Latest news with #anti-DOGE
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans test a new red line: Denaturalization
The Trump administration opened the door on Monday to formally examining Zohran Mamdani's US citizenship — part of a growing effort to target the immigration status of a wide range of individuals. Democrats rallied behind the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor over the weekend, after Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles urged the Trump administration to consider revoking Mamdani's citizenship. That intraparty support for Mamdani, who has been a naturalized citizen since 2018, grew after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the idea and didn't say no. 'I have not seen those claims, but surely if they are true, it's something that should be investigated,' Leavitt told reporters on Monday, referring to Ogles' claim that the Uganda-born Mamdani might have concealed his support for 'terrorism' in his application for citizenship. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed that it had received Ogles' letter, but did not comment further. 'Trump will stop at nothing to protect billionaires and price gouging corporations, even racist bullsh*t like this,' wrote Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy on Bluesky. New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Mamdani critic, called the Ogles effort 'unAmerican.' The Ogles letter didn't come from nowhere. By the time he sent it, the administration was already expanding efforts to denaturalize immigrants. That effort, in a June 11 memo first reported by The Associated Press, focuses on immigrants accused of crimes, though those can range from terrorism to 'concealment of material information' when seeking citizenship. In addition, on Monday, the administration announced that it had revoked a visa for the members of Bob Vylan, a British hip-hop duo, after they led a chant of 'death to the IDF' at a UK music festival. 'We're trying to eradicate and stop antisemitism,' DOJ civil rights division attorney Leo Terrell explained on Fox News. 'Getting a visa is a privilege, and that man is a person who wants to incite violence.'The idea of threatening the immigration status of people not born in America has grown increasingly prominent since Trump retook the White House. After former Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk exited the administration, the right-wing populist Steve Bannon called for 'a formal investigation of his immigration status.' Some Democrats, too, asked whether the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who first lived in America on a student visa, was a true citizen. 'Mr. Musk has [been] here just 22 years, and he's a citizen of three countries,' Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said at an anti-DOGE press conference. 'With the damage he's doing here when push comes to shove, which country is he loyal to? South Africa, Canada, or the United States?' But Democrats couldn't act on those questions, and the administration could. Since January, the State Department has revoked hundreds of student visas from noncitizens, some because of their criticism of the US' foreign policy and its support for Israel. That effort started with the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who had helped organize Gaza war protests at Columbia University. 'No one has a right to a student visa,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained after Khalil was taken into custody. 'No one has a right to a green card.' Fully-fledged citizens like Mamdani have not been immune from this scrutiny. Mamdani had rallied outside the courthouse when Khalil was detained, and shared a stage with him on Saturday. Suddenly, critics who supported the Ogles effort to denaturalize him were scouring his tweets and public statements for potential fodder to link him to activities that DOJ could scrutinize — from rap lyrics highlighted by Ogles, to the democratic socialist's praise for a Communist Party mayoral candidate in India. 'Denaturalization of U.S. citizens is part of the Trump playbook to attack all legal immigration,' said Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, an immigrant from India who was naturalized in 2000. 'It is completely outrageous and flies in the face of the laws of this country.'Ogles, a second-term legislator elected after Republican redistricting created a safe GOP seat in Nashville, has made more news than laws. Last year, Ogles proposed legislation that would have automatically revoked the student visas of foreign students protesting Israel's war in Gaza. In January, he proposed a constitutional amendment that would have allowed Donald Trump, but not Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, to seek a third term. One week later, the DOJ dropped a campaign finance investigation into the reelected congressman. Ogles' June 26 letter to DOJ about Mamdani did not require anything of Congress. In it, he suggested that the agency should investigate Mamdani over a 2017 rap song lyric praising five men convicted of funneling money to Hamas ('My love to the Holy Land Five'), and it should probe whether he 'engaged in non-public forms of support' that should have been disclosed in his citizenship application. Ogles and his supporters have looked for other ways to challenge Mamdani's citizenship. In a Newsmax interview, Ogles suggested that Mamdani's membership in the Democratic Socialists of America 'would have disqualified him,' because DSA was 'a communist organization.' If the effort failed, he said, it was still worth trying. 'Even if we can't prove or dot the Is and cross the Ts and get this guy on this, it creates the template for these other individuals who've come to this country,' said Ogles to Newsmax. 'They're sleeper cells. They want to undermine our way of life.' 'We stand with Zohran and against the xenophobia and Islamophobia of Representative Ogles and the MAGA movement,′ said Ashik Siddique, the co-chair of DSA's national political committee. Some communist organizations, which the candidate doesn't belong to, had been critical of Mamdani. DSA, which he does belong to, has defended him. 'Representative Ogles is trying to do to Zohran what the authoritarian Trump administration has done across the country, from activists for Palestine like Mahmoud Khalil in New York, to migrants in Los Angeles,' said Siddique. 'Only democratic socialism can stop this rising fascism, and we call on all Americans to reject this hatred and division. Zohran's campaign shows a politics of hope and inclusivity can beat a politics of fear, and that's just what we'll do.' Many Democrats, inside and outside of New York, are still wrestling with how to talk about Mamdani, because few endorse all of his views and statements. The Ogles letter made it a little easier for them. The party is opposed to deporting or denaturalizing people who are living legally in America over their political opinions. But Republicans are increasingly comfortable endorsing that. In February, Texas Rep. Brandon Gill told donors in a fundraising email that 'the time has come to arrest and deport' Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a refugee from Somalia who attained US citizenship 25 years ago. Democrats didn't take any real steps toward denaturalizing Musk, but when they questioned his loyalty, Republicans noticed: Asking if an immigrant truly had a right to be here was now, technically, bipartisan. Since joining the House two years ago, Ogles has passed just one bill, the Liberty in Laundry Act, which did not make it through the Senate. But majorities of Congress don't need to agree with what Ogles is asking now. The DOJ could probe Mamdani's citizenship application on its own. If it declines to, it would suggest an outer limit on who could be targeted for denaturalization — i.e., that the administration would not essentially void an election by revoking a candidate's citizenship. If the DOJ does probe Mamdani, it would be applying to him the scrutiny and standards already being felt by noncitizens seeking visas, as it increasingly vets them for criticism of Israel or support for socialism. I've seen some armchair sleuths asking for the administration to involve the Communist Control Act to get rid of Mamdani, even though courts have found that Cold War-era law is non-justiciable. But the theme of Trump's second term is that when experts say a given action is unconstitutional, or won't work, or would backfire, the White House tries it a Sunday interview with , Mamdani responded to Ogles and Republicans who had warned New York not to elect a Muslim mayor. 'It's been difficult to have to deal with the regular and repeated smears and slander upon my name and on the very basis of my faith.' After Khalil's detention, Matthew Hennessey wrote a Wall Street Journal column for some noncitizens to be deported if they came to 'mess with' Americans. 'The hard reality is that not all immigrants are strivers, and not all are happy to be here,' he wrote. 'A fair number are downright bastards looking to hurt their adopted country.'
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Melania Needs To Go": Thousands Sign Deportation Petition Amid Crackdown
Amid mounting backlash over US President Donald Trump's reported plans to deport naturalized citizens, a viral petition on MoveOn, a progressive advocacy platform, called for the deportation of First Lady Melania Trump, her parents, and son Barron Trump--arguing that Trump's own family should not be exempted from the policies he championed. The petition stated, "Since Trump wants to deport naturalized citizens, I believe it is only fair that Melania and her parents are on the first boat out. In addition, Melania's anchor baby, Baron, should be forced to leave as well because we know that his mother's mother was born in a different country. That is part of the criteria that Trump is putting into place. Your mother's mother has to have been born in the United States and we know Melania's mother was born elsewhere. If it's good for one, it's good for all! There should be no exceptions! On the first boat or flight out!" The petition further argued that the move would prevent perceptions of favoritism, adding, "If this is truly about national security, then Melania needs to go!" The remarks reflected growing public frustration over what many viewed as double standards in Trump's deportation agenda. According to Fox News, the petition surfaced just days after Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters, during an anti-DOGE protest in Los Angeles on March 25, suggested that Trump should investigate and potentially deport Melania Trump. "When he [Trump] talks about birthright, and he's going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America. If he wants to start looking so closely to find those who were born here and their parents were undocumented, maybe he ought to first look at Melania," Waters was seen saying from the stage, various videos posted on social media showed, Fox News reported. She added, "We don't know whether or not her parents were documented. And maybe we better just take a look." According to Fox News, her remarks were met with loud cheers from protestors at the rally, which focused on opposing Trump's federal government downsizing agenda. Fox News also reported that Melania Trump, born in the former Yugoslavia, became a US citizen in 2006. She was the first US first lady to become a naturalized citizen and the second to be born outside the United States, after Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, wife of President John Quincy Adams. In 2018, The New York Times reported that Melania sponsored her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, for green cards and later citizenship. Amalija Knavs passed away in 2024, while Viktor Knavs has been seen at recent public events with the Trump family. Waters' comments came in response to an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office that aimed to reinterpret the 14th Amendment and restrict birthright citizenship. The order, currently under judicial review, seeks to exclude individuals born to undocumented immigrants or parents on temporary visas from automatic US citizenship. During the March 25 protest, Waters joined hundreds marching to the VA hospital on Los Angeles' Wilshire Boulevard. She declared, "We are here because we are not going to let Trump, we're not going to let Elon Musk, his co-president, or anybody else take the United States Constitution down." Her remarks on Melania Trump quickly spread on social media platforms like TikTok and X, drawing sharp criticism from conservatives. "Maxine Waters wants to deport Melania," posted the popular X account End Wokeness, as cited by Fox News.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
'Deport Melania, her parents': Petition slams Trump's citizenship policy
Amid mounting backlash over US President Donald Trump's reported plans to deport naturalized citizens, a viral petition on MoveOn, a progressive advocacy platform, called for the deportation of First Lady Melania Trump, her parents, and son Barron Trump--arguing that Trump's own family should not be exempted from the policies he championed. The petition stated, "Since Trump wants to deport naturalized citizens, I believe it is only fair that Melania and her parents are on the first boat out. In addition, Melania's anchor baby, Baron, should be forced to leave as well because we know that his mother's mother was born in a different country. That is part of the criteria that Trump is putting into place. Your mother's mother has to have been born in the United States and we know Melania's mother was born elsewhere. If it's good for one, it's good for all! There should be no exceptions! On the first boat or flight out!" The petition further argued that the move would prevent perceptions of favoritism, adding, "If this is truly about national security, then Melania needs to go!" The remarks reflected growing public frustration over what many viewed as double standards in Trump's deportation agenda. According to Fox News, the petition surfaced just days after Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters, during an anti-DOGE protest in Los Angeles on March 25, suggested that Trump should investigate and potentially deport Melania Trump. "When he [Trump] talks about birthright, and he's going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America. If he wants to start looking so closely to find those who were born here and their parents were undocumented, maybe he ought to first look at Melania," Waters was seen saying from the stage, various videos posted on social media showed, Fox News reported. She added, "We don't know whether or not her parents were documented. And maybe we better just take a look." According to Fox News, her remarks were met with loud cheers from protestors at the rally, which focused on opposing Trump's federal government downsizing agenda. Fox News also reported that Melania Trump, born in the former Yugoslavia, became a US citizen in 2006. She was the first US first lady to become a naturalized citizen and the second to be born outside the United States, after Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, wife of President John Quincy Adams. In 2018, The New York Times reported that Melania sponsored her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, for green cards and later citizenship. Amalija Knavs passed away in 2024, while Viktor Knavs has been seen at recent public events with the Trump family. Waters' comments came in response to an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office that aimed to reinterpret the 14th Amendment and restrict birthright citizenship. The order, currently under judicial review, seeks to exclude individuals born to undocumented immigrants or parents on temporary visas from automatic US citizenship. During the March 25 protest, Waters joined hundreds marching to the VA hospital on Los Angeles' Wilshire Boulevard. She declared, "We are here because we are not going to let Trump, we're not going to let Elon Musk, his co-president, or anybody else take the United States Constitution down." Her remarks on Melania Trump quickly spread on social media platforms like TikTok and X, drawing sharp criticism from conservatives. "Maxine Waters wants to deport Melania," posted the popular X account End Wokeness, as cited by Fox News. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘On the first boat out': Viral petition seeks Melania's deportation; says Trump's policy must apply to all
ANI photo As criticism grows over US president Donald Trump's reported plan to target naturalised citizens for deportation, a petition on MoveOn has gone viral, demanding that US first lady Melania Trump, her son Barron, and her parents also be deported. The petition claims that since Melania is a naturalised citizen, she and her family should be 'on the first boat out' if Trump's proposals are applied fairly. It also refers to Barron Trump as an 'anchor baby' and cites the birth of Melania's mother outside the US as part of the criteria Trump's policy reportedly targets. 'If it's good for one, it's good for all. There should be no exceptions,' the petition reads. It adds that removing the first lady would prevent any perception of double standards, saying, 'If this is truly about national security, then Melania needs to go.' According to Fox News, the petition surfaced soon after Congresswoman Maxine Waters, speaking at an anti-DOGE protest in Los Angeles on 25 March, questioned Melania Trump's immigration history. 'Maybe he ought to first look at Melania,' she said, referring to Trump's comments about changing birthright citizenship. Waters also said it was unclear whether Melania's parents were documented when they came to the US. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Melania Trump was born in the former Yugoslavia and became a US citizen in 2006. She is the first US first lady to be naturalised and only the second to be born outside the country. The New York Times reported in 2018 that she sponsored her parents for green cards and later citizenship. Her mother, Amalija Knavs, died in 2024. Her father, Viktor Knavs, has recently appeared at public events with the Trump family. Waters' remarks came after Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office seeking to restrict birthright citizenship by reinterpreting the 14th amendment. The order is currently under judicial review. Waters' comments were met with loud cheers at the protest, where hundreds marched against Trump's federal downsising agenda. She also criticised Trump ally Elon Musk, saying, 'We are not going to let Trump, or Elon Musk, or anybody else take the United States constitution down.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gas prices dip below $3 a gallon at some Erie stations. What's the average price in May?
Gas prices in the Erie region have dipped in May, and at least two stations are now below $3 per gallon for regular unleaded. Back in March, the average cost per gallon was $3.45 according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 gas stations in Erie. This price was 7 cents lower than February and 32.4 cents lower than 2024. On May 15, GasBuddy identified the lowest price at the pump at $2.99 a gallon with two stations in Erie. The most expensive price was listed at $3.69 a gallon in Lake City. The average price for gas around Erie County is $3.19 a gallon. Here is more on what to expect from gas prices this month. Taking trash out: New litter boom to help clean water near Erie Water Works storm outfall On May 15, the Speed Check at 1719 Parade St. and the Shell station at 2176 W. 32nd St., according to are selling regular unleaded gas at $2.99 a gallon. The Speed Check at 2267 Buffalo Road also was advertising gas at $2.99 on May 15, although GasBuddy did not have that figure listed. GasBuddy identified stations in Erie County above the $3 mark but lower than the average price of $3.19 a gallon. Those stations include: Circle K at 830 US-19N in Waterford: $3.09 a gallon. Sam's Club at 7200 Peach St.: $3.14 a gallon. GasBuddy has identified the following 11 stations at the average price at $3.19 a gallon: Pilot at 8035 Perry Highway GetGo at 6001 Knowledge Parkway GetGo at 6400 Peach St. GetGo at 4307 Buffalo Road Citgo at 347 E. 12th St. Citgo at 5866 Station Road Citgo at 430 High St. in Waterford Shell Station at 605 Parade St. Shell Station at 13850 PA-8 in Wattsburg BP at 4050 Depot Road Kwik Fill at 717 High St in Waterford More: Why is there an anti-DOGE billboard ad in Erie? Experts weigh in The AAA Travel website lists the average retail price of gas across the U.S. at $3.19 per gallon. The average price across Pennsylvania is $3.28, which is higher than Erie County's $3.19 average price listed by In ranking the states by lowest to highest prices, Pennsylvania ranks at No. 41. The top five states with the highest prices are: California at $4.92 a gallon Hawaii at $4.49 a gallon Washington at $4.33 a gallon Nevada at $3.96 a gallon Oregon at $3.95 a gallon AAA states that the top five states with the cheapest average gas prices include: Mississippi at $2.66 a gallon Tennessee at $2.71 a gallon Louisiana at $2.73 a gallon Alabama at $2.76 a gallon Texas at $2.80 a gallon Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cheapest gas prices around Erie County, PA
