POLITICS NEWS
Showing 12 articles
AP
Detroit Chef Drives Support for Families in War‑Torn Lebanon","description":"Mirvet Makki, a Lebanese‑American caterer in Dearborn Heights, uses her business profits to send relief money to those displaced in Lebanon amid the Israel‑Hezbollah conflict.","summary":"In the wake of a renewed war in southern Lebanon, Lebanese diasporic community in the U.S. rallies to support families in crisis. Mirvet Makki, a 47‑year‑old chef, channels her weekly earnings from catering events to provide direct aid, while her peers organize fundraisers and navigate the challenges of immigration and remittance logistics. The piece explores the deep ties between the diaspora and their homeland, the economic reality of Lebanon, and the personal stories behind the collective generosity.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/ca31740/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fca31740%2Fimage.jpg","text":"<p>CANTON, Mich. (AP) — Every week, Mirvet Makki sets aside earnings from her catering business to help people in <a href=\"https://apnews.com/hub/lebanon\">Lebanon</a> displaced by the war between <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-conflict-timeline-a2f7978dee7f29af1d50f690d032e4d3\">Israel and Hezbollah militants</a>.</p>\n<p>Makki, 47, who cooks Lebanese dishes like couscous stews and traditional kibbeh in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights, immigrated to Michigan in 1990. But her heart never left her childhood village of Bint Jbeil, one of the hardest‑hit areas in <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-home-demolitions-8ae2161e4f531760ad829279d65b1133\">southern Lebanon</a>.</p>\n<p>Nearly every Lebanese American has felt the impact of the latest round of fighting, which has displaced more than 1 million people—roughly one in every six Lebanese— and killed more than 3 500 people. It is Israel’s deepest invasion of Lebanon in more than a quarter‑century.</p>\n<p>“I was thinking, ‘What can I do for other people?’” Makki said. “So I used my business.”</p>\n<p>Even with the rising cost of living in the U.S., she said, “the money I can spare personally, I’ve been sending it to family.”</p>\n<p>In metro Detroit, where Arabic signs adorn restaurants, cafés and bakeries, there is a heavy sense of grief as the community watches the crisis unfold thousands of miles away.</p>\n<p>Like Makki, many grapple with guilt and hopelessness. It’s not easy to help loved ones who are unwilling or unable to leave their country and face a worsening economic crisis.</p>\n<p>“Honestly it’s hard. Like, what do you say?” Makki said. “They’re going to ask me what I’m doing. Let’s say I’m at work. They lost their jobs. Let’s say I tell them I’m home. They lost their homes.”</p>\n<p>Rome ? The conflict’s ripple effect is felt through a web of relatives and neighbors. Many have, over the decades, become policymakers or community organizers to support the diaspora’s needs.</p>\n<p>A worldwide network of Lebanese Americans are rallying to fundraise for families that were left fighting, especially when the U.S. immigration system halted processing of visas for Lebanese nationals in late January.</p>\n<p>“There is really no Lebanese homeland without the Lebanese diaspora,” Edward Curtis, director of Arabic Studies at Indiana University, said.</p>\n<p>Amid a strained economy, the value of the Lebanese pound has collapsed, making the U.S. dollar the de‑facto currency of the country. In February, Makki noticed how much prices had risen. Where $200 used to cover a car rental and a hotel room, now it barely paid for a dinner out.</p>\n<p>Some people crowdsource funds online through established relief organizations, but most prefer to send money directly to loved ones. Makki doesn’t want to send more than $10 000 in total to avoid suspicion. After that, she laughed, “Maybe take it there myself?”</p>\n<p>Nadia Bryant, 37, of Troy, Michigan, has been sending money to her half‑sisters in Lebanon, who are in temporary housing after their village of Ayta ash‑Shab was invaded by Israeli forces. Rather than using the money for themselves, Bryant stated her sisters help orphaned children. “They are not even trying to keep the money for themselves.”</p>\n<p>“I don’t even ask ‘How are you?’ That feels so stupid to me,” Bryant said. “I ask: what does today look like, or where are you today?”</p>\n<p>Attoui, an organizer in Detroit, has tried to convince her family to move to the U.S. multiple times since she came in 2006, but they do not want to leave. Despite those attempts, the U.S. halted processing of immigrant visas for Lebanese nationals.</p>\n<p>In conclusion, the diaspora’s collective empathy and resilience have become a lifeline for families in Lebanon, turning kitchens, community centers and virtual platforms into hubs for hope and support.</p>
AP
Obama's New Museum: Where Legacy Meets Community","description":"The former president’s Chicago campus opens Juneteenth, blending historic artifacts with interactive experiences.","summary":"Citing the Obama Presidential Center as a place for reflection, education, and neighborhood change, the unique museum features a life‑sized Oval Office, a basketball court, and a library with the Obamas’ curated books. Admission costs $30 for the tower, but many public areas are free.","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Obama_Presidential_Center_Chicago.jpg/800px-Obama_Presidential_Center_Chicago.jpg","text":"<p>CHICAGO – On June 18, the Obama Presidential Center opened its doors to the public, a ceremony that spanned downtown and the South Side. The landmark, whose design blends the president’s own life story with the city’s history, incorporates a museum tower, a city‑wide library, a basketball court and a public garden.</p> <h2>Experience in the Oval Office</h2> <p>One of the most talked‑about pieces of the center is a life‑sized replica of the Oval Office. Visitors queue for a short tour that ends with a photo opportunity behind the Resolute Desk. Behind the desk, a drawer holds a handwritten letter from former President George W. Bush and Obama’s BlackBerry.</p> <h2>Hands‑On Campaign History</h2> <p>Not a museum of dusty records, the center offers interactive displays of campaign highlights and presidential moments. With large screen footage of Obama singing “Amazing Grace” in 2015, the experience turns history into an immersive narrative. Mini‑exhibits showcase on‑the‑go items such as the family's favorite softball, and visitors can touch swatches of Michelle Obama’s gowns from the wedding season.</p> <h2>Community Spaces</h2> <p>The campus is designed for community use. A professionally‑graded basketball court with a glass pane sits on the South Side, where the Obamas once played. The garden above the library has lettuce, strawberries, and an open grill that will be available for public cooking – a nod to the 2014 “Let’s Take a Griddle Out” community event.</p> <h2>Free to Visit</h2> <p>Though the museum tower is ticketed – $30 for a full tour – the rest of the campus is free to walk or use. Local Illinois residents can enjoy discounts, and the library’s reading room contains hundreds of books chosen by the leaders. A mural in the library’s reading hall tells a story of the American literary tradition, with a child in an orange shirt reading to Toni Morrison.</p> <p>“We want people from all walks of life to sit behind that desk, to feel the possibilities,” said Josh Harris, vice president of public engagement. “If a young organizer from the South Side can become president, you can be president too.”</p> <p>With the entire 20‑acre campus open to the public and plans for programming throughout 2024, the Obama Presidential Center is already being called Chicago’s new cultural hub.</p>
AP
Second Wave of Family Separations: 11,800+ United States-affected Families Still Await Justice","description":"The Trump administration’s family separation policy continues to impact thousands of families, with a recent investigation revealing renewed separations despite a settlement that guaranteed reunification.","summary":"An AP investigation uncovers that the U.S. government has re-separated a significant number of children from their parents within the last year, violating the Ms. L settlement that promised they remain together. The story follows the case of Ederson Alva and his mother, Elva López, highlighting legal battles, government denial, and the urgent need for renewed protections.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3b21a05/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffe%2F6b%2Fb5695ec27def0182e3698487be98%2Fe89ef3586e4043848e6174551247b59d","text":"<h2>Ederson Alva’s 8‑Year Long Journey</h2><p>When 3‑year‑old Ederson Alva was pulled from his mother’s arms at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018, he and Elva López were separated for months in a government facility. They reunited only after lawyers pressed the case, but the moment was a temporary reprieve. Six months later, on June 3, 2024, the family was pulled apart again, with Ederson sent to Guatemala the same day his mother was detained. It was only on a federal judge’s order that the two were allowed to return to Florida, after a year in the indigenous highlands of Guatemala.</p><h2>A Settlement That Should Have Ended It All</h2><p>In 2018 the Trump administration, under Stephen Miller’s hard‑line immigration policy, began separating families at the border. The ACLU filed a class‑action lawsuit—<em>Ms. L v. U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement</em>—to halt the practice. A judge ordered the policy to stop, noting the lasting harm inflicted on families. In 2023 a settlement promised the affected parents, children and relatives legal protections, pathways to asylum, work permits, and support services, existing until December 2031. The settlement also mandated regular audits of removal orders, a right to counsel and a comprehensive record of every family affected.</p><h2>Investigation Reveals New Violations</h2><p>The latest Associated Press investigation shows that, despite the settlement, the U.S. government has re‑separated dozens of children from their parents this past year—cases that were fully documented by the settlement. Reports indicate that many parents were detained in immigration facilities for months, while others were deported after the system identified them as “legally off‑limits for removal.” Immigration officials thereby undermined the court’s order to keep families together. Their emails reveal that the department used the designation of “statutory authority” to justify removal orders against those entitled to protection.</p><h2>Government’s Defense</h2><p>Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, insisted “the agency complies with all court orders.” She argued that enforcement of immigration law was “not optional” and that every removal “helps restore order.” The Department’s attorneys claim there are no legal restrictions on its authority to execute removal orders, a stance that conflicts sharply with the settlement’s mandates.</p><h2>Practical Impact on Families</h2><p>Elva López reports that after returning to Florida on a judge’s order, the Department again questioned her, tracing fingerprints and taking new documents. She received only two weeks of humanitarian parole, while Ederson and his siblings remain in legal limbo. The settlement’s benefits, including the right to apply for asylum, will expire in December. Beyond the expiration, the Department’s current contract covering legal services also ends in August, leaving families without counsel or support.</p><h2>What’s at Stake?</h2><p>The settlement requires that removal orders be canceled by December and that the government fully documents every class‑member family. Failure to meet these deadlines could strip families of their legal status and future asylum claims. As deportation numbers rise, many parents fear filling out government paperwork and miss out on the settlement’s protections because they are unaware of the lawsuit’s provisions or the impending expiration dates.</p><h2>Looking Ahead</h2><p>With the settlement’s deadline approaching and a court order that the government violated the settlement, legal teams are pushing for immediate statutory action to ensure all families are granted the rights they were promised. Meanwhile, the public remains largely unaware that the Trump administration’s second‑term policy has caused new separations, perpetuating the trauma originally caused by the first‑term policy.</p><h2>Stay Informed</h2><p>For ongoing updates, connect with the investigative team at <a href=\"mailto:investigative@ap.org\">investigative@ap.org</a> or through the secure Signal channel at +1 (202) 281‑8604. The story continues to unfold as courts and advocacy groups press for compliance with the mandated settlement. "</p>
AP
St. Paul Prosecutor Declares No State Charges for ICE Protesters","description":"City Attorney Irene Kao announced that anti‑immigration activists who disrupted a Minnesota church service will not face state criminal charges, a decision that has drawn criticism from church leadership and civil rights groups.","summary":"In St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of protesters who interrupted a church service in January were charged federally but will not face state crime charges, according to City Attorney Irene Kao. The protest was led by former CNN host Don Lemon and targeted a pastor who also served as an ICE official. Despite the city’s statement that no violence or property damage occurred, church leaders argue that the act itself broke the law.","image":"https://example.com/images/ice_protest.jpg","text":"<p>In St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of anti‑immigration protesters, who already face federal criminal charges, interrupted a church service on January 18, but the city attorney has decided they will not also face state criminal charges.</p><p>City Attorney Irene Kao said the evidence available was insufficient to meet the standard required for criminal prosecution under Minnesota state statutes. \"This decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder,\" Kao added. \"The right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.\"</p><p>The federal Department of Justice filed civil‑rights charges against 39 people, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon and another independent reporter, after a livestream showed the protests at Cities Church on Jan. 18. Protesters chanted \"ICE out\" and \"Justice for Renee Good,\" a 37‑year‑old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an intensified federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.</p><p>Participants discovered that one of the church’s pastors also served as an ICE official overseeing the national enforcement push in Minnesota. \"According to the St. Paul City Attorney's logic, it is perfectly fine for agitators to invade a mosque, cathedral, or temple, intimidate the families and children inside, and shut down their religious gathering,\" pastor Jonathan Parnell said in a written statement. \"Just call it a protest.\"</p><p>While the protesters did not smash windows or spill property, the church’s attorneys argue that the right to disrupt worship is not protected by law. \"Violence, destruction of property and threats to public safety remain serious concerns,\" Kao added, noting that such actions did not occur during the demonstration.<br>Despite the absence of violence, the church says that the legal boundaries were still crossed.</p><p>Four states – Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas – adopted statutes this year that deem it a crime to disrupt worship services. These laws are now in effect in those states and are being monitored by civil‑rights advocates in Minnesota as well.</p>
AP
CBS News in Turmoil: ‘60 Minutes’ Faces Shake‑Ups and Scandals","description":"Explore the unfolding controversy at CBS’s flagship news program—the firing of top correspondents, leadership changes, and questions about its future direction amid a canny fight for relevance.","summary":"Recent leadership changes at CBS News have triggered the dismissal of three correspondents, including veteran Scott Pelley, and the appointment of new executives. While CBS attempts to re‑brand the legendary 58‑season show “60 Minutes,” critics argue the shake‑ups threaten the program’s core values and investigative legacy.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/cd33d6d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3600x2400+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6c%2Fe7%2Fb553edb5b6448206b538498b3370%2F8c9c8f390853414fbe6839e426ea0b66","text":"<h2 style=\"font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold;\">CBS News in Turmoil: ‘60 Minutes’ Faces Shake‑Ups and Scandals</h2><p>In a continuous saga that echoed the intense launch of the show in 1968, CBS News leader Bari Weiss has unleashed a “new approach” on its flagship program. The move, described by the network as a necessary evolution, has already cost three senior correspondents, including veteran host Scott Pelley, and displaced long‑time producer Tanya Simon. With the program’s rating highs amid the political turbulence of the last few years, the crisis now threatens to eclipse its 58‑season legacy.</p><p>On September 24, 1968, Harry Reasoner famously declared “This is ‘60 Minutes,’” ushering in a new format for television journalism. He called it a “new approach.” Now, at the midpoint of its lifespan, the same phrase has become the rallying cry of those at the helm of a show that has outlasted a thousand political seasons.</p><h2 style=\"font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold;\">The Shake‑Ups</h2><p>In a dramatic spin‑off from the network’s reality TV division, Weiss appointed technology columnist Nick Bilton as executive producer, replacing 30‑year veteran Tanya Simon. Alongside the leadership swap, the network axed award‑winning correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, effectively stripping the show of four of its most recognizable faces. The departure of Anderson Cooper, who left voluntarily, has left a void in on‑deck reporting.</p><p>Scott Pelley was fired in a tense meeting with management, after a confrontation with Bilton’s team. Pelley has publicly accused the new leadership of “instructing me to inject falsehoods and bias into politically sensitive stories” and has claimed that he was told to include unverified claims. He has also suggested that the changes serve political ends, praising former MSNBC editor‑in‑chief <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/849feac594d54642915110b4976d5046\" style=\"color:#0066ff; text-decoration:underline;\">Roger Segall</a> and setting a tone that favors a particular Washington establishment.</p><h2 style=\"font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold;\">Apollo of the Past and the Future of the Show</h2><p>Historian Robert Thompson notes that, “It started in 1968—time is this good.” But the structural changes now raise the question whether the show will move toward a “next generation” or remain an untouchable relic of early network journalism. Thompson reminds that the program has continually evolved under different directors; writers and analysts still poke holes at the claim that the legacy cannot shift at all.</p><p>Former executive producer Jeff Fager—who authored <i>Fifty Years of 60 Minutes: The Inside Story of Television’s Most Influential News Broadcast</i>—has openly cautioned that “I can’t imagine running ‘60 Minutes’ without Scott.” Fager warned that the loss of “the most remarkable body of work” would hobo the network’s credibility.</p><p>Not long before these upheavals, CBS faced a civil‑rights lawsuit with President Donald Trump over an edited 2024 interview with former presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The lawsuit was settled for $16 million by Paramount and Skydance, whose merger has added more layers of corporate oversight to the network’s decision‑making. The settlement angered many at the show, and subsequently led to the departure of late‑night host Stephen Colbert.</p><h2 style=\"font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold;\">The Outsider’s Verdict</h2><p>Media pundits have weighed in, from CNN’s Brian Stelter to the AP’s own role in bringing the turmoil to light. Žest opinions range from calling it a new era to it being, in some eyes, a clampdown. NBA commissioner Roger Goodell has been asked by Congress to testify on streaming adoption, reflecting the larger question about where the network’s future lies toward digital platforms and viewer engagement.</p><p>Weiss has made a promise that Season 59 will “deliver unforgettable stories” if the brand is consistent. The upcoming roster, however, remains unclear, and skeptics worry that the show may simply be in a battle over political narrative control.</p><p>So far, no clear direction has materialized. The question remains: will CBS “ride the new approach” or will the legacy of investigative journalism turn off its frazzled audience? The next 12 months will determine whether the show’s long‑standing brand will survive or become a footnote written by fan blogs and industry gossip.</p><p>— Jocelyn Noveck, covers media and entertainment for the AP</p>
AP
Chicago Prosecutor Admits Speaking to Grand Jury for First Time","description":"U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros publicly acknowledges a personal pitch to grand jurors during a protest indictment, marking an unprecedented level of transparency in the justice system.","summary":"In a rare admission, Chicago’s top federal prosecutor says he offered a pep talk to a grand jury before indicting protestors over immigration enforcement actions. The move highlights growing scrutiny over the DOJ’s handling of grand juries during the Trump era.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/0a6a942/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4038x2692+0+0/resize/1440x960!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F7b%2Faf%2F5e2193159b829937a1e22ebfa897%2F2434212dec644fda8854c2025f5ec4d6","text":"<h1 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">Chicago Prosecutor Admits Speaking to Grand Jury for First Time</h1><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">The top federal prosecutor in Chicago, Andrew Boutros, formally acknowledged that he spoke personally to a grand jury before it indicted protestors who opposed the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps last year. This is the first time a prosecutor has publicly revealed such involvement in a grand jury's deliberations, a move that has prompted calls for greater transparency in a process that has traditionally operated behind closed doors.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros released a five-page statement, complete with transcript excerpts, in response to defense attorneys' claims that he had “unusual personal contact” with jurors in October. In his submission, he says the purpose of his presence was to remind jurors of their duty to remain fair and not to influence the hearing. He specifically urged jurors to raise their hand if they could not set aside personal feelings regarding immigration or any other case.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">The case, involving anti‑immigration protests at a Chicago-area detention site, ultimately saw charges against four activists dropped following allegations of misconduct by an assistant U.S. attorney during the grand jury proceedings. A judge later ruled that no one acted with intent to mislead the jury.</p><h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1.5rem;margin-top:1.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">The Grand Jury Process</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">A federal grand jury typically comprises 16 to 23 jurors and operates in complete secrecy. Unlike criminal trials, defense attorneys are not permitted to participate. Prosecutors present evidence, and the jury must receive 12 affirmative votes to issue an indictment. Jurors, as well as prosecutors and investigators, are sworn to silence.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">It is highly uncommon for a U.S. attorney—especially one in a major city—to appear in the grand jury room. Boutros explained that he was present to deliver a brief motivational address while his staff handled the details of the case. He expressed concern about jurors who might be reluctant to accept evidence impartially due to personal biases.</p><h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1.5rem;margin-top:1.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">Reactions and Broader DOJ Issues</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Defense attorney Josh Herman described Boutros’s appearance as “chilling,” noting that the prosecutor asked jurors to disclose when they could not separate personal feelings from the evidence. Herman, along with other attorneys, is seeking a court order requiring the government to reimburse legal fees resulting from the misconduct.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros’s role comes amid a series of DOJ mishaps during the Trump administration, including the dismissal of charges in Wyoming after a prosecutor told jurors that suspects were “bad guys” and "murderers,” and an admonishment of a Trump loyalist who secured the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. In Minnesota, a federal magistrate judge scolded a pro‑Trump official involved in an indictment of journalist Don Lemon over an immigration protest at a church.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros was appointed U.S. attorney in 2025 for northern Illinois and was recently asked to resign by Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. They cited “chaos” and “deep internal dysfunction” in his office. The case underscores ongoing challenges with grand jury proceedings as the Department of Justice navigates its legacy of procedural controversies.</p>
AP
Judge Dugan’s Sentencing Deferred as Court Considers Appeals Decision","description":"A former Milwaukee judge convicted of obstructing ICE agents has her sentencing postponed while a federal judge reviews arguments to reverse the conviction, underscoring tensions over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.","summary":"Federal Judge Lynn Adelman postponed the sentencing of former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan to hear arguments about overturning her conviction for obstructing ICE agents. Dugan’s attorneys argue that the case lacks a pending proceeding, while prosecutors maintain the opposite. The case reflects the broader legal battles spawned by the Trump-era immigration crackdown.","image":"","text":"<p>Milwaukee County circuit judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of felony obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, has had her sentencing postponed to allow a federal judge to hear arguments seeking to overturn the conviction.</p><p>On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman delayed Dugan’s sentencing, which had been scheduled to take place a few days earlier. Adelman did not issue a ruling on the conviction but said he would consider new arguments brought by Dugan’s lawyers.</p><p>Dugan’s conviction came as part of the Trump administration’s broad immigration crackdown that targeted state judges who were perceived as too lenient on ICE. She was the first state judge in Wisconsin to be tried and convicted for obstructing immigration officers, after a 2025 incident in which she guided ICE agents to an area outside her courtroom and was later arrested herself.</p><h2>Legal Arguments Over the “Pending Proceeding” Requirement</h2><p>Dugan’s attorney Steven Biskupic argues that the conviction was invalid because ICE had only filed a warrant for the immigrant’s arrest, which does not meet the definition of a “pending proceeding” required under the federal obstruction statute.</p><p>The argument hinges on a 4th Circuit ruling that a warrant filing alone does not constitute a proceeding for the purposes of obstruction law. Biskupic says the judge was “improperly convicted” under the faulting law because the case did not meet that procedural threshold.</p><h2>Prosecution’s Counterpoint</h2><p>Prosecutors insist that the Virginia case cited by the defense is distinguishable because ICE had actively pursued the immigrant after the warrant was filed. They also cite additional cases to support Dugan’s conviction.</p><p>Richard Frohling, the acting U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Wisconsin, told the judge that the appellate court’s decision to overturn the Virginia case was wrong, and that a proceeding can last from minutes to years, depending on context.</p><h2>Sentencing Considerations</h2><p>Dugan faces up to five years in federal prison, but it is highly unlikely she will receive a prison term. Federal sentencing guidelines of the nature of the crime generally recommend probation for defendants without a criminal history for nonviolent offenses.</p><p>She resigned from her position as a Milwaukee County circuit judge two weeks after her conviction amid threats of impeachment from Republican state lawmakers. She had served as a judge for nine years.</p><h2>Background of the 2025 Incident</h2><p>On April 18, 2025, ICE agents entered the Milwaukee County courthouse after learning that Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz had reentered the United States illegally and was scheduled to appear before Dugan in a state battery case. Dugan confronted the agents outside her courtroom and redirected them to the chief judge’s office, arguing that an administrative warrant was insufficient grounds for arrest.</p><p>Soon after the agents left, Dugan guided Flores‑Ruiz and his attorney out a private jury door. The agents found Flores‑Ruiz in a corridor and later arrested him after a foot chase. A week later, FBI agents arrested Dugan in the courthouse, leading to her removal in handcuffs.</p><p>Flores‑Ruiz was deported in November 2025. Dugan remains accused of obstructing immigration officers, a charge that reflects the current legal clashes over immigration enforcement policies instituted by the Trump administration.</p>
AP
College‑Sports Legislation Sparks SEC, Big Ten Opposition","description":"Reform bill aimed at regulating athlete payments and transfer rules faces hurdles from powerful conferences.","summary":"The Senate Commerce Committee’s hearing featured notable coaches and sports figures as they backed a bill set to overhaul how college athletes are compensated and transferred. The proposal, led by Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell, has drawn support from some influential coaches but faces strong opposition from the SEC and Big Ten, who argue the bill leaves critical issues open.","image":"https://metaworld.media/files/image-placeholder.jpg","text":"<p>WASHINGTON — Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban and other college sports luminaries testified Wednesday in support of a bipartisan bill that seeks to overhaul how players earn money and move between schools.\n</p><p>The bill, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, aims to regulate payments to athletes, limit them to one free transfer during their careers and create a rule preventing coaches from resigning mid‑season. Cruz called the measure \"the last, best hope we have to save college sports.\"\n</p><p>Saban opened the hearing by saying: “If you have the biggest, baddest Ferrari and it’s going 150 miles an hour toward the Grand Canyon, somebody needs to tap the brakes. And that’s what we all need to do here.”\n</p><p>Representatives from Notre Dame’s athletic department and the PAC‑12 commissioner were present, but no delegate from the SEC (the conference boasting Saban’s seven national championships) spoke. The SEC and the Big Ten, two of the most powerful conferences in college sports, contest the bill, arguing it \"leaves critical issues unresolved.\"\n</p><p>Cantwell said the legislation is designed to restore competition by ensuring that success in college athletics is determined by how well a university builds a team, not by how much money a single player can command. She further warned that the conferences are concerned that the bill could \"rearrange the deck chairs of those conferences, steal the eye‑ball schools, and leave everyone else with nothing.\"</p>
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