Trump’s Venezuela Strategy Backfire, Military Left Exposed

November 16, 2025

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) criticized President Donald Trump’s Venezuela strategy on CBS’s Face the Nation, accusing him of draining U.S. military resources and compromising American strength in other global hot spots.

Shaheen, the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, claimed that the administration has failed to provide a clear endgame in Venezuela, where recent U.S. strikes have targeted fast-moving watercraft. She said the administration is withholding key legal justifications from the public and escalating operations that could risk U.S. military personnel.

“They are escalating in a way… that puts at risk our men and women in the military,” Shaheen said. “We have so much firepower now in the Caribbean that Gerald R. Ford has been taken from the Red Sea, so that now we don’t have any firepower, really, in the Middle East.”

Shaheen warned that this reallocation leaves American forces vulnerable in regions where threats are increasing, including the Indo-Pacific and Europe. She argued that Trump’s focus on removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is a strategic misstep that undercuts U.S. military readiness elsewhere.

“He is not a threat to the United States of America,” Shaheen said of Maduro, despite acknowledging his connections to drug trafficking. “And what the president is doing is raising real questions.”

Trump has not publicly disclosed a definitive plan for Venezuela but has previously indicated that removing Maduro is among the objectives. The administration recently briefed lawmakers on classified operations but has withheld public disclosure of the legal framework behind its strikes.

Shaheen’s comments come amid broader debate over the U.S. military’s global posture. Critics argue that the president’s decisions in Venezuela are stretching resources thin while adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia remain active in their respective spheres.

Maine Girl Dads Take On Transgender Sports, Massive Backlash Grows

November 16, 2025

A grassroots coalition of fathers in Maine is rapidly closing in on a major ballot initiative aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports and restoring sex-based protections in schools.

The group, known as Maine Girl Dads, hosted a drive-thru signature event in Brunswick on Saturday to support the initiative, titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex.” The proposed law would require schools to separate teams, locker rooms, and bathrooms by biological sex—male, female, or co-ed.

Organizers report that they have already collected over 60,000 of the 68,000 signatures required by February for the measure to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. The initiative is supported by Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine and is gaining traction among residents concerned about the fairness and safety of girls’ athletic competition.

The effort follows growing backlash nationwide against policies that allow biological males to compete in female sports. Critics argue such policies strip girls of equal opportunities, privacy, and competitive fairness.

In February, President Donald Trump confronted Maine Gov. Janet Mills for defying his executive order protecting women’s sports, warning she could lose federal funding if the state refused to comply. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later filed a federal lawsuit against Maine, accusing the state of placing “gender identity over biological reality” and endangering female athletes.

The lawsuit alleges that Maine’s current policies deny girls fair competition and equal athletic opportunity, while increasing the risk of injury. In October, three activists protested the state’s transgender sports policies by stripping to their underwear during a school board meeting, underscoring the intensity of public opposition.

Maine Girl Dads, now over 8,000 strong, describes itself as a coalition committed to restoring dignity, safety, and fairness for their daughters. The group states plainly: “No more males in female spaces nor sports.”

Germany Cancels Holocaust Auction After Furious Backlash

November 16, 2025

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A German auction of Holocaust-era documents and personal items has been canceled following international backlash and strong condemnation from Holocaust survivors and Polish officials.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced Sunday that the auction, which was scheduled to be held by Auktionhaus Felzmann, had been canceled after discussions with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul. Sikorski thanked Wadephul for taking steps to prevent what he called a “scandal.”

The canceled auction had included over 600 lots, many of them personal letters from Nazi concentration camp prisoners to their families, as well as Gestapo index cards and other documentation directly tied to the Nazi regime’s persecution system. The sale was titled “The System of Terror” and was to take place in Neuss, near Düsseldorf.

The International Auschwitz Committee, a Berlin-based group representing Holocaust survivors, had issued a strong statement condemning the sale as “cynical and shameless.” Executive Vice President Christoph Heubner said the auction turned the suffering of Holocaust victims into a “commercial gain” and called for all such artifacts to be returned to families or displayed in museums.

By Sunday afternoon, listings related to the auction had been removed from the Felzmann website. The auction house has not publicly responded to multiple media inquiries seeking confirmation or comment on the cancellation.

Survivors and advocacy groups had warned that many of the documents in the auction identified victims by name, raising concerns not only about ethics but also about privacy and ownership rights. They stressed that these items should be preserved for historical education and memorialization—not sold to the highest bidder.

The incident has renewed calls across Europe for tighter restrictions on the private sale of Holocaust-related materials, especially items bearing names and personal stories of those persecuted by the Nazi regime.

DHS Immigration Surge Hits North Carolina

November 16, 2025

Official flag of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons)

The Department of Homeland Security has deployed a surge of immigration enforcement resources to North Carolina, intensifying efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and detain individuals with outstanding removal orders. The operation signals a renewed focus on interior enforcement under federal immigration law.

According to DHS officials, the surge involves coordination between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement partners across multiple jurisdictions in North Carolina. The agency confirmed that enforcement teams are prioritizing individuals with final orders of removal, criminal convictions, and those considered threats to public safety.

The operation comes amid growing concern from North Carolina residents about the impact of unchecked illegal immigration, including strains on public services, rising crime, and job displacement. The move has been welcomed by many in the state who say federal officials have long neglected interior enforcement in favor of border-only strategies.

Federal immigration data indicates that North Carolina has seen a significant increase in illegal alien apprehensions in recent years, and local sheriffs in several counties have expressed frustration over sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation with ICE. The surge effort is expected to target jurisdictions with higher concentrations of immigration-related offenses and detainers that have previously gone unenforced.

Officials did not disclose specific cities involved, citing operational security, but confirmed that ICE will continue conducting targeted arrests and transportation operations throughout the coming weeks. In a statement, DHS reiterated its commitment to upholding federal immigration law and removing individuals who pose a danger to American communities.

The Biden administration has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle over its handling of immigration enforcement. While progressive lawmakers have pushed for limited ICE activity and broader amnesty measures, many Republican leaders—including those in North Carolina—have demanded more aggressive enforcement of existing laws.

As the surge continues, DHS says it will evaluate the effectiveness of the operation and determine whether similar actions will be deployed in other states.

Student Visa Scam Busted, Seniors Bilked Out of Thousands

November 16, 2025

Prison-jail-criminal-bars-Sakhorn38Getty-via-Canva-Pro — Sakhorn38/Getty via Canva Pro

A 21-year-old Indian national in the U.S. on a student visa has been sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for his role in a nationwide fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens.

Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya was sentenced to 97 months in prison this week by a federal judge in Austin, Texas. He pleaded guilty in June to a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Mangukiya was initially arrested at his New Jersey residence and charged with multiple counts tied to the scam.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mangukiya participated in a sophisticated scheme in which he and co-conspirators used phishing tactics to identify potential victims, most of them elderly. The group would then contact the victims by phone, posing as representatives from Amazon Fraud or as federal agents, and falsely claim the victims were under investigation for financial crimes.

Victims were pressured into transferring funds through bank wires, cash deposits, or by handing over gold and other valuables. In some cases, couriers were sent to victims’ homes to collect the payments directly.

Federal authorities cited one instance where an elderly man was convinced his identity had been stolen and linked to cartel bank accounts. The scammers coerced him into sending $180,000 in payments. Another case involved a Fort Worth woman who was tricked into handing over $30,000.

Prosecutors identified the group’s courier as Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, another Indian national, who is now serving a sentence of more than five years for his involvement. Court documents reference two additional suspects believed to be the leaders of the operation, but their names have not been disclosed.

Mangukiya’s sentencing marks a significant step in federal efforts to combat international fraud rings targeting vulnerable U.S. citizens. Authorities continue to investigate the broader network involved in the scam.

Message in Bottle Backfires, What She Got Will Shock You

November 16, 2025

Prohibition-Alcohol-Bottles-21st Amendment — Christina DelliSante/Unsplash

A 58-year-old woman from Eastbourne, England, hoping to find romance through a message in a bottle, was stunned to receive a box of rocks and an angry letter in response—along with a $9 postage fee.

Lorraine Forbes, who has lived by the coast for over 30 years, said sending messages in bottles has long been a personal hobby. “I just wanted a bit of romance,” she said. “It has always been a hobby of mine. It is an old-fashioned thing.” Forbes said she has sent messages for years, with previous replies coming from as far as Holland and France.

On September 5, she sent out another message, placing her name and address in a plastic bottle and launching it into the sea. On October 7, a package arrived at her door, costing her £7 (about $9 USD) to accept. Inside was a pile of rocks and a message scrawled on the back of a John Lydon concert flyer: “Please stop throwing rubbish in the sea. It goes to Pevensey Bay or Normans Bay, one day later. Many thanks, a rubbish picker.”

“It was a cowardly litter picker who sent me the response,” Forbes said. “They were trying to make a point and teach me a lesson.”

Though she used plastic bottles to avoid shattered glass pollution, Forbes now says she understands the environmental criticism. She acknowledged that her personal information could lead to legal issues and admitted she may stop sending bottled messages altogether.

“I probably won’t keep doing it,” she said, reflecting on the harsh return and the potential consequences.

Loyola Students and TPUSA Appeal Chapter Denial at Jesuit University

November 16, 2025

charlie kirk (1) — (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Students at Loyola University New Orleans’s College of Law have joined undergraduates in seeking an appeal after the institution’s Student Government Association (SGA) rejected an attempt by Turning Point USA to charter a campus chapter, according to reporting by Fox News. The law‑students argue the decision was based not on explicit policy violations but on “subjective reasoning.”

The motion to deny the chapter occurred on October 15, when the SGA voted against official recognition of the proposed TPUSA group at Loyola. Key consequences of the denial include loss of access to university funding and ability to reserve campus space—rights granted to recognized student organizations. Law‑student Ethan Estis, who helped draft the appeal, noted that the SGA’s reasoning did not reference specific rules or clear violations, but instead focused on alignment with “Jesuit values.” In his view, the decision raised questions of fairness in the student‑governance process.

The university responded with a statement emphasizing that all recognized student organizations follow the same student‑led chartering process run by the SGA and its Court of Review. Loyola affirmed its commitment to “fairness, inclusion and respect for differing viewpoints” within its Jesuit, Catholic mission. Opponents of the charter cited concerns over TPUSA’s national reputation and statements by its founder, claiming potential conflict with the Jesuit values of the institution.

The SGA’s Court of Review has acknowledged receipt of the appeal and aims to render a decision before November 21. Law students assisting the appeal say they hope the process will clarify and strengthen the transparency of student‑organization recognition at Loyola. If the appeal fails, questions remain about how private religious institutions govern student groups and whether peer‑governance may involve ideological filtering rather than objective criteria.

Journalism Professor Says Trump Coverage Mirrors Nazi ‘Third Reich’ Strategy

November 16, 2025

A journalism professor at University of Colorado Boulder claims that extensive news coverage of Donald Trump serves as a strategic echo of tactics used by the Third Reich.

In an essay published on the academic site The Conversation, Professor Angie Chuang described her long career in journalism and race studies and asserted that the Trump administration’s rhetorical style mimics authoritarian playbooks. She argues that Trump’s shifting policy statements and inflammatory remarks generate continuous headlines, a calculated effort to flood public discourse and weaken the boundaries of who is considered part of the nation.

Professor Chuang wrote: “I am a longtime journalist and now scholar of journalism and race, trained to see the methods and aims behind political leaders’ press operations. And as I show in my forthcoming book, the Trump administration’s rhetorical strategies echo the playbooks of authoritarian and white supremacist organizations such as the Third Reich and some factions of the modern alt‑right movement.”

Chuang contends that this strategy’s goal is “authoritarian power that greatly narrows the scope of who truly belongs and has rights in this country as an American.” She also made a connection to Trump’s remark about “very fine people on both sides” during the 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally, claiming the remark is evidence of aligning with extremist tactics.

Critics responding to this claim argue the comparison to the Third Reich is hyperbolic and distracts from meaningful critique. Supporters say it surfaces concerns about media saturation, narrative control, and the boundaries of civil discourse in a polarized era.

Ohio State Under Legal Pressure Over Mandatory DEI Coursework

November 16, 2025

Ohio State University is facing legal scrutiny after a national education watchdog group asked the state attorney general to investigate a general education requirement related to diversity. The group, Parents Defending Education, submitted a letter on October 16 to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, urging his office to determine whether the university’s curriculum violates recently enacted state law.

The concern focuses on Ohio State’s requirement that all undergraduate students complete a course in “Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Diversity.” This mandate is part of a broader general education program introduced in 2022. However, Senate Bill 1—signed into law earlier this year and effective as of June 27—prohibits public colleges from requiring students to complete coursework rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks without state approval.

The letter from Parents Defending Education alleges that the course requirement stands in “clear violation” of SB 1. The group has called on the attorney general to act swiftly, asserting that the university may be imposing ideological instruction on students under the guise of general education.

Ohio State officials have responded by asserting their compliance with the law. A university spokesperson confirmed that the administration is aware of the request and is cooperating with any legal inquiries.

Some education policy analysts note that the investigation could set a precedent for other public universities in states with similar legislation. As lawmakers across the country examine the role of DEI in academic settings, Ohio’s legal response may influence how broadly such laws are interpreted and enforced.

University of Chicago Faculty Slam School for Silence on ICE Raids

November 16, 2025

columbus — Chicago (Pedro Lastra/Unsplash)

Faculty union leaders at the University of Chicago are demanding the administration break its silence over recent immigration enforcement activity targeting neighborhoods around the Hyde Park campus. The protest centers on Operation Midway Blitz, a federal effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal records in the Chicago area.

In a coordinated press conference, representatives from five campus labor groups—including faculty, graduate workers, and service employees—called on university leadership to take a public stand against the raids. Critics accuse the school of moral failure for maintaining a neutral position while federal agents reportedly conduct arrests near university housing and affiliated communities.

Diana Schwartz Francisco, an assistant professor in the history department, claimed these operations directly affect the university’s neighborhood. “They’re happening in our neighborhoods,” she said, urging the administration to act beyond academic detachment. The union bloc argued that the school’s silence creates a sense of complicity and fear among students and staff with ties to immigrant communities.

Jeffrey Howard, Executive Vice President of SEIU Local 73, went further, accusing the university of enabling what he called a “fascist regime” by refusing to condemn federal immigration policy. He argued that elite institutions like UChicago have a responsibility to shape moral and civic discourse, not simply comply with the law.

So far, university officials have made no commitment to alter policy or release a public statement. Faculty activists insist that legal neutrality does not absolve the institution from what they believe is a moral obligation to stand against immigration enforcement in academic spaces.