Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, back from Mexico, tell you about the reaction to Donald Trump’s radical move to demolish the White House’s East Wing to replace it with a hulking a $250 million ballroom, San Francisco’s bold legal stance against immigration raids, with local officials warning that federal agents could face arrest, and the military’s lethal strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific.
- Trump’s Ballroom Blitz: A White House wrecking crew tears down the historic East Wing to build a massive $250 million ballroom, evoking Obama’s 2011 satirical vision of a garish Trump White House. Critics, including historians, condemn the project as a symbol of his disruptive presidency. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urges a pause, citing the ballroom’s overwhelming scale.
- San Francisco Threatens ICE: Nancy Pelosi and SF officials warn that federal agents conducting immigration raids in San Francisco could face arrest for breaking California law. DA Brooke Jenkins’ strategy focuses on prosecuting excessive force, though legal challenges loom. The plan sparks debate over state versus federal authority.
- U.S. Attacks Boats in the Pacific: The U.S. military launches lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the eastern Pacific, killing five in two attacks this week—refusing to provide any details about the victims. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls the targets “narco-terrorists,” but Colombian President Petro denounces the strikes as “murder” of innocent people The escalation raises concerns over legal authority and transparency.
