Latest news with #RashidaTlaib
Al Jazeera
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Mamdani's stunning victory marks the rise of a new American Left
Zohran Mamdani's stunning win in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor signals a seismic shift in US politics. The victory of the Ugandan-Indian American state assemblyman confirms what has been quietly building for years: A new working-class immigrant politics, rooted in organising, solidarity, and a sharp critique of inequality, is taking hold within the Democratic Party. Mamdani's campaign – focused on rent freezes, universal childcare, public transit, and green infrastructure – galvanised multiracial working-class coalitions across the city. His win is a repudiation of corporate influence and local corruption, and a powerful endorsement of politics shaped by immigrants with deep ties to global struggles for justice. This movement is not limited to New York. In Congress, Ilhan Omar – refugee, former security guard, and daughter of Somali immigrants – has helped define this new left. Joining her is Rashida Tlaib, the first and only Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress. Tlaib, Omar and Mamdani represent a politics shaped not just by US inequality, but by personal or ancestral experiences of instability, austerity, and repression in the Global South. They have emerged as the public faces of a broader trend: Politicians from immigrant backgrounds forming the backbone of an ascendant, insurgent Democratic Left. That's not the version of immigration Donald Trump has in mind. In October 2019, then-President Trump addressed a campaign rally in Minneapolis – a city with a large Somali population, represented by Ilhan Omar. Drawing on familiar right-wing tropes, Trump warned that immigrants and refugees were changing the United States for the worse. The subtext was clear: This was a dog whistle to MAGA voters, particularly white working- and middle-class Americans who blamed immigration for the country's decline. This rhetoric previewed what is now commonplace – unlawful, often brutal deportations of thousands from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In Trump's telling, immigration from 'shithole' countries was responsible for crime, economic stagnation, and the misuse of public benefits. What he didn't say was that many Somali immigrants in Minneapolis had fled violence – some of it triggered or worsened by US foreign policy. But Trump was at least partly right: migrants and their offspring are changing US political life – just not in the way he feared. In fact, just a year before Trump's speech, the outskirts of Minneapolis were the site of the first worker strikes against Amazon's exploitative labour practices. Led mainly by Somali immigrants, these actions helped catalyse a renewed national labour movement. What began in one warehouse soon spread, with other Amazon plants and industries following suit. This is what makes Mamdani's mayoral primary win so significant. Alongside figures like Omar, he exemplifies a new kind of leadership – grounded in lived experience, powered by grassroots organising, and capable of translating complex policy into plainspoken demands for justice. His campaign focused on economic dignity, tenant rights, childcare, climate resilience, and taxing the rich – all anchored in the real conditions of working-class life. Just take African immigrants, where Mamdani and Omar have roots: There are now roughly 2.1 million sub-Saharan African immigrants living in the US, making up about 5 percent of the total foreign-born population. Much coverage emphasises how well-educated or professionally successful African immigrants are – facts often highlighted by middle- and upper-class diasporas. But these narratives obscure the reality for most: Lower average incomes, more precarious work, and higher poverty rates than other immigrant groups. Yet it is from this working-class base that a new politics is emerging – one with the potential to reshape the Democratic Party from the ground up. As the founder of the website Africa Is a Country, I spent nearly a decade and a half tracing how Africans are reinventing democratic politics despite the pressures of neoliberalism, authoritarianism, and militarism. From Nigeria's EndSARS and Uganda's Walk to Work to the Arab Spring and South Africa's Fees Must Fall, African activists have offered bold critiques of injustice. These movements have also influenced global struggles – most clearly in the resonance between them and Black Lives Matter. Many African immigrants in the US draw on these traditions of resistance. Mamdani organised alongside New York City taxi drivers fighting debt. Omar has cleaned offices and worked on assembly lines. Both have built political careers by listening to, and organising with, communities pushed to the margins. In a nation still reeling from Trump-era xenophobia and inequality, these new leaders offer a hopeful alternative. They are building solidarity across divides – between immigrants and the native-born, Muslims and non-Muslims, Black Americans and new African arrivals, and the second-generation offspring of migrants from elsewhere – grounded not in assimilation, but in shared struggle. As political theorist Corey Robin recently noted on social media, Mamdani is a 'happy warrior' in the mould of Franklin Roosevelt: Sharp, grounded, and unafraid to engage in real debate. That he is Muslim and South Asian deepens his significance in a city and nation transformed by global migration. He represents a radically democratic future – one conservatives can neither contain nor comprehend. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers press Fed chair on rates as home prices and rents keep rising
As the housing crisis deepens across the United States, policymakers are increasingly looking for answers. On June 24, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., brought concerns about how housing costs impact her constituents to an unlikely venue: the semiannual testimony of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Capitol Hill. More than half of the Black women in the counties Tlaib represents have experienced some sort of eviction, she said, citing data published in an academic journal. Those numbers, she said, are 'horrific,' considering how traumatic evictions can be, and how they diminish access to equitable housing conditions. But it's just one statistic. A report out Tuesday from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University highlighted the challenges across the country: Insurance premiums and property taxes are surging, high rents have left record numbers of Americans burdened by costs and pushed many into homelessness, and persistently high mortgage rates are locking first-time buyers out of the market and fraying the American Dream. Against that backdrop, Tlaib pressed Powell to explain the Fed's rationale for monetary policy that keeps interest rates high. She asked, don't high rates keep a lid on new construction, which leads to higher prices if supply doesn't keep up with demand? 'There's a longer run shortage of housing in the U.S., which there's nothing the Fed can do about,' Powell responded. 'In the short run rates are high,' he acknowledged, 'and that's going to weigh on housing activity, but the best thing we can do for the housing market is to restore price stability so that rates come down.' 'They're both right,' said Selma Hepp, chief economist with real estate data provider Cotality. 'It's natural to look at the issue of mortgage rates right now because it's low-hanging fruit but this is a long-term problem,' Hepp told USA TODAY. In fact, levels of new housing construction have consistently fallen short, year after year, ever since the subprime housing bubble burst almost two decades ago. Meanwhile, construction expenses like land and labor have ballooned in the past few years – rising at nearly double the rate of overall inflation, Hepp said. Tariffs on construction materials will only exacerbate that. More: Why is housing so expensive? There simply aren't enough homes. Tlaib isn't the only one looking for outside-the-box solutions to the housing crisis. A bipartisan group of representatives including Wisconsin Republican Scott Fitzgerald and New York Democrat Grace Meng have urged the Trump administration to release Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from government conservatorship and invest an expected $250 billion windfall from the transaction into middle-class housing. 'I'm glad that members of Congress are raising this issue,' Hepp said, adding Tlaib and others are right to point out the human cost of the housing crisis, which they see in their own districts – for renters as well as owners. 'Ideally, I'd love to see less finger-pointing and more solutions,' Hepp said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As housing crisis worsens, members of Congress seek answers
Fox News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'Squad' erupts in fury as Trump takes bold action against Iranian nuclear threat
Members of the congressional "Squad" unleashed sharp criticism of President Donald Trump after he ordered a barrage of missile and bomb strikes on Iranian nuclear sites late Saturday. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., was the most vocal of all, tweeting several times about the offensive. Responding to cryptocurrency exchange CEO Arjun Sethi's comment about U.S. "elites" being most united by war "especially against Muslims in the Middle East," Tlaib remarked, "Yep and it's so f---ing sick." "President Trump sending US troops to bomb Iran without the consent of Congress is a blatant violation of the Constitution. The American people do not want another forever war," Tlaib added in a separate message. "Instead of listening to the American people, Trump is listening to War Criminal Netanyahu who lied about Iraq and is lying once again about Iran. Congress must act immediately to exert its war powers and stop this unconstitutional war." She also retweeted right-wing Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who had commented "this (strike) is not constitutional." Squad Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., echoed Tlaib's concerns about "endless war," and called Trump and Netanyahu "warmongers." "It is the people who suffer the illegal & irresponsible actions of authoritarian leaders," she said. "Only Congress has the power to declare war. We must act to protect our safety and shared humanity." Rep. Gregorio Casar, D-Texas, a newer member of the far-left congressional group, claimed it is "illegal" for Trump to act as he did. "Congress should immediately pass a War Powers Resolution to block Trump from carrying out an unconstitutional war," the Austin lawmaker said. "My entire adult life, politicians have promised that new wars in the Middle East would be quick and easy. Then they sent other people's children to fight and die endlessly. Enough." The most recognizable Squad member, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called Trump's decision "disastrous" and said striking Iran without congressional authorization "a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers." "He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations," Ocasio-Cortez went on, adding that Trump has established clear "grounds for impeachment." Though not a member of the Squad, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., also made an impeachment call Saturday. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., reiterated other Squad members' criticisms, adding Trump "reckless(ly) escalate(ed)" the conflict between Israel and Iran. "Congress must vote immediately on Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Tim Kaine's War Powers resolutions when we return to session." Omar also shared a quote from Bill Clinton, saying prior to the strike that Trump should "diffuse" the situation and that Netanyahu has "long wanted to fight Iran." Rep. Ayanna Pressley, the Boston lawmaker who also identifies with the Squad, said Trump violated the Constitution and risking innocent lives. In Pittsburgh, Rep. Summer Lee said Trump is "acting fully outside of his authority and is once again trampling on the Constitution." "This is an illegal and terrifying escalation. Dropping bombs on Iran brings us closer to war, not peace, and he is putting millions of lives at stake. Congress must immediately pass our War Powers Resolution to rein him in." Lee mocked Trump as "your hypocritical 'anti-war' president who just illegally struck Iran and is putting countless lives at risk." Later Saturday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said the Squad and others crying out about the War Powers Act, saying that courts have ruled it refers to deploying troops, not what Trump has done. "If we are attacked, the commander-in-chief has the authority and ability to protect Americans at home and abroad if we feel threatened or attacked," Mullin said. "He's keeping America safe," he told "Hannity."
CBS News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Michigan lawmakers respond to Trump's declaration of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
Michigan officials on both sides of the aisle are reacting to President Trump's announcement Saturday evening that the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. According to a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said the U.S. has completed a "very successful attack" on sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. A full payload of bombs was dropped at Fordo, according to Mr. Trump, who said in a follow-up post that "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISTAEL (sic), AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!" In response to Trump's declaration, Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 4th Congressional District said the following in a post on X Saturday night. "After attempting to negotiate peace through diplomacy, President Trump took decisive action. We must ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and usher in a new age of nuclear terrorism. I commend the men and women of our Armed Forces for their performance in this operation to make the world a safer place. It is now time for Iran to come to the table and abandon its nuclear ambitions." Democratic U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan's 12th Congressional District said Mr. Trump violated the Constitution by sending U.S. troops to bomb Iran without consent. "The American people do not want another forever war," Tlaib said in a written statement. "We have seen where decades of endless war in the Middle East gets us — all based on the lie of 'weapons of mass destruction.' We are not falling for it again. Instead of listening to the American people, Trump is listening to War Criminal Netanyahu, who lied about Iraq and is lying once again about Iran. Congress must act immediately to exert its war powers and stop this unconstitutional act of war." Iran has pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joined the Israeli assault, which began with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military targets on June 13. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bernie Sanders endorses McKinney's challenge of Rep. Shri Thanedar
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a two-time Democratic presidential candidate and stalwart of the progressive movement, has endorsed state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, in his intraparty challenge of sitting U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar. McKinney's campaign announced Sanders' endorsement on June 17. Although he's an independent member of the U.S. Senate representing Vermont, Sanders caucuses with the Democratic Party in the chamber and is widely seen as a leader of its progressive wing. His endorsement has helped candidates lift their national profiles and raise money. Sanders' endorsement could also further lift McKinney's profile relative to another candidate who is challenging Thanedar, former state Sen. Adam Hollier, also of Detroit, who lost a Democratic primary race against Thanedar in the predominately Democratic district in 2022 and then failed to qualify for the ballot in 2024 due to a lack of valid petition signatures. "I'm urging all Michiganders to join me in supporting Donavan's campaign," Sanders said in a statement. Sanders becomes the second sitting member of Congress to endorse McKinney in his challenge of Thanedar, following U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib's announcement in May that she would back McKinney over her fellow Detroit Democrat. Tlaib, a progressive stalwart in her own right and longtime ally of Sanders', has insisted that Thanedar's representation of his constituents − many of whom previously were represented by Tlaib − has been poor, which Thanedar, a wealthy Indian immigrant and entrepreneur, has denied. In his endorsement message, Sanders did not mention Thanedar or his record since entering Congress in 2023 representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District. 'I'm proud to support Donavan McKinney for Congress," Sanders' statement said. "Donavan is exactly the type of leader we need in Washington right now. He understands the struggles working class communities are facing in Detroit and across the country because he's lived those struggles himself." Sanders' statement also said that as a state legislator, McKinney has "fought to get big money out of politics and taken on powerful special interests" and that in Congress, he will support increasing the minimum wage, providing more funding to public schools and for public housing and universal health care. Thanedar shares those political positions. But McKinney, who entered the race to challenge Thanedar in next year's election in April, has continued to claim that Thanedar, as a "self-funded multimillionaire," has more in common with President Donald Trump than he does the 13th District, which is one of the poorest in the nation. McKinney also criticized Thanedar for using taxpayer funds to effectively promote himself; Thanedar has said the funds he has used on billboards and other media with his name and face on them are intended to improve outreach to constituents. 'Senator Sanders has long been a progressive champion for working class Americans and I am honored to receive his endorsement,' McKinney said. 'His political courage and his commitment to doing the right thing — even when it's unpopular, even when it's hard, even if he's alone — are a true inspiration to me, as is his commitment to fighting for a more just, more equal America." Sanders ran for president as a Democrat in 2016 and 2020, and won the state of Michigan's presidential primary over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@ Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bernie Sanders endorses McKinney's challenge of Rep. Shri Thanedar
