Democratic legislator slams ‘catastrophic leak’ of Yemen war plans

Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the House Armed Services Committee, says Trump owes the American people an “immediate explanation” on how top US officials included a journalist in a group chat discussing the country’s attacks on Yemen.

“The Atlantic’s reporting of senior Trump officials talking about classified and highly sensitive information regarding US military operations on an unclassified messaging app is an appalling example of incompetence, appears to be a violation of federal policy and law, and threatens US [national security] and the lives of American service members,” Smith wrote in a statement shared on X.

Smith said the president’s explanation should cover “how this catastrophic leak occurred and what he’s done to ensure it never happens again”.

Earlier today, Trump told journalists he was unaware of reports relating to the leak, after White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told journalists the message thread “appears to be authentic”.

The Atlantic’s reporting of senior Trump officials talking about classified and highly sensitive information regarding U.S. military operations on an unclassified messaging app is an appalling example of incompetence, appears to be a violation of federal policy and law, and… pic.twitter.com/nRFh0sJSEc

— House Armed Services Democrats (@HASCDemocrats) March 25, 2025

Palestinian-American legislator criticises Democratic response to war plans leak

Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has slammed her party’s reaction to the Trump administration sharing war plans in a messaging group that included a US journalist.

Senior officials in the party had called for an investigation as well as for heads to roll over the “outrageous security breach”.

Tlaib, who is the only Palestinian-American representative in the US Congress, noted that the outcry was over the leak rather than the deadly attacks that have killed at least 53 people in Yemen.

“More heat for using a group chat than for the bombing itself,” she wrote in a short post on X.

More heat for using a group chat than for the bombing itself. https://t.co/aH2R5vXiag

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) March 24, 2025

Tulsi looks absolutely out of her depth, the whole lot of them look like children being told off, Lol. Democrats should subpoena Goldberg so he can reveal everything without fear of the Trump administration arresting him on some bullshit charges like the espionage act. If nothing is classified then Republicans should have no fear of it all being revealed, but we all know they're bullshitting us.

Some US embassies in Europe warn visa seekers against promoting Hamas

Embassies in at least 17 European countries have put up posts featuring images of Trump administration officials, warning those seeking visas that engaging in behaviour deemed harmful by the government could lead to deportation.

For instance, one post put up by the US Embassy in Sweden reads: “When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest. Now, if you are in this country to promote Hamas, to promote terrorist organizations, to participate in vandalism, to participate in acts of rebellion and riots on campus, we never would have let you in if we had known that. You lied to us. You’re out.”

When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest. Now, if you are in this country to promote Hamas, to promote terrorist organizations, to participate in vandalism, to participate in acts of rebellion and riots on campus, we never would have let you… pic.twitter.com/RDPLL5EDuW

— US Embassy in Sweden (@usembsweden) March 21, 2025

Trump nominee for Israel ambassador faces Senate confirmation hearing

Mike Huckabee, a conservative evangelical commentator and former Arkansas governor, will appear before the Senate today for a review of his qualifications for the diplomatic post.

Known as a staunch backer of Israel, Huckabee is likely to face questions regarding his declared support for illegal Israeli settlements and questioning of Palestinian identity. Recently, Huckabee referred to himself as an “unapologetic, unreformed Zionist”, and said “there really isn’t such a thing” as a Palestinian.

In prepared remarks for today’s testimony, cited by the AP, Huckabee plans to hail Trump’s first-term policies towards Israel, including signing the Abraham Accords, moving the US Embassy to West Jerusalem, and recognising Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

Before the hearing, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the longest-serving Jewish member in the House of Representatives, called Huckabee “woefully unfit to serve” in the role. “A vote for Huckabee is a vote to empower a Christian nationalist vision for American foreign policy,” he said.

Oscar-winning Palestinian director of ‘No Other Land’ released from Israeli detention after (getting) assault(ed by Israeli Settlers)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/middleeast/ballal-oscar-palestinian-beaten-israeli-settlers-intl-latam/index.html

The Palestinian co-director of Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” Hamdan Ballal was beaten up by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and taken away by Israeli soldiers, his colleagues and eyewitnesses said.

Outside Ballal’s home was a group of Israeli settlers, some of whom were throwing stones, Adra said. Israeli police and military were also outside the home and Israeli soldiers were firing at anyone who tried to get close, he added.

....

Five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) who were also at the scene on Monday said they too had been assaulted by Israeli settlers. They said more than a dozen settlers had attacked the village, wielding batons, knives and at least one assault rifle, following a dispute involving an Israeli settler who was shepherding near a Palestinian home.

Jenna, an activist who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said she and her colleagues were attacked by around 20 masked settlers when they approached Susya that night.

“We tried to retreat to the car, and they hit me with sticks,” she told CNN, adding that the settlers smashed several of the car’s windows and slashed a tire. Video from the car’s dash camera shared by CJNV shows a masked individual throwing a rock directly at the windshield, and photos show broken glass littering its interior.

Josh Kimelman, who was in the same group, said Israeli soldiers witnessed the incident but did nothing to prevent it.

“We told them that they attacked us,” Kimelman told CNN. “They said everything will be fine and then stood by us and didn’t follow the settlers.”

US progressive groups urge Senate to reject Trump pick for envoy to Israel

More than 65 progressive groups – including Muslim, Christian and Jewish organisations – have penned a letter to top senators, urging them to block the nomination of Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel.

Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, has denied the existence of Palestinians as a people and voiced support for Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank. The Senate is holding his confirmation hearing today.

The groups said Huckabee is “unfit to serve”, citing the nominee’s own past statements.

“Huckabee’s blatant disregard for international human rights principles and inflammatory rhetoric undermine the values of inclusion and mutual respect that guide US diplomacy,” the letter read.

“As Ambassador to Israel, Mr Huckabee would play a key role in shaping US policy in one of the world’s most complex and volatile regions.

“His appointment would send a dangerous signal that the United States does not respect international law, and endorses divisive and discriminatory policies that exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects of a just and lasting peace.”

Signatories of the letter include MPower Change Action Fund, Pax Christi USA, Justice Democrats and IfNotNow.

Mike Huckabee's confirmation hearing is TODAY. 65+ progressive, faith, human rights groups including @MPower_Change @demandprogress @IfNotNowOrg @justicedems @uscpr_action @PaxChristiUSA sent a letter to Senators urging that they reject Mike Huckabee as the next Ambassador to… pic.twitter.com/OLBqzIyYfe

— Yasmine Taeb (@YasmineTaeb) March 25, 2025

College student sought for deportation sues US government

US authorities are seeking to deport a university student who has resided in the country since she was seven years old, her lawsuit fighting the action says, as the US administration ramps up President Donald Trump’s campaign against students linked to pro-Palestinian protests.

Trump has targeted New York’s Columbia University, which the student attends, an epicentre of the US student protest movement sparked by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The Trump administration has stripped federal funds and directed immigration officers to deport foreign student demonstrators.

Authorities are seeking to detain Yunseo Chung, 21, a South Korean citizen and permanent resident of the US, under the same powers they recently used to arrest and hold Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil pending deportation.

Chung, whom officers have been reportedly unable to find, sued the US government on Monday arguing that “immigration enforcement – here, immigration detention and threatened deportation – may not be used as a tool to punish noncitizen speakers who express political views disfavored by the current administration”.

The current whereabouts of Chung are unknown, according to reports.

Federal judge issues temporary restraining order stopping federal agents from detaining Columbia University student


_{Yunseo Chung is a 21-year-old permanent resident and Columbia University junior.}

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/us/yunseo-chung-columbia-lawsuit-trump-ice/index.html

A federal judge Tuesday temporarily stopped federal agents from detaining 21-year-old Yunseo Chung, a US permanent resident and Columbia University junior, following her participation in pro-Palestinian protests.

Chung sued the Trump administration Monday to stop removal proceedings.

The lawsuit is also looking to stop the “pattern and practice of targeting individuals associated with protests for Palestinian rights for immigration enforcement,” saying it is retaliation for protected political speech.

Judge rules Columbia protester Yunseo Chung can't be detained as she fights deportation

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/columbia-protester-yunseo-chung-sues-trump-administration-prevent-depo-rcna197927

It seems that the US goverment is trying to be the "joke" of the world at this rate.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/fetterman-mccormick-conor-lamb-book-event-town-hall-20250324.html

Just for context, Conor Lamb ran to Fetterman's right in the 2022 Senate primary. He was the representative of my house district which is 51%-53% Democratic vs. 47-49% Republican (this district used to be solidly Republican until a 2018 special election after our uncontested GOP representative was caught trying to pay for his mistress's abortion and then after that PA maps were re-drawn to reduce the gerrymandering.) 

Just goes to show how far right Fetterman has shifted. 

Personally, going to see if my local DSA (which I am a member of) is planning to protest this and will show up if they are. I don't think Trump and elected MAGA are responsive to town-halls/protests now that they don't need their base anymore, but Democrats better start learning to be.

If Lamb primaries Fetterman in 2028, he'll be getting my vote even though he is a moderate and I typically prefer as far left of candidates as possible. 

Answering "I don't recall" for questions about a conversation that happened several days ago is just code for "I am lying but don't want to be found guilty of perjury".

All of these people should be immediately impeached.