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@ISIDEWITH submitted…5 days5D
Governor Newsom signed legislation allocating $50 million total to protect California's policies from Trump administration challenges and defend immigrants facing deportation, split evenly between the state's DOJ and legal defense groups.The funding comes as California anticipates renewed conflicts with Trump's administration, following over 100 legal actions against his first term policies on issues including climate, water, and immigration.Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas justified the funding by characterizing the Trump administration as "out-of-control" and threatening to Californians' constitutional rights.The signing occurred just after Newsom's Washington visit to secure federal disaster aid for January's devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which claimed more than two dozen lives.California recently enacted a separate $2.5 billion fire relief package, with expectations of federal reimbursement for disaster response costs.Republican lawmakers criticized the legal defense funding as a political distraction from wildfire recovery efforts, with State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones calling it a "slush fund."Critics raised concerns about the possibility of funds being used to defend immigrants with serious felony convictions, though Newsom indicated this wasn't the intended purpose.The legislation emerged from a special session Newsom called shortly after Trump's election in November, demonstrating California's proactive stance against anticipated federal challenges.During Trump's first term, California initiated more than 120 lawsuits against his administration, spending approximately $42 million on legal battles.Annual legal expenses fighting federal policies during Trump's first term ranged from $2 million to nearly $13 million per year.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…7 days7D
Drop Site News and European media partners revealed apparent connections between USAID, CIA, and OCCRP in relation to Trump's 2019 impeachment.A CIA analyst-turned-whistleblower's complaint heavily cited OCCRP reporting about Trump's interactions with Ukraine.A 2024 German documentary reportedly showed USAID's significant control over OCCRP, including approval of work plans and key personnel.OCCRP's co-founder Drew Sullivan allegedly pressured German broadcaster NDR to censor the documentary.The investigation revealed OCCRP's initial funding came from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.OCCRP's leader claimed responsibility for government changes in "five or six countries."The article suggests USAID functions as a $40 billion driver of regime change abroad.The whistleblower complaint focused on Trump's alleged pressure on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.OCCRP threatened legal action against Public over questions about these allegations.The controversy centers on whether domestic agencies illegally interfered in U.S. politics using methods typically reserved for foreign operations.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…1wk1W
A Trump official anonymously expressed concern over Elon Musk's unprecedented autonomy within the administration.Musk's DOGE department has expanded beyond its advisory role into operational territory without proper security clearances.The billionaire's dual position holding government contracts with both US and China has raised significant concerns.The NY Times report features multiple high-profile journalists documenting Musk's unusual influence.Musk employed a young team (19-25 year-olds) who are reportedly disrupting government operations without oversight.The official noted Musk operates "with a level of autonomy that almost no one can control."Musk reportedly enters the White House through side entrances and drops into meetings unannounced.He maintains a close relationship with Stephen Miller, sharing disdain for federal workers.Speaker Mike Johnson appears to support this arrangement despite its challenge to legislative oversight.Traditional media outlets were largely silent on this story until the NY Times investigation.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…2 days2D
Netanyahu has issued an ultimatum stating Israel will end the ceasefire and resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to release hostages by Saturday at noon, marking the most serious crisis in the ceasefire agreement since its January signing.Hamas announced an indefinite postponement of the planned release of three hostages, claiming Israel violated the ceasefire terms, though this action would constitute a breach of the existing agreement.President Trump has taken a more aggressive stance, calling for Hamas to release all 76 remaining hostages - a demand that goes beyond the current ceasefire agreement's specifications.Israeli officials have clarified that Netanyahu isn't demanding the release of all hostages, but rather wants to continue implementing the first phase if Hamas releases the three hostages as originally agreed.The current agreement's first phase includes plans to release nine more live hostages and return the remains of eight deceased hostages over the next three weeks.Hamas has responded to Netanyahu's ultimatum by stating they will maintain the ceasefire if Israel upholds its commitments, while accusing Israel of various violations including delayed Palestinian returns to northern Gaza.Israeli negotiating team leaders have advised Netanyahu and other ministers against escalation, suggesting they work with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to resolve the crisis.President Trump has proposed a controversial "Gaza takeover" plan that includes relocating Palestinians, suggesting both Jordan and Egypt should provide land for resettlement.King Abdullah of Jordan announced plans to accept 2,000 Palestinian children for medical treatment, while maintaining opposition to any permanent displacement of Palestinians.Arab nations, including Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, are planning to develop an alternative proposal for Gaza's reconstruction that doesn't involve Palestinian displacement.
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Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights CouncilThe order also prohibits future US funding to UNRWA (UN agency for Palestinian refugees)US funding to UNRWA was already suspended under Biden in 2024 following Israeli allegations about employee involvement in October 7 attacksPrevious investigations, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality related issues" but noted Israel hadn't provided evidence for its main allegationThis marks Trump's second withdrawal from both UNRWA funding and the UN Human Rights CouncilTrump previously cut UNRWA funding in 2018, which Biden restored in 2021Similarly, Trump left the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, with Biden rejoining three years laterTrump stated Palestinians have "no alternative but to leave Gaza"He suggested Jordan and Egypt should take displaced PalestiniansThe announcement included continued Ukraine aid and increased support for Israel and Egypt
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…6 days6D
USAID invested $310 million of taxpayer money in 2016 to fund a Palestinian cement factory project run by Sanad company.Sanad Construction Resources Company is publicly traded on the Palestine Stock Exchange (PEX).The company reportedly benefited from cement purchases made as foreign aid by USAID, UNRWA, and the UN.The article suggests this cement supply was used in the construction of Hamas tunnels and military infrastructure.Sanad's executive head, Loai Quwas, indicated the project had been in planning since 2013.The cement factory project was characterized as a private venture with alleged insufficient oversight.The article claims USAID would later purchase cement from the same company it helped fund.This circular flow of money is described as potentially resembling a money-laundering scheme.The article questions the lack of accountability in how U.S. tax dollars were allocated to this project.The situation raises concerns about inadvertent support of terrorist infrastructure through aid programs.
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