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Project 2025 and Federal Influence Over K-12 Curricula (Education Policy Brief #204)

Although President Trump campaigned by keeping distance between himself and Project 2025, it is clear that his agenda since his inauguration has run parallel to the movement in many areas, including education.

2026 World Cup and President Trump’s Policies (Foreign Policy Brief #203)

The United States and its neighbors have long had a successful, and peaceful (mostly) existence. The United States, Canada, and Mexico have had free-trade agreements; entered into military alliances together; fought in wars together. However, since the inauguration of President Trump, these relationships have been tested – dramatically. The White House has called for Canada to become the “51st State”; the United States has changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”. Publicly, President Sheibaum and Prime Minister Carney, of Mexico and Canada, respectively, have criticized President Trump and his policies both from afar and in-person.

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part II (Social Justice Policy Brief #175)

Presidential pardons are a constitutionally granted power, intended to serve as instruments of mercy, justice, and healing. But under President Donald Trump’s second term (2024–2025), this power has again been wielded as a political tool, continuing a controversial legacy from his first term. The recent wave of pardons reflects a continuation—and escalation—of Trump’s willingness to use executive clemency to reward loyalists, pardon convicted political allies, and whitewash wrongdoing linked to his political movement.

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part I (Social Justice Policy Brief #174)

The presidential pardon is a constitutional power granted to the President of the United States under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. It allows the President to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment. While originally intended to offer clemency as a form of mercy or to correct miscarriages of justice, the use of pardons has evolved—and at times, been weaponized for political purposes.

The Role of the Judiciary Against The Other Branches of Government – A Historical Background (Civil Rights Policy Brief #244)

Just this week a number of reports have surfaced that detailed President Trump’s frustration with the Supreme Court and both the federal and state level judiciary in general.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Gifts to Artificial Intelligence Companies (Technology Policy Brief # 149)

In his first few days in office, Donald Trump announced a $500 billion joint venture with OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank to invest in growing the US’s AI infrastructure and rescinded former President Joe Biden’s executive order requiring safety submissions from AI developers.  His big, beautiful bill showers much more money in the industry, and aims to eliminate state oversight or regulation of AI companies as well.

The Future of Student Loans in Trump’s Presidency (Education Policy Brief #203)

Since Trump’s attack on the Department of Education, there has been some confusion surrounding the future of student loans. During the Biden Administration, there were discussions on a $20,000 loan forgiveness plan for each borrower, but that has since been struck down by the Supreme Court. Since then, there have been no discussed plans of mass loan forgiveness, but instead, mandatory loan repayments will be enacted.

Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration: A Busy 4-Month History

It is no secret the disdain the Trump Administration has shown towards the Justice system in America. On Truth Social, President Donald Trump has blasted the judges who have ruled against his agenda as “Crazed”, “Trump Hating”, and rogue, “activist judges” who hate the legal system.

Project 2025 and Federal Influence Over K-12 Curricula (Education Policy Brief #204)

Although President Trump campaigned by keeping distance between himself and Project 2025, it is clear that his agenda since his inauguration has run parallel to the movement in many areas, including education.

USResist News Magazine: April 2025 #2

We are pleased to send you the current issue of USRESIST SHARE—our bi-weekly magazine of the latest news Briefs by our Reporters. USRESIST SHARE is intended to deepen your understanding of today’s leading public policy and political issues. We hope you’ll enjoy and welcome your feedback.

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part II (Social Justice Policy Brief #175)

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part II Social Justice Policy Brief #175...

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part I (Social Justice Policy Brief #174)

Pardons, Power, and Payback: Trump’s Legacy of Clemency — Part I Social Justice Policy Brief #174...
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Keeping Democracy Alive

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Keeping Democracy Alive

By c25b20b4bf935be4bec0b8fb91937323ea51988682699fb8738acdcaeb2b01a4?s=96&d=mm&r=g david
Jun 10 2025

The Role of the Judiciary Against The Other Branches of Government – A Historical Background (Civil Rights Policy Brief #244)

Just this week a number of reports have surfaced that detailed President Trump’s frustration with the Supreme Court and both the federal and state level judiciary...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rodney Maggay
Jun 05 2025

The Distinction Between Law and Policy And The Role of The Courts

he beginning of President Trump’s second term saw a slew of executive orders on a number of policies and also saw numerous responses to those orders. More than...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rodney Maggay
May 12 2025

The Department of Justice Voting Section’s Shift In Priorities

A number of news outlets have recently reported that the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division Voting Section has changed their...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Nicholas Gordon
Apr 30 2025

Resistance is Not Futile: Upholding Civil Rights and Constitutional Norms to withstand Trump’s Autocratic Aims

In his first 100 days in office, President Trump has pursued a sinister goal of autocracy by relentlessly attacking any and all forms of opposition and repressing civil...
By c25b20b4bf935be4bec0b8fb91937323ea51988682699fb8738acdcaeb2b01a4?s=96&d=mm&r=g david
Apr 23 2025

The Administration Efforts to Avoid a Judicial Ruling

On April 9, 2025 the House of Representatives voted on the No Rogue Rulings Act bill. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). H.R. 1526 would prohibit a...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rodney Maggay
Apr 01 2025

A Court’s Options To Enforce Compliance With Court Orders

Under Rule 3.3 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, titled “Candor Toward the Tribunal,” a lawyer has a number of...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rodney Maggay
Mar 12 2025

The Pettiness of President Trump Targeting Law Firms For Revenge

On February 25, 2025 President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the security clearances of lawyers and staff at the Washington, D.C. law office of the...
By 304b85304860ad8c372309473fc2261337d3cc4f4b3e773dfbd236a31c2fd149?s=96&d=mm&r=g adminusres
Feb 09 2025

A Comparison of Biden and Trump’s January 20th Pardons

Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution provides: The President…shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for Offenses against the...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rod Maggay
Feb 03 2025

Jack Smith’s Honorable but Frustrating Journey to Prosecute Trump ; January 2025

Jack Smith made sure to state when he resigned that Mr. Trump engaged in an ‘unprecedented criminal effort’ to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden....
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rod Maggay
Jack Smith in front of image of American flag
Jan 07 2025

An Explanation As To Why Special Prosecutor Jack Smith Asked To Dismiss Trump’s Two Criminal Cases

An Explanation As To Why Special Prosecutor Jack Smith Asked To Dismiss Trump's Two Criminal Cases Civil Rights Policy Brief #233 | By: Rod Maggay | December 27, 2024...
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Elections & Politics

By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Nate Iglehart
May 22 2025

Habeas corpus: What is it, and can it be suspended? (Elections & Politics Brief #185)

One of the most fundamental aspects of a fair and just legal system is the ability to challenge one’s detention, often referred to as “habeas corpus”. Habeas corpus is...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Morgan Davidson
May 12 2025

The Growing 2025 Anti-Trump Protests: Hands Off, No Kings Day, and More

In just over 100 days of Trump 2.0, a reinvigorated Democratic opposition has taken shape. AOC and Bernie have been headlining rallies across the country. Cory Booker...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Inijah Quadri
May 05 2025

A Primer on Political Interest Groups

Political interest groups play a central role in shaping policy in the United States. From corporate-funded lobbying arms to grassroots-driven caucuses, these groups...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Nate Iglehart
Apr 10 2025

Where Democrats can aim for the 2026 midterms: House Edition

After two months into Donald Trump’s second presidency, many voters and Congresspeople are already eyeing the 2026 Congressional elections. The November 3rd elections...
By c25b20b4bf935be4bec0b8fb91937323ea51988682699fb8738acdcaeb2b01a4?s=96&d=mm&r=g david
Apr 01 2025

Trump Administration Changes to the Civil Service

The United States federal civil service stands as the backbone of our nation’s governance, ensuring the implementation of public policies and the delivery of...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Nate Iglehart
Mar 31 2025

Where Democrats Can Aim for in the 2026 Midterms: Senate Edition

After two months into Donald Trump’s second presidency, many voters and Congresspeople are already eyeing the 2026 Congressional elections. The November 3rd elections...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Rudolph Lurz
Mar 27 2025

Tangled Part 1: How Trump uses Machiavelli to Win An Election

Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince provides a playbook for rulers to seize, hold, and consolidate power. Donald Trump’s second ascent to the Oval Office demonstrates that...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Morgan Davidson
Mar 25 2025

Legal Battles: The Quiet Yet Powerful Resistance of the State Attorneys General

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under the Trump administration and led by Elon Musk, has embarked on an ambitious mission to streamline...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Mindy Spatt
Mar 25 2025

Musk’s Outrageous Conflicts of Interest

Distaste for Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is fueling protests at Tesla showrooms, a boycott of the company’s cars, and a rapidly...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Inijah Quadri
Mar 25 2025

The Ripple Effect: DOGE’s Workforce Reduction and Its Impact on Federal Agencies

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under the Trump administration and led by Elon Musk, has embarked on an ambitious mission to streamline...
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Foreign Policy

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Foreign Policy

The Little Covered Big War in Congo and Rwanda (Foreign Policy Brief #201)

To the average westerner, and especially to Americans, the African continent seems to be politically and economically monolithic. One could recall instances where an interviewed passerby on Jay Leno or Jimmy Kimmel’s show would refer to Africa as a country. This point of view makes the western public less capable of discerning and debating foreign policy as it relates to Africa. Therefore, it is the mission of this brief to inform readers of an infamous armed group that has made headlines for its brutality and human rights abuses, but whose history and status remain vague in the casual reader’s news feed: M23.

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Ukrainian Refugees and American Citizens Mistakenly Ordered to Leave the U.S. Within Seven Days

In early March, 2025 Reuters reported that the administration of Donald Trump was planning to deprive about 240,000 Ukrainian refugees of their legal status by terminating humanitarian programs. According to the Reuters sources, the decision was expected in April. In response, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt dismissed the report on X, calling it “more fake news” and stating, “No decision has been made at this time.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration has already begun revoking parole status for over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, who had been living in the U.S. under temporary humanitarian programs. The administration said cases would be reviewed on “a case-by-case basis.”

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Trump’s Plan for the Middle East: What’s at Stake for the Palestinians?

The situation in Gaza and the West Bank has deteriorated sharply since October 7, 2023. Gaza faces unprecedented devastation, while economic strangulation and security clampdowns in the West Bank have created intolerable conditions for daily life. Over 400 permanent Israeli checkpoints now divide Palestinian communities across the West Bank, severely disrupting movement, trade, and human dignity.

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Technology

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Technology

Trump’s Bromance With Big Tech Hits Some Bumps

Tech billionaire support for Donald Trump is paying off in some of the expected ways, such as  extraordinary access and deregulation.  But Trump has wreaked havoc on the stock market, disappointed his crypto backers, and failed to save Mark Zuckerberg from a grilling at the Federal Trade Commission.

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AI Wars Are Escalating: The US vs. China, Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman, and JD Vance vs. the World.

JD Vance’s appalling speech at the Paris Artificial Intelligence Summit announcing that the US will not agree to minimal international safety standards or consumer protections was not surprising given the Trump administration’s deregulatory fervor and fervent billionaire support.   But with lucrative government contracts hanging in the balance, two of those billionaires are feuding.  Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, recently said no to Elon Musk’s offer of $97.4 billion to purchase his company.  Musk also heard no from 21 technology workers at DOGE, formerly the US Digital Service, who quit their jobs saying they refused to use their skills to “dismantle critical public services.”

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Environment

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Environment

Introducing Gulf of America – from the person who gave us Trump Tower

For the last 475 years, the expanse of ocean from western Florida to southern Texas has been called the “Gulf of Mexico.” English geographer Richard Hakluyt referred to the “Gulfe of Mexico” in his work of 1589. With the stroke of a pen on February 9, 2025, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 14172 and renamed the body of water “Gulf of America.” In addition to “restoring American pride,” President Trump justified the name change by referencing territorial rights over much of the area and that those waters have “long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.” Trump considers the Gulf a business asset.

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No shortage of Canaries in our Coastlines Signaling Catastrophe

40% of the U.S. population line our coasts. That equates to approximately 130 million people residing in coastal counties. In addition to those who retire seaside, entire economies are integrated into the coastal industries of fishing, tourism, energy, shipbuilding, and recreation. Even a cursory glance using google maps shows how tightly clustered the built space is, all on only 10% of the total U.S. land mass. Shoreline communities have five times the population density as compared to the U.S. average.

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By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Steve Piazza
Jun 18 2025

Project 2025 and Federal Influence Over K-12 Curricula (Education Policy Brief #204)

Although President Trump campaigned by keeping distance between himself and Project 2025, it is clear that his agenda since his inauguration has run parallel to the...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Naja Barnes
Jun 10 2025

The Future of Student Loans in Trump’s Presidency (Education Policy Brief #203)

Since Trump’s attack on the Department of Education, there has been some confusion surrounding the future of student loans. During the Biden Administration, there were...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Valerie Henderson
May 05 2025

The Trump Administration and the University Communities: Part 1, Funding Suspension

In April 2025, the Trump administration escalated its efforts to reshape American higher education by suspending billions in federal grants to elite universities —...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Valerie Henderson
May 05 2025

The Trump Administration and University Communities: Part II

Following the initial wave of federal funding suspensions, the Trump administration has intensified its campaign to reshape American higher education. The effort has...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Valerie Henderson
Apr 23 2025

Understanding What the U.S. Department of Education Did

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE), established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, promotes student achievement, ensures equal access to education, and enforces...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Damian DeSola
Apr 10 2025

MAGA Against College: A Fight for America’s Minds

It is no secret that the past two months of Trump’s second term have rattled both American and international societies to their core. Racing out of the gates, the...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Valerie Henderson
Apr 06 2025

The Reasons We’ve Had a Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE), established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, operates to promote student achievement, ensure equal access to education, and...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Feb 12 2025

The Dangers for Schools Amid the Trump Gender War

The Trump administration has recently begun redefining its view on what it sees as the appropriate options for gender in the education system. The newly released Trump...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Jan 28 2025

The Uncertainty of the Student Loan Crisis in the Age of Trump

The student loan crisis, a pressing issue under former President Biden, has entered a phase of uncertainty with President Trump back in office. Biden’s...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Colorful Direction Signs on a Metal Pole
Jan 17 2025

The Fallacy of School Choice

Though touted as a way to empower families, school choice policies often widen the gap between wealthy and disadvantaged communities, leaving public schools underfunded...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Yellow school bus in front of banner reading "imagine a future free of gun violence"
Jan 06 2025

Trump and Vance Fail to Offer Solutions to School Violence

Trump and Vance Fail to Offer Solutions to School Violence Education Policy Brief #196 | By: Evan Wechman | December 28, 2024 Photo by Jose Alonso on Unsplash...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Dec 23 2024

Transgender Students Need Protection from Trump’s Assault on Title IX

Transgender Students Need Protection from Trump’s Assault on Title IX Education Policy Brief #196 | By: Evan Wechman | December 21, 2024 Photo by Katie Rainbow 🏳️‍🌈...
By ?s=96&d=mm&r=g Evan Wechman
Swirling pile of books.
Dec 09 2024

The Dangerous Future of the Department of Education

The Dangerous Future of the Department of Education Education Policy Brief #95 | By: Evan Wechman | December 08, 2024 Photo by Pixabay...
By c51fcde75fc09cb63bfe29ef5df663d59894a84c344cad2277ed2fc2aeb09e86?s=96&d=mm&r=g U.S. Resist News
Education Brief #94 - Reflections on School Shootings from an Educator
Sep 13 2024

Reflections on School Shootings from an Educator

In the wake of yet another tragic school shooting, educator Rudy Lurz revisits his 2018 reflections on the ineffectiveness of current political proposals to prevent...
By c51fcde75fc09cb63bfe29ef5df663d59894a84c344cad2277ed2fc2aeb09e86?s=96&d=mm&r=g U.S. Resist News
Guarding Young Minds: The Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Its Implications
Jul 12 2024

Guarding Young Minds: The Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Its Implications

Brief #93 – Education Policy Brief by: Inijah Quadri In an era dominated by digital platforms, social media has become a central part of daily life, not just for adults...
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Health & Gender

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Health & Gender

The Hypocrite in Chief’s War on Women

Trump has been president for under a month, and he is already going to great lengths to restrict a woman’s right to an abortion.  At first, after the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court that Trump helped assemble, it appeared that abortion would be left to the states.

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The Post-Election State of Abortion

The Post-Election State of Abortion Health & Gender Brief #177 | By: Geoffrey Small | November 26, 2024 Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash __________________________________ Summary As the Republican party seizes control of Congress and The Presidency, abortion...

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Immigration

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Immigration

Deporting Democracy: The Crackdown on Foreign Student Visas

Institutions of higher education are under attack. Since the return of the Trump administration, more than 1,500 international students and recent graduates from over 240 institutions, across at least 45 states and Washington, D.C., have had their F-1 academic and J-1 exchange visas revoked.

A Fear-based Immigration Policy

Trump’s mass deportation efforts remain ongoing across the U.S., capturing headlines with the arrests of student activists like Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, and the deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members/Venezuelans legally here on asylum, not to Venezuela but El Salvador, including a U.S. resident misidentified as a gang member. Despite the high-profile raids and fiery rhetoric, government data shows that deportations under Trump still lag behind levels seen under the Biden administration.

An Update on Trump’s Mass Deportation Efforts

As we enter the second month of Donald Trump’s return to office, his stance on immigration remains as hardline as ever—if not more extreme. He has ramped up his rhetoric against so-called “criminals,” but communities across the country are feeling the tangible effects of his deportation policies. Friends, neighbors, workers, and community members are being forcibly removed, leaving behind fractured families and economic instability.

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Economic Policy

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Economic Policy

Danger in Economic Uncertainty: A Lesson From Trump’s Tariff Policies

The dust is still being settled a month after the U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day.” He was never coy about his desire to wield tariffs to achieve his geopolitical goals. Both in his previous administration and on the campaign trail, he promised that they are the way to rebuild American manufacturing and repair trade imbalances.

Climate Change’s Impact on the Ski Industry

Snow is important for the health of Earth. Snow plays a major part in regulating the planet’s temperature. Snow is hyper-reflective and is capable of sending the Sun’s energy back into space which keeps the Earth’s temperatures from rising too much through the year. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, without snow, the ground would absorb about 4-6x the amount of solar energy that it would if there was snow on the ground – leading to warmer temperatures. Less snow could lead to droughts in areas that typically relied on snowpack melting during the warmer months for access to water, or to harvest with the purpose of providing water. It could also lead to species of animals dying that had evolved to survive in a world with snow, such as snowshoe hares (white fur coats to blend into a snowy environment). It could also lead to Indigenous knowledge related to cultural practices that involve snow may disappear, as well.

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