Newsom vows legal fight as Trump admin pulls $4 billion from high-speed rail project
The rail system, whose first USD 10 billion bond issue was approved by California voters in 2008, has built more than 50 major railway structures, including bridges, overpasses and viaducts, and completed more than 60 miles (97 km) of guideway.State Attorney General Rob Bonta told reporters on Thursday he was "poised to take imminent action" on the issue, indicating the dispute would end up in court."California is putting all options on the table to fight this illegal action," Newsom said in a statement.The funding cancellation marked the latest confrontation between the Republican president and a Democratic governor widely viewed as a leading contender for his party's 2028 White House nomination.The two men have clashed over issues from transgender athletes and electric car rules to the use of National Guard troops during Los Angeles protests and even egg prices.'LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS'Ian Choudri, chief executive officer of the California High Speed Rail Authority, said that canceling the federal rail grants "without cause isn't just wrong, it's illegal.""These are legally binding agreements, and the authority has met every obligation, as confirmed by repeated federal reviews, as recently as February 2025," Choudri said, adding that the program has created some 15,500 jobs.The Federal Railroad Administration issued a 315-page report last month finding the project was plagued by missed deadlines, budget shortfalls and questionable ridership projections.Choudri's rail authority has called those conclusions "misguided," saying they failed to reflect "substantial progress made to deliver high-speed rail in California."Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy chided the project for having failed to lay a single mile of track after spending USD 15 billion over 16 years. But Choudri said installing track is a final step after land acquisition, environmental clearances and construction of supporting structures.Still, the project has faced its share of setbacks.The San Francisco-to-Los Angeles route was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 for USD 33 billion. But the projected cost has since risen to USD 89 billion to USD 128 billion, and the start of service is estimated no sooner than 2030.advertisementAs designed, the system would feature electric locomotives traveling at up to 220 miles per hour (354 kph), powered entirely by renewable energy. Planners said it would eliminate 200 million miles driven by vehicles on highways.'WE HAVE TO PULL THE PLUG'A second phase of the project called for extending the rail line north to Sacramento and south to San Diego. A separate project plans to link Los Angeles and Las Vegas with high-speed rail.Duffy said on Thursday that he was confident the Trump administration will defeat any lawsuit challenging the department's move."We have to pull the plug," he told reporters outside the department's headquarters.In 2021, Democratic President Joe Biden restored a USD 929 million grant for the project that Trump revoked in 2019 during his first term in office after calling the project a "disaster."State Assembly member Corey Jackson, a Southern California Democrat who has questioned the project's soaring costs, said Newsom's call to fight the funding cut could galvanize support for Democrats from organized labor and voters in the area where the first railway jobs would be created despite its Republican leanings.advertisement"The people of San Joaquin Valley will now know that their economic engine is coming from the Democratic Party," Jackson said. "This is also a message to our labor friends. Democrats continue to deliver these high-paying jobs. Republicans continue to try to kill them."Rufus Jeffris, senior vice president of the Bay Area Council, a business-sponsored policy group in the San Francisco area, pointed to economic benefits associated with high-speed rail and called the funding cut unfortunate.- Ends
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Texas governor orders arrest of Democrats who fled state amid Republicans redistricting vote
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India Today
24 minutes ago
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Deep fissure in Democrats: Vivek Ramaswamy slams Mamdani's socialist agenda
On Monday, Ohio Republican gubernatorial contender Vivek Ramaswamy expressed concern about what he labelled a growing "socialist wave" in the Democratic Party by alarming New Yorkers of Zohran Mamdani's win.'It's a fork in the road for the future of the country,' Ramaswamy told Fox & Friends. "And it's not just about one candidate in New York who represents the socialism wing. You look at the rise of Omar Fateh in Minneapolis.'advertisementHe took a jibe at the democratic party and stated "You see trends coming up across the country. There is a deep fissure in the Democratic Party." He urged Americans to save the nation and posited a counter defence of capitalism against Mamdani's socialist ALTERNATIVE VISION 'It's a fork in the road for the future of the country,' Ramaswamy told Fox & Friends. And it's not just about one candidate in New York who represents the socialism wing. You look at the rise of Omar Fateh in Minneapolis.'"You see trends coming up across the country. There is a deep fissure in the Democratic Party." His stance of an alternative vision was "to make the case for why free enterprise, capitalism, is the best system known to the history of man, to lift people up from poverty. ' he said.A WAKE UP CALLRamaswamy warned that "a lot of people are going to unfortunately wake up to the effects of socialism" by citing an example of Mamdani's policies for freezing rent and other solutions will only worsen the housing crisis. 'The well-intentioned so-called solutions to a housing crisis are actually going to make that very affordable crisis worse for the people they were supposedly trying to help.' the Republican has been closely observing the political rise of Democratic primary winner Mamdani. Ramaswamy expressed his concern about the potential for future political conflict, stating, "I don't want to see that play out over the next 10 years. I think Republicans have an important role to play."Ramaswamy is returning to his hometown of Cincinnati Monday to help address public outrage over a brutal downtown street beating that went viral online recently. He is hosting a town hall intended to confront rising concerns over urban violence and to push for stronger public safety revealed that he has spoken to Holly, (the victim) and plans to emphasise that 'we're not tolerating this kind of violent crime.'He further elaborated by stating that 'This is about a pattern of people feeling fearful of entering their city,' the Republican said 'I think we need a change in leadership at the top, including the tone that we set, even from our state, to be able to say we're not tolerating this kind of violent crime.'advertisement'I don't think sweeping these issues under the rug is a solution. A lot of people would have preferred me to just continue to move on. I say no, we got to talk about it in the open, because this issue of urban crime is politically incorrect in some circles.'- Ends
Time of India
an hour ago
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'End Indian H-1B visas,' says Marjorie Taylor Greene. What this could mean for students and early-career professionals in the US
In a recent post on X, United Sates (US) Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called for an end to 'Indian H-1B visas replacing American jobs.' The comment, shared on August 4, 2025, has drawn attention across student and professional networks, particularly among Indian nationals studying or working in the US. Greene's statement does not signal a formal policy change, but it adds to the ongoing political debate around work visas and employment pathways for international talent in the US. The H-1B visa , which allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialised fields, is widely used by Indian graduates after completing their education through student visa programmes. What was said, and in what context Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Congresswoman representing Georgia's 14th district, reposted President Donald Trump 's tweet that called for increased tariffs on Indian exports due to the country's ongoing oil trade with Russia. Her repost included a separate message: 'End Indian H-1B visas replacing American jobs instead'. This statement comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between the US and India, following Trump's announcement that tariffs would be raised in response to India's oil dealings. Though brief, Greene's post is prompting reactions from tech workers, legal professionals, and student communities. It also adds to the broader national conversation around immigration, outsourcing, and the US labour market. With the 2024 presidential election cycle continuing to shape political discourse, topics like employment-based immigration and visa reform remain under close scrutiny. Why Indian students and professionals are paying attention India has long been the largest source of H-1B visa recipients. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), nearly 70% of H-1B visas approved in fiscal year 2024 went to Indian nationals. Many of these individuals begin their journey on F-1 student visas, later transitioning to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and applying for H-1B sponsorship. For current students and early-career professionals, the H-1B programme is often viewed as a critical bridge to gaining long-term work experience in the US. While Greene's post does not introduce a legislative proposal, it reflects growing scrutiny in some political circles about how the programme is used. No change in policy, but rhetoric matters It is important to note that no new law or executive order has been introduced to restrict Indian H-1B visa applications. Greene's post is a personal statement, not a formal measure. However, in a politically charged climate, such rhetoric can influence how immigration policy is discussed and potentially shaped. Recent discussions in Congress have included calls for increased transparency in the H-1B lottery process, stronger wage protections for domestic workers, and expanded pathways for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates from US universities. Within that context, statements from elected officials, even when unofficial, can signal what themes may surface in future policy debates. Where this leaves students and applicants in 2025 As of August 2025, students planning to study in the US or currently enrolled on F-1 visas remain unaffected. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme and H-1B application processes continue as usual. However, international students and recent graduates are encouraged to stay updated on official USCIS announcements and consult academic advisors or legal experts when planning for post-study employment. While Greene's comment may not have immediate legal consequences, it reflects a viewpoint that could influence public opinion and future discussions on skilled migration. For Indian students and professionals navigating education and employment pathways in the US, staying informed and prepared remains essential. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
