The Lemmy Club

Summary

An investigation by the Texas Observer identified ICE Assistant Chief Counsel James Rodden as the operator of "GlomarResponder," a white supremacist X account.

The account, active since 2012, has posted racist, xenophobic, and pro-fascist content, including support for mass deportations and anti-immigrant violence.

Rodden's identity was confirmed through biographical details, court records, and social media activity. ICE has not confirmed his employment but is investigating.

Legal experts warn that his views compromise his ability to fairly represent the government in immigration proceedings. Rodden declined to comment.

Summary

Donald Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator" and accusing him of corruption, aligning his rhetoric with Russia’s stance.

His remarks followed a phone call with Vladimir Putin and reflect his long-standing skepticism of US support for Ukraine.

Trump’s "America First" policy prioritizes reducing aid to Kyiv while shifting focus to China.

While some Republicans voiced concerns, Trump is wielding total authority over his party.

https://nitter.net/WhiteHouse/status/1892295984928993698#m

*Nitter mirror. Don't link directly to that shit stain of a site

Summary

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has ordered lie detector tests for DHS staff to identify leaks that allegedly foiled immigration raids, including a failed Colorado operation targeting Venezuelan gang members.

The directive, leaked to Bloomberg, requires polygraph questions about unauthorized communications with media and nonprofits. Despite polygraphs' unreliability, DHS insists they are necessary for national security.

The crackdown follows frustration from Trump’s border czar Tom Homan over compromised raids and aligns with broader MAGA-era efforts to control government communication.

Summary

Elon Musk falsely claimed an $8 billion saving on a canceled contract that was actually worth only $8 million, significantly inflating its reported $55 billion in total savings.

The error, first identified by The New York Times, was based on an incorrect figure in federal procurement records.

Additionally, DOGE’s accounting has been questioned due to inconsistencies in its reported savings, including counting already-paid portions of contracts and taking credit for office closures when Joe Biden was still president.

DOGE has not publicly addressed the mistake.

Summary

Trump revoked federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which aimed to reduce traffic and fund public transit.

Trump celebrated on social media, declaring, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD… LONG LIVE THE KING!” In response, Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” and confirmed the MTA is pursuing legal action.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claimed the tolls harmed working-class Americans. The $9 fee had improved traffic flow, but enforcement will now be halted.

Summary

Britain and France are leading efforts to form a European “reassurance force” of under 30,000 troops to safeguard Ukraine’s air and maritime security postwar.

The force would help reopen Ukraine’s airspace and secure Black Sea trade but would not be deployed near the frontline.

A U.S. security “backstop” is considered essential, though Washington has ruled out sending its own troops. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron will lobby Donald Trump for support.

Russia opposes any NATO presence in Ukraine, calling it unacceptable. The plan remains in its conceptual stage.

The White House's official social media account on the X platform posted an image of President Donald Trump wearing a crown and referred to him as "king."

U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest comments about Ukraine are raising eyebrows — and spreading misinformation. He claimed that Ukraine was the one who started Russia's war, said that Ukraine had been “blown to smithereens,” and claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has a 4% approval rating — none of which has a factual basis. How do actual Ukrainians feel about Trump’s words? The Kyiv Independent’s Masha Lavrova hit the streets of Kyiv to hear their raw, unfiltered reactions.

Summary

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "democratically elected leader" after Donald Trump called him a "dictator" for suspending elections during the war.

Starmer, who spoke with Zelensky, supported Ukraine’s decision, comparing it to the UK's actions during World War II.

The controversy comes ahead of Starmer’s meeting with Trump, where he plans to push for a US security "backstop" for Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks have sparked criticism, while Russia continues to dismiss potential peace deals without Ukrainian elections.

His proposal includes security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing that "NATO membership should remain on the table." He also called for immediate funding for arms and a 10-billion-euro ($10.4 billion) investment in Ukraine's defense industry.

The Lithuanian president also proposed accelerating Ukraine's EU accession, setting 2030 as the target date. "Ukraine's security is part of European security," he wrote.

I did not realize they were trying to compete in the first place.

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/33098916

I just wanted to let you know that some people from r/Tribes created a community on lemmy at [email protected] 👋

I just wanted to let you know that some people from r/Tribes created a community on lemmy at [email protected] 👋

An example for me - the story of Luz Long and Jesse Owens' friendship forged during the 1936 Berlin Games attended by Hitler.

Jesse Owens did not fit the Nazi ideology of the superiority of the Aryan “master race” because of his color. Hitler refused to personally congratulate Jesse after his wins, and neither did US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Jesse had fouled twice while attempting to qualify for the long jump event. He had only one attempt left. Luz shared a technique with Jesse that helped him to qualify on his last jump. In the finals of the long jump competition Jesse jumped 8.06 meters to win; Luz finished second with a jump of 7.87 meters. Luz was the first to congratulate him. After the award ceremony (see photo at the top of this story), Jesse and Luz walked arm in arm through the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

Jesse and Luz became friends at the Olympics and corresponded for years after that. Jesse would say of his Olympic friendship with Luz, “It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler… You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating for the twenty-four karat friendship that I felt for Luz Long at that moment.”

Here's a link if you're interested.

Care to share your own?

Trump used his Truth Social platform on Wednesday to lash out at Zelenskyy and call the Ukrainian a “dictator without elections” who has “done a terrible job” defending his country. Ukraine hasn’t had elections since martial law was put in place after Russia invaded its territory three years ago and launched a deadly bombing campaign that persists today.

Trump’s broadside followed Zelenskyy’s comment that the U.S. president was being influenced by Russian disinformation after Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war with Russia.