标签： North America

In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut has permanently barred President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. This ruling marks the first instance where the Trump administration has been definitively prevented from sending military personnel to U.S. cities. The decision follows a protracted legal battle over whether Trump violated federal law by dispatching troops despite objections from local officials.

Judge Immergut, a Trump appointee, emphasized that the president lacked a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard in Portland. She clarified that her ruling does not preclude the president from ever using National Guard forces but stressed that in this specific case, there was neither a rebellion nor an imminent threat justifying such action. She also noted that Trump had overstepped his authority under the 10th Amendment, which reserves powers not explicitly granted to the federal government for the states.

The ruling comes amid a broader effort by Trump to quell protests against federal immigration policies in Democrat-led cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Earlier this month, Judge Immergut issued temporary restraining orders to halt the deployment of troops from Oregon, California, and Texas. In her 106-page decision, she stated that the administration failed to meet the legal threshold for deploying military forces in American cities.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision, potentially escalating the issue to the Supreme Court. The case has highlighted the ongoing tension between federal and local authorities, with Portland officials and residents disputing the administration’s characterization of the city as ‘war-ravaged.’ Local leaders argue that the violence is limited and effectively managed by Portland police.

Portland’s attorney, Caroline Turco, framed the case as a pivotal test of constitutional governance, stating, ‘This case is about whether we are a nation of constitutional law or martial law.’ The ruling underscores the broader debate over federal overreach and the balance of power between state and federal governments.

The Canadian political landscape has been thrown into disarray as allegations of undemocratic practices and internal instability plague the Conservative opposition. Matt Jeneroux, a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) from Alberta, announced his resignation on Thursday, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. However, rumors had previously circulated suggesting he might defect to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer accused Carney of employing ‘Liberal pressure tactics’ to sway MPs, following Jeneroux’s departure and the earlier defection of another Conservative MP, Chris d’Entremont, to the Liberals. Scheer condemned Carney’s alleged attempts to secure a parliamentary majority through ‘backroom deals and pressure tactics,’ dismissing media reports of meetings between Jeneroux and Carney’s office prior to the resignation. Jeneroux later clarified that his decision was voluntary and not influenced by coercion, emphasizing his commitment to family. Meanwhile, d’Entremont expressed frustration with the Conservative Party’s leadership under Pierre Poilievre, describing it as ‘negative’ and claiming others in the party share his sentiments. Poilievre, who faces a leadership review in January, has been criticized for his combative style, which some blame for the Conservatives’ recent electoral losses. Amid this partisan drama, the Carney government is navigating the passage of its first budget, which requires support from other parties due to the Liberals’ lack of a majority. Failure to pass the budget could trigger a federal election, with lawmakers set to vote in mid-November.

After weeks of uncertainty and legal disputes, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday its commitment to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), ensuring food benefits for over 42 million Americans. This decision comes amidst the longest government shutdown in US history, now in its 38th day. The funding for Snap, commonly known as food stamps, had been a contentious issue, with a judge previously mandating the Trump administration to utilize contingency funds to support the program. However, these funds were insufficient to cover the program’s nearly $9 billion monthly cost. On Thursday, another judge ruled that the administration must fully fund Snap, leading to the USDA’s confirmation of full funding. Judge John McConnell accused the administration of withholding food aid for political reasons, highlighting the immediate risk of hunger for 16 million children without the program. Despite the administration’s legal challenge to this ruling, the USDA’s agreement to pay full Snap benefits suggests a resolution to this critical issue. President Trump has repeatedly linked Snap funding to the end of the government shutdown, emphasizing its use in Democrat states. Snap, which costs approximately $8 billion per month, provides reloadable debit cards to low-income Americans, enabling them to purchase groceries. On average, a family of four receives $715 per month, equating to less than $6 per day per person. While individual states administer the benefits, the program relies on federal funding, which has been suspended since the government shutdown began on October 1.