West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has lifted the state of emergency declared over staffing issues in the state’s Department of Corrections. The Republican governor had called upon the state National Guard nearly two years ago to address the severe staff shortage in jails and prisons, with a vacancy rate exceeding 30% at the time. During the state of emergency, over 730 National Guard members assisted in 17 correctional facilities throughout West Virginia.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has reversed his stance on former President Trump’s deportation plan, now supporting the use of the military to remove illegal immigrants from the country. Rubio previously criticized Trump’s plan, but argues that the increased flow of migrants in recent years, some of whom he believes could be “terrorists,” necessitates more drastic measures.
As campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war escalate, students and administrators are seeking guidance on how to respond. A look back at Governor Ronald Reagan’s handling of similar protests in 1969 provides valuable insights. Reagan’s decisive actions, including declaring a state of emergency and sending in the National Guard, restored order and set an example for how leaders can effectively address campus unrest.
President Joe Biden has finally addressed the campus unrest over the war in Gaza, condemning violence while supporting the right to peaceful protest. Amidst criticism for his previous silence and handling of the situation, Biden stated that destroying property, vandalism, and shutting down campuses is illegal and not a form of peaceful protest. He emphasized the importance of dissent in a democracy but stressed that it should not lead to disorder or infringe on the rights of others. In response to questions about deploying National Guard troops, Biden said he did not believe it was necessary.
Voicers Nancy Brenner and Eugene Dunn express support for Donald Trump despite accusations of fraud and obstruction of justice. Critics argue that these charges are serious and should not be dismissed as normal behavior. They also criticize Trump’s conduct during the trial and his claims of persecution. Additionally, concerns are raised about the anti-Semitic and hateful rhetoric prevalent at Columbia University and the horrific discovery of mass graves in Gaza. The article also discusses the lack of positive news coverage for African Americans and the continued racism faced by this group in media portrayals.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for the resignation of Columbia University’s president, Lee Bollinger, following a tense news conference where the speaker and other Republican lawmakers faced interruptions and booing from the crowd. Johnson, along with several GOP colleagues, visited the university to address concerns about antisemitism and violence on campus. The speaker’s visit coincided with growing conservative criticism and a threat of ouster from some GOP members led by Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive advocates have condemned Columbia University’s use of the NYPD to disperse student-led pro-Palestine demonstrations, calling it an escalation that endangers lives. Despite threats to deploy the National Guard, students have vowed to continue protesting, garnering support from left-wing lawmakers. The controversy has ignited debate about the use of force on college campuses and the constitutional rights of students.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declined to deploy the National Guard in response to protests at Columbia University. The protests, organized by Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, are calling for the university to divest from companies that profit from Israeli occupation in Palestine. The protests have drawn criticism from some, who have called for the use of force to quell the demonstrations. However, Hochul has praised the efforts of the NYPD in responding to the protests. The university has announced plans for hybrid learning for the remainder of the spring semester and has been in contact with student protest organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment.
Florida Representative Carlos Giménez has suggested that China may be backing some of the recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses in the U.S. Giménez made the comments during an appearance on Business Network’s, where he said that there is “information” indicating that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is involved in funding the protests. When asked by the host if there is a way to verify that China is involved in the protests, Giménez said that he had “some information that, yes, that somehow, through another organization, the CCP actually funds that organization who is funding these people.”
Columbia University students participating in a protest against Israel’s war in Gaza claim that university officials have threatened to deploy the National Guard and police to disperse their encampment. The students have vowed to resist these threats and continue their protest. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has stated that she currently has no plans to involve the National Guard in response to the protests.
