2 months ago
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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: An audio recording revealed communications between the British Border Force and the French Navy about returning life jackets loaned to migrants crossing the Channel.
👥 Who’s Involved: British Border Force, French Navy, and migrants crossing the English Channel.
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📍 Where & When: English Channel between the UK and France.
💬 Key Quote: “We can arrange to return your life jackets. Can you confirm how many are on board?” — British Border Force to French Navy.
⚠️ Impact: Record numbers of migrants crossing have been observed under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
IN FULL:
New audio recordings between the British Border Force and the French Navy provide further evidence that France has been helping migrants looking to make the perilous journey across the English Channel. The French appear to be handing out life jackets to boat migrants—and Border Force, apparently unconcerned, is arranging to return them after escorting the migrants to English shores.
“We can arrange to return your life jackets. Can you confirm how many [migrants] are on board?” the Border Force can be heard asking their French Navy counterparts.
The revelation comes amid a surge of migrants attempting to cross the Channel. Recent data show that over 7,200 people have made the journey so far this year, setting a record and marking a 33 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The National Pulse reported in early March that one location recently saw nearly 600 migrants arrive by boat in one day.
Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government has taken limited legal action against those operating the boats. Government data highlighted that this year, only five individuals have been convicted for piloting migrant boats.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced agreements with five major law firms to provide pro bono services worth hundreds of millions of dollars for causes supported by him and the firms. The law firms include Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump; the law firms Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP; and the EEOC.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on Truth Social, the agreements were publicized on Friday, April 11.
💬 Key Quote: “The Law Firms affirm that they will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters, and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers,” Trump’s Truth Social post states.
⚠️ Impact: The pro bono pledges have exceeded $900 million, bringing to heel a number of major law firms that have sought to undermine the Trump agenda by assisting lawfare efforts in recent years.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has revealed commitments from five prominent law firms to deliver pro bono services totaling $600 million for various causes they mutually endorse. The firms joining this initiative include Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, with the latter contributing $100 million. Services pledged by these firms will span supporting veterans, military families, law enforcement, and first responders, as well as addressing fairness in the justice system and combating anti-Semitism, according to statements released by Trump.
Trump’s announcement, made on Truth Social, noted that these legal entities will not partake in “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities. The decision is also linked to the recent withdrawal of inquiries from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), with Trump referencing this move as part of an agreement.
“The Law Firms affirm their commitment to Merit-Based Hiring, Promotion, and Retention. Accordingly, the Law Firms will not engage in illegal DEI discrimination and preferences,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “The Law Firms affirm that they will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters, and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers.”
This development marks a significant expansion in the scale of legal services committed on a pro bono basis, notably for causes that are perceived to align closely with the Trump administration’s priorities. The total value of these pro bono pledges by law firms has now surpassed $900 million. Trump highlighted the bipartisan nature of the pro bono work to be undertaken, asserting that it will uphold a wide range of political perspectives, including conservative values.
These agreements come after Trump earlier enacted Executive Orders that penalized certain high-profile law firms. The law firms involved have previously been noted for engaging in lawfare efforts against Trump or employing individuals who have pursued dubious legal actions against him to hamper his 2024 presidential campaign and political agenda.
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