US completes deportation of 8 men to South Sudan after weeks of legal wrangling
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
ICE Barbie Dodges Blame for Disastrous Texas Flooding on Trump's Watch
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the Trump administration from suggestions that the delayed warning residents received during the flash floods in Texas this week was insufficient. Speaking at a press conference alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday, Noem was asked by a reporter whether the fact that he and many others did not receive warnings from the National Weather Service until 7 a.m. was a 'fundamental failure of the federal government's responsibility to keep people safe.' Noem argued that the technology was 'ancient' and that the Trump administration is working to upgrade it. 'When President Trump took office… he said he wanted to fix [that], and is currently upgrading the technology. And the National Weather Service has indicated that with that and NOAA, that we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years, and that is the reforms that are ongoing,' Noem explained, seemingly shifting the blame onto previous administrations that failed to upgrade the technology. Trump was previously president from 2017 to 2021. When asked about the impact of cuts and closures made to weather research labs as part of Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' Noem once again defended the current administration, telling reporters that she would relay their concerns to the president. 'I do carry your concerns back to the federal government, and to President Trump, and we will do all we can to fix those kind of things that that may have felt like a failure to you and to your community members,' Noem said. 'We know that everybody wants more warning time, and that's why we're working to upgrade the technologies that been neglected [for] far too long.' In addition to the cuts detailed in Trump's tax bill, the Department of Government Efficiency cut hundreds of jobs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service earlier this year. A May report from NPR detailed how the NWS was left reeling by the cuts, with eight of the 122 NWS offices across the U.S. falling below the level of staffing that enables them to operate 24 hours a day, with a former NWS meteorologist telling host Scott Simon that the current situation was not sustainable. 'The National Weather Service is putting together plans to really help with this short-term challenge of short-staffing. But that's really what it is—it's a Band-Aid on the short-term challenge of that short-staffing,' meteorologist Brian LaMarre explained. At least 47 people, including 15 children, have lost their lives in the floods. More than 20 young girls are still missing after their camp was flooded, and at least four of the young campers have been confirmed dead. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) revealed on X that two of his daughters had been attending the camp, but had been safely evacuated. 'We want to thank the first responders who have come from far and wide to save lives,' he wrote. 'The TX Division of Emergency Management has been incredible and the White House, DHS, FEMA, DPS and local officials have all been responsive and helpful.' Last month, Trump announced plans to begin phasing out FEMA once the year's hurricane season had ended, and that disaster relief funds would be distributed directly from the White House, telling reporters, 'We're going to give out less money.' Just three weeks ago, Abbott was asked about Trump's plan to do away with FEMA. Andrew Mahaleris, the governor's press secretary, said his boss 'has full confidence that the Texas Division of Emergency Management will be able to swiftly take action when disaster strikes.' On Saturday, Abbott confirmed that he has requested federal assistance to aid in the state's recovery efforts. The Daily Beast reached out to both the Department of Homeland Security and The White House for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
News24
2 hours ago
- News24
Mkhwanazi accuses police minister of ties to crime syndicate, interfering with investigations
Mkhwanazi cites messages allegedly showing financial support from Matlala to Mchunu's political activities and coordination to derail investigations, including the transfer of case dockets. Deputy commissioner Sibiya denies allegations, dismisses the claims as baseless, challenges Mkhwanazi to provide evidence publicly, and accuses him of breaching police protocols by making unverified public statements. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial police commissioner, lieutenant general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has made explosive allegations against police minister Senzo Mchunu, claiming he has ties to a criminal syndicate and interfered with high-profile investigations. The claims were made during a media briefing on Sunday, where Mkhwanazi detailed the work of the Political Killings Task Team and revealed evidence allegedly linking Mchunu to businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who was arrested in May for attempted murder. Background on the Political Killings Task Team Mkhwanazi explained that the task team was established in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa following a surge in political assassinations in KZN. The multidisciplinary unit, comprising SA Police Service, the NPA, and State Security, has investigated 612 cases, leading to 436 arrests and the recovery of 156 firearms, 55 of which were ballistically linked to political killings. However, Mkhwanazi claimed the team's disbandment in December 2024 was influenced by its investigation into a criminal syndicate in Gauteng, one allegedly connected to high-ranking officials. Alleged communications between minister and syndicate The commissioner presented WhatsApp exchanges extracted from Matlala's phone, which purportedly show communication between the businessman and an associate of minister Mchunu. One message, dated 1 January 2025, reads: 'I have arranged a meeting for Sibiya and the Minister. They must have a solution. The task team that came to your house and harassed you has been dissolved. They got the letter on Monday. As we speak, they are bringing all dockets to Sibiya.' Mkhwanazi alleged that Matlala financially supported Mchunu's political activities, citing proof of payments for travel expenses and a gala dinner in Cape Town. He also claimed that Matlala, who held a R360 million police contract, was instructed to 'work on invoices' before his contract was abruptly cancelled in May. Claims of interference in investigations Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of obstructing the task team's work, particularly after it linked firearms recovered in Gauteng to multiple high-profile murders. He alleged that senior police officials were dispatched to disrupt an operation targeting the syndicate. He further claimed that the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption seized evidence from the task team and arrested its project coordinator in a 'dramatic' move, which he suggested was an attempt to derail the investigation. Sibiya's Response: No Truth' to allegations Deputy national commissioner for crime detection lieutenant general Shadrack Sibiya, who was implicated in the alleged communications, dismissed Mkhwanazi's claims. Speaking to the SABC Sibiya said: 'I'm very much disappointed and shocked.' 'I spoke with General Mkhwanazi on Friday, and all was well.' He denied any wrongdoing, challenging Mkhwanazi to present evidence publicly. If he knows of any criminal offence, he must open a case. I'm giving him permission to share the evidence with the media Shadrack Sibiya He accused Mkhwanazi of breaching police protocols by airing allegations publicly instead of following internal processes. 'What General Mkhwanazi is doing is embarrassing. We are not going to bend to his level. There is no truth in what he is saying.' When pressed on whether there was a plot to remove Mkhwanazi, Sibiya denied the claim, stating: 'No one is aiming at General Mkhwanazi. He's been doing a good job.' Mkhwanazi vows to continue fight against crime Despite the controversy, Mkhwanazi insisted the task team remains operational and vowed to pursue those undermining law enforcement. 'We will fight this fight until the end. Whatever the end is,' he said. I will not surrender the safety of our people to anyone. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi He also raised concerns about drug trafficking syndicates operating through Durban's port, alleging they have infiltrated law enforcement and the judiciary. Minister Mchunu has yet to publicly respond.
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
ICE Doesn't Need Another $100 Billion
One of the biggest spending items in the Republican budget bill has hardly gotten any attention: $170 billion for an unprecedented crackdown on immigration. By some calculations, it would make the annual budget of Immigration and Customs Enforcement larger than Israel's entire defense budget. The supplemental funds — to be spent over the next four years — would leave vital aspects of immigration reform unaddressed. But the funding is essential to President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans. Vice President JD Vance left little doubt of that when he posted on social media, 'Everything else — the [Congressional Budget Office] score, the proper baseline, the minutiae of the Medicaid policy — is immaterial compared to the ICE money and immigration enforcement provisions.'
