标签： North America

Donald Trump’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom was marked by grandeur, personal connections, and subtle diplomatic maneuvers. While the U.S. president appeared more captivated by his time at Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla than his discussions with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers, the visit underscored the enduring strength of the UK-US alliance. The trip, meticulously orchestrated, showcased the ceremonial aspects of diplomacy, from an aerial display by the British Army’s Red Devils to an elaborate banquet at Windsor Castle, which Trump described as the highlight of his journey. Despite the pomp, the visit also revealed the limits of personal rapport in influencing policy. During a joint news conference, Trump and Starmer addressed contentious issues such as UK plans to recognize Palestinian statehood and the dismissal of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. While the leaders maintained a cordial tone, it was evident that their fundamental disagreements remained unchanged. Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, candidly stated that the visit would not alter US policy on trade, tariffs, or international affairs. Nevertheless, Starmer’s adept handling of the relationship ensured that the UK avoided the punitive trade tariffs imposed on other nations and maintained a respectful, if not influential, dialogue with the US president. The visit concluded with a sense of mutual respect, highlighting that while personal connections can ease tensions, they do not necessarily shift geopolitical stances.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General’s office has launched an investigation into whether individuals detained during President Donald Trump’s intensified crime prevention efforts in Washington, D.C., are fraudulently enrolled in federal benefit programs. This probe, revealed through a government document and sources familiar with the matter, focuses on potential misuse of Medicare, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs by those caught in the crackdown. The initiative has diverted federal agents from high-impact cases, raising concerns about resource allocation. Since August 2025, Trump has deployed National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to curb crime in the capital, resulting in over 2,000 arrests. However, it remains unclear if any charges related to benefits fraud have been filed. The investigation also examines individuals questioned or detained but not arrested. Critics argue that involving specialized agents in this effort is inefficient, as it sidelines their expertise in recovering significant funds for the government. The HHS Inspector General’s office declined to comment, citing policy. Meanwhile, the crackdown has led to a notable decline in violent crime in D.C., with a 35% drop in 2024 and an additional 26% reduction in the first seven months of 2025. Trump has expressed plans to replicate this strategy in other cities, starting with Memphis, Tennessee.

In a controversial decision, a U.S. immigration judge has ordered the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, to either Algeria or Syria. The ruling, issued on September 17, 2025, stems from allegations that Khalil omitted critical information from his green card application. Immigration Judge Jamee Comans asserted that Khalil ‘willfully misrepresented material facts’ to bypass immigration protocols and increase his chances of approval. However, Khalil’s legal team has vowed to appeal the decision, citing ongoing federal court orders that prevent his immediate deportation or detention. Khalil, a 30-year-old permanent U.S. resident of Palestinian descent, was previously detained for over 100 days earlier this year under the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. During his detention, Khalil missed the birth of his child, as his wife, a U.S. citizen, was pregnant at the time. He was eventually released on June 20 after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that punishing Khalil for a civil immigration matter was unconstitutional. The Trump administration has labeled pro-Palestinian activists like Khalil as antisemitic and supporters of extremism, a characterization vehemently denied by protesters, including some Jewish groups. They argue that criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza and advocating for Palestinian rights is unfairly equated with extremism. Khalil has accused the administration of retaliating against him for exercising his right to free speech, stating, ‘They resorted to fabricating baseless allegations to silence me.’ The case has sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates, who warn that such actions threaten free speech and due process. Columbia University, where Khalil is a student, was a focal point of last year’s protests calling for an end to Israel’s war and divestment from companies supporting Israel. The ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between immigration enforcement and constitutional rights in the U.S.

Former US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to designate Antifa as a ‘major terrorist organization,’ targeting what he describes as the ‘radical left.’ This declaration follows the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which has intensified political divisions in the country. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled Antifa as a ‘sick, dangerous, radical left disaster’ and pledged a thorough investigation into the group. Antifa, a decentralized, leftist movement opposing far-right, racist, and fascist groups, has long been a focal point of Trump’s criticism. However, experts question the feasibility of this designation, given Antifa’s lack of formal structure, leadership, or membership. In 2020, then-FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that Antifa is better understood as an ideology rather than an organization. Despite this, Antifa remains a contentious topic among right-wing influencers and politicians, who argue it is part of a broader left-wing network undermining US values. The movement, whose name derives from the German ‘antifaschistisch,’ gained prominence after Trump’s 2016 election and the 2017 Charlottesville rally. Activists associated with Antifa have frequently clashed with right-wing groups, both online and in physical confrontations. Critics highlight the movement’s willingness to use violence, which activists claim is in self-defense. Trump’s proposal to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization faces legal hurdles, as the US government can only designate foreign groups as Foreign Terror Organizations (FTOs). Legal experts emphasize that the First Amendment protects the right of association, complicating any efforts to label domestic groups as terrorist organizations. This is not the first time Trump has targeted Antifa; he made a similar pledge in 2020 but did not follow through. His latest move comes amid heightened political tensions, with the Department of Justice recently removing a study on political violence that highlighted far-right extremism as a significant threat. Experts warn that politicizing violence risks escalating tensions rather than reducing them.