More Lawfare Firms Bend the Knee to Trump Admin.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A rise in fatal drug overdoses and related social issues has been linked to changes in international trade policy and associated job losses in the U.S.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. workers affected by job losses; researchers examining the link between trade policies and public health.

📍 Where & When: Across U.S. counties, with research focused on data spanning from 1999 to 2015 and beyond.

💬 Key Quote: “The loss of 1,000 trade-related jobs was associated with a 2.7 percent increase in opioid-related deaths.”

⚠️ Impact: Increased drug-related deaths and other social issues in communities impacted by job losses due to international trade policies.

IN FULL:

Recent research has uncovered the significant social impact of U.S. international trade policies, linking these to increases in fatal drug overdoses and other public health crises. For instance, a 2020 study in the American Economic Review highlighted that job losses resulting from unfair trade were connected to an uptick in fatal drug overdoses, particularly among white individuals of working age. The findings suggest a correlation between policy shifts and rising “deaths of despair” since the year 2000.

Additionally, research published in 2019 in SSM – Population Health demonstrated a positive association between job losses due to trade and increased mortality from opioid overdoses at the county level between 1999 and 2015. Specifically, for every 1,000 trade-related jobs lost, there was a 2.7 percent increase in opioid-related deaths. Moreover, when the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl was involved, this increase soared to 11.3 percent, underscoring the severe consequences of employment shifts driven by unfair trade.

President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies—aimed at mitigating foreign producers’ advantages over American workers due to poorer pay and conditions, currency manipulation, and their protections against American exporters—are intended to address these issues by reshoring jobs previously sent overseas.

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❓What Happened: A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with the deportation of “pro-Hamas” demonstrator and former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Federal Courts, the Trump administration, Mahmoud Khalil, anti-Israel student demonstrators, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the State Department.

📍 Where & When: U.S. Federal Court on April 11, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: President Donald J. Trump branded Khalil a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student” last month, hailing his arrest as “the first of many to come” for foreign agitators.

⚠️ Impact: The ruling allows the Trump administration to move forward with the removal of Khalil and other foreign students who have espoused anti-Semitism and support for the Hamas terrorist group from the United States. Khalil has until April 23 to file applications for relief.

IN FULL:

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s effort to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University graduate and U.S. permanent resident now detained in a federal jail in Louisiana, can move forward. Deportation proceedings against Khalil were initiated last month after federal authorities determined he had helped organize pro-Hamas demonstrations that disrupted Columbia University activities and created an environment of fear for Jewish students on campus. Khalil will have until April 23 to file relief applications.

The United States Department of State, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, initiated Khalil’s removal after determining his actions constituted an effort to threaten and undermine U.S. foreign policy interests. Khalil appealed the deportation, securing a temporary restraining order (TRO) barring his removal from U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman—a far-left judge whose family has deep ties to the Democratic Party.

President Donald J. Trump branded Khalil a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student” last month, hailing his arrest as “the first of many to come” for foreign agitators. Subsequently, the Trump administration is believed to have revoked potentially thousands of student visas—primarily involving foreign students who participated in and organized pro-Hamas demonstrations.

Following Khalil’s detention, several students facing deportation opted instead to self-deport, including Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian migrant “who had her student visa revoked for advocating for violence and terrorism.” Another Columbia University student, Leqaa Kordia, was arrested last month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her expired F-1 student visa. Kordia is a Palestinian, originally from the West Bank.

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❓What Happened: The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has initiated an investigation into Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) over campaign donations made through ActBlue.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the FEC, conservative advocacy group Coolidge-Reagan Foundation, and ActBlue.

📍 Where & When: The complaint was filed in March 2025; the FEC notified the group on April 2, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: FEC assistant general counsel Wanda D. Brown informed, “The respondents will be notified of this complaint within five business days.”

⚠️ Impact: The scrutiny could impact Rep. Crockett’s campaign financing and bring attention to ActBlue’s fundraising operations.

IN FULL:

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has initiated an inquiry into donations to Rep. Jasmine Crockett‘s (D-TX) campaign. The inquiry will focus on contributions made via ActBlue, a platform for Democratic fundraising currently under increased scrutiny over allegations centered on foreign straw donations.

According to the FEC, its investigation seeks to determine whether donations made through ActBlue and designated for Crockett’s campaign adhere to federal campaign finance laws, given suspicious patterns in when the contributions were made.

A March 2025 complaint by the Coolidge-Reagan Foundation, a conservative advocacy organization, prompted the FEC’s action. The group has raised concerns over the nature of the fundraising activities linked to Rep. Crockett and allegations of voter intimidation. On April 2, 2025, the FEC formally communicated its intent to review these matters to the foundation.

Dan Becker, attorney for the Coolidge-Reagan Foundation, was informed of the investigation through a letter from FEC’s assistant general counsel for complaints examination and legal administration, Wanda D. Brown. Brown indicated that the parties involved would be notified promptly, and any additional information gathered would be shared with the Office of the General Counsel.

At the core of the complaint is a case involving a donor, reportedly linked to 53 individual donations amounting to $595 made using the ActBlue portal. These donations were attributed to a 73-year-old Texas resident, Randy Bes. However, Bes’s spouse reportedly denied knowledge of these transactions. This has led to further suspicion regarding the legitimacy of such donations, possibly mirroring a pattern seen amongst other contributions.

“Rep. Crockett, through her principal campaign committee Respondent Jasmine for U.S., has received thousands of other donations through ActBlue totaling over $870,000,” the complaint filed with the FEC states, before continuing: “It is unclear how many of these are similarly fraudulent transactions, made in the name of unsuspecting innocent people who did not actually provide the funds.”

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Forty migrants with no permission to remain in Italy have been transferred to Italian-run centers in Albania, marking the first time a European Union (EU) country sent rejected migrants outside the EU to a country that is neither their country of origin nor a transit destination.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Italian government, the Albanian authorities, and migration experts.

📍 Where & When: Italian media reported on April 11 that the migrants left Brindisi, Italy, towards centers in Shengjin and Gjader, Albania.

💬 Key Quote: “It is a new, courageous, unprecedented path, but one that perfectly reflects the European spirit and has all the makings of a path to be taken with other non-EU nations as well.” — Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

⚠️ Impact: The legality of this action under EU law is in question, with concerns from rights groups over potential violations of so-called asylum rights. However, if successful, the initiative by Italy could set a precedent for similar actions by other EU countries.

IN FULL:

Italy has initiated the transfer of 40 illegal migrants to detention centers in Albania. It is the first instance of a European Union (EU) country sending rejected migrants to a non-EU nation that is neither their point of origin nor a transit destination. This move instituted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has raised legal uncertainties and attracted attention from leftist groups who claim it compromises the right to seek asylum.

The migrants embarked from the Italian port of Brindisi and are being housed in Italian-managed facilities in Shengjin and Gjader, Albania. These centers were initially intended to process the asylum requests of individuals intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea, although their purpose seems to be shifting under new decrees. The Albanian facilities came into existence through an agreement with Italy worth 800 million euros over five years, allowing a significant monthly number of migrants to be processed or repatriated.

Australia largely ended seaborne illegal immigration through Operation Sovereign Borders, which saw would-be asylum seekers transferred to safe third countries years ago, but Italy is the first European nation to implement a similar policy. Britain’s former Conservative government funded a scheme to transfer migrants to Rwanda but allowed it to be bogged down in lawfare for years, with the new Labour Party government canceling it as soon as they were elected last summer.

The measure parallels proposals from the European Commission advocating for “return hubs” across EU member states, although approval remains pending. Legal experts and “human rights” organizations are closely watching the situation, as Italy’s example may inspire similar policies in other EU nations, with the Netherlands reportedly considering transferring migrants to Uganda.

Italy is also curbing migrant inflows by strengthening its border policies. This year has seen a reduction in migrant arrivals to Italian shores, dropping to just under 11,000. Last year, Italy saw over 66,000 illegals arrive by sea. Primary arrivals in 2025 are from Bangladesh, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his country will enter into bilateral trade talks with the United States next month.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and China.

📍 Where & When: Canada; April 11, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Speaking on Friday, Carney stated that he wishes to  ensure that the next Canadian government “will be in the best possible position for negotiations with the United States, which, as the President and I have agreed, will begin from the start of May.”

⚠️ Impact: The announcement leaves China as the only major foreign government resisting bilateral trade talks with the United States.

IN FULL:

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that his country would enter into trade talks with the United States in May, joining over 75 other nations entering into bilateral negotiations after U.S. President Donald J. Trump moved to impose reciprocal tariffs on a number of countries on April 2. Earlier this week, Trump announced he would reduce the reciprocal tariff on nations that have not retaliated against the United States to 10 percent to allow time for negotiations.

Speaking on Friday, Carney stated that he wishes to  ensure that the next Canadian government “will be in the best possible position for negotiations with the United States, which, as the president and I have agreed, will begin from the start of May.” Canada, unlike most other countries, joined China in enacting retaliatory measures against the U.S. However, with this latest move, China is now the sole nation still resisting U.S. trade talks. Earlier this week, President Trump began ratcheting up the tariff rate on Chinese goods, eventually setting the trade duty at 145 percent.

On Friday, China again retaliated, raising its own tariffs against U.S. goods to 125 percent. However, China—as a surplus economy—imports far less than it exports, meaning its retaliatory measures are unlikely to have nearly the effect on the U.S. economy that the American trade duties will have on the Chinese economy.

Canada will hold a general election on April 28. Currently, Carney and the Canadian Liberal Party are favored to retain power, although some polling has the Canadian Conservative Party winning a narrow majority.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The state of Michigan has decided not to comply with a directive from the Department of Education demanding schools eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Michigan Superintendent Michael Rice, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.

📍 Where & When: Michigan, United States.

💬 Key Quote: Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice insisted, “Pre-K-12 programs that promote diversity representing all children, regardless of race, and inclusion of all children, regardless of race, do not inherently harm particular groups of children and are not de facto violations of Title VI.”

⚠️ Impact: This position underscores Michigan’s commitment to DEI initiatives, while other states, like Indiana, have chosen to comply with federal directives. The national discourse on the legality and value of DEI initiatives in education continues.

IN FULL:

Michigan is rejecting a federally imposed directive demanding schools cut diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The move comes in response to a recent memo from the Department of Education. The Trump administration’s directive urged schools nationwide to align with its interpretation of federal civil rights law, which limits the use of racial considerations in education settings.

Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice asserts that the state adheres to all federal civil rights mandates. He emphasized the importance of DEI efforts, proclaiming them both lawful and vital. Rice contends that “Pre-K-12 programs that promote diversity representing all children, regardless of race, and inclusion of all children, regardless of race, do not inherently harm particular groups of children and are not de facto violations of Title VI.”

The February memo from the Department of Education mandates that educational institutions cease using racial preferences in decisions regarding admissions and scholarships and outlines potential consequences for noncompliance, including investigations or loss of federal funding. However, a number of state education leaders have joined Michigan in resisting the Trump administration directive, including in Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Each state claims it already meets federal civil rights guidelines.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor argues that DEI initiatives lead to discrimination, favoring one group over another. “For decades, schools have been operating on the pretext that selecting students for ‘diversity’ or similar euphemisms is not selecting them based on race. No longer. Students should be assessed according to merit, accomplishment, and character—not prejudged by the color of their skin,” Trainor stated in February. He warned: “The Office for Civil Rights will enforce that commitment.”

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The commander of a U.S. military base in Greenland was dismissed after reportedly sending an email in opposition to remarks made by Vice President J.D. Vance during his visit to the Arctic territory.

👥 Who’s Involved: Colonel Susannah Meyers, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald J. Trump, and the Pentagon.

📍 Where & When: The incident took place at the Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, with Meyers being relieved of her duties on April 10, 2025, following her email sent on March 31, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,” Meyers reportedly stated in her email.

⚠️ Impact: Meyers’s dismissal highlights tensions between the Trump administration and politicized military leaders.

IN FULL:

Colonel Susannah Meyers, who led the U.S. military’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, has been removed from her post by the Pentagon. This decision follows her alleged distribution of an email that challenged Vice President J.D. Vance‘s comments during his visit to the territory. The Pentagon expressed that actions undermining command structure or the president’s objectives are intolerable.

Meyers communicated with base personnel that she spent the weekend contemplating the implications of Vance’s statements regarding U.S. policy towards Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, to which the island currently belongs. “I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,” Meyers wrote, adding: “I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly—together.”

Concerningly, Meyers’s email was distributed to all base personnel, including non-military staff from Denmark and Greenland. A military officer undermining the policy stance of the U.S. government’s executive branch is considered a serious matter that is not casually brushed aside.

The move coincides with President Donald J. Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark. Vice President Vance’s remarks in Greenland on March 28 called for the Arctic island’s independence—supported by most of its inhabitants, who are largely not ethnic Danes—and criticized Denmark’s security measures for the region. Vance’s statements urged Greenlanders towards self-determination, suggesting potential partnership benefits with the U.S.

Denmark’s leadership, including Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has condemned the tone and content of these overtures. After Vance’s visit, Rasmussen indicated that while open to constructive criticism, the approach taken by the U.S. administration was unwelcome.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) revealed that a group of 6,300 individuals admitted into the U.S. under the Biden regime were identified to have criminal records or were on the terrorist watchlist and subsequently able to obtain government benefits like Medicaid.

👥 Who’s Involved: The individuals were processed by Border Patrol and identified by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during Joe Biden’s term of office.

📍 Where & When: These incidents have been occurring since at least 2023 within the United States.

💬 Key Quote: The Department of Government Efficiency stated that these paroles “have since been terminated with immediate effect.”

⚠️ Impact: Paroled individuals were able to receive social security numbers and file for work authorization. It was found that 905 individuals accessed Medicaid, 41 collected unemployment benefits, 22 received federal student loans, 409 received tax refunds, and several benefited from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payouts.

IN FULL:

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has identified a cohort of 6,300 individuals admitted into the United States without legal status who are listed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Terrorist Screening Center watchlist or possess criminal records. According to DOGE, almost all of these illegal immigrants were admitted and paroled into the United States by the former Biden government.

Despite lacking official legal status, these paroled individuals filed for work permits and were granted social security numbers. Subsequently, they were able to obtain access to various government benefits, raising concerns regarding eligibility and oversight failures.

Among the identified 6,300 people, 905 were found to be registered for Medicaid, including four individuals on the terrorist watchlist, accruing $276,000 in expenses. Additionally, 41 individuals collected unemployment insurance worth $42,000, and 22 had federal student loans totaling $280,000.

Furthermore, 409 individuals received tax refunds totaling $751,000 in 2024 alone. Several have also reportedly accessed benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, commonly known as food stamps. The investigation into the exact number of SNAP recipients continues.

The Department of Government Efficiency stated that these paroles “have since been terminated with immediate effect.” However, the revelations have prompted questions within the government regarding the rigor of current screening processes and the mechanisms in place for vetting individuals.

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❓What Happened: Independent journalist and anti-grooming gangs activist Tommy Robinson has requested early release from prison, claiming his confinement is negatively affecting his health.

👥 Who’s Involved: Robinson, his lawyers, barrister Alisdair Williamson KC, the Solicitor General represented by Aidan Eardley KC, and Baroness Sue Carr, the Lady Chief Justice.

📍 Where & When: Robinson is held at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Woodhill, Milton Keynes. The appeal was submitted recently, following an 18-month sentence imposed last year.

💬 Key Quote: “He is being kept safe by the authorities in segregation, but being kept safe is making him ill,” argued Robinson’s barrister.

⚠️ Impact: A judicial ruling on Robinson’s appeal is expected later, with potential implications for prison management of inmates with mental health concerns.

IN FULL:

Anti-grooming gangs activist Tommy Robinson has approached the Court of Appeal to request early release from prison, citing adverse effects on his health due to his current confinement conditions. Robinson is serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court.

Robinson’s incarceration results from breaching a court order after an expensive 2021 libel lawsuit over the fact he had accused a Syrian migrant of violent behavior. Despite the court order banning him from repeating the accusations, Robinson released the documentary Silenced, which interviewed local people who interacted with the Syrian, in defense of his claims. However, the film’s release was deemed contempt by the courts after the government went out of its way to bring a contempt case against him.

During the recent appeal hearing, his barrister Alisdair Williamson KC highlighted evidence pointing to Robinson’s struggles with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ADHD. This medical case forms the basis for seeking a modification of his current isolation for safety reasons, which is reportedly worsening his condition. “He is being kept safe by the authorities in segregation, but being kept safe is making him ill,” said Williamson.

Placed in a closed section of the prison, Robinson is granted limited interaction with others. While he has access to various facilities, his routine is considerably restricted, intensifying concerns from his legal team about his psychological well-being.

Representing the Solicitor General, Aidan Eardley KC countered these assertions, arguing that the prison’s conditions are not more severe than initially expected. The court adjourned without a decision on the appeal. Senior judges are expected to deliver their ruling at a later date.

Image by Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge ruled in favor of the Trump administration, requiring anyone in the U.S. illegally to register with the federal government and carry documentation.

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Trevor Neil McFadden, President Donald J. Trump, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem were central figures in this ruling, alongside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍 Where & When: The ruling occurred in a federal court and will go into effect Friday.

💬 Key Quote: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.”

⚠️ Impact: The ruling enforces a longstanding requirement, extending to non-U.S. citizens who must register and provide fingerprints. Noncompliance can lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation.

IN FULL:

A federal judge upheld the Trump administration’s policy requiring individuals in the U.S. illegally to register with federal authorities and carry documentation or else face stiff financial and criminal penalties. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor Neil McFadden ruled that a group challenging this requirement lacked the standing necessary for their claims to be considered. The decision will begin to take effect on Friday.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasized that individuals without legal status who have been within U.S. borders for longer than 30 days must comply with this registration requirement. “President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, reiterating that illegal immigrants should leave the United States before they are either forcibly deported or face other legal action.

President Donald J. Trump‘s imposition of the registration requirement and financial penalties for those who fail to comply is rooted in provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The legislation outlines various measures to monitor illegal immigrants and encourage them to depart voluntarily.

Adhering to these provisions requires anyone aged 14 and older without legal status to provide their fingerprints and current address. Canadians staying in the U.S. for over 30 days also fall under this mandate. The Trump administration underscores the importance of these laws for maintaining national safety and security.

The registration concept isn’t new, having been applied more stringently after September 11, 2001. Back then, males 16 and older from select countries were required to register, a program that was later suspended in 2011 and ultimately dissolved in 2016.

The DHS has been proactive in notifying illegal immigrants since February, warning of substantial consequences for those who fail to comply.

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