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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The tax policy advocacy group, Americans for Tax Reform, is sounding the alarm that the European Union (EU) is continuing to use non-tariff trade barriers to disadvantage U.S. technology companies in the European market.
👥 Who’s Involved: Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform; the European Union (EU); U.S. tech companies; and China.
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📍 Where & When: Americans for Tax Reform’s president, Grover Norquist, laid out the concerns with EU regulatory burdens in a recent opinion editorial.
💬 Key Quote: “This is not regulation; it’s non-tariff protectionism disguised as principle,” Norquist said.
⚠️ Impact: Norquist warned that the EU’s actions could push American firms out of the European digital economy and risk ceding dominance to China.
IN FULL:
Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, has sounded the alarm over European Union (EU) policies that he claims unfairly target American technology firms. Writing in an opinion editorial this week, Norquist criticized the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) as measures designed to penalize U.S. companies through excessive regulations and censorship demands.
Norquist argues that these policies are not genuine regulatory measures but rather “non-tariff protectionism disguised as principle.” He accused the EU of benefiting from U.S.-developed platforms and technologies, such as cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI), while imposing fines and taxes that ultimately fund the European welfare state “at the expense of America.”
Recent years have seen growing tensions between U.S. tech firms and European regulators. For example, X (formerly Twitter), the platform owned by Elon Musk, faced scrutiny after signing an EU code of conduct aimed at combating “illegal hate speech online.” Musk’s somewhat more permissive approach to free speech has clashed with European laws, drawing criticism from EU leaders.
Norquist further emphasized that 80 percent of Europe’s digital technologies are imported, primarily from the United States. He cautioned that the EU’s approach could undermine collaboration with American innovators and pave the way for China to dominate the digital economy.
“Europe’s leaders must recognize their role in escalating trade tensions and commit to a unified front,” Norquist urged. “Let us innovate together, compete together, and halt China’s march toward economic and technological dominance.”
This reflects similar criticisms by President Donald J. Trump, who has hammered the EU for its tariffs on U.S. goods and its use of regulations, security measures, and value-added tax (VAT) to undermine the competitiveness of U.S. exports.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with two apprehended and nine still at large.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Susan Hutson, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
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📍 Where & When: The escape occurred Friday morning at the Orleans Justice Center, less than three miles from the French Quarter.
💬 Key Quote: Sheriff Susan Hutson described the situation as “very serious and unacceptable,” while Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated it’s “more than likely” the escapees had assistance.
⚠️ Impact: The public has been urged to remain vigilant as the escapees are considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are conducting a full-scale search.
IN FULL:
Authorities in New Orleans are conducting a “full-scale search operation” after eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday morning, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Two of the escapees, including Kendell Myles, have been apprehended, but nine others remain at large.
Sheriff Susan Hutson revealed the inmates were discovered missing during a routine headcount at 8:30 AM. She urged the public to stay alert, warning that the escapees should be considered armed and dangerous. “We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance, and physical security measures,” Hutson stated.
The escaped inmates have charges ranging from drug possession to murder, according to reports. Concerningly, the escape appears to have been a relatively simple matter of cutting through drywall and escaping through a space accommodating ventilation and piping behind a jail wall.
A law enforcement source shared a photo of a hole in the wall of the Orleans jail where 11 inmates reportedly escaped. Scribbled around the hole are messages including “To Easy LOL,” “Catch us when you can,” “We innocent,” “Most Hated,” and expletives. https://t.co/BYYesWprql pic.twitter.com/vtQSyTDBUT
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) May 16, 2025
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to locate the fugitives. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick suggested that the escapees likely received outside assistance and have since changed out of their jail uniforms. “We don’t want panic, but we do want people to be mindful,” Kirkpatrick noted.
The Orleans Justice Center, where the incident took place, is less than three miles from the French Quarter, a popular tourist destination. One of the fugitives, Kendell Myles, was apprehended on Royal Street, a busy and popular avenue in the French Quarter.
Sheriff Hutson emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it “very serious and unacceptable,” and vowed accountability for anyone who aided in the escape.
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