标签： North America

The Ellison family, led by tech magnate Larry Ellison and his son, Hollywood producer David Ellison, is rapidly expanding its influence in the global media landscape. This year, their strategic maneuvers have positioned them to potentially control some of the world’s largest media companies, including TikTok and CNN. Larry Ellison’s close ties with former US President Donald Trump have been instrumental in facilitating these deals, with Trump publicly praising Ellison as an exceptional business leader.

The Trump administration has escalated its legal battle to end birthright citizenship in the United States, filing an appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn lower court rulings that blocked the controversial executive order. Signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office in January, the order aims to deny citizenship to children born to migrants who are either in the U.S. illegally or on temporary visas. Lower courts have consistently deemed the order unconstitutional, halting its implementation. The Justice Department, in its appeal filed on Friday, argued that the lower court decisions ‘invalidated a policy of prime importance’ to the administration and undermined border security. The administration contends that the 14th Amendment’s clause ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ excludes children of non-permanent or unlawful residents. However, opponents argue that the amendment guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil. The Supreme Court, which previously ruled in June that federal judges cannot block presidential orders, is now being asked to resolve the case in its new term starting October 6. The outcome could have far-reaching implications, with estimates suggesting that ending birthright citizenship could increase the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. to 4.7 million by 2050.

In a significant escalation of federal intervention, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has authorized the use of ‘full force’ and ordered the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon. The decision comes amid ongoing protests and violent clashes targeting the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the city. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to mobilize all necessary troops to protect what he described as ‘war-ravaged’ Portland and ICE facilities under siege by Antifa and other ‘domestic terrorists.’ This move further expands the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and civil unrest across American cities. Portland’s Democrat lawmakers, including Mayor Keith Wilson, have vehemently opposed federal intervention, asserting that local authorities are capable of handling the situation. The ICE facility has been a focal point of protests, with some federal agents reportedly injured in violent confrontations. Trump’s announcement did not specify whether National Guard or regular military forces would be activated. Earlier in the week, Trump formally designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, a decision that has drawn criticism from Democratic Oregon lawmakers. Representative Suzanne Bonamici accused ICE of misleading the public about their targets for arrest and detainment. Trump’s rhetoric has intensified, with him describing Portland as ‘like living in hell’ and vowing to take decisive action against ‘professional agitators and anarchists.’

The FBI has reportedly terminated a group of agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington DC in 2020, following the death of George Floyd. According to unnamed sources cited by US media, between 15 to 20 agents were dismissed on Friday, though the exact number remains unconfirmed. The agents had joined demonstrators in taking a knee, a gesture that became a global symbol of dissent against police brutality and racial injustice after Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for over nine minutes. The FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals, claiming the agents’ rights were violated. The FBI has declined to comment on the matter. The firings occur amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate perceived left-wing or ‘woke’ policies and personnel across federal agencies. While critics argue the kneeling was a tactic to de-escalate tensions, others view it as a political statement. This incident follows a series of high-profile dismissals within the FBI, including former acting director Brian Driscoll and other senior officials, some of whom have sued FBI leadership, alleging politically motivated terminations.

The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey has sparked a heated debate over the integrity of the legal process, with former federal prosecutors warning that President Donald Trump’s public pressure on the case could undermine its credibility. Comey, a long-standing political adversary of Trump, faces charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing an investigation. Trump has openly celebrated the indictment, labeling Comey a “dirty cop” and demanding accountability for his alleged misconduct. However, legal experts argue that Trump’s vocal involvement and the unusual circumstances surrounding the indictment could weaken the prosecution’s case. The indictment itself is notably brief, offering minimal details, which has raised questions about the strength of the evidence. Former prosecutors, including Kevin Flynn and Marcos Jiménez, have expressed concerns that the case appears rushed and politically motivated. They emphasize that securing a conviction would require proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Comey knowingly lied to Congress, a high bar given the current circumstances. Additionally, Trump’s public statements and his replacement of a Virginia prosecutor with a loyalist to pursue the indictment have further fueled allegations of selective prosecution. Columbia Law School professor Annemarie McAvoy noted that while indicting high-ranking officials for lying to Congress is not unprecedented, the political context of this case complicates matters. As the legal battle unfolds, the case has become a focal point for discussions about the intersection of politics and justice in the United States.