funding stalemate has disrupted airports nationwide, leaving TSA workers unpaid and creating staffing shortages that have caused flight delays. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have attempted to negotiate a resolution, though an agreement remains elusive.

In an earlier post, Trump suggested ICE would “do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia.” This statement conflates airport security operations with immigration enforcement and targets a specific nationality, demonstrating an abuse of power by weaponizing federal agencies for political purposes.

Trump’s threat to unilaterally deploy law enforcement to airports without proper authorization or training exemplifies his pattern of using emergency rhetoric to justify authoritarian actions. The scheme exploits a funding crisis he could resolve through negotiation, instead using it as pretext to expand executive power and deploy immigration agents in violation of their operational mandate.

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/21/politics/ice-agents-airports-tsa-trump-threat)

Trump Threatens Iran 48-Hour Ultimatum on Strait

President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran via Truth Social on Saturday evening, demanding the country “FULLY OPEN” the Strait of Hormuz without threat or face U.S. military destruction of its power plants. Trump stated the United States would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power infrastructure, beginning with the largest facility, if the demand was not met within the specified timeframe. The threat followed joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei three weeks prior, part of an operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”

The war with Iran has severely disrupted maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trades. According to the BBC, maritime traffic through the passage plunged 95 percent in March, dropping from approximately 138 daily ship transits to about 100 since military operations commenced. Trump previously denounced NATO allies as cowards for refusing to deploy troops to reopen the strait, revealing his unilateral approach to the conflict has alienated potential partners.

Oil prices have surged dramatically as a direct consequence of the reduced shipping volume and ongoing military operations. A barrel of crude oil cost $98.09 at the close of Friday trading, representing a 47 percent increase since military strikes against Iran began. This economic disruption stems from Trump’s decision to initiate military action alongside Israel without prior diplomatic coordination with international allies.

Trump previously claimed Iran has “effectively ceased to exist as a threat” while simultaneously requesting $200 billion in additional congressional funding for continued military operations, demonstrating contradictory messaging about the conflict’s status and objectives. When challenged by New York Times reporter David Sanger over unmet war objectives, Trump posted on Truth Social that “The United States has blown Iran off of the map” and claimed success ahead of schedule, dismissing the reporter’s analysis as that of a “lightweight analyst.”

Operation Epic Fury has eliminated dozens of Iranian regime leaders beyond Supreme Leader Khamenei since the initial strikes three weeks ago. Trump stated he is considering winding down military operations in the Middle East while the war continues, claiming U.S. forces are approaching stated objectives, though the pattern of contradictory statements about war progress and outcomes demonstrates systematic disinformation surrounding the conflict’s purpose and accomplishments.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-threatens-iran-you-have-48-hours-to-fully-open-strait-of-hormuz-or-else/)

Trump Admits ICE Raids Toxic, Plans Quieter Deportations

President Trump has privately acknowledged to his wife Melania and top aides, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, that brutal Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have become politically toxic ahead of midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal. The admission follows high-profile ICE operations that resulted in federal agents fatally shooting American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January, incidents that Wiles believes have poisoned voter attitudes toward immigration enforcement and the term “mass deportation.”

Trump is planning to shift tactics by reducing visible ICE operations in Democratic-leaning cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and focusing instead on arresting individuals he characterizes as “bad guys.” Arrests have declined from over 1,500 daily to approximately 1,200, according to sources cited by the Journal. Despite these reported plans, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson denied any policy changes, claiming Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda remains unchanged and that approximately 3 million immigrants have left the United States through forced or self-deportation.

Senator Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s nominee to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that his primary goal is to remove the department from daily news coverage within six months. Mullin, a former MMA fighter and plumber with no immigration enforcement background, acknowledged his lack of expertise in the field. Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed Mullin’s inexperience, stating the nominee would rely on career experts to guide policy decisions despite having minimal knowledge of immigration operations.

The shift reflects Trump’s concern that mass deportation rhetoric and violent ICE operations damage Republican electoral prospects rather than any genuine commitment to protecting immigrants or respecting due process. Trump’s private concessions to Melania and advisers demonstrate that political calculation, not principle, drives his approach to immigration policy. The administration continues to describe its deportation operations as targeting criminals while obscuring the human cost of its enforcement agenda.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-makes-shock-private-admission-042229444.html)

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