Federal Infringement versus Constituent Sovereignty By Raven W.M. The activities of ICE agents resemble the “stop and frisk” laws of the 1980s, suggesting that the protection of due process in immigration laws heavily relies on the discretion of agents. Individuals can be taken into custody based solely on the suspicion of violating immigration laws, regardless of their actual immigration status. During the Trump administration, there has been a notable lack of equitable treatment of those arrested by ICE or detained in their facilities. A relevant example is the arrest of Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who was…

Is Affordability Overstated? By Briana Leibowicz Turchiaro The affordability crisis has been overdramatized by both the left and the right. While it is true that prices in many sectors are at an all-time high, this should not be the sole metric used to assess “affordability.” Instead, affordability should be evaluated through a holistic approach that considers price, inflation, and wages. Although inflation has increased costs in various parts of the economy, wages have also risen, complicating the narrative that price is the only relevant factor in the analysis of an affordability crisis.   Can’t Take our Eyes off of Minnesota  By…

The Tariff Squeeze By Erol Yilmaz Trump’s latest 25 percent tariff hammer on Iran’s trading partners might seem tough, but it is a practical move to pressure the regime without dragging us into another long conflict. It feels like an overdue step, finally recognizing that the long-standing ‘band-aid’ approach we relied on for decades has only led to greater problems. With unrest escalating in Tehran and bodies piling up in Tehran’s streets due to government crackdowns, this economic chokehold forces those supporting the regime to pick a side: embrace democratic change or continue the theocratic stonewalling. Critics bleat about risks,…

I had no idea there had been bombs planted in the capital during January 6th. I feel like this story unnecessarily flew under the radar and should have had much more coverage before now. We are all left with the question, how did it take so long to find this guy, and why now? It is good to know there is at least some line where you will be held accountable for breaking the law. As a country, we need to examine how disinformation and extreme political views lead to these violent actions on both sides of the political spectrum. …

While I am happy the government reopened, I am conflicted because people’s healthcare premiums will increase at the end of this year. While people can criticize the Democrats for using the government shutdown as a way to make the Republicans extend the ACA tax benefits, the Republican Party has not released any plans to make healthcare more affordable yet. President Trump even admitted that he is only going to support or approve sending money directly to the people themselves. Overall, even though the Democratic Party agreed to the current resolution, a pinky promise to vote on extending the ACA tax…

For this week’s hot take prompt, I want you guys to think about the freedom of speech in America. Many are pointing out that, despite the First Amendment being uniquely American, it is being attacked. This assassination aids their point. Whether you agreed with him or not, it cannot be denied that Charlie Kirk exercised that right to the fullest. He was killed for it. To what extent does free speech exist in America? The First Amendment is an essential pillar of democracy, but it is necessarily limited in some contexts. For example, the First Amendment does not permit individuals…

This shutdown only proves one thing: Trump is willing to put the American people at risk to get his way. I genuinely do not understand why the government was put in shutdown to negotiate SNAP and why hundreds of thousands of federal workers had to work without pay. The deals could have been negotiated behind closed doors and everyone wouldn’t have been impacted by this. To make it a bit personal, I was scheduled to receive money from Americorps to fund my education. It was a bit late, so I called and they said that because of the shutdown, they…

While I am happy the government reopened, I am conflicted because people’s healthcare premiums will increase at the end of this year. While people can criticize the Democrats for using the government shutdown as a way to make the Republicans extend the ACA tax benefits, the Republican Party has not released any plans to make healthcare more affordable yet. President Trump even admitted that he is only going to support or approve sending money directly to the people themselves. Overall, even though the Democratic Party agreed to the current resolution, a pinky promise to vote on extending the ACA tax…

The win of Zohran Mamdani for mayor-elect of New York City was an incredible moment for people everywhere on the night of November 4th. This is a win for people of color, immigrants, and anyone who believes in democracy and is praying for change. Mamdani is restoring faith to those who have lost it over the last decade, as Trump has been the face of our nation. Having someone with leftist and socialist views become the mayor of New York City is like a breath of fresh air. America is a melting pot of diversity, and being an American means…

President Trump has stated that he does not want American citizens to go hungry, yet he attributes the issue to Democrats. Meanwhile, a court has mandated payments to affected individuals using contingency funds, but the government is grappling with a funding shortfall exceeding $4 billion. On the other side, Democrats are unwilling to compromise on healthcare benefits, which has contributed to the government shutdown. Ultimately, the true victims of this crisis are ordinary citizens. Legal proceedings are inherently protracted, but hunger cannot be deferred. Irrespective of partisan blame or justifications, I hold the current administration accountable for the ensuing chaos.…