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  2. <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title>Common Dreams</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/</link><description>Common Dreams</description><atom:link href="https://www.commondreams.org/feeds/feed.rss" rel="self"></atom:link><language>en-us</language><lastBuildDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2025 02:58:05 -0000</lastBuildDate><image><url>https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8zMjEwMDM4OS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgxMjIyMDI1N30.ErOfRE5hvYF7nWXKN4iUp2dOTKR2-o5weET2FxMgj9A/image.png?width=210</url><link>https://www.commondreams.org/</link><title>Common Dreams</title></image><item><title>Bomb Bomb Iran: Idiot Mob Boss Declares Wack Victory</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/further/bomb-bomb-iran-idiot-mob-boss-declares-wack-victory</link><description><![CDATA[
  3. <img src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/he-bombed-iran-s-nuclear-sites-what-s-next.jpg?id=61115928&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=387%2C0%2C388%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>As evidence mounts the reckless, illegal, peace-through-stupidity attack on Iran's nuclear sites did not in fact "OBLITERATE" them and could be perilous, the moronic man-child lurches, rages, yammers on with deranged declarations - THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT! CNN is scum! Prosecute Dems! - duly parroted by his rabid flunkies: "Wave American Flags!" Still, they go lower and crasser: Who had a juvenile White House resurrecting Vince Vance & The Valiants' <em>Bomb Iran</em> on their Clown Show Bingo Card?</p><p>After Israel finally got a U.S. president dumb enough to bomb Iran if they did - and to take his Very Serious strategic geo-political leads from what <em>Fox News </em>was saying - the TV-game-show-host-in chief who'd always wanted to be in a war as long as he didn't have to, you know, <em>be in it</em> violated U.S. and international law by launching strikes on Iran's three largest nuclear sites without legally mandated Congressional approval to do so, probably after both Israel and Iran went to him with tears in their eyes and said, "Please sir, you're the only one who can save us." Then, with only early, flimsy reports coming in, he swiftly proclaimed it "ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY" and a "PERFECT FLIGHT" and "total Obliteration for years and years" by "genius people in the military" and "it was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and STOP THE WAR!” Uh huh</p><p>After declaring a yuge fake victory, he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/24/israel-iran-war-live-updates-trump-declares-ceasefire-tehran-attack-us-base-qatar?page=with%3Ablock-685a81df8f08ffb833a0c05e#block-685a81df8f08ffb833a0c05e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">declared </a>a yuge fake ceasefire - which he evidently thought was like pressing the button on the Resolute Desk for Diet Coke, or like Michael Scott in <em>The Office </em>yelling, "I declare bankruptcy!" - by <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/f6d674b4-162f-414a-8f92-a51a97712a36?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">announcing </a>that both Iran and Israel, now that they'd "gotten it all out of their 'system,'" had agreed to “a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” that would lead to “an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR." He excitedly added, "CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, ITS TIME FOR PEACE!" (No, really, he did.) "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT! DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”</p><p>The announcement, "friendly plane wave" and all, took not just Israel and Iran but his own advisers by surprise, probably because the so-called leader of the free world is a batshit crazy, power-mad, 12-year-old living in a fever dream reality show who thinks saying something, no matter how delusional, makes it so. It didn't. Iran promptly <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/israel-says-missiles-fired-iran-after-ceasefire-2089760" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">said</a>, "As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any cessation of military operations." Israel, despite all those impressive CAPS, promptly dropped a load of bombs that the ignored, enraged ringmaster for the 7,846th time called "the likes of which I've never seen before." "Israel has to calm down," he testily told reporters. "These are two countries fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing" - a blaring pot/kettle allusion that most of the sentient world savagely noted and mocked, but he somehow missed.  </p><p>Still, reality came calling. Emerging assessments - from U.S. intelligence, European leaders, media like <em>The <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/0808eeb8-341c-4a4e-8ccf-0db07febef91" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Financial Times, </a>New York Times, CNN</em> - found the attacks did less-than-obliterating damage, likely only setting back the nuclear program a few months and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:t6ubj2wlhc34awzcymh3qpur/post/3lsdydkenek2g?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.democraticunderground.com%252F100220427107" target="_blank">leaving</a> the stockpile "largely intact.” Evidence, including photos of trucks<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/satellite-images-s..." target="_blank"> lined up </a>the day before removing<strong></strong> uranium enriched  <a href="https://archive.ph/o/u9RfT/https://www.ft.com/content/12a864cc-eeb8-4725-aed8-5ddff9ac588e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">material </a>to unknown sites, suggest Iran knew the attacks were coming. Other questions <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/e249d1da-2678-4b62-910e-deea568f1aed?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">linger</a>: Maybe Fordow wasn't a major site, maybe the bombs didn't go deep enough to inflict serious damage, etc. Meanwhile, Iran charged the U.S. had "crossed a very big red line," suspended cooperation with nuclear watchdog agencies, and, experts say, may have decided to move ahead with a nuclear weapon having learned that diplomacy is "reversible, fragile and vulnerable to changes in leadership in Washington."</p><p>With the rest of us now facing what Gestapo Barbie calls "a heightened threat environment" thanks to a clusterfuck regime of clowns who make Dr. Strangelove look like a statesman, the inept juvenile who failed at casinos, steak, water, wine and now war just keeps blustering: "The sites (were) totally destroyed and everyone knows it," "It's called obliteration. No other military on Earth could have done it," "an unbelievable hit by genius pilots," "It’s gone for years, years. Inside, it’s all collapsed. Nobody can get in. It's a room that has ten million tons of rock in it." Also, he gloated, it was just like Hiroshima: "That hit ended the war. And this was essentially the same thing.” Finally, for any lingering doubts or discomfiting facts, blame "Fake News," with ZERO CREDIBILITY!” who are "scum....They're bad people. They're sick," including a <em>CNN </em><a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114745403809459125" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> reporter </a>who should be "thrown out 'like a dog."</p><p>Puffed up, he also urged the trial of fellow felon Netanyahu be "CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY" to save a "Great Hero," because America "saved" Israel and "now it is going to be the United States of America that saves" Bibi." At NATO, he told<a href="reported" target="_blank"> </a>a head-swiveling, wildly under-reported <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/eba39e03-96e6-4d54-9843-9231c5fc88c2?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">story </a>about Iran asking if it was OK they shoot 14 retaliatory missiles at the U.S. military base in Qatar at 1 o'clock. "They were very nice," Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/25/trump-news-nato-israel-iran/#link-GC2K7HFXSZELPI4CYNQ7PSHPHQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">burbled.</a> "They gave us warning...I said it's fine," despite America's alleged commander-in-chief agreeing to be bombed sure sounds like treason to us. "I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done...There will, hopefully, be no further HATE." He also sagely explained that everyone was taken off the base "except the gunners - they call them the gunners." At his side, Marco Rubio looks like Homer Simpson trying to melt into bushes.</p><p>Still, lacking alternatives, the minions have gamely climbed on board. Press Barbie screeched the attack was an "overwhelming success - everyone knows what happens when you drop 14 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets," but spent more time <a href="https://newrepublic.com/post/197320/karoline-leavitt-donald-trump-cnn-reporter-iran-report-leak" target="_blank">trashing </a>a CNN reporter who suggested it wasn't. Drunken Pete, even angrier and more unhinged, proclaimed the strikes "the most complex and secretive military operation in history" - except how Iran knew about them and D-Day's Allied invasion of France took a year's planning, 156,000 soldiers, 195,700 navy personnel, and the cooperation of 13 nations - and <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fisrael-iran-conflict-us-trump-06-25-25-intl-hnk%23cmcc3vetl000v3b6u4ncda0gg&data=05%7C02%7Cserena.golden%40cnn.com%7C5a9b61405acc4642c1fd08ddb451d57b%7C0eb48825e8714459bc72d0ecd68f1f39%7C0%7C0%7C638864985753350217%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=92iibbTwquPbAlYFbAil%2BUXxR2JBBM1nem5Ix%2FUTDLg%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">launched </a>a furious diatribe for an audience of one against <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1938217272792789296" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mean</a> media for seeking accurate information, aka "hunting for scandals," insulting Dear Leader and "brave pilots," and <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/1938209707216539870" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">trying </a>to "manipulate the public mind" rather than "talk about how special America is" and "<a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1938216395294101990" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wave</a> an American flag." What a belligerent asshole.</p><p>Trump loved it, praising "one of the greatest, most professional, and - running out of adjectives besides "beautiful" and "strong" - most 'confirming' News Conferences I have ever seen!" Less entertainingly, he simply ignored diverging assessments of the U.S. intelligence community - a move former CIA Director Leon Panetta <a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/world/cia-trumps-mistakes-scary-3768498" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> called </a>"a very scary prospect" - dismissed the whistleblower who leaked them as a “low-level loser” while "declaring a war on leakers," announced he will (illegally, irrationally) limit classified information he shares with Congress despite no evidence the leaks came from Congress, the next day charged Dems leaked the information and "they should be prosecuted!" - this from the idiots who leaked actual war plans on Signal - and jabbered that the photos of trucks lined up at nuclear sites were those of "concrete workers trying to cover up the tops of the shafts." Say what?</p><p>Improbably, even without SCOTUS madness, it keeps getting weirder and worse. After NATO Sec. General Mark Rutte <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5368352-mark-rutte-donald-trump-f-bomb-israel-iran-nato/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">made </a>a cringe joke about Trump as "Daddy," MAGA picked up and <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938410263394328865" target="_blank">ran with </a>the grotesque "Daddy" shtick: The White House <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938053287535616085" target="_blank">posted</a> a "Daddy's home" video,<em> Fox</em> giddily <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/1938034707473830229" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smirked </a>that, thanks to those cool, pointless big-boy bombs being dropped, Republicans are "back to being the Daddy party - he gets things done," hideous orange Daddy<a href="https://secure.winred.com/trump-national-committee..." target="_blank"> merch</a> instantly <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1938241270255915189" target="_blank">materialized.</a> The final, puerile, demented abomination (for this week), like something from <em>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCP3LZoxABs&t=175s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Whitest Kids</a> U' Know</em>: He<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114740882500667664" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> posted </a>a 1995<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hEtI9AI0U" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> parody</a> video of the Beach Boys' <em>Barbara Ann </em>by Vince Vance & The Valiants called <em>Bomb Iran</em>: "Went to a mosque/ Gonna throw some rocks." Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. His country's stunned response: "Bro, how the fuck is this real?" Honestly, we have no idea.</p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1937656668457669064">
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  7. <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2025 02:25:03 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/further/bomb-bomb-iran-idiot-mob-boss-declares-wack-victory</guid><dc:creator>Abby Zimet</dc:creator><media:content medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/he-bombed-iran-s-nuclear-sites-what-s-next.jpg?id=61115928&amp;width=980"></media:content></item><item><title>Free Press Mourns Bill Moyers</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/free-press-mourns-bill-moyers</link><description><![CDATA[
  8. <p>Bill Moyers, the esteemed journalist, presidential adviser and philanthropist, died on Thursday at age 91 in New York. In the early 2000s, Moyers played a pivotal role in creating and promoting Free Press and delivered a <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/bill-moyers-fights-back/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">series</a> of <a href="https://billmoyers.com/2007/01/12/life-on-the-plantation-january-12-2007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">powerful</a> <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/9/fox_news_oreilly_factor_attacks_bill" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">appearances</a> at the National Conference for Media Reform. </p><p>“You will search the dominant media largely in vain for journalists that tell the truth about the fading of the American dream,” Moyers <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0r71L7cojE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">told</a> a crowd of more than 3,000 people assembled at the 2008 conference in Minneapolis. “So it’s up to you to remind us that democracy only works when ordinary people claim it as their own. It’s up to you to write the story of an America that leaves no one out.” </p><p>Moyers called on people to build “a movement to challenge the stranglehold of mega-media corporations over our press and to build alternative and independent sources of news and information that people can trust.”</p><p>Free Press President and Co-CEO <strong>Craig Aaron</strong> said:</p><p>“Bill Moyers was a legend who lived up to his reputation. Moyers believed that journalism should serve democracy, not just the bottom line. He believed deeply in the power and potential of public media, and he set the standard for public broadcasting by telling stories you couldn’t find anywhere else. He always stood up to bullies — including those who come forward in every generation to try to crush public media and end its independence. We can honor his memory by continuing that fight.</p><p>“Moyers was a giant, who used his wide reach and wise words to lift up the voices of activists and change-makers, including the <a href="https://billmoyers.com/content/media-politics-media-experts-john-nichols-robert-mcchesney-veteran-journalist-seymour-hersh-visit-carnival-bill-moyers-savage-nation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">co-founders</a> of Free Press. It’s no exaggeration to say that Free Press would not exist without Moyers’ support and encouragement. He was among the earliest supporters of Free Press and encouraged many others to join him. His wise and inspirational words motivated generations of media activists.</p><p>“Above all, Moyers was a kind and generous man, mentoring young journalists and activists – including me – and leading by example. We send our deepest condolences to his family, many friends and devoted colleagues, and millions of fans. There won’t be another Bill Moyers, but legions of us will try to carry on his work.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:27:26 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/free-press-mourns-bill-moyers</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>60+ Organizations Urge Senate to Vote No on Budget Bill that Would Raise Costs for Americans, Increase Transportation Pollution</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/60-organizations-urge-senate-to-vote-no-on-budget-bill-that-would-raise-costs-for-americans-increase-transportation-pollution</link><description><![CDATA[
  9. <p>Today, dozens of environmental, consumer, labor, and community organizations representing millions of members sent <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/dozens-organizations-urge-senate-vote-no-bad-budget-bill-would-raise-costs-americans-increase" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a letter</a> to the Senate urging lawmakers to vote no on Donald Trump’s dangerous so-called “One, Big Beautiful” reconciliation bill that will provide tax cuts for billionaires and corporate polluters while cutting clean energy jobs and abruptly getting rid of critical tax credits for transitioning to cleaner cars, trucks, and buses.<br/><br/>The letter focuses on the attacks on clean transportation in the bill, including the rescission of many clean transportation programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the termination of clean vehicle tax credits that would risk hundreds of thousands of jobs; and more. </p><p><em><strong>In response to the release of the letter, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released the following statement: </strong></em></p><p>“There’s nothing beautiful about toxic air pollution, saddling drivers with higher costs, and rolling back progress on clean transportation. At this moment, as half of the country is <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/central-eastern-us-june-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">affected by an intense heat wave</a>, we need to focus on investing in climate solutions and holding polluters accountable. The previous Congress had funded innovative and strategic programs to reduce costs, protect American jobs, and drive the competitiveness of the U.S. vehicle industry, and they’re working in communities across the nation in Republican and Democratic districts. This disastrous bill threatens to strip away that progress in giveaways to billionaires and corporate polluters. We urge all Senators to vote one, big beautiful no on this bill.” </p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:06:42 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/60-organizations-urge-senate-to-vote-no-on-budget-bill-that-would-raise-costs-for-americans-increase-transportation-pollution</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Kennedy Undermines Lifesaving Vaccine Effort at Global Summit</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/kennedy-undermines-lifesaving-vaccine-effort-at-global-summit</link><description><![CDATA[
  10. <p>At today’s high-level pledging <a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/9-billion-500-million-children-250-billion-roi-why-gavis-brussels-summit-matters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">summit </a>in Brussels, global leaders came together to support global vaccination, including Gavi’s effort to raise $9 billion to fund its 2026–2030 strategy. Over the next five years, Gavi aims to deliver 500 million childhood vaccinations, respond to deadly outbreaks, and save more than 8 million lives. <br/> <br/> But instead of showing up in solidarity to protect millions of people, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a pre-recorded statement, announced that the United States would withhold further funding while attacking Gavi and spreading false claims about vaccine safety. </p><p><strong>Public Citizen Global Vaccines Access Campaign Director Liza Barrie </strong>issued the following statement:</p><p>“Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s reported decision to cut off support for Gavi is reckless and deadly. The Trump administration is turning its back on a program that has helped vaccinate more than a billion children and save over 17 million lives—while Kennedy spreads lies about science, safety and one of the world’s most effective public health efforts.The facts are clear. Gavi exists to get vaccines to children who need them most. It works with governments in lower-income countries, health workers and communities to stop deadly diseases. Because of Gavi, millions of children who would have died are alive today.</p><p>Kennedy claims that Gavi ignored science are entirely false. Gavi’s recommendations—are grounded in global evidence and reviewed by independent experts. His suggestion otherwise fuels the same disinformation that has already led to deadly measles outbreaks and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. <br/> <br/> Gavi has <a href="https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/statement-response-25-june-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">publicly refuted </a>Kennedy’s claims, reaffirming its commitment to vaccine safety and evidence-based decisions.<br/> <br/> “This isn’t about protecting children. It’s about abandoning them. Choosing to walk away from a program that saves lives—knowing full well what the consequences will be—isn’t just reckless. It’s cruel.</p><p>“Public Citizen urges Congress to act—starting with protecting the Gavi funding already allocated in the FY25 budget, which the Trump administration is now trying to claw back through its rescissions proposal. Lawmakers must also protect Gavi funding in the FY26 budget. The United States must not walk away from global vaccine access. Not now, not ever. Turning away would be a choice to let disease spread and let children die.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:43:55 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/kennedy-undermines-lifesaving-vaccine-effort-at-global-summit</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Gestapo: You Guys Look Like Fucking Criminals</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/further/gestapo-you-guys-look-like-fucking-criminals</link><description><![CDATA[
  11. <img src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/ice-thugs-raid-a-popular-swap-meet-in-southern-california.jpg?id=61088277&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=437%2C0%2C437%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>New war hysteria looms, yet still armed, masked, unnamed stormtroopers roam the land, keeping us safe from "the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals" by abducting nefarious landscapers, car wash workers, Wal Mart greeters, tamale makers, swap meet fans and distraught mothers of children with cancer. As glorified "state-sanctioned intimidation" turns some terrified Latino neighborhoods into ghost towns, "Day by passing day, we are watching what amounts to a national police riot by ICE."</p><p>In our new Police States of America, the chilling images are everywhere: Throngs of burly, ill-trained, rifle-toting bullies cosplaying as soldiers, storming a car wash or Home Depot in their fearless face masks, headphones, neck gaiters, camo helmets, armored vests, mirrored sunglasses, dime-store badges, tight t-shirts and tough-guy walkie-talkies to round up and terrorize whatever brown-skinned innocents they can find into unmarked cars and then, whoosh just like <em>Fast and Furious</em>, into unknown, possibly illegal, probably distant detention camps. Who are these louts? Nobody knows. Operating under an ominous "shroud of opacity" lacking any accountability, they could be any racist losers with a penchant for violence: For an entry-level "frontline" ICE gig, they just need a driver's license and have to be a U.S. citizen, eligible to carry a firearm, younger than 40. They can apply online.<br/></p><p>Rumors abound: They are Proud Boys, Patriot Front, J-6 warriors, former <a href="https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a35058338/trump-pardon-blackwater-contractors-iraq-murders/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">goons</a> of Erik Prince's malignant Blackwater, which would be "quite the callback to Season One of Fascist Celebrity Apprentice." Some are likely former cops gone flabby or fired for excessive force. Many are likely garden-variety white nationalists, friendless basement-dwelling incels weary of playing<em> Call of Duty</em> and eager to up their ugly game by arresting brown people. To a point: Despite being giddily kitted out in over-the-top, Bagdad-ready military gear, they've reportedly been advised to avoid all the seriously gangsterish areas around L.A., which is why we've seen virtually no videos of amateur-hour Nazi thugs confronting gang members who might actually punch or shoot back - just manhandling pregnant moms, elderly farmworkers, dazed young skinny guys wiping down windshields at car washes.</p><p>Starting years ago with a heinous orange guy pronouncing all Mexicans rapists and murderers, it keeps getting worse as guard rails drop. His marauding agents of chaos can now go after frightened targets in once-safe spaces: schools, courts, hospitals, places of worship. They often skip warrants, mask up, refuse to identify themselves, grab U.S. citizens or witnesses (legally) recording - reminiscent, many note, of Gestapo on the streets of Poland. They just further <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/us/politics/ice-congress.html?utm_source=www.doomsdayscenario.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ice-believes-it-will-never-face-accountability-again" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">limited</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKpbNvqskJa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>oversight by <a href="https://www.ice.gov/doclib/detention/iceFacilityVisitationCongressional.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ending</a> lawmakers' unannounced visits to detention facilities and requiring at least 72 hours' notice. And now - thanks Goebbels - the "heat's on to (go) after the devils who are taking away the jobs." No wonder stories of random bigots <a href="https://www.threads.com/@catsonacouch/post/DLKxgb9R40X/by-implying-this-is-false-then-it-sounds-like-anyone-can-just-go-around-and-impe" target="_blank">impersonating</a> ICE - "Don’t be speaking that pig-Latin in my fucking country!" - are soaring. Also, <a href="https://x.com/VoteGloriaJ/status/1937498966528012464" target="_blank">kudos</a> to Gloria Johnson on her "unhealthy toddler impersonating a President."<br/></p><p>And so to harrowing videos of working people suddenly assaulted, cuffed and whisked away by mobs of jumpy, bellicose hoodlums in what newly <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/17/us/brad-lander-ice-arrest-nyc" target="_blank">arrested</a> New York Comptroller Brad Lander calls "a proceeding that bears no resemblance to justice." Like the 238 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador, at least 75% have no <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuelan-migrants-deportations-el-salvador-prison-60-minutes/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5j&linkId=791964935" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">criminal history</a>; most of the rest have paltry traffic or immigration violations before being <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-myster..." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"effectively disappeared." </a>They<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cNs6cpww1_s" target="_blank"> grabbed</a> a young Afghan interpreter for U.S. troops who invaded his country; he was at court, checking in as instructed. They<a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/new-california-la..." target="_blank"> pinned</a> a pregnant U.S. citizen to a truck, detained the baby's father, then let her go to give birth four days later. They cuffed, interrogated and pulled a gun on a U.S. citizen in Chicago who, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W1Ucq0MldE&t=104s" target="_blank">driving past</a> thugs accosting a woman, "gave a little honk (to) be there for my people"; said thugs claimed he tried to kill them.</p><p>ICE rampages are nationwide. Here in Portland ME, an immigration legal advocacy group gets over 60 calls a day from people too scared to go to work, Hispanic kids only go out to play after dark, and abduction stories spread. In Oregon's wine country, thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/19/or..." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nabbed </a>and put in chains Moises Sotelo, popular 2020 winner of the Oregon Wine Board's Vineyard Excellence Award, who's lived and raised a family there for decades. In a <a href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/newberg-ice-vineyard-dui-conviction-record-deportation/283-a9eab989-e298-4c6a-b6c3-c38eeb95761f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">statement, </a>ICE got all the facts wrong about Sotelo; when a friend tried to visit him in detention, he'd vanished and an official insisted they didn't have to tell him to where: "I told him I thought that sounded wrong, and he said, ‘Well, that’s the way it is.'" <em>The Guardian</em> managed to find out Sotelo was shipped to Arizona; when they asked for ICE confirmation they're under no obligation to tell family or attorneys where prisoners are, they responded, "That is correct."</p><p>Clearly California, and especially majority-Latino L.A., are the hardest hit. One resident tries to describe it: "Imagine vans roll up to your local <em>Hobby Lobby.</em> Heavily armed men pour out, body armor, masked, no I.D. They immediately move to every white person they see. They handcuff them, assuming they're Jan. 6 rioters." In Pico Rivera, they <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cNs6cpww1_s" target="_blank">mobbed</a> and took down a scrawny 20-year-old Wal-Mart worker and U.S. citizen when he tried to stop them from grabbing an older worker; the community loudly protested. In Huffington Park, a half-dozen cars filled with armed, masked, cosplay soldiers barged into the home of a pregnant mother of four; they were looking for her husband David; she said her husband's name is Jorge, and he wasn't there. Nazi Barbie stood outside, ready for the cameras; instead, they left empty-handed, after which the kids got to go back into their now-trashed house.</p><p>In Santa Fe Springs, a DHS copter circled overhead as about <em>sixty </em>armed, masked, geared-up brownshirts-in-jeans <a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/dozens-of-heavily..." target="_blank">surged across </a>a crowded flea market as vendors and customers fled in terror. After dragging out people from bathrooms and harassing whoever they found for I.D's, they cuffed and hauled off two victims. Another mob of about 20 masked, psyched, uber-armed hooligans <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:bz3idwc6jcvidvyb476l2cqk/post/3lryaddpum22c?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fdigbysblog.net%252F" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">went afte<em>r</em> </a><em>a 60-year-old woman selling tamales</em> outside a Lowe's; after she had a panic attack and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@letsparza/video/7517766107382451486?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">collapsed, </a>chaos ensued: Sirens, air horns, brave furious swarms of locals, cell cameras held high, yelling, "You guys are fucking terrorists!" and "What the fuck are you doing here?" As one chubby jerk lifted his rifle, they <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ICE_Raids/comments/1lgak8w/20_ice_agents_armed_with_rifles_just_to_take_down/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shrieked</a>, "We don't need fucking guns here! Go get some bad guys!" "What a bunch of weak-ass cowards," said one. "If kidnapping the Tamale Lady doesn't wake you up, you're dead inside."</p><p>In Santa Ana, in <a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/masked-men-in-u-s-border-patrol-vests-brutally-beat-take-santa-ana-father/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">video </a>that's gone viral, hoodlums brutally <a href="https://archive.is/20250623040328/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-22/father..." target="_blank">beat, punched and pepper-sprayed</a> a 48-year-old landscaper and father of three U.S. Marines before <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/marines-dad-beaten-border-patrol-agents-b2775043.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dragging </a>him so hard into an unmarked van they dislocated his shoulder; one son <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-22/father-of-3-marines-violently-detained-federal-agents" target="_blank">said </a>over 24 hours later his father had gotten no treatment, water or food (but thank you for your service). In Pasadena, a power-drunk thug leapt out of his car, drew his gun and (illegally) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:bz3idwc6jcvidvyb476l2cqk/post/3lryaddpum22c?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fdigbysblog.net%252F" target="_blank">pointed </a>it at the head of a guy taking a photo of his (illegally) glare-guard-obscured license plate. Comments on a hyper-militarized GI-Joe wannabe with zero accountability: "Needs to deport: illegal, paranoid, jumpy," "Where can I report a masked man pulling a firearm on a civilian while stopped in traffic in the middle of the day?" "In hindsight, maybe empowering thugs to become American Gestapo might not have been so wise," and, "I think we're officially a shithole country now."</p><p>In what passes for mercy these days, an El Monte mother of a 21-year-old daughter battling bone cancer - the mom <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/longbeach/comments/1jatax..." target="_blank">filmed</a> weeping as she was dragged off - was released on bond on "humanitarian" grounds after outraged "Free Yolanda" marches; in an interview, she stoically displayed her ankle monitor. But that was a rare, small victory. Much more common are surreal scenes like the geared-up punk in Santa Ana, part of a raid outside the Little Market, seeing an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLGIqhrzv2n/?utm_so." target="_blank">observer recording</a> from a nearby car and swiftly sticking his rifle in her face. Later, the woman, part of a local, grassroots rapid response team, calmly posted video of the encounter with helpful information: "You are legally allowed to record an ICE raid from a safe distance, for you and them. They are NOT supposed to draw any type of weapon at you for simply recording...With that said, move with caution.", </p><p>In his <em>Doomsday Scenario</em>, Garrett Graff <a href="https://www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-believes-it-..." target="_blank">argues</a> the regime's anti-immigrant machinery has "switftly transformed itself into the closest thing the US has ever had to a <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-ice-is-becoming-a-secret-police-force-under-the-trump-administration-255019?utm_source=www.doomsdayscenario.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ice-believes-it-will-never-face-accountability-again" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">secret police</a> at the heart of our democracy" - an entity more culturally akin to the Klan nightriders of Reconstruction than any legit law enforcement agency, and one that does not <a href="https://www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-believes-it-..." target="_blank">believe</a> it will ever be subject to any meaningful legal oversight or restraint by people in power wholly indifferent to public perceptions of their abuses. Given that indifference, the S.S.-like Goebbel push for 2,000 arrests a day, and soaring <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/bQU00DB5v_E?si=YSMsSIfISVzIdozj" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">assaults </a>on California's farm workers, day laborers, street vendors and other "easy targets" in easily accessed outdoor jobs, local lawmakers and rights advocates are doing what they can to tweak the laws, educate and protect the most vulnerable, and stem the authoritarian tide.</p><p>In response to all the documented abuses, two Bay Area legislators just <a href="https://laist.com/brief/news/politics/california-bill-would-prohibit-ice-officers-from-wearing-masks-in-the-state" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introduced</a> a bill to bar all law enforcement from wearing masks; it also requires them to identify themselves with badges and names. Arguing, "These are not lawful arrests," Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores has also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/california-leade..." target="_blank">called on</a> local police to verify identities of gun-in-your-face yahoos <a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/huntington-park-mayor-directs-police-to-enforce-ice-agents-self-identification/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">carrying out </a>"masked abductions," and to enforce vehicle codes on visible license plates and agency markings. Still, with many rights advocates <a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/06/10/la-police-ice-raids-protests/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">charging </a>there's often distance between Dems' rhetoric and reality - LAPD is "protecting (ICE), not protecting us" - local organizers have ratcheted up advocacy efforts with groups like <a href="https://www.cleancarwash.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLEAN Carwash Worker Center</a> and Community Self-Defense <a href="https://www.instagram.com/communityselfdefensecoalition?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=emV5MzQ4cnUxanNi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coalition</a>, offering residents rights workshops, “Know Your Rights” <a href="https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cards</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKvCaQQTk6Q/?igsh=aW9xZTc4bmhia3Qy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“adopt a corner”</a> programs to warn workers of raids. Lone patriots have quietly <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:did5psctmmw4j4xlxu64uvzq/post/3lscjyuidgk2l?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.democraticunderground.com%252F100220428785" target="_blank">stepped up. </a></p><p>In L.A., protests continue, tow trucks are reportedly <a href="https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220427536" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hauling </a>off ICE rigs in <a href="https://www.threads.com/@thehalfwaypost/post/DLIUyhishIm/breaking-a-growing-group-of-tow-truck-drivers-in-la-are-reportedly-stalking-ice-" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">solidarity, </a>and cowboys did a <a href="https://abc7.com/post/socal-cowboys-show-support-f..." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">unity ride</a> because, "Nobody is going to save us. We have to come out and stand up." Elsewhere, there are <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/demonstrators-are-trying-to-make-sure-ice-agents-cant-sleep/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">No Sleep For Ice</a> protests - drums, cans, trombones - at hotels where they stay. A new “Dictator Approved" sculpture <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/eight-foot-tall-..." target="_blank">appeared </a>in D.C. featuring a fat, gold, thumbs-up hand crushing the crown of Lady Liberty and mock tributes from despots: "Trump is a very bright and talented man."<em>The Onion </em><a href="https://theonion.com/why-im-sending-issues-of-the-..." target="_blank">did </a>a special issue - sample: "Think Tank Called Himmler Institute <a href="https://theonion.com/think-tank-called-the-himmler-institute-assures-nation-this-all-legal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assures </a>Nation This All Legal" - thanking a craven Congress for doing nothing as we "stand in the smoldering ruins of our democratic government...slipping smoothly into the warm bath of authoritarianism...Now more than ever, our nation needs your cowardice." Then they<a href="https://theonion.com/why-im-sending-issues-of-the-..." target="_blank"> stuck </a>a print copy in every congressperson’s mailbox.</p>Still, the horrors mount, <a href="https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-shock-and-awe-dep..." target="_blank">brutality upon brutality. </a>Goons<a href="https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/monse_arrest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> abduct </a>a woman en route to school with her kids, left sobbing; a reporter covering “No Kings” protests; a pregnant woman who suffers a stillbirth when she's denied care in custody; 15 workers on a flood control project in flood-prone New Orleans. They <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/us/alligator-al..." target="_blank">devise </a>Alligator Alcatraz, a migrant concentration camp of tents and misery in Florida's Everglades, where if they <a href="https://x.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1935741644101374271" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">escape, </a>a baleful video leers, alligators and pythons await them. And they <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Political_Revolution/comm..." target="_blank">swarm </a>Bubble Bath Car Wash in Torrance CA, where the owner yells, "Get outta here You guys look like fucking criminals, and you act like criminals." A defiant woman out front <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Political_Revolution/comm..." target="_blank">joins in,</a> berating them as bounty hunters. "Who are you guys? You need to fucking identify yourselves - this is a kidnap," she shouts. "Fucking racial profiling is against the law, motherfuckers. Get the fuck outta here, assholes." Deflated thugs stand dumbly, then slink away. "Fuck them, assholes," she spits. There are monsters among us. There are also saints.<p><em>Update:</em> On Tuesday, MAGA's own Goebbels, reflecting his racist cabal's meltdown that Zohran Mamdani, a brown person (Muslim yet), won the New York City mayoral primary, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/08/a-deadly-ideology-how-the-great-replacement-theory-went-mainstream" target="_blank">blamed</a> the catastrophe on "unchecked immigration." He <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jun/..." target="_blank">called </a>Mamdani's rise "the clearest warning yet of what happens to a society when it <strong></strong>fails to control migration," noting a third of New York City's residents are foreign-born and almost two-thirds of its children live in a foreign-born household. Sounds pretty cool to us.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLOSoiBMksn/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0;
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  28. </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:16:25 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/further/gestapo-you-guys-look-like-fucking-criminals</guid><dc:creator>Abby Zimet</dc:creator><media:content medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/ice-thugs-raid-a-popular-swap-meet-in-southern-california.jpg?id=61088277&amp;width=980"></media:content></item><item><title>EU/Israel: ‘Timid’ review of EU-Israel Association Agreement a ‘greenlight to Israel’s genocide’</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/eu-israel-timid-review-of-eu-israel-association-agreement-a-greenlight-to-israels-genocide</link><description><![CDATA[
  29. <p>Responding to the European Commission’s review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which found ‘indications’ that Israel is breaching its human rights obligations, Eve Geddie the Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office said:</p><p>“Despite its timid wording, the European Commission finally states the obvious: Israel is breaching its human rights obligations under the Agreement. This is an indisputable fact that Amnesty International, international courts, UN bodies, independent experts, prominent Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs, scholars, commentators and former diplomats have been saying for years.</p><p>“It is unforgivable that it took the EU so long to launch this review and disturbing to see the EU fail to set out any measures it plans to take against Israel. Every day the EU delays meaningful action, is a greenlight for Israel to continue its genocide in the Gaza Strip and unlawful occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).</p><p>“The EU and its member states have an obligation to ban trade and investment that could contribute to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and other grave violations of international law, including the crime against humanity of apartheid against all Palestinians whose rights it controls.</p><p>“Now that they have determined there are ‘indications’ that Israel is breaching human rights, there is no excuse for inaction or delays. Every deal that EU member states do with Israel in the meantime, leaves them at risk of being complicit in Israel’s grave violations of international law, including genocide.</p><p>“Member states in favour of suspending the agreement must use all their diplomatic weight to ensure that opponents of the suspension, including Germany, fully understand the risk of complicity and the cruel toll on Palestinian lives of continued EU inaction. If the EU fails to live up to these obligations as a bloc, and seeks to shield itself from its clear legal obligations, its member states must unilaterally suspend all forms of cooperation that may contribute to violations of international law.”</p><p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>On 23 June 2025, the European Commission presented its review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to EU foreign ministers. The review found ‘indications’ that Israel is breaching its human rights obligations but did not present any measures for the EU to take in response.</p><p>Amnesty International has<a href="https://www.amnesty.eu/news/israel-opt-icj-opinion-means-there-can-be-no-business-as-usual-for-eu-and-israel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> long</strong></a> called for a <a href="https://www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-must-suspend-the-eu-israel-association-agreement-joint-statement/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thorough, comprehensive, and credible</a> review the Association Agreement in line with EU member states’ obligations to prevent trade and investment that contributes to maintaining Israel’s unlawful occupation of the OPT, as set out by the <a href="https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion</strong></a> of 19 July 2024 and obligations not to render aid or assistance to the commission of crimes under international law.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:37:37 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/eu-israel-timid-review-of-eu-israel-association-agreement-a-greenlight-to-israels-genocide</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Over 170 State Legislators Tell Senate to Reject Trump Billionaire Tax Giveaway that Shifts Costs To States</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/over-170-state-legislators-tell-senate-to-reject-trump-billionaire-tax-giveaway-that-shifts-costs-to-states</link><description><![CDATA[
  30. <p>Today, Americans for Tax Fairness organized and sent a letter from 174 state legislators across 23 states to Senate leaders of both parties. The letter urges the Senate to reject the reconciliation bill, which would cut billions from critical programs—including Medicaid, SNAP, and education—to fund tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations. The legislators voiced concerns that these massive cuts to critical programs would force states to fill the gaps. The letter and full list of signatories can be accessed at this <a href="https://americansfortaxfairness.org/re-reject-massive-tax-cuts-paid-cost-shifting-states-reconciliation-bill/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">link</a>.</p><p>“Trump and the billionaire-backed GOP majority in the Senate are on the verge of creating a crisis for state governments across the country. Trump’s reconciliation bill would cut billions from life-saving programs like Medicaid and SNAP while slashing funding for education and environmental programs—all to pay for a massive tax giveaway to billionaires and wealthy corporations,” said ATF Executive Director David Kass. “If this bill is enacted, states will have to shoulder the burden of not only raising costs for their residents but also administrative and benefit costs due to the draconian SNAP provisions in this bill. Some states, which want to ensure their residents still have access to Medicaid, may be forced to raise taxes or cut other public goods, while others risk thousands of residents losing vital access to healthcare. We applaud these state legislators for signing on and standing up for their constituents. Senators from both parties should follow their example and reject this truly disastrous bill.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:36:58 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/over-170-state-legislators-tell-senate-to-reject-trump-billionaire-tax-giveaway-that-shifts-costs-to-states</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>“Good Trouble Lives On” National Day of Action Builds on Momentum Against Authoritarianism, Fight for Civil Rights</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/good-trouble-lives-on-national-day-of-action-builds-on-momentum-against-authoritarianism-fight-for-civil-rights</link><description><![CDATA[
  31. <p>On July 17, five years since the passing of civil rights hero Congressman John Lewis, communities nationwide are mobilizing for <a href="https://goodtroubleliveson.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Good Trouble Lives On</a>, a national day of action to speak out against the Trump administration’s brazen rollback of our civil rights. </p><p>Coined by Congressman John Lewis, “Good Trouble” is the action of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. Led by the Transformative Justice Coalition, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Black Voters Matter, <a href="https://goodtroubleliveson.org/partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">and more</a>, movement leaders are inviting folks across the country to “Make Good Trouble” on July 17 by hosting an event in their community.</p><p>Organizers hope to build on the momentum from the historic “No Kings” mass mobilization on June 14, the largest demonstration to take place in Trump’s second term with over 2,100 events spanning across all 50 states. We will take to the streets, courthouses and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights and dignity for all. </p><p>The Trump administration’s recent escalating authoritarian actions, attacks on DEI initiatives and voting rights and dismantling of government agencies have raised alarm bells for democracy advocates, and that’s why we’re mobilizing:<br/> </p> <ul><li>President Trump escalated immigration raids in Los Angeles, where reports showed immigrants being <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/06/10/la-ice-raids-deported-migrants/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">detained and deported</a> without access to family or lawyers. Trump then ordered the National Guard and Marines to the city, leading to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj93d3r0zz0o" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mass arrests</a>—including peaceful protestors like SEIU California President David Huerta. </li><li>The Trump administration attempted to weaponize the Justice Department through an indictment of Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), who was simply conducting an Congressional <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/lamonica-mciver-indicted-federal-charges-ice-new-jersey-rcna212221" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">oversight visit</a> of an ICE detention center.  <ul><li>When Senator Alex Padilla (CA) asked a question at a Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8okH42ZSG0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">press conference</a>, FBI agents tackled, handcuffed and pushed him to the ground.</li><li>Trump’s ICE detained NYC Comptroller Brad Lander for <a href="https://time.com/7295152/brad-lander-arrest-immigration-court/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">asking to see a warrant </a>at immigration court.</li></ul> </li><li>From House Republicans’ so-called “SAVE Act,” which would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, to Donald Trump’s attempted anti-voter Executive Order and attacks on the DOJ’s Voting Rights division, the Trump administration and his allies in Congress are determined to put up hurdles for millions of eligible Americans to cast their ballots.</li></ul> <p>This isn’t the government our founders envisioned, nor the democracy generations of Americans have fought to realize. As the Trump administration continues violating civil liberties and attacking fundamental freedoms, pro-democracy groups are staying vigilant. The power lies with the American people to unify and “Make Good Trouble.” </p><p>Good Trouble Lives On is led by Transformative Justice Coalition, Black Voters Matter, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, Mi Familia Acción and <a href="https://goodtroubleliveson.org/partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">more</a>.</p><p>For more information on <em>Good Trouble Lives On</em>, please visit <a href="https://goodtroubleliveson.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://goodtroubleliveson.org/</a>. </p><p><strong>MEDIA CONTACT</strong>: For media inquiries, please email <a href="mailto:media@goodtroubleliveson.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">media@goodtroubleliveson.org.</a></p>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:04:05 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/good-trouble-lives-on-national-day-of-action-builds-on-momentum-against-authoritarianism-fight-for-civil-rights</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Progressive Democrats of America Condemns Trump’s Bombing of Iran</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/progressive-democrats-of-america-condemns-trumps-bombing-of-iran</link><description><![CDATA[
  32. <p>Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) today issued the following statement:</p><p>Progressive Democrats of America condemns Trump’s unconstitutional bombing of Iran. We’re outraged by these reckless, lawless, aggressive actions. We support the Khanna/Massie War Powers Resolution to curtail the abuse of war powers.</p><p>Donald Trump ordered a surprise bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, including sites under international monitoring, without a vote from Congress. Without any public debate. The airstrikes on Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites shocked the Congress and the rest of the world including, U.S. allies.</p><p>Carried out without congressional authorization or clear evidence of an imminent threat, Trump’s actions blatantly violated the U.S. Constitution as well as U.S. and international law.</p><p>As Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) stated: “Trump said he would end wars; now he has dragged America into one. His actions are a clear violation of our Constitution.”</p><p>The U.S. intelligence community confirmed in March that Iran was not developing nuclear weapons. There was no emergency, no justification whatsoever. Only Trump’s irrational warmongering.</p><p>International leaders responded with horror. As expected, Iran called the attack “a grave violation of the UN Charter.” They’re far from alone in this, however. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned it could spiral into catastrophe. The EU and other nations have also condemned this unprovoked aggression.</p><p>Trump’s own political allies expressed dismay. Trump loyalists including Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene called these attacks a betrayal of the “America First” mandate to avoid endless wars.</p><p>This is not foreign policy. This is militarized authoritarianism. We must act to stop it now, before it spreads to enflame the entire Middle East, if not the entire globe in dangerous, unnecessary conflict.</p><p>We are outraged, but this moment demands more than outrage. It demands organized, coordinated resistance. Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is helping lead the charge, organizing with our allies inside and outside of Congress to push back.</p><p>We’re mobilizing support for the War Powers Resolution and coordinating protests demanding an immediate ceasefire and all party negotiations to achieve a just and durable peace treaty as soon as practicable.</p><p>Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and U.S. politics by working inside and outside of the party. This, by electing empowered progressives and by building the progressive movement in solidarity with with peace, justice, civil rights, environmental, and other reform efforts. For more information about the organization, please see <a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/110109348/553300479/-392754767?u=UNl7ChqXmCZO5_gB2mL0TSZ9HijzgurbJj-2lWrGrC4&e=df1f125a5c9459b21ae42b459ff695a6&utm_source=pda&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02_05_2025_press_release_gaza&n=2&test_email=1&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9UU00vVFNNMTQvMS8xMTcyNjUiLA0KICAiRGlzdHJpYnV0aW9uVW5pcXVlSWQiOiAiMjY5NTk4ZWEtNjY1MC1mMDExLThmN2MtNjA0NWJkZmU4ZTljIiwNCiAgIkVtYWlsQWRkcmVzcyI6ICJqb25AY29tbW9uZHJlYW1zLm9yZyINCn0%3D&hmac=CtzS1GZOTqVc8nZ1W5LeYzF9RYf-1kbZ_JTLy_oOZM0=&emci=5506ed49-6450-f011-8f7c-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=269598ea-6650-f011-8f7c-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=2911280" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://PDAmerica.org</a></p>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:41:01 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/progressive-democrats-of-america-condemns-trumps-bombing-of-iran</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>New IEA Report on Liquified Natural Gas Emissions Regurgitates Old Fallacies</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-iea-report-on-liquified-natural-gas-emissions-regurgitates-old-fallacies</link><description><![CDATA[
  33. <p>In response to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s just-released report on the greenhouse gas emissions of liquefied natural gas (LNG), <strong>Oil Change International Research Director Lorne Stockman</strong> said: </p><p>“This latest IEA report repeats the decade-old fallacy that the LNG industry is on the cusp of cleaning up its act, even though it has consistently refused to do so. The methane reductions that are supposed to result from a suite of new technologies and a slew of industry-led voluntary initiatives have failed to materialize again and again. The IEA’s own <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Methane Tracker</a> data shows that the oil and gas industry’s methane emissions are massive and growing, and “have still not reached a definitive peak.” While the IEA attempts to downplay the life-cycle GHG emissions of LNG compared to coal, The IEA’s own modelling also clearly <a href="https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/140a0470-5b90-4922-a0e9-838b3ac6918c/WorldEnergyOutlook2024.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shows</a> that there is no room for any new LNG export projects if the world is to stave off climate disaster. </p><p>“The IEA <a href="https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/methane-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-2010-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">estimates </a>that 80.5 million metric tons of methane were emitted from the global oil and gas industry in 2024, while highlighting that “<em>methane emissions are widely underreported</em>.” In the short term (20-year equivalency), this equates to over 6.4 billion tons of CO2. This is like adding nearly 1,700 US coal plants. </p><p>“It is beyond time that the IEA, the oil and gas industry, and enabling governments such as Japan and the US stop spreading misinformation about gas. The only way to reduce emissions from oil and gas, and the toxic pollution they spread into communities’ air and water, is to phase out fossil fuel production and use. We have waited too long. The planet is literally burning while the oil and gas industry fiddles.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:35:44 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-iea-report-on-liquified-natural-gas-emissions-regurgitates-old-fallacies</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Story Removed</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/story-removed</link><description><![CDATA[
  34. <p><strong><em>Common Dreams Update:</em></strong><em> Following publication of the article found at this URL—originally titled "'Disgusting': VA Doctors Can Now Reportedly Refuse to Treat Unmarried People, Democrats on June 16 and which was based on June 16 Guardian reporting under the headline "'Extremely Disturbing and Unethical': new rules allow VA doctors to refuse to treat Democrats, unmarried veterans"—that news outlet posted updates to its coverage in response to demands for clarification from the Trump administration's Department of Veterans Affairs. <br/></em></p><p><em>Due to the nature of the Guardian's changes to their reporting, upon which our article was based, <em>we have made the decision to take down our article, but are including the full text of the original below in the name of transparency.</em></em></p><p><em>The Guardian's editorial note for their piece is below, in full, and their updated article can be read </em><em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/va-doctors-refuse-treat-patients" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>:</em><em></em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><strong><em>Guardian editorial note:</em></strong><em> This article and its headline were amended on 18 June 2025. An earlier version said that under the new rules, medical staff could refuse to treat veterans based on their beliefs or marital status, and that candidates for hospital positions could face discrimination on grounds of further characteristics removed from the bylaws. After publication, the VA contacted the Guardian citing a 2013 policy directive that it says will continue to protect patients from discrimination despite the redactions in its bylaws; the VA also cited federal law protecting staff from discrimination. The VA further emphasized that federal law gives all eligible veterans access to hospital services. The VA’s comments on this were added.<br/></em></p><div class="horizontal-rule"></div><p><br/><strong>'Disgusting': VA Doctors Can Now Reportedly Refuse to Treat Unmarried People, Democrats</strong><br/><em>This is a "political purity tests for people who risked their lives for this country," wrote one veterans group.</em><br/><br/>In response to a January executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented new guidelines that permit individual doctors and other health professionals to refuse to treat patients based on their marital status or political beliefs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/va-doctors-refuse-treat-patients" target="_blank">according</a> to Monday reporting from <em>The Guardian.</em></p><p>With the changes in place, "individual workers are now free to decline to care for patients based on personal characteristics not explicitly prohibited by federal law."</p><p>According to <em>The Guardian</em>, previously VA hospitals' bylaws said that medical staff could not discriminate against patients based on "race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, or disability in any employment matter." Terms on that list including, "national origin," "politics," and "marital status," are no longer there.</p><p>The changes "seem to open the door to discrimination on the basis of anything that is not legally protected," Dr. Kenneth Kizer, the VA's top healthcare official during the Clinton administration, told <em>The Guardian.</em></p><p><span></span>The new guidelines, which also apply to psychologists and other occupations, are already in effect in at least some Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, according to the outlet.</p><p>The Veterans Health Administration, the largest integrated healthcare system in the country, provides care at over 1,300 healthcare facilities. According to the VA's <a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aboutvha.asp#:~:text=The%20Veterans%20Health%20Administration%20(VHA,the%20VA%20health%20care%20program." target="_blank">website</a>, over 9.1 million veterans are enrolled in the VA healthcare program.</p><p>What's more, the outlet reviewed documents that show that medical staff including doctors can now be barred "from working at VA hospitals based on their marital status, political party affiliation or union activity." Workers like certified nurse practitioners, chiropractors, and licensed clinical social workers, among others, are also impacted by the changes.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who is a senior member and former chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, issued a sharp statement in response to the news.</p><p>"Healthcare isn't just a special privilege Trump gets to dole out to veterans who agree with the president—it's a moral obligation our country owes to every single man and woman who serves in uniform. Anyone who doesn't understand that has no business leading our armed forces in any way," wrote Murray in a statement on Monday.</p><p>"It's disgusting that this policy was ever allowed to go into effect, and I will not let it fly under the radar," she added.</p><p>"This isn't healthcare. It's political purity tests for people who risked their lives for this country. It's unethical, authoritarian, and every one of us should be outraged," <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/votevets.org/post/3lrqayeprxk2g" target="_blank">wrote</a> VoteVets, a progressive veterans group, in a Bluesky post on Monday in response to <em>The Guardian's</em> reporting.</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreidrn7pldlritrq5hwjdzwcvfzze4lkolcfargkesajadzdpelftiu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:lugfl5ovij6keueyqpd3zjz4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrqayeprxk2g">🚨🚨 Trump’s VA just allowed doctors to deny care to Democrats, unmarried Veterans, among other groups.  This isn’t healthcare. It’s political purity tests for people who risked their lives for this country.  It’s unethical, authoritarian, and every one of us should be outraged.<br/><br/><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lugfl5ovij6keueyqpd3zjz4/post/3lrqayeprxk2g?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a><br/>— VoteVets (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lugfl5ovij6keueyqpd3zjz4?ref_src=embed">@votevets.org</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lugfl5ovij6keueyqpd3zjz4/post/3lrqayeprxk2g?ref_src=embed">June 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js"></script></div><p><br/></p><p>According to <em>The Guardian, </em>VA Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz did not dispute these aspects of the new rules, but told the outlet that "all eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they've earned under the law."</p><p>The rule change, according to <em>The Guardian</em>, stems from the January 30 executive order called <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal" target="_blank">"Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."</a><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal"> </a></p><p>The outlet reported that the "primary purpose of the executive order was to strip most government protections from transgender people. The VA has since ceased providing most gender-affirming care and forbidden a long list of words, including 'gender affirming' and 'transgender,' from clinical settings." The VA is currently led by former Republican congressman Doug Collins.</p><p>Kasperowicz confirmed that they were implemented to adhere to January executive order. He called the changes nothing more than a "formality." He added that the revisions were necessary to "ensure VA policy comports with federal law," but did not specify which laws made the changes necessary.</p><div class="horizontal-rule"></div><p><strong><em>Common Dreams </em><em>Update:</em></strong><em> Following publication of this article, which was based on June 16 </em><em>Guardian reporting, that news outlet posted updates to its coverage in response to demands for clarification from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Guardian's editorial note for</em><em> their piece </em><em>is below, in full, and their updated article can be read <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/va-doctors-refuse-treat-patients" target="_blank">here</a>.</em><em> <strong></strong></em></p><p><em><strong>Guardian editorial note:</strong> This article and its headline were amended on 18 June 2025. An earlier version said that under the new rules, medical staff could refuse to treat veterans based on their beliefs or marital status, and that candidates for hospital positions could face discrimination on grounds of further characteristics removed from the bylaws. After publication, the VA contacted the Guardian citing a 2013 policy directive that it says will continue to protect patients from discrimination despite the redactions in its bylaws; the VA also cited federal law protecting staff from discrimination. The VA further emphasized that federal law gives all eligible veterans access to hospital services. The VA’s comments on this were added.</em></p>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:07:51 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/story-removed</guid><dc:creator>Common Dreams Staff</dc:creator></item><item><title>Trustees Report Shows Social Security is Strong and Solvent</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/trustees-report-shows-social-security-is-strong-and-solvent</link><description><![CDATA[
  35. <p><em>The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding the Trustees reports on the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/TR/2025/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> released</a> today:</em></p><p>“Older American retirees can feel confident about their Social Security based on the Trustees’ report released today.</p><p>“Today’s report reaffirms that the Social Security Trust Fund is able to pay full benefits and expenses until 2033 as is the Medicare Trust Fund. If Congress does not make any changes, the Social Security Trust Fund will then pay 77% of benefits to all current and future beneficiaries.</p><p>“However, we cannot be complacent. Republicans in Congress have made clear they are eager to cut the benefits Americans have worked a lifetime to earn. Whether it’s raising the retirement age beyond 67, privatizing Social Security, or continuing the DOGE agenda of dismantling the Social Security Administration to make it harder to claim benefits, the future of our guaranteed benefits is at risk.</p><p>“There is a better way to strengthen Social Security for current and future generations. 94% of working Americans pay into Social Security with every paycheck. If the wealthiest 6% of Americans had to do the same, current and future generations of Americans would not only receive all the benefits they have earned, but we could increase benefits for those who need it the most.</p><p>“We urge Congress and the Administration to strengthen Medicare’s finances by reining in the high cost of prescription drugs and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices for more drugs. In addition, we urge HHS to hold Medicare Advantage insurance corporations accountable for delivering care at a reasonable cost and crack down on practices that increase corporate profits without improving patient care.</p><p>“In just a few weeks Medicare will celebrate its 60th anniversary while Social Security will celebrate its 90th. There is no better time for all Americans to commit to strengthening these critical programs. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 20:14:15 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/trustees-report-shows-social-security-is-strong-and-solvent</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Statement on the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/statement-on-the-2025-social-security-trustees-report</link><description><![CDATA[
  36. <p>The following is a statement from <a href="https://socialsecurityworks.org/about/staff/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nancy Altman</a>, President of <a href="https://socialsecurityworks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Social Security Works</a>, on the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2025 Social Security Trustees Report</a>:</p><p>“This report shows that Social Security is fully affordable, costing <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/tr/2025/VI_G2_OASDHI_GDP.html#200732" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">only about 6 percent of GDP</a> at the end of the 21st century. It has a modest funding shortfall, which is still years away. There is no question Congress will act to avert the shortfall, as it always has in the past. The question is what Congress will do.</p><p>There are two options for action: Bringing more money into Social Security, or reducing benefits. Any politician who doesn’t support increasing Social Security’s revenue is, by default, supporting benefit cuts.</p><p>In <a href="https://socialsecurityworks.org/social-security-polling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">poll</a> after <a href="https://www.nasi.org/pressrelease/new-public-survey-lays-out-a-bipartisan-roadmap-for-social-securitys-future/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">poll</a>, the American people are clear that they strongly support making the wealthy pay their fair share into Social Security, and overwhelmingly oppose benefit cuts. As divided as Americans are over many issues, we are united about Social Security.</p><p>Not only is requiring the wealthy to pay into Social Security on all their income popular, it is also excellent policy. Income inequality <a href="https://www.epi.org/blog/a-record-share-of-earnings-was-not-subject-to-social-security-taxes-in-2021-inequalitys-undermining-of-social-security-has-accelerated/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">has cost</a> Social Security more than $1.4 trillion since 1983. If the wealthy pay in on all of their income, including unearned investment income, we <a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Social-Security-Expansion-Act-one-pager-2025.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">can easily afford</a> to protect and expand Social Security’s modest benefits.</p><p>Democrats have introduced <a href="https://larson.house.gov/issues/social-security-2100-act" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Social-Security-Expansion-Act-one-pager-2025.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bills</a> that would do just that. In sharp contrast, Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues want to give even more tax breaks to billionaires.</p><p>Importantly, the question about whether to expand or cut Social Security is a question of values, not affordability. America is the wealthiest country in the history of the world, at the wealthiest moment in our history. That money can remain concentrated in the hands of billionaires, or it can go towards Social Security, enriching all of our lives.</p><p>There is an urgent crisis facing Social Security, but it’s not a shortfall years in the future. It is sabotage that’s happening right now. Despite Donald Trump’s promise to protect Social Security, Elon Musk’s DOGE is undermining it every day. DOGE has <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/politics/doge-social-security.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pushed out</a> thousands of Social Security staffers, including nearly half of senior executives. This is an incalculable loss of institutional knowledge and expertise.</p><p>These cuts are completely misguided and unnecessary. Social Security is run very efficiently, with <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/tr/2024/II_B_cyoper.html#96807" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">well under a penny</a> of every dollar spent on administrative costs. Given that, substantially increasing or decreasing Social Security’s administrative budget has a <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/solvency/BSanders_20180627.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">negligible impact</a> on the system’s finances.</p><p>Today’s report is a reminder that even as DOGE’s cuts to the Social Security Administration are wrecking Social Security’s customer service, they are doing nothing to improve its solvency.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 20:13:02 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/statement-on-the-2025-social-security-trustees-report</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Making Long-Acting PrEP Accessible to All Could Help End AIDS</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/making-long-acting-prep-accessible-to-all-could-help-end-aids</link><description><![CDATA[
  37. <p>A new group of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) shots that protect people for six months after injection could help end the global AIDS epidemic – that is, if manufacturers, global leaders and advocates step up to ensure the drugs are accessible to all countries for a fair price.<br/> <br/> On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a highly effective new HIV-prevention medication, lenacapavir. The closest drug to an HIV vaccine, lenacapavir has shown 99% efficacy in preventing HIV infection, but its manufacturer, Gilead, is overcharging for the drug and gripping tightly to its patents in certain countries.<br/> <br/> Patented in many Latin American countries, lenacapavir as an HIV treatment is priced at more than $40,000 (U.S. dollars) per year, but <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC8cVQZTzJwEUo39nEv06AgUy-2BPtmaX9hrFBayo4mUIjUduPZHJ-2FxD-2FCNce9akCKl4sq2tGHY4TBb3S9-2BOzRKd-2BBstW0ViuRwO7KmQVChopbdoKh7ykquYfQk-2BqB-2BPbKkEedwGI3pma27PSyJzfpCRus-3DZ4kv_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPyhKWA4iiF6MSH6OJ2-2BUNtBAHsM9WPS35FVKJVmFTjW3m2IwgUo3u6HhitOgrMHtKgCE9epr3PLoQ3Dbn013y3F0a8fpAbCDgN4-2B3bv7N4qgFzMFrdS4rfdvTjjbJRHUKZwpfivLhR3-2FxXiJ8c0J1wOZblYQqbxQfD7CNPjkMrba1K6CtjjxTTLscszdUpkebUHMhVpPUKvDYLzrV05EJL9hqA98jRi-2BTn0-2BSAtrYIMNg3EGrL-2FO16ZtHO2NQLUIHC63fIkKpGdi0Q0MEZW8ifHPCgP8kNqCXTYDuK2q-2FrnA-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">experts estimate</a> lenacapavir’s production (plus a margin for profit) could price the drug as low as $25 with process improvements and an increase in demand. Gilead, owner of the patents, has licensed the production of the generic version to supply 120 countries, excluding most Latin American countries; even those where the respective clinical trials were carried out and in countries with rising HIV incidence – the region has seen a 9% increase in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2023.<br/> <br/> Public Citizen has been working with 100 health groups across Latin America to overcome the patent barrier, issuing multiple compulsory license requests and calling on governments to take action to make long-acting PrEP more accessible. This week groups submitted letters to <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCxXwZR0L9lem-2B5XpAYqIXzOiWc2C-2FVPvXg-2BquMmvzl7heQhMGHEwAozjldWFcWFE5lFANRe6gfbdD17L0-2F4I0jDGL-2BU1FEUKw2JyGmvMAAScnTbJbz6sxHhPmX99v8oRfzCThp3kfFdlmLrTtDO3xVcKcgUYck6NDUi6tqLNYBMlUPB__ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPyhKWA4iiF6MSH6OJ2-2BUNtBAHsM9WPS35FVKJVmFTjW3m2IwgUo3u6HhitOgrMHtKgCE9epr3PLoQ3Dbn013y3F0a8fpAbCDgN4-2B3bv7N4qgFzMFrdS4rfdvTjjbJRHUKZwpfivLhR3-2FxXiJ8c0J1wOZblYQqbxQfD7CNPjkMrbfsi-2FVeltRUjRrxA45DhXT2rUQV60oxnYXHl2sRf1y6O-2BMu0EAlCtRL5xREZTD5hzOyhpTsZrYi8GAiSg-2BhzFyPW4-2B1SXBLpBTW1Ev47PfCvllNDtGg0cmOuEt1a9JXAbg-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gilead</a>, government officials and ministries of health and patent offices.<br/> <br/> <strong>Public Citizen Access to Medicines Director Peter Maybarduk</strong> said governments and manufacturers must prioritize meeting the global need to prevent HIV transmission. <br/> <br/> “Gilead excluded most of Latin America from its license, but countries have the power to introduce affordable generics nonetheless, overcome the patent barrier and scale up PrEP,” said Maybarduk. “The world has an historic opportunity to end AIDS. That requires confronting the triple threat of funding cuts, stigma and pharma power.”<br/> <br/> “This scientific breakthrough will only be meaningful if it becomes available in a timely, affordable, and equitable manner for all who need it across Latin America and the Caribbean. Access barriers in our region are not only ethically unacceptable—they undermine global efforts to end AIDS,” said <strong>Luz Marina Umbasia, Director of Global Humanitarian Progress Colombia.</strong> <br/> <br/> “Equity in access and affordability is the only path to realizing the full lifesaving potential of long-acting antiretrovirals. Sharing technology and opening patents can expand markets and save lives—but only if done fairly and consistently, without excluding regions like Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s time for Big Pharma to move beyond an outdated, monopolistic patent model. The world can no longer afford business as usual,” said <strong>Guillermina Alaniz, Director of Global Advocacy & Policy at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation</strong>.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:52:25 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/making-long-acting-prep-accessible-to-all-could-help-end-aids</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>AU denounces Christian Nationalist SCOTUS decision on transgender health care bans</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/au-denounces-christian-nationalist-scotus-decision-on-transgender-health-care-bans</link><description><![CDATA[
  38. <p>Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-477_2cp3.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">decision</a> in <em>U.S. v. Skrmetti, </em>a case involving transgender health care bans:</p><h3>Transgender health care bans legislate Christian Nationalist view of gender</h3><p>“The Supreme Court’s ultra-conservative justices are allowing Christian Nationalists and their allies to legislate a narrow, religious view of gender that will harm countless children and families. Not only has the court failed to protect America’s children, but this decision will encourage Christian Nationalists to further restrict any and all health care that doesn’t align with their narrow religious beliefs. LGBTQ+ people, women, religious minorities, the nonreligious and other traditionally marginalized communities are particularly at risk.</p><p>“Christian Nationalists have achieved yet another milestone in their decades-long effort to drag our country back in time. We need a national recommitment to church-state separation, which ensures freedom without favor and equality without exception. At Americans United, we will continue to fight for the right of all Americans to live as themselves and believe as they choose, as long as they do not harm others. That includes our gender-nonconforming and transgender family members, coworkers, friends, and neighbors.”</p><h3>AU joined amicus brief opposing transgender health care ban</h3><p>Americans United joined Kentucky parents of transgender children and civil rights groups in filing a <a href="https://www.au.org/the-latest/press/transgender-health-bans-skrmetti-scotus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">friend-of-the-court brief</a> in the case involving the Tennessee ban, explaining that transgender health care bans intentionally discriminate against transgender youth by denying them medications that are prescribed for other youth. These laws do not ban these medications for all minors, but only when they are prescribed for transgender minors. As a result of this discriminatory treatment, transgender youth are unable to obtain the only effective treatment for the severe distress caused by gender dysphoria.</p><p>AU’s brief was among more than 30 friend-of-the-court briefs in which bioethicists, medical providers, medical historians, family law professors, and additional families in states where care has been banned had urged the Supreme Court to rule against bans on essential medical care for transgender adolescents so that families can make the health care decisions that are best for their children.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:32:45 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/au-denounces-christian-nationalist-scotus-decision-on-transgender-health-care-bans</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>ACLU, Lambda Legal Respond to Supreme Court Ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/aclu-lambda-legal-respond-to-supreme-court-ruling-in-u-s-v-skrmetti</link><description><![CDATA[
  39. <p>This morning, the Supreme Court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-477_2cp3.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">issued its ruling</a> in <em>U.S. v. Skrmetti, </em>a challenge brought by three transgender adolescents, their families, and a Memphis-based medical provider against a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender people under 18.</p><p>The Court agreed with parts of the Sixth Circuit’s opinion that allowed the law to take effect, holding that Tennessee’s SB1 does not draw a sex-based (or a trans status-based) line and thus only necessitates deferential review by the courts. That means SB1 can remain in effect. Notably, however, the decision is based on the record in and context of the Tennessee case and therefore does not extend to other cases concerning discrimination based on transgender status.</p><p>“Today’s ruling is a devastating loss for transgender people, our families, and everyone who cares about the Constitution,” said <strong>Chase Strangio, Co-Director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project.</strong> “Though this is a painful setback, it does not mean that transgender people and our allies are left with no options to defend our freedom, our health care, or our lives. The Court left undisturbed Supreme Court and lower court precedent that other examples of discrimination against transgender people are unlawful. We are as determined as ever to fight for the dignity and equality of every transgender person and we will continue to do so with defiant strength, a restless resolve, and a lasting commitment to our families, our communities, and the freedom we all deserve.”</p><p>“This is a heartbreaking ruling, making it more difficult for transgender youth to escape the danger and trauma of being denied their ability to live and thrive,” said <strong>Sasha Buchert, Counsel and Director of the Nonbinary and Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal.</strong> “But we will continue to fight fiercely to protect them. Make no mistake, gender-affirming care is often life-saving care, and all major medical associations have determined it to be safe, appropriate, and effective. This is a sad day, and the implications will reverberate for years and across the country, but it does not shake our resolve to continue fighting.”</p><p>“Today the Supreme Court told Tennessee transgender youth and their families that they cannot access healthcare that is vitally important for a successful life,” said <strong>Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Tennessee. </strong>“This ruling creates a class of people who politicians believe deserve healthcare, and a class of people who do not. We will continue to stand with transgender people in Tennessee and are committed to realizing a world where all people belong, are valued, and can access the necessary healthcare they need.”</p><p><a href="https://www.aclu.org/cases/l-w-v-skrmetti" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>U.S. v. Skrmetti</em></a> began when a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 16-year-old transgender daughter, as well as two other plaintiff families filing anonymously and Memphis-based physician Dr. Susan Lacy. The plaintiff families and Dr. Lacy argued that the law violates the Equal Protection rights of transgender adolescents. Under President Joe Biden, the United States intervened to also argue that the Tennessee law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. After President Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. reversed its position.</p><p>Since 2021, <a href="https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/healthcare/youth_medical_care_bans" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">25 states</a> have enacted categorical bans on gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone therapy and puberty-suppressant medications, for treating gender dysphoria in transgender youth yet readily allow those same medications for other and similar purposes for cisgender youth. <a href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/bans-trans-youth-health-care/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Over 100,000 transgender people under 18</a> now live in a state with a ban on their health care.</p><p>In January 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funds from medical providers and institutions that provide gender-affirming medical treatments such as puberty suppressants and hormone therapies to any trans person under 19. That order was soon challenged on behalf of families, medical providers, and advocates by the ACLU and the Lambda Legal and is blocked from enforcement by a preliminary injunction.</p><p>This case is a part of the ACLU’s <a href="https://www.aclu.org/defending-our-rights/court-battles/supreme-court" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joan and Irwin Jacobs Supreme Court Docket</a>.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:30:33 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/aclu-lambda-legal-respond-to-supreme-court-ruling-in-u-s-v-skrmetti</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Lame: Pissed Soldiers, Squeaky Tanks, Fake Deals 'R Us</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/further/lame-pissed-soldiers-squeaky-tanks-fake-deals-r-us</link><description><![CDATA[
  40. <img src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/old-orange-loser-faces-off-against-a-majority-that-hates-him.jpg?id=61016361&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=525%2C0%2C525%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Of course the long-coveted, savagely panned parade for a man-child who would be king was a bust, "a pathetic event for a pathetic president," notably in contrast to the estimated 11 million angry Americans who came out to say, "No Cons, No Clowns, No Dicks, No Kings." The sad poseur raved about Marxist lunatics who want "transgender for everybody," but he evidently missed the silent, stellar protest by scores of Army troops who in "malicious compliance" were in fact doing "the fuck Trump shuffle."</p><p>The Continental Army was established 250 years ago this weekend on June 14, 1775 by the Thirteen Colonies as they fought to defend their freedoms against autocrats. Coincidentally, June 14 is also Flag Day, International  Bath Day, Knit in Public Day and the birthday of Che Guevara, yours truly and that orange stain on humanity, Commander Tinpot Bone Spur. So it was that the five-time draft dodger and aspiring despot was <a href="https://youtu.be/SzKIHfCTaLk?t=248" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fundraising </a>for "my military parade" while arguing America can't afford health care for seniors, free lunch for schoolchildren, HIV drugs for sick children or more than two dolls each so "a broken-inside narcissist can pretend he’s not the worthless piece of shit failure his father never stopped telling him he was" and have a bellicose vanity parade like all the other Big Boy Supreme Leaders like North Korea's Kim Jong Un - "We fell in love" - who isn't speaking to him any more.</p><p>Pretty much everyone else, including <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/12/sherrill-spanberger-military-veterans-2026-00401395" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>veterans </u></a><u>furious about the gutting of the V.A, </u>agreed it was a stupid, vulgar, deeply offensive, hideously timed idea, with Retired Maj. General Paul Easton of <em>VoteVets</em> calling it "an exercise in puffery" echoing Soviets marching around Red Square in the Cold War: "We didn’t do it because our greatest strength was our democracy. Today, that democracy is under attack." Indeed, even as House co-chairs of a new Democratic Veterans Caucus handed out small hopeful flags to colleagues, arguing, "<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/13/dems-rall..." target="_blank">Patriotism </a>does not belong to one party," one party was doing its best to shred democratic governance. <em>At that moment,</em> ICE goons were <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJAHZpK_aEw&t=46s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">handcuffing </a>Sen. Alex Patilla for <a href="https://youtu.be/8M4zy7qvs1E" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">asking</a> a question of Nazi Barbie Homeland as she <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:kjjhbsc3pp3vkqjsivk6z2yd/post/3lrgj6ff52s26?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fdigbysblog.net%252F" target="_blank">vowed </a>that illegally called-up military won't leave L.A. until they can "liberate" the city from its "socialist," albeit duly elected officials.</p><p>There's been a Dem mayor arrested, Dem Rep indicted, Dem comptroller detained, a <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/688821f7-85a4-4dca-97f3-57721e8ac408?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">goading, </a>vicious Tinpot speech (behind bulletproof glass) at Ft. Bragg, a threat protests at his party "will be met with very big force - these are people who hate our country" (nope, just you) - and deranged <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/987ff908-1dd9-4172-9180-f649e21120c7?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">taunts </a>from a Florida sheriff that if fictional protesters "throw a brick...we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, because we will kill you graveyard dead." Now, a few days later, we've seen real murders of Dem lawmakers in Minnesota, a Middle East increasingly, mindlessly facing conflagration, our own deportation police state's spiraling effort to <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-military-birthday-parade-dc-failure-1235365040/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">render</a> the military and every U.S institution a weapon of a madman's vengeful agenda, and untold reasons why a dog-and-pony-and-tank show for an idiot narcissist was not what we needed at this dark historic moment. </p><p>Yet here they came: 6,600 soldiers, Black Hawk helicopters, Chinooks, tanks, P-51 aircraft, B-25 bomber, 34 horses, two mules,  robot dogs, paratroopers dropping, soldiers absurdly carrying drones like pizzas, a soundtrack of canned applause and bad covers of 80s rock songs, Lee Greenwood warbling "God Bless the U.S.A," an MC <a href="https://archive.ph/o/55GFV/https://x.com/Acyn/status/1934027616119554386" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> squawking</a>, "Special thanks to our sponsors" - Lockheed Martin, Coinbase, <a href="https://archive.ph/o/55GFV/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/technology/trump-palantir-data-americans.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palantir, </a>UFC, though he left out U.S. tax payers - because, "Corporate sponsorship for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-reports-tens-millions-income-crypto-ventures-2025-06-14/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">autocracy </a>is such an American thing." They even hawked watches by Trump, who's wanted a parade since seeing a 2017 Bastille Day event in Paris; first term Defense Sec. James Mattis <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/policy-strategy/467119-mattis-said-hed-rather-swallow-acid-than-oversee-trumps/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">said </a>he'd "rather swallow acid." Now Trump blathered, "We’re the hottest country in the world right now...Our warriors will charge into battle. They will plunge into the crucible of fire, and they will seize the crown of victory."</p><p>Uh huh. Facts owe: Everything he touches dies. Despite the $45 million price tag, trainloads of tanks and fears of goose-stepping storm-troopers, the day was "a flop at best," "a little underwhelming," a shoddy, <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/196850/trump-birthday-military-parade-pathetic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bleak</a> vision of aspiring fascism by a low-rent, third-world country whose sweaty denizens endured "a very long and uncomfortable day" of speeches, exhibits, humidity, slow lines, no shade, little food, sticky drizzle, shrieking music, kids <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jbendery.bsky.social/post/3lrlp2u5iak2e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clambering</a> on tanks, warm <em>Screamin’ Freedom</em> energy drinks, too few signs - "Nobody knows what’s going on" - and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikmnbchpz0M" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> sparse crowds</a>: "I had more people at my bar mitzvah party," "I've seen more people at <em>Applebees</em> on a Tuesday." Much lampooned were near-empty stands of onlookers gazing silent, uncheering, perhaps pondering their life choices as lumbering tanks s-l-o-w-l-y squeaked past. The consensus from one young poet: "It was just...kind of lame."</p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1934018229661565431">
  41. <div style="margin:1em 0"></div> —  (@)
  42.        <a href="https://twitter.com/ElizLanders/status/1934018229661565431"></a>
  43. </blockquote>
  44. <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script> <p>Online, many viewers <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/briantylercohen.bsky.soci..." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mocked</a> the sad small crowds peppering the vast National Mall: "I guess they didn't get much interest from the seat-filler Craigslist ad," "It's like watching a poorly attended golf tournament," "What a fucking clown show. What keeps surprising me is how embarrassing it all is - just one shameful, cringey, mortifying moment after another." Drawing particular ire were the sorry "clusterfuck" of sloppy slouching troops, line after line of soldiers in dutiful fatigues not <a href="https://x.com/kylekulinski/status/1934079793135280182?s=46" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">marching in step</a> but numbly, blankly, clumsily sauntering, often out of sync with the cheesy music: "How to embarrass our troops and country in one day," "Sad. Kim Jong Un will not be impressed," "Most ridiculous thing I have ever seen," "The marchers do not appear to be thrilled to be there - maybe they forgot to feed them," "I have seen first graders walking in a crosswalk do better than that."</p><p>It took a day or so for astute commentators, especially veterans, to surface and report, "This is 100% a silent protest," a deliberate rejection of “being treated like props for the benefit of an egomaniacal toddler," a "quiet, disciplined Foxtrot Delta Tango that says, 'We're here because we have to be, not because we believe in this clown show.' It’s protest through precision silence and damn, it speaks volumes." "Troops don’t forget how to march,"<a href="https://www.threads.com/@irvyirvy/post/DK7IOuZur2l?xmt=AQF0uI7ScKE2xJ4eyEOLAKfp-YrkMnz9sM8YJ9Li1dp44aI" target="_blank"> insisted</a> countless veterans. "Former army here. It takes about a week of drill in basic to learn how to march. Once you do, it’s ingrained in you for life." Also: "If the cadence is off, they correct. If no one’s calling it, someone steps up. Unless...they don’t want to," "I took JROTC 2 decades ago. I can still march in step. It was absolutely on purpose," "Anyone vaguely familiar with actual military knew this on sight," and "It's a big '<a href="reports:" target="_blank">fuck you'</a> to Trump from the soldiers."</p><p>They posted slick, sharp, contrasting video to <a href="https://x.com/USMCLiberal/status/1934152277541204185" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">argue, </a>"The Army knows how to march." They noted nobody returned Private Tinpot's limp mock salute; the irony of clueless officials playing<em> Fortunate Son, a song </em>about poor kids fighting in wars that rich kids dodge; the reality that, "To anyone that hasn’t served, it’s actually HARD to be this out of step." They<a href="https://www.threads.com/@antjon47/post/DK7jMOpSEUV?xmt=AQF0uI7ScKE2xJ4eyEOLAKfp-YrkMnz9sM8YJ9Li1dp44aI" target="_blank"> praised </a>"a classic example of messaging whilst under duress, hidden in plain sight" and "showing Don the Con the respect he deserves." They <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/comments/1lclz3q/pr..." target="_blank">reported </a>young soldiers drinking, hanging out, doing "a lot of eye-rolling" with chatter about playing "cosplay for a dumb ass wannabe dictator like you're a court jester." They <a href="https://charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/the-worst-military-parade-ive-ever" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">celebrated </a>that "6,000 troops voted with their feet on Saturday to tell President Bone Spurs where he can stick any plans for deploying them to enforce martial law." And they said, sincerely, pointedly, "Thank you for your service."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="Dear Leader bedecked in cartoon glory" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="71940fd6a607b137d8fe2ccf60f3e834" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="2e571" loading="lazy" src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/dear-leader-bedecked-in-cartoon-glory.jpg?id=61016781&width=980"/> <small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Dear Leader bedecked in cartoon glory</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Screenshot from Bluesky</small></p><p><br/><br/></p><p>The White House claimed 250,000 people turned up for the whiny toddler's birthday; Planet Earth put the number at 17, or more generously 40,000, tops. Enraged by yet more failure, "a big tub of rock salt poured on his wounds of lifelong insecurity," he <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/adamjschwarz.bsky.social/post/3lrlzhlecdk2m?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">lashed out </a><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/adamjschwarz.bsky.social/post/3lrlzhlecdk2m?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">-</a> because he's a racist psycopath, at brown people and their allies trying to sneak them in to vote, though they're not and they can't. ICE is "herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114690267066155731" target="_blank">he raved </a>of abducting dishwashers and house painters in L.A., Chicago, New York, "where millions upon millions of illegal aliens reside." He berated "Radical Left Democrats" who "are sick of mind," "hate our country," "want Transgender for Everybody" and "believe in Open Boarders" (sic), with friendly people staying at their houses.</p><p>Deservedly, foreign coverage of the day was merciless. Via Ireland's <a href="https://linktr.ee/waterfordwhispersnews" target="_blank">Waterford Whispers News, </a>North Korea r<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf__GuFurAQ" target="_blank">eported</a> America "held a gaudy and vainglorious display of their dwindling military might," with "their inferior leader looking old, confused and tired (as) he sat next to an expensive prostitute and a drunk television host for the duration of the parade. In total, $40 million was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf__GuFurAQ" target="_blank">spent </a>on the parade by the debt-ridden failed state, shamefully so at a time of increasing poverty in the country. Many have noted how pudgy and overweight the Trump looks at a time when Americans struggle for food." They also cited several instances of political violence in a nation "unable to tolerate political dissent...The propaganda exercise was swallowed whole by the dull of mind and incurious of spirit. The helpless sheep believe themselves to be the envy of the world, but the world laughs in their faces."</p><p>Fresh from his squeaky-wheeled humiliation, the Trump then took his stunning incompetence to the G7 meeting in Alberta, where the world <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3lr..." target="_blank">kept laughing. </a>He <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFq2js6phKI" target="_blank">parroted </a>Russian talking points, misstated history - Obama and "a person named Trudeau" didn't want Russia in G7 - <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/dab92e5f-3cad-49c8-906f-885fc7723ff6?j=eyJ1IjoibDhod24ifQ.5jEjeLiJZS5OfHG4v_xEBlfZCsRwcX2P4Vv9vuux9BQ" target="_blank">yammered </a>about Dems conspiring with immigrants until Mark Carney <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/mark-carney-brutally-shuts-trump-171352590.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank">shut him up</a>, confused the U.K. and E.U., <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000010233668/a-little-windy-trump-drops-us-britain-trade-papers.html" target="_blank">claimed </a>he made his first trade deal (not quite 90 in 90 days) before dropping his seemingly blank papers, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5o2no5oxmt7tqcwc6pbdsc3x/post/3lrrvxobgy22p?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.democraticunderground.com%252F100220405920" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">earned </a>a killer wink from the adults in the room, argued "Iran should have signed the deal I told them to sign" though<em> he</em> pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, proclaimed 9 million people "should immediately evacuate Tehran!” and left G7 early while bad-mouthing Macron - "Emmanuel always gets it wrong" - for saying he'd left to work on a ceasefire when he wants "a complete give-up" by Iran. <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/anomaly100.bsky.social/post/3lqhva54a6224" target="_blank">Mr. Art-of-the-Taco</a> strikes again. </p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1934250489945751772">
  45. <div style="margin:1em 0"></div> —  (@)
  46.        <a href="https://twitter.com/juliaioffe/status/1934250489945751772"></a>
  47. </blockquote>
  48. <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p><br/></p><p>Back home, he kept failing. After the horrific <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/democratic-lawmakers-minnesota-shot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shootings</a> of Minnesota lawmakers, as MAGA-ites raved "the left has become a full blown domestic terrorist organization” about the anti-abortion, Trump-supporting perp, Trump vilely<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-walz-minnesota-lawmakers-shot-call-064092d14bea4c3141da31b7a5e5c9b3" target="_blank"> declined</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-walz-minnesota-lawmakers-shot-call-064092d14bea4c3141da31b7a5e5c9b3"> </a>to call Gov. Tim Walz because, "The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess...Why waste time?" Speaking of: <a href="https://deanblundell.substack.com/p/rumors-of-decl..." target="_blank">Rumors swirl </a>about the (further) plunge of what's left of his own cognitive and physical state - stumbles, diapers, catheters, "unmistakable" odor. A bonkers mob boss, he's cruel, erratic, incoherent, a dumpster fire of flip-flopping, head-swiveling "policies" frantically enacted by his Nazi goons. He's rarely outside the Oval Office or Hell-a-Lago; when he is he nods off, or does nothing but sign illegal executive orders and post vindictive rants. Never up to the emotional, intellectual, moral demands of the job, his physical slide may now be "the last penny to drop."</p><p>But even incontinent, deranged, unable to construct a sentence, he's still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/trump-organization-gold-phone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grifting</a>. Adding to his $600 million earned from crappy watches, sneakers, Bibles, coins et al, he and his cretinous sons just<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-organization-unveils-self-branded-mobile-phone-network-2025-06-16/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> launched </a>a largely fictional, error-ridden <a href="https://trumpmobile.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trump Mobile</a> phone service and $499 "sleek, gold smartphone engineered for performance" that "looks both bad and impossible" which may or may not ship in August or September unless, you know, it doesn't, but is available to pre-order now to try and fill that gaping hole of endless insatiable greed where a soul should be. The blurb says it's made in America but actually, said Eric after <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1934623211607711932" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">calling</a> L.A. protesters "mongoloids," that<a href="https://x.com/ReallyAmerican1/status/1934639445992..." target="_blank"> means</a> it may <em>eventually </em>be made in America, "because our ethos is build for Americans, by Americans," maybe by some of those brown workers we've abducted to foreign gulags or are<a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/dozens-of-heavily-armed-ice-agents-swarm-popular-l-a-county-swap-meet/" target="_blank"> gung-ho invading </a>at swap meets, they'll need work right?</p><p>No wonder up to 11 million Americans "radicalized by basic decency" c<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/no-kings-protests-trump-military-parade" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ame out </a>last weekend to make good trouble and say we <a href="https://x.com/gtconway3d/status/1934054291884662805" target="_blank">hate</a> you rapacious shitheads. See us <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/14/no-kings-protest-trump-00406243" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-trump-philadelphia-los-angeles-immigration-raids-a3b67d23733cd060f8d01aef1e391dbf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89jmD-Y1Rvs&t=3s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> with our spirited signs: "It's A Beautiful Day to Melt Some Ice. No Clowns, No Dicks, No Nazis. This Sucks. Rapist, Felon, Putting the Dick Into Dictatorship. Deport Oligarchs Not Immigrants. Rejecting Kings Since 1776. Fuck Trump. Fuck ICE." Rev. William Barber: "Remember that no one can become our king if we refuse to bow." Cue 87-year-old veteran John Spitzberg, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYDH3KE6G4" target="_blank">arrested </a>for peacefully protesting with about 75 veterans who crossed a police line; one cop <a href="https://x.com/CarolinaLumetta/status/1933669206114898254" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cuffed</a> him, wobbly, behind his back as comrades yelled "Shame, Shame, Shame!" and another wheeled away his walker. How did arrest at 87 feel, he was <a href="https://www.wcjb.com/2025/06/14/87-year-old-gainesville-veteran-arrested-us-capitol-during-protest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">asked</a>. "I'm just beginning, my friend," he said. "I'm gonna just get a little sleep, and I'm starting again."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="Pictures of the parade crowd released by White House" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2bf197afd843c09e8475f00cc25e3b40" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="78f5b" loading="lazy" src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/pictures-of-the-parade-crowd-released-by-white-house.jpg?id=61016782&width=980"/> <small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Pictures of the parade crowd released by White House</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Screenshot from Bluesky</small></p>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:36:41 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/further/lame-pissed-soldiers-squeaky-tanks-fake-deals-r-us</guid><dc:creator>Abby Zimet</dc:creator><media:content medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/old-orange-loser-faces-off-against-a-majority-that-hates-him.jpg?id=61016361&amp;width=980"></media:content></item><item><title>45 Groups Urge Senate Republican Leadership to Follow the Rules on Budget Bill</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/45-groups-urge-senate-republican-leadership-to-follow-the-rules-on-budget-bill</link><description><![CDATA[
  49. <p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and the Republican majority should follow the guidance of the Senate Parliamentarian on the tax and budget bill, 45 groups said in a <a href="https://www.citizen.org/article/45-groups-senate-majority-must-abide-by-reconciliation-rules/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">letter</a> sent today.</p><p>The Parliamentarian is tasked with issuing rulings to determine which provisions of the bill are subject to the “Byrd rule” and thus not eligible to be passed by simple majority using the reconciliation process. However, Thune and the Senate Republican majority recently took steps to override the Parliamentarian’s guidance on the Congressional Review Act, another fast-track legislative mechanism, to pass a measure by simple majority that otherwise would have required 60 votes.</p><p>“While the signatories to this letter have a range of views on the ongoing utility of the Senate filibuster, there is a unifying principle upon which we all can agree: the law as it stands must be followed,” the letter reads. “Indeed, you acknowledged as much earlier this Congress, when asked whether you would advise against moving to override the Senate Parliamentarian’s determinations under Byrd, stating, ‘[T]hat’s totally akin to killing the filibuster. We can’t go there. People need to understand that.’ This public stance would be heartening, had you not made similar assurances on maintaining the integrity of CRA process and followed them up by improperly extending that Act’s expedited procedures to the disapproval of any executive branch action, forging a primrose path around the filibuster in the process. Such depredations on law, precedent, and the institution of the Senate must end.”</p><p>“The Senate majority has already demonstrated it is willing to follow or ignore the rules based entirely on their preferences. But lives hang in the balance depending on the outcome of this bill, and it would be inexcusable for the majority to again burn the rulebook in the service of the destructive Trump agenda,” added <strong>Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen.</strong></p><p>“The leadership in the Senate is heading down a dangerous path of ignoring the rules to get what it wants. If the Senate majority disregards the existing rules again for its massive tax bill, that would do incalculable damage to law, precedent, and the institution of the Senate,” added <strong>Kyle Jones, director of federal affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council.</strong></p>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 20:07:04 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/45-groups-urge-senate-republican-leadership-to-follow-the-rules-on-budget-bill</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>New Report: Global Bank Financing of Fossil Fuels Totals $869B In 2024, A Dramatic Increase In Financing</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-report-global-bank-financing-of-fossil-fuels-totals-869b-in-2024-a-dramatic-increase-in-financing</link><description><![CDATA[
  50. <p>Released today, the 16th annual <a href="http://bankingonclimatechaos.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Banking on Climate Chaos</a> (BOCC) report covers the lending and underwriting activities of the world’s top 65 banks to more than 2,700 fossil fuel companies. While the world’s top scientists from the International Energy Agency (<a href="https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/60fcd1dd-d112-469b-87de-20d39227df3d/WorldEnergyInvestment2024.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEA</a>) and others have repeatedly stated there can be no new fossil fuel expansion in a net-zero by 2050 scenario, banks have ignored this climate risk and continue to increase their financing for dirty energy companies expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. This financing comes amid a rapid retreat from climate commitments made by many banks at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.</p><ul><li><strong>Read the report: </strong><a href="https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bankingonclimatechaos.org</a></li><li><strong>Read the key findings </strong><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1clYLWk5qEgfD2DHZyzHnDNSZN_rvHHeqjJH4rqSBnt8/edit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a></li></ul><blockquote><em>“The retreat by U.S. banks from robust climate commitments is unacceptable, deeply irresponsible, and a clear capitulation to political pressure. Banks must shift away from risky financing and commit to reducing emissions via the companies they finance, with a genuine focus on helping to decarbonize the economy and support the urgent and necessary clean energy transition. For example, it’s indefensible that US banks reject direct project finance as too risky, only to support the same projects indirectly through corporate lending—these loopholes must be closed,” said <strong>Jessye Waxman, Campaign Advisor for the Sierra Club’s Sustainable Finance campaign</strong>. </em><br/><a href="https://www.ran.org/press-releases/bocc2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>See more quotes from report co-authors</em></a><em>.</em><br/></blockquote><p><strong>OVERALL TRENDS</strong></p><p>The report shows that <strong>global banks increased their fossil fuel financing by $162 billion</strong> from 2023 to 2024. This is a new trend, since overall fossil fuel finance had been decreasing since 2021. Global banks have financed<strong> $7.9 trillion </strong>in fossil fuels since 2016, when the Paris Agreement was signed.</p><p>In 2024, loans were the top form of financing with an increase to $467 billion from $422 billion from 2023. Bonds saw the largest increase to $401 billion from $284 billion in 2023. Acquisition financing also rose to $82.9 billion from $63.7 billion in 2023.</p><p><strong>COMPANIES EXPANDING FOSSIL FUELS</strong></p><p>The report reveals that global banks have financed companies expanding fossil fuels with $1.6 trillion since 2021. In 2024, global banks financed these companies with $429 billion alone — a rise of $84.8 billion from 2023.</p><p><strong>Some of the top companies that received 2024 financing to expand fossil fuels from the 65 global banks listed in the report include:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Diamondback Energy, $20.9 billion. </strong>Its oil & gas expansion plans are located largely in the <strong>Permian Basin</strong> in Texas.</li><li><strong>Enbridge, $16.5 billion.</strong> Its pipeline expansion plans are located in Canada and the US. The Sierra Club is fighting Enbridge’s <strong>T15 pipeline </strong>expansion in North Carolina intended to service Duke’s planned gas-burning power plants in Person County.</li><li><strong>BP, $10.9 billion. </strong>Its oil & gas expansion plans are located in 30 countries and include focusing on exploration, pipeline development, LNG terminals, and gas-fired power.</li><li><strong>Energy Transfer, $7.8 billion. </strong>Its pipeline and LNG expansion plans are located largely in the US. The Sierra Club has opposed the <strong>Dakota Access Pipeline</strong>, arguing it poses significant risks to the climate, local communities, and Indigenous sovereignty.</li><li><strong>Duke Energy, $7.1 billion.</strong> It is the second largest utility burning fossil fuels in the US, and it operates in six states. Duke’s expansion plans include a heavy reliance on coal and gas, with very little renewable energy. The Sierra Club is <a href="https://coal.sierraclub.org/the-problem/dirty-truth-greenwashing-utilities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">calling on utilities across the US</a> to prioritize powering the electric grid with renewable energy to support a healthy and sustainable future.</li></ul><p><strong>BANK FINANCING: BY THE NUMBERS</strong></p><p><strong>JP Morgan Chase </strong>is the largest fossil fuel financier in the world, committing $53.5 billion to fossil fuel companies in 2024. Four banks increased their fossil fuel financing by more than $10 billion. The top four banks with the largest absolute increase are <strong>JP Morgan Chase</strong>, <strong>Citigroup</strong>, <strong>Bank of America</strong>, and <strong>Barclays</strong>.</p><p>U.S. banks committed $289 billion in fossil fuel financing in 2024, one third of the global financing for that year in the scope of the report. <strong>JPMorgan Chase</strong>, <strong>Bank of America</strong>, <strong>Citigroup</strong>, and <strong>Wells Fargo</strong>, the top four U.S. banks, alone represent <strong>21</strong>% of total global fossil fuel financing in the scope of this report.</p><p>Japanese companies <strong>Mizuho</strong>, <strong>MUFG</strong>, and <strong>SMBC</strong> contributed <strong>12</strong>% of this report’s overall financing for that year. Nearly half of that financing went to companies headquartered in the United States.</p><p>In Europe, the UK bank <strong>Barclay’s</strong> is the largest fossil fuel financier in 2024 with $35.4 billion. Spain’s <strong>Santander</strong>, France’s <strong>BNP Paribas</strong>, Germany’s <strong>Deutsche Bank</strong>, and the UK’s <strong>HSBC</strong> each contributed between $14 and $17.3 billion to the industry in 2024.</p><p><strong>BACKGROUND</strong></p><p>The Banking on Climate Chaos report is authored by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, and Urgewald. It has been endorsed by 480 organizations in 69 countries. Learn more at <a href="https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bankingonclimatechaos.org</a>.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:02:14 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-report-global-bank-financing-of-fossil-fuels-totals-869b-in-2024-a-dramatic-increase-in-financing</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Escalation of Israeli attacks on Iran risks causing serious radioactive contamination</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/escalation-of-israeli-attacks-on-iran-risks-causing-serious-radioactive-contamination</link><description><![CDATA[
  51. <p>The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, ICAN, has responded to the escalation in Israel's air strikes on Iran, including on its nuclear programme, by calling for an immediate end to attacks on nuclear facilities.</p><p>ICAN's Executive Director, Melissa Parke, said: “<em>The escalation in the conflict following nuclear-armed Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities has to stop before it is too late. Attacking nuclear facilities is illegal and threatens to release radiation, causing a long term threat to people’s health and the environment. </em><em>The conflict is also a threat to international peace and security. </em></p><p><em>ICAN calls on the international community, including Israel’s allies, to clearly condemn Israel’s action and to put pressure on both parties to end hostilities. International treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are essential tools to bring peace and security to the region and globally. The two countries should take immediate action - Israel should join both treaties and Iran should join the TPNW and reiterate its commitment to the NPT. ” </em></p>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:57:10 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/escalation-of-israeli-attacks-on-iran-risks-causing-serious-radioactive-contamination</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>New Trump Phone Appears Likely To Join Long Ling of Trump Family Scams and Ripoffs</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-trump-phone-appears-likely-to-join-long-ling-of-trump-family-scams-and-ripoffs</link><description><![CDATA[
  52. <p>Today, the Trump Organization announced a new mobile phone plan and a $499 smartphone that is set to launch in September.</p><p><strong>Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen</strong>, issued the following statement in response:</p><p>“Americans should slam down the phone in response to the latest marketing ploy from the Trump family business. Everything about this plan should tell Americans to disconnect right away.</p><p>“First, while the details of the Trump phone plan remain murky, the plan appears to be far more expensive than options available from existing competitors — suggesting it will join a long line of Trump consumer scams and ripoffs. And good luck getting a federal agency to hold the company accountable if service fails or things go off the rails.</p><p>“Second, the Trump announcement claims the physical phone will be made in the USA, but there is reason to doubt that claim. There is only one existing phone that is made in the United States — costing $2000 — so the phone is, at minimum, likely to rely heavily on imported parts, raising questions about how Trump’s chaotic tariffs will apply to any imported parts for the Trump phone.</p><p>“Third, if the phone actually takes off, how are competitors supposed to respond? Should they advertise, truthfully, that they have a cheaper, comparable product? Or will they be too frightened? Will other businesses choose to rely on the Trump phone plan as a way to curry favor with the president? Does this portend a Trump corruption of the economy to parallel the Trump corruption of politics?</p><p>“We’ll need many more details to fully assess what’s going on — including the worrisome claim of offering a pharmacy and telehealth benefit — but it’s already clear this is a plan that should be cancelled, immediately.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:51:10 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-trump-phone-appears-likely-to-join-long-ling-of-trump-family-scams-and-ripoffs</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Progressive Democrats of America-New York and Progressives for Democracy in America proudly Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City.</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/progressive-democrats-of-america-new-york-and-progressives-for-democracy-in-america-proudly-endorse-zohran-mamdani-for-mayor-of-new-york-city</link><description><![CDATA[
  53. <p>Over the past week both Progressive Democrats of America-New York (PDA-NY) and Progressives for Democracy in America (P4DA) polled its members in NYC. </p><p>Well-over 90% of respondents supported endorsing Zohran Mamdani for Mayor.</p><p>Given these overwhelming results PDA-NY and P4DA are singularly endorsing State Representative Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City.</p><p>This is fitting for two organizations associated with Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) since Mamdani's platform is perfectly in line with PDA's policy positions.</p><p>Indeed! PDA has authored proposals for a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/economic-bill-of-rights" rel="noreferrer" target="_self">21st Century Economic Bill of Rights</a> (which Mamdani's platform matches up with perfectly) and also a <a href="https://pdamerica.org/a-rural-new-deal-for-the-21st-century/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">21st Century Rural New Deal</a>, and, most significantly, we are in the process of composing a <strong>21st Century Template for Urban Renewal</strong>.</p><p>Zohran Mamdani's platform is exemplary, providing a vision of a dramatically improved life for urban dwellers.</p><p>On issue after issue, PDA-NY and P4DA feel that Mr. Mamdani is spot-on: from his extraordinary proposals to improve NYC housing, his visionary proposals for transportation, public safety, food security, child care, and higher education, as well as his sane approach to the climate emergency, wages, labor, libraries, healthcare, small businesses, and taxation, his call clarion call for peace and justice in the Middle East, and his compassionate support and protection for immigrants and the LGBTQIA+ communities, which are under hateful, bigoted attacks by Trump and the GOP. </p><p>And, yes, we love his proposal for Trump-proofing NYC!</p><p>Also, in these dark days in which the nation's politics are dominated by another native New Yorker, it's worth noting that Mr. Mamdani has proven himself to be as charismatic and as he is thoughtful. This is significant unto itself. The country and the world longs for such a leader in Trump's hometown, to be a countervailing force to the reprehensible, anti-democratic, and clearly fascist President. Comparisons will inevitably be made between the President and the next Mayor. We are confident that Mr. Mamdani will inspire people across the City, the State, the country and the world to recognize and support democracy over authoritarianism, and the people over the oligarchs</p><p>Lastly, it must be said, we at PDA are thrilled to endorse a Democratic Socialist candidate for Mayor!</p><p>Let us not forget that NYC's greatest Mayor, Fiorella La Guardia, was a socialist; and that the socialist Mayors of Milwaukee were consistently acknowledged as the best Mayors in the country during their multiple decades in office in the 20th century.</p><p>Likewise, no region in the world was more heralded for its local governance, than the socialist-led cities of Central and Northern Italy in their post-fascist era. And, to this day, no city in the world has better housing than Vienna, Austria where they've maintained the housing model established by their great socialist city leaders in the 1920s.</p><p>Socialist Mayors have an unrivalled legacy of urban governance and it's time again for the richest city in the world to do right by its working class majority – and, in the process, improve the lives of all New Yorkers, and the experience of all visitors to the Big Apple, by electing Zohran Mamdani the Mayor of New York.</p><p>Early voting begins today Saturday June 14 and election day is Tuesday June 24<sup>th</sup>.</p><p>When you vote for Mayor of NYC, rank Zohran Mamdani first!</p><p>One final note: PDA-NY's and P4DA's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani is especially notable because PDA has rarely made state, county or municipal endorsements in NY State because of a quirk of PDA's history. When PDA was founded in 2004, the founding Executive Director had such respect for the Working Families Party that it decided not to emphasize organizing in NY State. So, as PDA grew rapidly across the country in the first decade of the century, there was one state where that wasn't the case, New York. Then, PDA transformed American politics by successfully drafting Bernie Sanders to run for President as a Democrat in 2016 (PDA launched the Run Bernie Run campaign in 2013!). As a consequence of that, PDA now has thousands of members across the State and in the City - and when we polled our NYC members the result was spectacular: over 90% support for Zohran Mamdani.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 10:52:43 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/progressive-democrats-of-america-new-york-and-progressives-for-democracy-in-america-proudly-endorse-zohran-mamdani-for-mayor-of-new-york-city</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Do You Hear the People Sing</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/further/do-you-hear-the-people-sing</link><description><![CDATA[
  54. <img src="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/drag-queens-living-it-up-at-les-miserables.jpg?id=61009527&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=519%2C0%2C519%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>In honor of Pride Month, singular acts of courage and "being brave, strong and gorgeous," cue the glad spectacle of four drag queens dolled up to kill, see <em></em><em>Les Misérables, </em>and crash Dear Leader's first visit to a Kennedy Center purportedly scrubbed of wokeness. Yet here they were - buoyant, sparkling, cheered by a crowd that moments before had loudly booed the ugly tyrant and his MAGA cohort. The queens' gist, said Mari Con Carne: "You can’t erase us."</p><p>The queens turned up for an evening already bursting with irony if any MAGA goons and losers were capable of it. Amidst a Pride Month he <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/post/3lrioxu2zjs2h?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.democraticunderground.com%252F100220393418" target="_blank">refused </a>to recognize - and fierce pushback to his hate - the Bigot-In-Chief who already decimated a time-honored institution devoted to art and open-mindedness witlessly chose to attend a beloved show about an oppressed people fighting back against tyranny much like his. </p><p>Accompanied by the grotesque likes of Vance, Bondi, Loomer, RFK Jr., Kellyanne Conway and a fragile Gym Jordan who visibly cringed when he walked past four people who don't look like him, Trump et al were roundly <a href="https://archive.is/s0RHS" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">booed </a>by the modest crowd. There were also shouts of "Felon!" and "Rapist!" - what a time to be alive - along with a muted, incongruous chant of "USA!" on behalf of the cretins who are working so hard to destroy it.</p><p>In full, defiant <a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/drag-queens-kenne..." target="_blank">finery, </a>the four drag queens - Tara Hoot, Ricky Rosé, Vagenesis, and Mari Con Carne - were <a href="https://x.com/WUTangKids/status/1932948521872916951" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">greeted </a>by the audience with joyful whoops, cheers and applause as they sashayed in and took their seats below the presidential box. Their tickets had been donated by season ticket-holders through <a href="https://www.advocate.com/news/drag-queen-survivors-club-q-pulse-ohio-firebombing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Qommittee,</a> a national advocacy network of drag artists and allies led by survivors of high-profile hate crimes like the <a href="https://www.advocate.com/crime/2016/6/12/least-50-dead-mass-shooting-florida-gay-club-video" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pulse </a>and <a href="https://www.advocate.com/crime/club-q-photos" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Club Q</a> mass shootings.</p><p>"It was delightful,” said Hoot, stressing their "message of inclusivity" but adding, "I love musicals. I mean, I’m a drag queen." "Kudos to all bringing art to the world," she said. "Unfortunately, there were some other people there too, but I think we brightened the audience as much as we could." In family story time events, she  noted, "I often read books about being brave (and) true to who you are. Showing up (here) with my fellow drag stars allowed me to live those words. Here's to being brave, strong, and gorgeous."</p><p>Trump, ever uncouth, left before the lights came up. Still, Mari Con Carne felt it was "crucial" to be there before him. As a drag queen and an  immigrant, "I wanted it to be known you can prevent us from performing on your stages, but you can’t erase us...We aren’t going anywhere and we will face you head-on with every ounce of courage we have." When Victor Hugo wrote <em>Les Misérables</em>, he was shocked by the<em> </em><em></em>silence of his compatriots before "the negation of all law, equilibrium resting on iniquity." This week's troupe of "delightfully audacious" drag queens might give him hope.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube"> <span class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="532050f9b5076f020be2bec68ef997b7" style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1q82twrdr0U?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe></span> <small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">- YouTube</small> <small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit..."> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q82twrdr0U" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a> </small> </p>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 05:37:14 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/further/do-you-hear-the-people-sing</guid><dc:creator>Abby Zimet</dc:creator><media:content medium="image" type="image/jpeg" url="https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/drag-queens-living-it-up-at-les-miserables.jpg?id=61009527&amp;width=980"></media:content></item><item><title>Ahead of Father’s Day, Celebrity Dads Share Mahmoud Khalil’s Letter to His Newborn Son</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/ahead-of-fathers-day-celebrity-dads-share-mahmoud-khalils-letter-to-his-newborn-son</link><description><![CDATA[
  55. <p>In the three months since he was illegally detained by ICE for speaking out in support of Palestinian rights, Mahmoud Khalil has been forced to miss the birth of his son, his wife’s first Mother’s Day, and now his own first Father’s Day. To mark this moment, Mo Amer, Mark Ruffalo, Arian Moayed, Dallas Goldtooth, W. Kamau Bell, Mahershala Ali, Tom Morello and Alex Winter <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK1pM45RM81/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">came together</a> to read the letter Mahmoud wrote to his newborn son, Deen.</p><p>The video begins with Mahmoud’s voice speaking over the phone to Deen from ICE detention in Louisiana: “Yaba Deen, these are my first words to you,” Mahmoud says.</p><p>It comes just <a href="https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/mahmoud-khalil-preliminary-injunction-detention-unconstitutional" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one day</a> after a federal judge granted Mr. Khalil’s request for preliminary injunction, finding that he would continue to suffer irreparable harm if he remains detained. Further, the court ruled that it was unconstitutional to detain and seek to deport someone purely on the basis of their advocacy. Despite this ruling, he remains detained in Louisiana.</p><p>As fathers themselves, these artists are using their platforms to speak out. Palestinian American <strong>comedian and actor Mo Amer explains</strong>, “I am a Palestinian refugee, asylee to America, became a citizen in 2009, and in 2023 I had a son. Mahmoud’s letter is like a dagger to the heart, and that’s why I am doing this.”</p><p>They also understand that if it can happen to Mahmoud, a permanent lawful resident and U.S. green card holder, it can happen to anyone. As Iranian American actor and screenwriter Arian Moayed noted, “I can't imagine being taken away from my child for speaking up for labor rights. I can't imagine being taken away from my child for speaking up for Iranian rights. I can't imagine being taken away from my child for speaking up for veterans rights. All of which I have done in the past. And now I'm saying the same thing. No human being deserves to be taken away from their child because of what they believe in. That's not what this country is made for.”</p><p>The celebrity fathers filmed this video because they see how Mahmoud’s struggle is intertwined with theirs. “I know that on this stolen land, nobody is free unless we are all free. And so this is an act of solidarity and love for any and all who dream for a better and healthier future for all of us, in all life on this planet,” said Native American activist and actor from <em>Reservation Dogs’ </em>Dallas Goldtooth. </p><p>Furthermore, they know that every day that Mahmoud remains detained is a day too long. Emmy-winning TV host, comedian and activist W. Kamau Bell said it plainly: “I get to go home to my kids. All dads should get that.”</p><p>Just last week, <a href="https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/mahmoud-khalil-submits-extensive-new-evidence-detailing-widespread-irreparable-harm-from-continued-louisiana-detention" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dozens of experts</a> outlined the “irreparable harm” he and his loved ones will continue to suffer as long as he remains detained thousands of miles away from him.</p><p>“True justice would mean Mahmoud was never taken away from us in the first place, that no Palestinian father, from New York to Gaza, would have to endure the painful separation of prison walls like Mahmoud has. I will not rest until Mahmoud is free, and hope that he can be with us to experience his first Father’s Day at home in New York with Deen in his arms,” said Noor Abdalla, Mahmoud’s wife.</p><p>Mr. Khalil is represented by Dratel & Lewis, the Center for Constitutional Rights, CLEAR, Van Der Hout LLP, Washington Square Legal Services, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), the ACLU of New Jersey, the ACLU of Louisiana, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).</p>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:09:40 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/ahead-of-fathers-day-celebrity-dads-share-mahmoud-khalils-letter-to-his-newborn-son</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Tomorrow: Millions to March Peacefully, Defy Trump’s Scare Tactics</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/tomorrow-millions-to-march-peacefully-defy-trumps-scare-tactics</link><description><![CDATA[
  56. <p>Tomorrow, millions of Americans will unite across race, party, and religion for “No Kings” rallies planned in more than one thousand cities. Stretching from Honolulu to Philadelphia, everyday people of all ages will show up to reject Trump’s latest efforts to weaponize the government.</p><p>In the days leading up to the events, President Trump sought to deter attendance, saying any protestors at his event would “be met with very big force.” The comment and his administration’s actions in Los Angeles have ignited greater enthusiasm in the rallies.</p><p><strong>Statement of Virginia Kase Solomón, Common Cause President & CEO</strong></p><p>From weaponizing the government against the people to throwing a sitting U.S. Senator to the ground for exercising his right to ask a question, the Trump Administration is leading this country right into a tyrannical dictatorship. There is nothing patriotic about activating our military force for political gamesmanship.</p><p>That’s why, despite Trump’s efforts to scare us from speaking out, we will fill the streets of America’s cities with peaceful protest and joyful resistance. Together, we will march for our futures to declare we have no kings in America.</p><p>The people are doing their part, and now it’s time for Congress to do theirs.</p><p>Congress is to blame for bringing us to this breaking point. Their partisanship has fueled widespread division, their inaction on comprehensive immigration reform has filled us with doubt, and their corruption has broken our trust.</p><p>Instead of passing comprehensive immigration reform, they wrung their hands for four decades, leaving millions of our neighbors without a pathway or plan. Today’s Congress wants to pass a budget that would give this president greater license to turn our government into a weapon against us — with our taxpayer dollars funding it all.</p><p>And because of their neglect, this administration is using these very real immigration challenges to attack and terrorize our communities.</p><p>We will not let this Congress repeat the mistakes of the past and we will not allow this President to play political football with this crisis. This is why tomorrow, we march.</p><p>In Washington, we marched for economic justice. In Selma, we marched for civil rights. And tomorrow, on Flag Day, from Los Angeles to Omaha to Concord, we will patriotically march for our freedoms and remind those in power that this is a government by the people.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:31:46 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/tomorrow-millions-to-march-peacefully-defy-trumps-scare-tactics</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Donald Trump Signs Reversal of State Clean Car Standards, Selling Out Americans to Polluters and Unraveling Clean Air Act Protections</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/donald-trump-signs-reversal-of-state-clean-car-standards-selling-out-americans-to-polluters-and-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections</link><description><![CDATA[
  57. <p>Today, Donald Trump signed Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to repeal three California clean vehicle programs: Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty low-NOx Omnibus. </p><p><em><strong>In response, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released the following statement: </strong></em></p><p>“The Trump administration’s attack on clean air and clean vehicles only benefits the fossil fuel industry, leaving Americans to foot the bill with higher fueling costs, limited vehicle choices, and more pollution. Instead of investing in electric vehicle manufacturing here in the U.S. and leading us towards a healthier future, the administration is dead set on pushing us backwards and ceding EV innovation and leadership to China. The Sierra Club will <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2025/05/sierra-club-suing-trump-drive-electric-vehicle-progress" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continue to fight</a> for clean transportation solutions across the country.” </p><p><strong>Background on the clean vehicle programs and CRA votes:</strong></p><p>The EPA granted waivers to California for these three programs through congressionally-granted authority under the Clean Air Act. For nearly 50 years, California has had the authority to establish vehicle pollution standards that are more protective than the federal standards, and states have had the explicit right granted under the Clean Air Act to protect their residents’ health by choosing California’s standards. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2025/05/senate-sell-outs-americans-polluters-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate votes on May 22</a> were an unlawful use of the CRA, and inconsistent with decades of precedent, decisions by the Government Accountability Office, and the Senate Parliamentarian. The CRA does not apply to “adjudicatory orders” or “rules of particular applicability” like waivers, as the Government Accountability Office <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/b-334309" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">determined</a> in 2023 and <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/b-337179" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recognized</a> again in March. The Senate Parliamentarian also <a href="https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/statement-whitehouse-padilla-schiff-on-senate-parliamentarian-reaffirming-californias-clean-air-act-waivers-not-subject-to-cra/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20am%20pleased%20that%20the,climate%20leadership%2C%20and%20it%20failed." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">confirmed</a> earlier in April that the CRA cannot be used to repeal the waivers.<br/><br/>All three programs help to improve air quality for Californians, as well as for residents in many other states that have adopted the programs. <strong>See Sierra Club’s state tracker </strong><a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/transportation/clean-vehicle-programs-state-tracker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Advanced Clean Cars II:</strong> The ACC II program allows California to enforce vehicle emission standards stronger than the federal government’s which the state needs to comply with federal air quality standards and curb health-harming vehicle pollution for its residents. California has severe problems meeting the federal ozone air quality standards, and reducing vehicle pollution is essential since vehicles are the largest source of ozone precursors in the State. Twelve other states and the District of Columbia have adopted the program as well under the authority of the Clean Air Act. <br/><br/><strong>Advanced Clean Trucks: </strong>The ACT program requires manufacturers to increasingly sell a certain number of zero-emission trucks and buses in California, ramping up gradually over time to reach 40-75% sales requirement for zero-emission trucks and buses in 2035. Ten other states have adopted the program as well. <br/><br/><strong>Heavy-Duty low-NOx Omnibus: </strong>The HDO program helps to cut smog-forming nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty vehicles in California by setting more stringent air pollution emissions standards (eventually requiring a 90% cut in NOx emissions from model year 2027 engines), improving testing requirements for engines, and extending engine warranties. Nine other states have adopted the program as well.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:21:37 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/donald-trump-signs-reversal-of-state-clean-car-standards-selling-out-americans-to-polluters-and-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Senate GOP Confirms Billy Long, an Anti-IRS Extremist, as Agency’s Chief</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/senate-gop-confirms-billy-long-an-anti-irs-extremist-as-agencys-chief</link><description><![CDATA[
  58. <p>Today, the Senate’s GOP majority confirmed former Congressman Billy Long as IRS Chief, despite his past support for abolishing the agency and replacing the federal income tax with a regressive national sales tax. Just yesterday, Senator Wyden sent a <a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/wyden-blasts-lax-fbi-background-check-of-irs-nominee-billy-long-sounds-alarm-over-court-documents-implicating-long-in-major-bribery-conspiracy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">letter </a>to the White House raising concerns about inadequate vetting of Long’s background—particularly multiple high-profile corruption allegations, including Long’s involvement in a major bribery controversy with a large healthcare company.</p><p>“Trump and Senate Republicans finally delivered a long-awaited return on investment to the billionaire backers that fund their party: an IRS Chief with extreme views on tax policy and no interest in reining in wealthy tax cheats or helping working families. It’s alarming that a nominee with so many clear-cut, publicly visible instances of potential fraud or corruption was able to get the votes of Senate Republicans to become the lead administrator of our country’s tax system,” said David Kass, ATF’s Executive Director. “Long—who once co-sponsored legislation to abolish the agency he now leads—is sending a clear signal to wealthy tax cheats everywhere that Trump’s IRS will serve the wealthy and well-connected at the expense of working and middle-class families. With Long at the helm, it becomes even more critical to stop Trump’s disastrous tax bill that cuts critical programs Americans depend on, like Medicaid and SNAP, to fund massive tax giveaways for billionaires.”</p><p>For more information on Billy Long’s tax positions, please see our recent <a href="https://americansfortaxfairness.org/backer-abolishing-irs-proposed-lead-agency/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">report </a>analyzing his positions on tax issues in Congress. The report examines his support for eliminating estate and federal income taxes in favor of a national sales tax—a policy that would raise consumer prices while giving substantial tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:19:46 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/senate-gop-confirms-billy-long-an-anti-irs-extremist-as-agencys-chief</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Billy Long’s Confirmation as IRS Commissioner is Good News Only For Tax Cheats</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/billy-longs-confirmation-as-irs-commissioner-is-good-news-only-for-tax-cheats</link><description><![CDATA[
  59. <p>Today, Senate Republicans voted to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/billy-long-confirmed-irs-commissioner-67cd8daaa53a53c4ebf1262de1ede5e6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">confirm</a> Billy Long as IRS Commissioner. <strong>Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, released the following statement:</strong></p> <p>“Tax cheats just received a huge gift. Billy Long has a clear history of working to make it easier for corporations and the wealthy to skirt paying their fair share of taxes. He has even supported abolishing the very agency he has now been tasked to lead – the agency meant to take the lead in cracking down on tax evasion and ensuring that government is sufficiently resourced to serve the public interest. Wall Street may celebrate his confirmation as IRS Commissioner, but it is bad news for everyday people.”</p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:11:16 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/billy-longs-confirmation-as-irs-commissioner-is-good-news-only-for-tax-cheats</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Donald Trump to Sign Reversal of State Clean Car Standards, Selling Out Americans to Polluters and Unraveling Clean Air Act Protections</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/donald-trump-to-sign-reversal-of-state-clean-car-standards-selling-out-americans-to-polluters-and-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections</link><description><![CDATA[
  60. <p>Today, Donald Trump signed Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to repeal three California clean vehicle programs: Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty low-NOx Omnibus. </p><p><em><strong>In response, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released the following statement: </strong></em></p><p>“The Trump administration’s attack on clean air and clean vehicles only benefits the fossil fuel industry, leaving Americans to foot the bill with higher fueling costs, limited vehicle choices, and more pollution. Instead of investing in electric vehicle manufacturing here in the U.S. and leading us towards a healthier future, the administration is dead set on pushing us backwards and ceding EV innovation and leadership to China. The Sierra Club will <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2025/05/sierra-club-suing-trump-drive-electric-vehicle-progress" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continue to fight</a> for clean transportation solutions across the country.” </p><p><strong>Background on the clean vehicle programs and CRA votes:</strong></p><p>The EPA granted waivers to California for these three programs through congressionally-granted authority under the Clean Air Act. For nearly 50 years, California has had the authority to establish vehicle pollution standards that are more protective than the federal standards, and states have had the explicit right granted under the Clean Air Act to protect their residents’ health by choosing California’s standards. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2025/05/senate-sell-outs-americans-polluters-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate votes on May 22</a> were an unlawful use of the CRA, and inconsistent with decades of precedent, decisions by the Government Accountability Office, and the Senate Parliamentarian. The CRA does not apply to “adjudicatory orders” or “rules of particular applicability” like waivers, as the Government Accountability Office <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/b-334309" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">determined</a> in 2023 and <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/b-337179" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recognized</a> again in March. The Senate Parliamentarian also <a href="https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/statement-whitehouse-padilla-schiff-on-senate-parliamentarian-reaffirming-californias-clean-air-act-waivers-not-subject-to-cra/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20am%20pleased%20that%20the,climate%20leadership%2C%20and%20it%20failed." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">confirmed</a> earlier in April that the CRA cannot be used to repeal the waivers.<br/><br/>All three programs help to improve air quality for Californians, as well as for residents in many other states that have adopted the programs. <strong>See Sierra Club’s state tracker </strong><a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/transportation/clean-vehicle-programs-state-tracker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Advanced Clean Cars II:</strong> The ACC II program allows California to enforce vehicle emission standards stronger than the federal government’s which the state needs to comply with federal air quality standards and curb health-harming vehicle pollution for its residents. California has severe problems meeting the federal ozone air quality standards, and reducing vehicle pollution is essential since vehicles are the largest source of ozone precursors in the State. Twelve other states and the District of Columbia have adopted the program as well under the authority of the Clean Air Act. <br/><br/><strong>Advanced Clean Trucks: </strong>The ACT program requires manufacturers to increasingly sell a certain number of zero-emission trucks and buses in California, ramping up gradually over time to reach 40-75% sales requirement for zero-emission trucks and buses in 2035. Ten other states have adopted the program as well. <br/><br/><strong>Heavy-Duty low-NOx Omnibus: </strong>The HDO program helps to cut smog-forming nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty vehicles in California by setting more stringent air pollution emissions standards (eventually requiring a 90% cut in NOx emissions from model year 2027 engines), improving testing requirements for engines, and extending engine warranties. Nine other states have adopted the program as well.</p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:54:46 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/donald-trump-to-sign-reversal-of-state-clean-car-standards-selling-out-americans-to-polluters-and-unraveling-clean-air-act-protections</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item><item><title>Sanders, King Introduce Bill to Ban Prescription Drug Ads</title><link>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/sanders-king-introduce-bill-to-ban-prescription-drug-ads</link><description><![CDATA[
  61. <p>Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) today introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, legislation that would ban prescription drug advertising on television, radio, print, digital platforms and social media. The bill would also answer Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s repeated calls to end prescription drug advertising, a position he promoted while campaigning for President Trump in 2024. </p><p>“The American people are sick and tired of greedy pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on absurd TV commercials pushing their outrageously expensive prescription drugs,”<strong> Sanders said.</strong> “With the exception of New Zealand, the United States is the only country in the world where it is legal for pharmaceutical companies to advertise their drugs on television. It is time for us to end that international embarrassment. The American people don’t want to see misleading and deceptive prescription drug ads on television. They want us to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry and ban these bogus ads.” </p><p>“The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn’t necessarily make patients healthier,” King said. “The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements.” </p><p>Last year, the 10 largest drug companies made more than $100 billion in profits while the pharmaceutical industry spent over <a href="https://marketingandpharma.com/can-the-trump-2-0-administration-cancel-pharma-marketers-5-billion-tv-ad-spending/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$5 billion</a> on television ads. Prescription drug commercials now account for more than 30% of commercial time on major networks’ evening news programs. In the first three months of this year, Big Pharma spent more than $725 million advertising just 10 drugs. Meanwhile, the American people pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs and one in four Americans cannot afford the costs of the medicine their doctors prescribe. </p><p>Banning direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is not a radical idea. In addition to Secretary Kennedy, the American Medical Association endorsed a ban a decade ago. Studies have shown that more than half of prescription drug ads are misleading or false, causing many Americans to underestimate the associated risks. Harvard researchers found that the majority of the most advertised drugs had little to no therapeutic benefit compared to existing prescription drugs. America’s seniors are particularly at risk of being misled as pharmaceutical companies strategically target them by pushing high-priced medications that may cause them harm. </p><p>For example, in 2010, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3587616/#pone-0055504-t002" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eli Lilly spent $205 million on direct-to-consumer ads and made $3.2 billion in sales</a> for the antidepressant drug Cymbalta, despite Food and Drug Administration (FDA) findings that the company’s ads made <a href="https://www.ethicaldoctor.org/medical-ethics/articles/misleading-drug-ads/cymbalta/#:~:text=In%202010%2C%20the%20FDA%20sent,safety%20and%20side%20effects%20warnings." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">unsupported and misleading claims of effectiveness</a> and minimized its safety risks. Merck spent <a href="https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/documents/20050505113149-41995.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$300 million</a> marketing the painkiller Vioxx and made $2.5 billion in sales, despite finding in 2000 that their product raised the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Dr. David Graham, a senior FDA official, testified in 2004 that Merck’s failure to stop selling Vioxx had resulted in as many as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/politics/fda-official-admits-lapses-on-vioxx.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">55,000 unnecessary deaths</a> from heart attacks and stroke. </p><p>Drug companies are also spending huge amounts of money on prescription drugs that cost, in some cases, more than ten times as much in the United States than other countries. In 2023, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/03/weight-loss-diabetes-drug-ad-spending-tops-1-billion.html#:~:text=Wegovy%20accounted%20for%20%24263%20million,compared%20to%202023%2C%20MediaRadar%20said." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Novo Nordisk</a> spent $263 million on direct-to-consumer ads for Wegovy and $208 million on ads for Ozempic. Today, Novo Nordisk charges nearly $1,000 a month for Ozempic in the United States, while this same exact drug can be purchased for just $59 in Germany, $71 in France, $122 in Denmark, and $155 in Canada. Novo Nordisk also charges Americans with obesity $1,349 a month for Wegovy while this same exact product can be purchased for just $92 in the United Kingdom, $137 in Germany, $186 in Denmark and $265 in Canada. </p><p>Joining Sanders and King as cosponsors of the legislation are Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill). </p><p>Read the bill text <a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/TAM25690.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>Read a summary of the bill <a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/End-Prescription-Drug-Ads-Now-Act-One-Pager.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:18:44 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/sanders-king-introduce-bill-to-ban-prescription-drug-ads</guid><dc:creator>Newswire Editor</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>

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