By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Alt National Park Service:  upside down flag hung by employees at Yosemite National Park signals dire distress

February 25, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – In what’s been dubbed a Valentine’s Day massacre, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has fired 1,000 National Park Service employees from the nation’s 63 national parks, plus another 2,000 U.S. Forest Service workers. Additional cuts target Bureau of Land Management’s 245 million acres and other federal lands.  The action is creating havoc, including in California, which has more national parks than any other state.

By Miriam Raftery

February 20, 2025 (Greenbell, Md.) -- A legal complaint filed by 26 unnamed former and current employees in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland alleges that Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause.  That clause mandates that presidential appointments require the advice and consent of the Senate, which President Donald Trump did not seek when he appointed Musk and delegate vast powers.

Source: America’s Voice

January 29, 2025 (Washington, DC) — Yesterday delivered several reminders that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda is sweeping in its scope, harm and indiscriminate nature, viewing all immigrants here without legal status as “criminal” and comfortable in the reality that U.S. citizens and tribal members are among those being targeted and detained in their early enforcement efforts. These fresh reminders, detailed below, follow our assessment yesterday that highlighted the indiscriminate nature of the early Trump administration’s deportation agenda.  

By Miriam Raftery

January 23, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – A federal judge appointed by conservative Ronald Reagan called President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship “blatantly unconstitutional.” U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order to block the order from taking effect, Associated Press (AP) reports.

By Alexei Koseff • CalMatters

Photo by Gage Skidmore (CC via Wikipedia): Donald Trump at a June rally in Surprise, Arizona

November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Former President Donald Trump won a second term after four years out of the White House, likely thrusting California back into leading the resistance against him.

The Associated Press made its call at 3 a.m., declaring that the Republican defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who would have become the first woman president and the most powerful Californian in four decades.

Instead, Californians now face a repeat of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021 — another four years of governance consumed by combative showdowns between the state’s Democratic leadership and Washington, D.C., possibly distracting from or even setting back progress on addressing California’s own problems.

Though many were rooting for a Harris victory — which could have taken California’s priorities nationwide and brought additional resources home — state officials, industry leaders and activists prepared for this outcome. Trump, after all, routinely made California a punching bag in his campaign.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America

October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”  as is his stated admiration for Adolf Hitler's generals.

Trump told Fox News this week that he would order the National Guard and “if really necessary, the military” to go after “enemies within” on American soil if he is reelected, ABC reports.

He has frequently used the “enemies within” description for his political opponents such as Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment hearing against Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against his political enemies, including charging retired generals who have criticized him with treason.

In addition, he has threatened journalists and major news outlets, called for arrest by the military of anyone he deems “radical left lunatics,” aims to build camps to detain tens of millions of immigrants. He has also called for a “single day of violence” to curtail crime, said he would use force to quell protests against him if he wins the election and said Jews will be to blame if he loses.

By Rachel Williams and Miriam Raftery

View video of full debate

Read transcript of debate

(Philadelphia, PA) -- In a fiery debate hosted by ABC on Sept. 11, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed on issues ranging from foreign policy and climate change  to domestic issues including the economy, immigration and women’s health,  as well as protecting freedoms and preserving American democracy.

While Trump laid out a dark vision of a “failing nation” and pledges of mass deportations,  Harris focused on presenting a positive vision with several specific proposals to lift up middle class Americans and families. Harris slammed Trump’s handling of the COVID crisis, abortion, the January 6 capitol attack, and foreign policy, particularly his refusal to support Ukraine over Russia. Trump slammed the Biden-Harris record, particularly on inflation, immigration, and how the withdrawal from Afghanistan was handled.

The matchup pitted a seasoned prosecutor, ex-Senator and current Vice President against a former President, businessman, reality TV star and now, convicted felon. A split screen showed Harris largely poised as she methodically attacked Trump’s record,occasionally showing disbelief or laughter at his responses. Trump frequently scowled and fired back with criticisms of his own, occasional rambling off topic, and mocking barbs.

View full video

August 31, 2022 (Chicago)—In her acceptance speech for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination delivered last week in Chicago, Vice President and former prosecutor Kamala Harris presented her case to the American people. She spoke of domestic and foreign policy priorities, sharply contrasting her goals with those of her opponent.

“My entire career, I have only had one  client. The People,” said Harris, former California Attorney General and a former district attorney.  “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward.”

Pledging to be a President for all Americans, she added, “You can always trust me to put country above party and self. To hold sacred America’s fundamental principals—from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power,” alluding to her opponent, former President Donald Trump, convicted of felony fraud and facing numerous pending charges related to his efforts to overthrow the 2020 election results.

Harris said that if elected, she would strive to unite Americans around “our highest aspirations” and be a President “who leads and listens, who is realistic, practical, and has common sense. And always fights for the American people.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2024 (Philadelphia) – Large crowds packed a stadium in Philadelphia this week to see the first public speeches by Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her newly-named vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor and five-term Congressman Tim Walz. Walz brings leadership skills, expertise on rural and veterans' issues, as well as  Midwest common-sense values to the team. Raised on a farm, Walz served 24 years in the National Guard, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

He has also worked as a high school teacher and football coach, taking a team with 27 straight losses on to win the state championship for the first time in the school’s history. His affable manner and sense of humor also bring a sense of normalcy that appears to be welcomed by many voters, judging by the enthusiastic cheers heard throughout his first public speech as vice presidential running mate.

By Jessyka Heredia

July 23, 2024 (United States) – Presidential hopeful Vice President Kamala Harris clinched enough delegates to proceed as the Democratic nominee today before an official vote. Harris was quick to address the public and assert herself as the democratic nominee after she secured the backing of more than the 1,976 delegates needed to garner the nomination.

Today in her first campaign speech in Wisconsin, Harris addressed her party, “When I announced my campaign for President, I said I intended to go out and earn this nomination. Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee. I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.”

By Elizabeth Luther-Olave, El Cajon

By now, we’ve all heard the news that Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying his company's business records to keep information from voters that he knew would harm his 2016 presidential campaign.

This isn’t just about “hush money” payments. It’s about breaking the law to hide the truth from the American people 11 days before a presidential election.

Trump has a clear pattern of lying to the American people and trying to undermine our elections in order to cling to power. He still faces three additional indictments and 54 criminal charges, including federal charges for inciting an insurrection to overturn the 2020 election. In spite of all of this, he’s still running for president.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via the Whte House:  President Joe Biden places a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to honor soldiers buried there.

June 1, 2024 (Washington D.C.)—Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day yesterday,  President Joe Biden praised soldiers who gave their life to protect our country, and highlighted efforts his administration has made to help military families and veterans. His rival in the November election, former President Donald Trump, took no steps to honor veterans in person, nor any promises to improve the lives of veterans or military members, instead issuing a vitriolic attack on America's judicial system.

“Today, we join our grief with gratitude,” President Biden said at Arlington. “Gratitude to our fallen heroes, to their families, and to the brave souls who continue to uphold the flame of liberty around the world.”

He added, “To everyone who’s lost and loved someone in the service of our country...I know how hard it can be,”  recalling his son,  Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran died nine years ago of brain cancer linked to his exposure to toxic burn pits in Iraq.  Biden noted that the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics  or PACT Act that he championed and signed into law has enabled his administration to approve over a million claims from veterans injured by toxic exposures during their military service.

Biden has signed over 30 bipartisan laws supporting servicemembers, veterans and their families.“Last year, the VA delivered more benefits and processed more claims than ever in our nation’s history, he said, concluding,  “May God bless our veterans, and may God protect our troops.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- In April arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court,  former President Donald Trump’s lawyers argues that presidents should be immune from prosecution for any official acts done while they are in office,  unless the president is impeached and convicted by Congress.  But Trump attorney David Sauer’s argument, if accepted by the high court, would grant a president dictatorial powers even for violent acts committed for personal gain—by his own admission in arguments before the high court.

Liberal justices pushed back on that disturbing proposition.  Justice Elena Kagan pressed Sauer on whether ordering a military coup or selling nuclear secrets to a foreign power would be considered official acts that would prevent criminal prosecution of a president, and Sauer said such acts should be protected by presidential immunity.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor grilled Sauer on whether ordering execution of a political rival would be considered an official act. Sauer replied, “We could well see that as an official act.” Hear recording of this exchange.

By Jonathan Goetz

March 5, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- On Super Tuesday, President Joe Biden won all 16 states holding Democratic contests for President, while former President Donald Trump won at least 12 of the 14 states holding Republican primaries or caucuses today. Neither secured enough delegates yet to secure their party’s nominations, though both appear on track to do so. This is Biden's first loss to primary challengers in the 2024 election cycle and Trump's second, following Haley's victory in Washington, D.C.

Jason Palmer, a venture capitalist and former staffer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, defeated Incumbent President Joe Biden by 51 votes to 40, in American Samoa's caucus. As a result, Palmer secured all six Democratic delegates from American Samoa. Palmer told NBC news after his surprising win, “You can never expect to beat an incumbent president, but I love the people of American Samoa, and they’ve been so wonderful to me this past month.”

Trump was denied a sweep by Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor (ret.) of South Carolina, who won the Republican primary in the State of Vermont, picking up at least 9 of 17 Republican delegates.