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Category: Trump administration

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maxwell Frost Introduces Legislation to Expose Human Rights Abuses in Immigration Detention System – SUDEM Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    June 18, 2025

    Watch the Orlando Press Conference Here

    ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY),introduced the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, legislation that would expose widespread human rights violations in America’s immigration detention system and shine a light on the secretive practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Across the country and in Florida, ICE detention centers have become synonymous with secrecy, abuse, and due process violations. From documented toxic exposures and medical neglect at Glades County Detention Center, to whistleblower-confirmed racial harassment and excessive force at Baker County, to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions at Krome North — a disturbing pattern has emerged: human beings are being subjected to cruelty and neglect, often without public knowledge or legal transparency.

    “Donald Trump and Republicans have turned our immigration system into a taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation,” said Rep. Frost. “People are being disappeared into a system that operates in the shadows — without public accountability, without basic human dignity, and often without legal justification. The SUDEM Act is about pulling back the curtain. This bill won’t fix everything, but if Donald Trump and his allies think these policies are defensible, then they shouldn’t be afraid to tell the public exactly what they’re doing. If they’re proud of it, they’ll report it. If they’re ashamed, they need to end it.”

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    “The secrecy surrounding this administration’s immigration policy is the stuff of dictatorship, not democracy,” said Rep. Espaillat. “When masked ICE agents are playing fast and loose with the law and elected officials are being arrested for visiting detention facilities for lawful oversight and accountability, including at Delaney Hall in Newark, 26 Federal Plaza in my district, and the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles—Congress must act. The American people demand answers and have a right to know who is being detained and why. We are introducing this legislation to reaffirm our call to action to know about the mothers, children, and even legal immigrants who are filling these detention facilities. If the Trump Administration is adamant they are following the will of the American people, then they should have no problem letting the American people and the world know what is happening behind the scenes at these facilities. The Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act aims to uncover the truth and hold those responsible for the unlawful detention of innocent individuals accountable for their actions.”

    The legislation comes amid a growing push by the Trump Administration to expand ICE detention — including a proposed $45 billion in new funding — and as states like Florida move to deputize their entire jail systems in an effort to help ICE detain even more people.

    The SUDEM Act would require all ICE-operated and ICE-affiliated facilities to publicly disclose key data, including:

    • Who is being detained — where, when, and why.

    • The legal authority and evidence behind each detention.

    • Demographic data — age, nationality, and legal status.

    • Facility-wide reporting on use of force, disciplinary actions, transfers, and deportations.

    The SUDEM Act is part of Rep. Frost’s continued efforts to advance human rights and demand transparency in federal immigration enforcement.

    The bill has been endorsed by Public Citizen, CASA, LULAC, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), HOPE Community Center, Orlando Center for Justice, and the Hispanic Federation.

    “The Trump administration has tread into unlawful and alarming detention practices under the guise of immigration reform. The administration has unleashed an overly-zealous enforcement team, known as ICE, that is arresting and detaining scores of people, oftentimes using unnecessarily violent tactics. The abuses of enforcement power the nation has witnessed by ICE is unrivaled by any previous administration, Democratic or Republican. Rep. Frost’s Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment Act is a sorely-needed effort to rein in these abuses,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

    “Orlando Center for Justice proudly supports Representative Maxwell Frost’s bill to establish a transparent, publicly accessible immigration detention database. As an organization that defends the rights of immigrants, we believe accountability and access to information are essential to ensuring due process, protecting civil liberties, safeguarding human dignity, and keeping our communities safe,” said Gisselle Martinez, Esq., Legal Director for Orlando Center for Justice, Inc. 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Blasts Democrat Hypocrisy in Hegseth Hearing, They ‘Should Be Ashamed’ for the Last Four Years

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Blasts Democrat Hypocrisy in Hegseth Hearing, They ‘Should Be Ashamed’ for the Last Four Years

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed Democrats for their hypocritical lines of questioning towards Secretary Pete Hegseth at today’s hearing to examine the Department of Defense’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2026.

    In his remarks, Senator Mullin addressed Senate Democrats’ refusal to hold the Biden administration accountable for anything the last four years, including the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the cover-up of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full remarks can be found here.

    On the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan:

    “Talk about accountability, I wonder who was held accountable for the disastrous withdrawal out of Afghanistan, where 13 soldiers died and we left thousands of Americans behind underneath Secretary Austin’s lead. Did one person get held accountable during that time? I don’t know of anybody that got held accountable for Afghanistan withdrawal.”

    On the Democrat cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline:

    “History is history. Look back at it, if you want to or not. But keep in mind every time you’re pointing fingers here, you got three fingers pointing back at you.”

    “Because the previous administration you guys 100% turned a blind eye to and did nothing to hold them accountable, nothing. So don’t sit up here on the dais and pretend like you’re trying to hold the administration accountable now, because you didn’t for four years.”

    “You literally covered up for a commander in chief that was absent. Absent minded and absent leadership. And you guys did absolutely nothing, even your left-leaning media is saying it was the worst cover up possibly in political history. Yet nothing from you guys. You all should be ashamed of yourself. Literally, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

    On the difference between a failing Biden administration and a roaring Trump administration:

    “Let’s talk about the turmoil to which my colleagues on the other side of the dais wants to talk about. Let’s talk about that turmoil. Underneath Secretary Austin, who was a general by the way, you had the lowest morale measured in our military history, you had retention absolutely disastrous, you had recruitments that wasn’t even meeting lowered standards that you guys lowered.”

    “But let me see the contrast. We have the highest morale that’s been measured in decades in the military. We have recruiting numbers that are exceeding expectations that we’ve had. We have our enemies that fear us once again, and our allies that love us because they can trust us, but that’s not the narrative, Secretary Hegseth, that our Democrat colleagues want to draw.”

    On the Trump administration cleaning up the mess of the last four years:

    “You want to talk about, war powers, or the fact that during our reposturing in the Middle East against Iran, which would have never taken place if our colleagues on the other side would have held the administration accountable while they were giving billions of dollars back to Iran, and knowing good and well during the briefings that they were actually trying to develop a nuclear weapon, but we turned a blind eye to that.”

    “And now the mess that was created by the Biden administration, this administration, underneath the Trump administration and the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, is simply trying to clean up.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Shares Video Urging Congress to Oppose U.S. Involvement in Netanyahu’s War with Iran: “I do not want the United States to get involved in another Mideast war.” 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today shared a video voicing his concerns about potential involvement by the United States in the Israel-Iran conflict, urging Senators of both parties to strongly oppose allowing Netanyahu to pull the U.S. into yet another forever war in the Middle East: 
    Watch the full video here:

    Read a transcript of the video below: 
    “I do not want the United States to get involved in another Mideast war, this time with Iran, and I am increasingly concerned by recent remarks from President Trump that he is, in fact, considering joining Israel’s war against Iran.  
    “What’s becoming very clear is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing all he can to lull President Trump into abandoning the commitment he made as a candidate to keep us out of Mideast wars, to get him in yet another one. You know, since he came into office, President Trump has been focused on diplomatic negotiations with Iran. We do not want them to have a nuclear weapon, just as Obama did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.  
    “And just days ago, Trump’s peace negotiators were set to meet again with the Iranian negotiators. I supported those negotiations. But Prime Minister Netanyahu has been talking about bombing Iran for 30 years. He put those talks to an end with his targeting of Iran’s top negotiator on the first night of the airstrikes.  
    “And those strikes, by the way, have not included just nuclear facilities, but Iranian leadership and civilian centers in the heart of Tehran. These are tell-tale signs that the Netanyahu goal is not just about Iran’s nuclear program. It’s about regime change. Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to get a new regime in Iran. You know what? That sounds easy. But what we’ve learned over and over again that forcing regime change from outside in, in the Middle East does not create lasting peace. Quite the opposite. We saw that with Iraq, and we saw that with Afghanistan.  
    “The Constitution explicitly gives Congress the responsibility to declare war. And of course, bombing a country, Iran is an act of war. That’s why I strongly support measures by my colleagues, Senator Kaine and Senator Sanders, that would require Congress to debate whether we should be dragged into Netanyahu’s next war.  
    “If we had that debate, I’d remind Americans about the track record of regime change wars in the Middle East. Netanyahu advocated strongly for President Bush’s ill-fated invasion of Iraq in 2003. And remember when Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said that the Iraq War would last only five days or five weeks or five months? But it certainly isn’t going to last any longer than that. That’s what he said. Eight years later and thousands of American soldiers were killed, we knew how wrong he was.  
    “If we had that debate in Congress, I would remind Americans that President Bush promised the war in Afghanistan—America’s longest war ever—had clear objectives. President Bush said, ‘To all the men and women in our military, I say this. Your mission is defined. Your objectives are clear.’ Yes. Of course. 20 years later and thousands of lives later, we’re back to the Taliban in charge.  
    “And if we had that debate in Congress about this proposed war, I would remind Americans that Netanyahu has already had a chance to try bombing his way to peace. 60,000 lives have been lost and we flattened the homes of over 2 million people, orchards, schools, and hospitals. And in fact, the population of Gaza is still under siege, not getting access to the food and the medicine that are absolutely essential if they’re not going to starve.  
    “Senators of both parties must come together to oppose allowing Netanyahu to pull the United States into yet another forever war in the Middle East.” 
    ••• 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Homeland Security Warns about the Spike in China-Based Technology Firms’ Smuggling of Signal Jammers

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The Department of Homeland Security issued a warning on the rise in Chinese-manufactured signal jammers to the United States, which pose a threat to public safety and civilian aviation. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seen a roughly 830% increase in seizures since 2021, despite Chinese companies’ attempts to subvert inspection.

    Signal jammers can be used to disrupt a range of radio frequency channels, and pose a threat to emergency response, law enforcement and critical infrastructure.

    • South American illegal aliens jam calls to local police during home invasions or bank robberies in Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.
    • In February 2025, law enforcement in Texas recovered a signal jammer while arresting an illegal alien from Chile.
    • In December 2024, a criminal used a jammer as law enforcement responded to a burglary.

    “Signal jammers have been used by illegal aliens across the country to jam communications during police operations, bank robberies, burglaries, and other dangerous crimes. Under the vigilance of CBP, national security begins at America’s ports. As Chinese manufacturers attempt to smuggle signal jammers, we will continue to seize these tools of terrorism. President Trump and Secretary Noem will always protect America’s critical infrastructure and law enforcement.” – DHS Spokesperson.

    U.S. federal law already prohibits the private import, operation, marketing, or sale of any signal jamming equipment that interferes with law enforcement communications, GPS, or radar. Chinese counterparts could be amenable to cooperation because signal jammers are banned in Beijing for public use.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Hernández Call on Trump Administration to Maintain Funding for Puerto Rico Energy Resilience

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico Pablo José Hernández (D-P.R.) led 19 Members of Congress in a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund. In 2022, Congress approved $1 billion for the fund to improve the resilience of the Puerto Rican electric grid.

    “We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund away from providing the most vulnerable citizens of Puerto Rico with backup power,” wrote the Members. “As you know, these congressionally appropriated funds were intended to provide solar and battery storage at residential communities and health centers across the island. DOE has claimed that the funds will now be deployed to ‘support practical fixes that offer a faster, more impactful solution to the current crisis.’ We, however, remain greatly concerned that the people of Puerto Rico are being used as pawns in President Trump’s attack on clean energy, and fail to see a justification for this action.”

    “The long-term recovery process of Puerto Rico’s electric grid has been marked by significant challenges, including recurring power outages that continue to impact the daily lives of Puerto Ricans, with one as recently as this past April,” continued the Members. “We are concerned that redirecting this funding would restart the allocation process, delaying timely and needed resources to medically vulnerable populations. In addition, the legal justification for this “reallocation” of funds, with seeming disregard to congressional intent, remains unclear.”

    Read the full letter here. Additional signatories to the letter include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.-26), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.-09), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07).

    The first and only Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Cortez Masto is committed to raising awareness about the needs of people in Puerto Rico. She has supported federal relief for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters and has pressed FEMA on their preparedness plans to protect Puerto Rico and the U.S. Islands during hurricane season. She has also previously introduced the Puerto Rico Status Act, legislation establishing a process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine the future of the island’s political status.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Presses Hegseth on Protecting American Troops in the Middle East and the Importance of International Agreements, Secures Secretary’s Commitment to Investigate Hiring Delays at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in his first appearance before the Committee since being confirmed to lead the Pentagon in January. As violence escalates in the Middle East and President Trump weighs U.S. involvement, Secretary Hegseth did nothing to reassure the American public that men and women deployed in the Middle East, as well as Americans living abroad, would be protected if the President decides to enter the United States into active hostilities. Following concerns she heard from partners abroad at the Paris Air Show, Shaheen pressed Hegseth on the importance of international agreements like AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and U.S.)—which Secretary Hegseth has placed under review—to efforts key to deterring China. Shaheen additionally secured commitment from Secretary Hegseth to raise hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to quickly get public shipyard workers onboarded into the jobs they’ve been hired to do that are integral to national security. Click here to watch the Shaheen’s full remarks and questions.  

    Key Quotes from Shaheen: 

    • On the escalation of violence in the Middle East, Shaheen said: “I understand that we have 40,000 troops deployed in the region, many of whom are in range of Iranian missiles. And it’s been reported that the president is being asked to consider providing the bunker-buster bomb that is required to be carried only by the B-2 bomber and would require a U.S. pilot. That raises real concerns about what retaliation might mean for the safety and stability of the entire region, and our troops and Americans who are in the region.” 
    • On hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that have been unaddressed by the Secretary, Shaheen said: “Last week, Mr. Secretary, […] you reaffirmed the need for an exemption for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to your hiring freeze. […] I’d like to ask you again, because we have not yet heard anything from you or from the Office of Personnel Management about how they’re responding to this. DoD has told us that the Office of Personnel Management needs to review every single new hire, one by one at a time when we need 550 people every year just to keep up with the Navy’s demand for maintenance and on its nuclear submarines. So will you commit to talking to OPM on this issue?” 
    • On the importance of international agreements, Shaheen said: “Six of us on this committee just returned from the largest air show in the world. […] And one of the concerns that I heard from many of the companies that I talked to was about the potential to partner with our allies and partners for innovation, for co-production, and one concern I heard was about the proposed review of the AUKUS agreement. That’s after the Australian government has already contributed half a $1 billion to our submarine industrial base. And American and UK shipbuilders have made capital investments to support the increased demand. So do you disagree with the position that President Trump has taken about AUKUS, that we should move forward? And what is the review expected to produce?” 

    Shaheen pressed Hegseth during a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. In a letter to Secretary Hegseth last month, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.   

    Citing national security concerns and a lack of qualifications on the Senate floor, Shaheen announced in January that Hegseth would be the first nominee for Secretary of Defense that she opposed since joining the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in 2011.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: From the Paris Air Show, Shaheen Pens Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Warning Trump’s Trade Policy Threatens Our National Defense and Global Alliances

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – After co-leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Paris Air Show, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal warning that President Trump’s trade policy threatens American national defense and global alliances. In her piece, Shaheen argues that the president’s tariff policy threatens our relationships around the globe, exacerbates existing supply chain disruptions and threatens American defense readiness. You can read her op-ed here.

    In part, Shaheen writes: “While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with our allies—is more critical than ever.”

    Shaheen concludes: “The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.”

    The op-ed is available here and in full below:

    Trump’s Tariffs Weaken America’s Military

    Eighty years ago, the U.S. Army Air Forces staged an exhibition beneath the Eiffel Tower. Thousands of Parisians gathered to admire the B-17 Flying Fortress—an American-built aircraft that helped liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Primitive by today’s standards, those bombers were the product of a national industrial base operating at full capacity. They were deployed by a trans-Atlantic alliance that shared logistics, intelligence and purpose. That model of coordination is what we need now—but it’s being tested by a trade agenda that favors confrontation over cooperation.

    As I co-lead the congressional delegation to this week’s Paris Air Show, the world’s largest defense aerospace expo, I find myself asking: Is the greatest obstacle to America’s security not China or Russia but our own trade policy?

    The U.S. defense industry’s capacity to meet the demand for arms was already stretched thin by the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Trump administration further disrupted supply chains and increased production costs through more than 50 tariff announcements and a patchwork of shifting duties. The imposition of these tariffs has pressured allies to respond in kind. This cycle worsens supply-chain disruptions, driving up costs and causing delays in defense production.

    President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this month. Regardless of any exemptions the administration offers, building a modern America-class amphibious assault ship requires 45,000 tons of steel. The net effect of this trade policy will be higher costs across the board, from military aircraft and lightweight armor plating to submarine repairs and shipbuilding.

    Tariffs will also affect small, specialized components like those used in jet engines, night vision systems, and landing gear. When I recently met with a New Hampshire company that makes ball bearings for the aerospace industry, executives told me tariffs have driven up their costs and extended their production time—concerns industry leaders echoed in Paris.

    These delays and rising costs don’t only slow American readiness; they erode our allies’ trust in the U.S. as a dependable partner. The strain is already evident. Although the F-35 fighter jet is “the pinnacle of aerial combat technology,” in Vice President JD Vance’s words, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have signaled they may reconsider participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

    Demand for American-made weapons remains strong, especially from front-line nations like Poland. It is racing to acquire Himars rocket launchers and Abrams tanks. But even as the Trump administration pressures allies to spend more on defense, its trade policies and combative rhetoric are sowing doubt about the reliability of parts, maintenance and pricing. That’s prompting U.S. partners to reassess their long-term defense commitments. President Emmanuel Macron underscored this shift when he said, “My goal is to persuade EU countries that rely on U.S. weapons to choose European alternatives.”

    European leaders have legitimate cause for concern, and their increased defense spending reflects it. Vladimir Putin has reoriented Russia’s economy around the war in Ukraine, churning out more than 1,400 Iskander ballistic missiles a year and at one point signing up 1,000 new recruits a day. His effort is backed by North Korea, Iran and, most significantly, China.

    While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with allies—is more critical than ever.

    The administration argues that reliance on foreign imports undermines American defense readiness and that tariffs will protect U.S. industries. But the defense industrial base has evolved over generations, and restructuring it would take decades—time we simply don’t have.

    Russia, China and Iran may feel distant to many Americans. But for those of us with family who served in World War II—or who confront national-security challenges daily in government service—the risks are clear and they are growing.

    As the B-17 displayed in Paris that summer of 1945 symbolized a robust industrial base united with steadfast allies, today’s defense readiness depends on a similarly coordinated approach—one that can’t thrive amid tariffs that alienate our closest partners.

    We need a smarter, more unified strategy. Tariffs on our closest allies aren’t only damaging our economy, they’re undermining our shared defense readiness. At a minimum, the administration should provide answers on how these tariffs are affecting our defense supply chains. I’ve asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for this information but received no response.

    The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.

    Last week, Shaheen pressed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. The exchange followed a letter sent to Hegseth in April where Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Intel Vice Chairman on TikTok

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement:

    “Once again, the Trump administration is flouting the law and ignoring its own national security findings about the risks posed by a PRC-controlled TikTok. An executive order can’t sidestep the law, but that’s exactly what the president is trying to do.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Secretary Wright Testifies Before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on FY2026 Budget Request

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the Department of Energy’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.

    Earlier this month, Secretary Wright testified before the U.S. House Energy Subcommittee to outline the department’s FY2026 request. He also appeared last month before both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development to outline department priorities and provide a comprehensive overview of the budget.

    The FY2026 Budget delivers on President Trump’s directive to restore American energy dominance, unleash every American energy advantage, and bring commonsense back to Washington. It returns non-defense discretionary spending to the most disciplined levels since 2017 and redirects over $15 billion away from the Green New Scam— a reckless Biden-era agenda that drives up costs, weakens reliability, and undermines U.S. energy strength. The department remains committed to being responsible stewards of American taxpayer dollars while protecting the affordable, abundant, and reliable energy our nation depends on. For more details, view the budget toplines here.

    Secretary Wright’s opening remarks:

    Thank you, Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as Secretary of Energy to discuss the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget request for the Department of Energy.

    Under President Trump’s leadership, our priorities for the Department are clear—to achieve American energy dominance, bolster our national security, meet our Cold War legacy cleanup commitments and unleash historic innovation, including AI, for our nation and world.

    We are driven by a bedrock conviction that an affordable, reliable, secure energy supply is the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation. When America leads in energy, we lead in prosperity, security and human flourishing.

    We are committed to advancing our critical missions while cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, and ensuring we are better stewards of taxpayer dollars.

    The President’s FY26 budget will ensure taxpayer resources are allocated appropriately and cost-effectively. We will invest DOE’s resources in technologies and sources that support affordable, reliable, and secure energy and provide a return on investment for the American taxpayers. DOE has several tools at its disposal that can advance these emerging energy technologies, and I thank the committee for their leadership in establishing a new “Energy Dominance Financing Program” for DOE’s Loan Program Office as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. This will enable DOE to return to its core mission of supporting projects that are most critical to America’s energy security while maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars—something DOE failed to do in the previous administration.

    It is deeply concerning how many billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration. DOE is undertaking a thorough review of financial assistance that identifies waste of taxpayer dollars, protects America’s national security and advances President Trump’s commitment to unleash American energy dominance. As a result, we recently announced the termination of 24 projects totaling over $3.7 billion in taxpayer-funded financial assistance. These projects failed to meet the economic, national security or energy security standards necessary to sustain DOE’s investment, and the taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize them.

    Instead, we are advancing a policy of energy addition—fully leveraging affordable, reliable and secure resources that have powered our country for generations. The United States is blessed with an abundance of coal, oil, and natural gas, and our Administration is committed to using them to meet growing energy needs of the American people.

    Every one of these resources was unleashed through the world-changing power of American innovation. Our National Labs are the engine that drives research and development to expand our energy dominance. We will prioritize research that supports true technological breakthroughs and maintains America’s global competitiveness.

    America must play a leading role commercialization of reliable, safe and secure nuclear energy, and we are taking steps to accelerate innovation in this sector. DOE is working to advance the rapid deployment of next-generation nuclear technology, including small modular reactors.

    I am proud to report that we have officially ended the previous administration’s reckless pause on LNG export permits and have returned to regular order for reviewing and approving new permits. DOE will also work to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve—a national asset that protects our security in times of crisis—and I want to thank this committee for prioritizing funding to refill the SPR in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    We are advancing President Trump’s pledge to lower the cost of living and expand choice by rightsizing DOE’s approach to home efficiency standards and regulations. Under the President’s direction, we’ve begun slashing more than 47 regulations as part of the largest deregulatory effort in history. These actions are projected to save the American people approximately $11 billion while restoring consumer freedom and lowering costs.

    The responsible stewardship and modernization of the nation’s nuclear weapons systems is paramount for this Administration. DOE is focused on addressing critical upgrades for the U.S. nuclear stockpile and maintaining our engine powerhouses for submarines and aircraft carriers. Both tasks will become even more crucial in the next few years.

    Our nuclear innovation as a nation began with the Manhattan Project, and the next Manhattan Project is clearly AI. DOE has a significant role to play in driving AI innovation for scientific discovery and national security. Our agency has world-class high-performance computing capabilities, including four of the world’s top ten supercomputers.

    Harnessing our energy potential to power global AI leadership while meeting growing demand will be the challenge of our time. But America doesn’t back down from big challenges or big builds.

    As Secretary of Energy, I am honored by the responsibility to help meet the American people’s growing energy needs and lead the world in energy development. I appreciated the opportunity to work with many of you on this committee to unlock America’s full energy potential and drive down costs for families with the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve President Trump’s energy dominance agenda.

    Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the committee today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department Announces New Pathway to Test Advanced Reactors

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the start of a new pilot program to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs under DOE authority outside of the national laboratories. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy, DOE issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified U.S. reactor companies interested in constructing and operating their test reactors outside of the national laboratories using the DOE authorization process. Today’s action represents an important step toward streamlining nuclear reactor testing and ensuring at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026.  

    “For too long, the federal government has stymied the development and deployment of advanced civil nuclear reactors in the United States,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are expediting the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and giving American innovators a new path forward to advance their designs, propelling our economic prosperity and bolstering our national security.” 

    President Trump is committed to re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and securing a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply to drive American prosperity and technological advancement. The new reactor pilot program will help to unleash American nuclear energy capabilities, support U.S. jobs and strengthen American innovation. 

    The pilot program builds on current efforts to demonstrate advanced reactors on DOE sites through microreactor testbeds and other projects led by the Department of Defense and private industry. It is specifically designed to foster research and development of nuclear reactors and not demonstrate reactors for commercial suitability. Seeking DOE authorization provided under the Atomic Energy Act will help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants.   

    DOE will consider advanced reactors that have a reasonable chance to operate by the July 4, 2026 deadline. Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning each test reactor. Moreover, applicants will be competitively selected based on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to achieving criticality.  

    Initial applications are due by July 21, 2025, with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis. DOE will sponsor an Industry Day event on June 25, 2025, which will include virtual and in-person attendance. Registration is required and additional information may be found on the FedConnect listing for the RFA. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Trump Attacks on TPS, Markey, Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Put Forward Bill to Protect TPS and DED Recipients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (June 18, 2025) – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was joined by 30 Senate colleagues in putting forward legislation to provide qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. The Senators’ reintroduction of this legislation – the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act – comes as the Trump Administration and the right-wing Supreme Court undermine TPS, a program that has for years provided refuge to those living in America who have fled natural disasters, violence, and political insecurity. The Trump Administration has revoked TPS for an estimated 563,000 recipients from five countries – Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Nepal – and while there have been legal challenges filed against this action, the Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the revocation to stand – putting hundreds of thousands at risk of deportation to their home countries where they would face serious danger.

    This legislation is endorsed by AFL-CIO, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), CASA, National TPS Alliance, Working Families United, the National Network for Arab American Communities, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP).

    “As Donald Trump continues to strip immigrant communities of critical legal protections, we must protect the individuals who came to our country seeking safe harbor and who cannot return home safely. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the SECURE Act, to ensure that individuals fleeing armed conflicts, political unrest, or environmental disasters have a guaranteed pathway to safety in the United States. Recipients of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure are our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues, and we cannot turn our backs on them. We must be loud and clear – immigrants are welcome here,” said Senator Markey.

    “America has long used the TPS and DED programs to offer special legal protections to individuals in the United States whose lives would be put at extreme risk if forced to return to their countries of origin. As they’ve sought safety and stability here, TPS and DED recipients have built new lives in America, living here legally for years – sometimes decades – and making important contributions to our communities. But the Trump Administration is threatening both the lives they have built and the safety of these individuals – forcing TPS recipients to return to dangerous places like Haiti, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and more. This bill offers much-needed certainty to TPS and DED recipients – providing a path to stay safely in the U.S. and continue to call America their home,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “TPS and DED recipients are valuable members of our communities. Many have lived here for years with U.S. children, spouses, and even businesses they’ve built — yet they are forced to live in uncertainty and fear that they may lose everything if they lose TPS or DED. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to give TPS and DED recipients a path to permanent residence so they can continue to contribute to America,” said Senator Kaine.

    “America is strengthened by the contributions and hard work of immigrants. But this Administration’s cruelty has left thousands of workers in limbo — without legal status and without work authorization,” said Senator Padilla. “The SECURE Act provides TPS holders who live and work in the United States legally, seeking safety after fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries, the security of a pathway to permanent residency protections while continuing to contribute to our communities and economy.”

    “TPS recipients have come to the U.S. to escape widespread violence and environmental disasters in their countries that make returning home unsafe.  As they rebuild their lives here, TPS recipients, as longtime residents of the United States, deserve security and certainty about their immigration status,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Van Hollen to introduce the SECURE Act to provide TPS recipients a pathway to legal permanent residency.”

    “As the Trump administration terrorizes immigrant communities and arbitrarily revokes TPS and DED for law-abiding immigrants, it’s important that we speak up and push back every way we can, and support individuals who are contributing to our communities and would be at severe risk if they were to be forced to return to their countries of origin,” said Senator Murray. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the SECURE Act to provide immigrants with Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure a path to legal permanent residency.”

    “After escaping horrific violence and persecution in their home countries, TPS and DED recipients come to this country in search of a better life,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “These hardworking men and women have been living in and contributing to our communities for years, and it’s common sense to give them the certainty they need to fulfill the American Dream.”

    “Virginia is home to tens of thousands of law-abiding immigrants who are unable to return to their countries of origin due to painful extraordinary circumstances. Though these individuals benefit from certain protections from deportation, they remain in limbo despite having lived and worked in the U.S. for years,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to create a real pathway to permanent residency for TPS and DED recipients who drive our economy and make valuable contributions to their communities.”

    “The Temporary Protected Status program has been a lifeline that has allowed people and families facing unimaginable circumstances to find a safe refuge here in the United States,” said Senator Rosen. “TPS recipients contribute to our communities and our economy, and they deserve a pathway to permanent residency, which is why I’m proud to help introduce this bill. I’ll keep standing up to protect Nevada’s immigrant families.”

    “TPS holders deserve certainty, especially when the Trump administration is suddenly ending people’s status with no justification and forcing them to return to unsafe conditions,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill would enable TPS holders to apply for permanent status so they can continue to live, work, and contribute in the United States without constantly being stuck in limbo.”

    “Families should have protection from ongoing wars, environmental disasters, widespread illness, and other dangers that make it difficult to return home,” said Senator Warren. “While Donald Trump makes it harder for immigrants to navigate our complex immigration system, Senate Democrats are fighting back to protect these vulnerable families.”

    “Scripture tells us: welcome the stranger in your midst,” said Senator Coons. “When we welcome those fleeing persecution and violence, hunger and poverty around the world, we show the world our values. That makes America safer, and it grows the economy in states like Delaware. The SECURE Act gives people searching for freedom and safety, who love this country, and who are already adding their valuable skills and gifts to our nation, a path to continue to do so.”

    “Our country has long supported families fleeing violence and seeking refuge,” said Senator Luján. “As this administration continues its attacks on TPS recipients, Congress must ensure a legal pathway to permanent residency for those who contribute to our communities every day. That’s why I’m partnering with my colleagues to reintroduce the SECURE Act to provide permanent protections for thousands of TPS recipients who live and work lawfully in the U.S.”

    “As immigrant communities continue to come under attack, the SECURE Act provides a clear pathway to permanent residency—offering overdue, necessary protections for immigrants and the lives they’ve built in our nation. America is a nation of immigrants and has a storied history of providing opportunity and refuge for those fleeing hardship or crisis. Individuals with TPS and DED have made America their home—using their talents and skills to strengthen our economies and enrich our communities—often while the countries from which they fled remain in turmoil,” said Senator Blumenthal.

    “Trump’s heartless immigration policies do nothing to make us safer and betray our core values—our nation always has been and always will be stronger because of our immigrant communities,” said Senator Duckworth. “While no one is arguing that we shouldn’t be deporting violent criminals who pose a danger to our country, it’s cruel to target people who fled from life-threatening situations and have been productive members of our communities for years. I’m proud to help Senator Van Hollen reintroduce this legislation to help give TPS and DED recipients a path to remain here as legal permanent residents.”

    “Our country should serve as a refuge for individuals who cannot return to their home country due to dangerous circumstances,” said Senator Hirono. “TPS holders and DED recipients living in our country are essential members of our communities, making up a significant amount of our workforce and contributing to our economy. As this administration continues its all-out attack on immigrants and their loved ones, I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to provide TPS and DED recipients peace of mind that they can remain in the country safely and with a path to lawful permanent residence.”

    “This bill is a necessary step in creating a pathway to legal permanent residency for TPS recipients,” said Senator Bennet. “They are already facing extraordinary and unstable conditions in their home countries; they shouldn’t have to face those same conditions here in the U.S.”

    “I’m joining the effort to pass the SECURE Act to stand by thousands in New Jersey who do not deserve to live in uncertainty and fear as the Trump administration arbitrarily revokes Temporary Protected Status,” said Senator Kim. “TPS recipients are friends and neighbors who are part of our communities and are essential to the economic growth of our state. We should use this moment to address disorder in our TPS program and immigration system – and deliver eligible families a pathway toward permanent stability and security.”

    “TPS provides protection for individuals and families who are unable to return to their countries due to dangerous conditions, including natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other disasters. Many find refuge in California where they can live and work lawfully under its protections. This legislation would provide a much-needed sense of security and stability to those who are living in the legal limbo caused by President Trump’s targeting of this program and his continued erosion of our nation’s commitment to helping those fleeing violence, famine, disease, and disaster,” said Senator Schiff.

    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.) Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    “Immigrant workers are under unprecedented attack: hundreds of thousands of people have been stripped of their legal status and work authorization, throwing families and industries into chaos and uncertainty. Workers with Temporary Protected Status, many of whom have lived and worked in our country for decades, are vital members of our communities and our unions. The SECURE Act is common-sense legislation that would provide TPS holders with stable, permanent lawful status so they can continue to raise their families, work, and contribute to our economy,” said Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President.

    “LIUNA commends Senator Van Hollen for his tireless efforts to protect workers and their family members who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), many of whom are members of our union and who have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades. About 1/3 of TPS holders work in construction. The SECURE Act will not only provide permanence to these hard-working immigrants, but will also help the U.S. economy by retaining these valued immigrants in our workforce,” said Brent Booker, General President, LIUNA.

    “Every day, thousands of people with TPS and DED who have built their lives, families, and futures here are forced to live with fear and uncertainty. They deserve more than endless waiting; they deserve real, permanent protection. As attacks on immigrant communities grow across the country, we must act without hesitation. We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen’s leadership – in this time of growing instability, the SECURE Act will offer dignity, safety, and security for our community,” said Cathryn Jackson, Public Policy Director of CASA.

    “Immigrant families and allies continue to advocate for permanent protections. The National TPS Alliance calls for long-overdue justice to our immigrant communities. The reintroduction of the SECURE Act in the Senate addresses the uncertainty that our families have been living for years. This bill is timely, ensuring that TPS holders don’t fall out of status and in turn preventing irreparable harm to whole communities, continuing critical contributions to the nation’s economy. We urge congressional leaders to support this critical effort,” said Mardoel Hernandez, TPS recipient from Honduras and National TPS Alliance Executive Committee Member.

    “TPS holders, including members of my own union, contribute to our economy every single day. Some may not know it, but our society is dependent on TPS holders in different industries, including in the building and construction trades. We need the SECURE Act so these workers can continue living, working, and raising their families without fear,” said IUPAT General President Jimmy Williams, Jr.; IUPAT is a member of the Working Families United Coalition.

    “The SECURE Act offers overdue protection for hundreds of thousands living in fear of being uprooted from the families, homes, and careers they built. The National Network for Arab American Communities believes this bill reflects a critical truth: our democracy and safety are strongest when everyone has the opportunity to live and contribute freely and lawfully,” said Rima Meroueh, Director, National Network for Arab American Communities.

    “Now more than ever, we need a solution for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status from countries like El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela and Haiti, whose lives have been in limbo under the chaos of this administration. We applaud the reintroduction of the SECURE Act by Senator Chris Van Hollen, which would create a path to citizenship for these individuals who contribute billions to our economy and whose lives would be in danger if they were sent back immediately to their home countries,” said Rocio Saenz, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU.

    “The ILWU stands in strong support of the SECURE Act, a commonsense measure that serves our country’s interests and recognizes the dignity and contributions of TPS and DED holders — hardworking individuals who have paid their taxes, contributed to our economy, and been model members of our communities. These men and women have earned a chance to live without fear, continue to contribute to their communities and build their lives in the country they’ve long called home. We urge Congress to pass this vital legislation without delay,” said International Longshore and Warehouse Union President Robert Olvera.

    “Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP) endorses the SECURE Act as a critical step toward justice and stability for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). For decades, these communities—Black, Asian, brown, working-class immigrants from countries facing war, repression, and climate disaster—have lived, worked, and raised families in the U.S. They are essential to our economy, our neighborhoods, and our collective future. Yet they continue to live in uncertainty, without a pathway to permanent protection. The SECURE Act honors their dignity, recognizes their profound contributions, and upholds our nation’s values of fairness and humanitarian responsibility. We urge Congress to act with courage and conscience and pass this bill without delay,” said Carolyn Tran, Executive Director, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP).

    Additional Background

    TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to foreign citizens who are endangered by conditions in their home country resulting from extraordinary events such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or epidemic. TPS status is granted for set periods ranging from six to 18 months, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country’s status on a recurring basis. Each time a country is recertified, recipients must reapply and pass a thorough background check. Recent estimates found there are approximately 860,000 people with TPS in the United States.

    Deferred enforced departure (DED) is a temporary and discretionary administrative stay of removal granted to foreign citizens from designated countries. Unlike TPS, a DED designation emanates from the President’s constitutional powers to conduct foreign relations and has no statutory basis. Grants are usually in response to war, civil unrest, or natural disasters, through an executive order or presidential memorandum that provides eligibility guidelines.

    The SECURE Act will provide long-term stability for these individuals and their communities by giving them the ability to apply for legal permanent residency. Under the bill, all TPS recipients – current and past – and TPS and DED eligible individuals who have been continuously present in the United States for at least three years would be eligible to apply for legal permanent residency.

    Additionally, under the SECURE Act:

    • A spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried child of a qualifying non-citizen would be eligible to obtain permanent resident status (upon meeting certain requirements).
    • Individuals with a pending TPS application will receive work authorization and be eligible for travel authorization.
    • Non-citizens who have a pending application or is prima facie eligible for permanent status under the bill and intends to apply are shielded from deportation.
    • Information from an applicant’s application may not be shared or used for immigration enforcement purposes, with limited exceptions, such as for the identification of fraudulent claims.
    • DHS must report to Congress when terminating a country’s TPS designation with an explanation to justify the termination.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pelosi Joins House Democrats in Defending NIH Grants Against Trump Administration’s Unlawful Termination

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined 151 House Democrats in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal and devastating cuts to life-saving medical research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The brief defends Congress’s Article I authority to appropriate federal funds and speaks up for every American who relies on crucial life-saving biomedical and public health research conducted at universities, medical schools, research hospitals, and other scientific institutions across the country. 

    House Democrats’ amicus brief was filed in the consolidated cases Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. NIH, Association of American Medical Colleges v. NIH, and Association of American Universities v. Department of Health and Human Services, all currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. These cases challenge the Trump Administration’s unlawful and unconstitutional efforts to reduce indirect cost reimbursements for projects funded by the NIH.

    In early February, the Trump Administration arbitrarily slashed the NIH reimbursement rate for indirect research costs. Without fair reimbursement for indirect costs, more than 300,000 scientists and researchers at 2,500 institutions that receive NIH funding will face devastating impacts, and Americans could be left without access to lifesaving and life-extending treatments. The ramifications would also ripple through global collaboration and the development of our future scientific leadership and workforce, limiting our ability to enhance health and reduce illness and disability in the future.

    The full brief is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Scott Urge EPA to Reinstate Funding for Cancelled Community Resilience Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency to reverse its decision to terminate two major Community Change Grants in Virginia. The cancelled grants – approximately $40 million – would have supported dozens of community projects aimed at strengthening flood resilience, reducing pollution, and improving energy efficiency in Hampton and across Southwest Virginia.

    The grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), were intended to support projects that increase resilience to major weather events, reduce pollution, and build community capacity.

    The City of Hampton received $20 million in federal funding to address severe flood risk in the Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood. That funding would have advanced 51 projects ranging from stormwater infrastructure upgrades and rain garden construction to stream restoration efforts and improved public health protections for an area where over 22 percent of properties fall within FEMA-designated flood zones.

    United Way of Southwest Virginia and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise also received nearly $20 million in federal funding to support flood resilient housing, the construction of a community center and flood shelter in Dickenson County, and energy efficiency upgrades at childcare centers in eight counties in Southwest Virginia. These investments would have delivered long-term savings, improved disaster readiness, and supported vulnerable Appalachian communities hit hard by extreme weather in recent years.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We are deeply concerned that the EPA no longer considers community resiliency, environmental conservation, and economic development to be administration funding priorities.”

    They continued, “EPA’s decision to terminate these grants will leave communities in Virginia less resilient, less prosperous, and more vulnerable to extreme weather-related disasters. We urge you to reinstate this critical funding for communities throughout Virginia.”

    Warner, Kaine, and Scott have long advocated for resiliency efforts in Virginia, championing legislation and funding to help communities strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather. The senators were strong supporters of the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorized the Community Change Grants program to help historically neglected and underserved communities address flooding, pollution, and climate vulnerabilities.

    The lawmakers have also continuously stood up against the Trump administration’s efforts to cancel necessary federal funding for Virginia’s communities. Most recently, Warner, Kaine, and Scott wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reversethe cancellation of critical infrastructure funding for the Commonwealth. 

    Text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Administrator Zeldin:

    We write regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to terminate approximately $40 million in funding intended to prevent localized pollution and mitigate the effects of flooding in Hampton, Virginia, and to support economic development, enhance resilient infrastructure, and lower energy costs across seven counties in Southwest Virginia. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact efforts to improve resiliency, environmental conservation, energy efficiency, and economic outcomes in communities across the Commonwealth.

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided approximately $2 billion to EPA to establish the Community Change Grants Program. Congress intended this funding to be used to support projects that increase community resilience, reduce pollution, and build community capacity. In 2024, EPA selected 105 projects, including two projects in Virginia.

    The City of Hampton, Virginia, was awarded just over $20 million to address significant flood risk in the historic Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood. In a locality where 22 percent of properties are in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, the city and their nonprofit partner, Wetlands Watch, planned to leverage federal funding to advance 51 projects to update stormwater infrastructure, initiate stream-restoration projects, and construct community rain gardens. These projects were intended to mitigate flood risk, lessen the financial burden of flooding on the neighborhood’s residents, and improve environmental and public health outcomes.

    The United Way of Southwest Virginia and the University of Virginia were awarded nearly $20 million to fund eight projects across the Virginia coalfields. Funding would have supported the construction of flood-resilient housing infrastructure in Buchanan County and a new community center and flood shelter in Dickenson County, two communities that have been devastated by flooding and extreme weather in recent years. Additionally, the grant would support energy efficiency upgrades at childcare facilities in eight counties, enabling thousands of dollars of energy cost savings to go towards childcare worker salaries.

    In terminating these grants, EPA wrote to awardees that, “the objectives of the award are no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities.” We are deeply concerned that the EPA no longer considers community resiliency, environmental conservation, and economic development to be administration funding priorities. EPA’s decision to terminate these grants will leave communities in Virginia less resilient, less prosperous, and more vulnerable to extreme weather-related disasters. We urge you to reinstate this critical funding for communities throughout Virginia. 

    Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Grills EEOC Commissioner Lucas on Dismissal of Discrimination Cases Under Trump’s Gender EO

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s questioning***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to consider pending labor and civil rights nominations, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the HELP Committee, grilled Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Acting Chair and Commissioner nominee Andrea Lucas on dismissal of discrimination cases involving people who are nonbinary and the importance of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Senator Murray also spoke out against Trump’s illegal firing of EEOC Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels, which she forcefully condemned in January and led a letter in March demanding their immediate reinstatement.

    [FIRING OF COMMISSIONERS SAMUELS AND BURROWS]

    Senator Murray began by addressing President Trump’s unprecedented move earlier this year to fire two Democratic Commissioners on the EEOC: “On January 27, President Trump made the unprecedented and illegal move to fire two EEOC Commissioners—Jocelyn Samuels and Charlotte Burrows—without cause. In the EEOC’s 60-year history, the President has never fired a commissioner before their term expired. Commissioner Lucas, in 2021 you actually criticized President Biden’s move to fire the former General Counsel, calling the EEOC a ‘independent agency.’ Now that President Trump is in charge, all of the talk about the EEOC’s ‘independence’ has disappeared. These illegal firings are yet another example of the very long list of ways President Trump is weaponizing and making independent agencies political—in this case, the one Americans actually rely on for justice when they face discrimination at work.”

    “I led a letter to President Trump pressing him to reinstate Commissioners Samuels and Burrows, and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing any nominations to the EEOC until President Trump does that,” SenatorMurray said.

    [DISMISSAL OF DISCRIMINATION CASES]

    Senator Murray moved onto her questioning, focusing on the EEOC’s recent move to dismiss nearly every lawsuit it had filed over the past year alleging discrimination against transgender and nonbinary workers following President Trump’s Executive Order on “Gender Ideology” that recognizing only two “immutable” sexes: “Under President Trump, the EEOC has moved to dismiss cases they had previously agreed on—by a majority vote—to litigate. For example, the Commission recently dismissed a case, Lush Cosmetics, where the EEOC itself had alleged that a manager: groped an employee, asked an employee for sex, commented on employees’ breasts, tried to engage employees in sexual discussions, and used sexual profanities. Commissioner Lucas, was it your decision to dismiss that case?”

    Commissioner Lucas first acknowledged that she had conveniently changed her position on the independence of the EEOC: “Thank you for the question, Senator, and for the opportunity to acknowledge my prior tweet and to note that I was wrong at that time…the agency is an executive branch agency. At the time that I indicated that, I was not aware of the long record that the agency had taken that position, and therefore it’s important for as an executive agency us to follow the President when he directs us in an Executive Order to defend women’s rights and to refer to individuals solely by their biological pronouns—”

    Senator Murray redirected Commissioner Lucas to answer her question, saying: “Can you answer the question on dismissing the case? You were Acting Chair of the Commission when Lush Cosmetics, was it your decision to drop the case?”

    “It was my decision in consultation with our career staff, unanimous decision of the career staff, that it was impossible to both comply with the President’s Executive Order as an executive branch agency and also zealously defend the workers who we had brought the case on behalf. We could not balance both of those interests and therefore we gave them an opportunity to intervene, and the case proceeds forward with those workers taking a position on their own,” Commissioner Lucas replied.

    “I just want to be clear—what you’re saying is that when an employee is groped, propositioned for sex, and called abject slurs at work, the EEOC will do absolutely nothing to enforce anti-discrimination laws if that employee happens to be nonbinary, or otherwise doesn’t conform to this administration’s ideas about gender,” Senator Murray responded. “Is that correct?”

    Commissioner Lucas replied, “Respectfully, I disagree with that conclusion.”

    “I don’t know what conclusion we come to other than that with that decision,” Senator Murray pushed back.

    “It shouldn’t matter what someone’s gender identity is. If they are harassed at work, they should be able to get the justice they are entitled to under the law,” Senator Murray concluded.

    ___________________________________

    Throughout her career, Senator Murray has championed workers’ rights and fought to combat employment discrimination, including as the top Democrat on the Senate labor committee from 2015-2022—among other things, Senator Murray fought back against a proposed DOL rule by the Trump administration that would allow federal contractors and subcontractors to justify discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ people, and members of certain religious groups on ideological grounds. Senator Murray first introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces—in the 116th Congress, and also leads the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act, comprehensive legislation to prevent workplace harassment, strengthen and expand key protections for workers, and support workers in seeking accountability and justice.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Trump Administration Announces Plan to Shutter 988 Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth in 30 Days

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after the Trump Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced their plans to shut down the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in 30 days. The Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts since 2022, with an increasing number of contacts each year. 

    “I worked hard to stand up a special line for LGBTQ+ youth because we are losing too many of our kids to suicide, and it’s well past time we did something about it. Children facing dark times and even contemplating taking their life often have nowhere else to turn besides this 988 Lifeline, and the Trump Administration is cruelly and needlessly taking that away,” said Senator Baldwin. “During Pride Month, a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made, the Trump Administration is taking us a step back and telling LGBTQ+ kids that they don’t matter and don’t deserve help when they are in crisis. This is not the final chapter of this story, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect these children. Suicide prevention has been and should continue to be a nonpartisan issue, and I call on my Republican colleagues who have long supported this program to fight for these kids, too. The children and teens who rely on 988 need our help, and it’s our duty to protect this literal lifeline for hundreds of thousands before it’s too late.”  

    Senator Baldwin wrote the legislation to create the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and fought to stand up a pilot program for LGBTQ+ youth to address higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges among this population. As chair of the appropriations subcommittee that funds 988, Senator Baldwin led the effort to ensure 988 was adequately funded, including providing funding for specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. That funding has ultimately been included in appropriations bills that have passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. Recognizing the overwhelming need for these services, Congress expanded the program beyond a pilot in fiscal year 2023.

    The Trevor Project found that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide – rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth. These specialized services connect LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors, similar to other dedicated programs for veterans and service members. In May, reports surfaced that President Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate 988’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, prompting Senator Baldwin to lead a letter condemning the proposal. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Limit Unchecked Presidential Authority Under the Insurrection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Limit Unchecked Presidential Authority Under the Insurrection Act

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) led a group of 22 Senators in introducing legislation to restrict the President’s authority under the 217-year-old Insurrection Act.

    The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform centuries-old legislation that gives the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops — either with or without the request of a state — to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” The current law has been used sparingly by other presidents given the potential for the military to escalate tensions, rather than restore order, during a domestic crisis.

    “Our military should be focused on defending our national security — not silencing speech a president disagrees with or policing our own citizens,” said Senator Padilla. “President Trump’s unprecedented deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to manufacture a crisis and distract from his failing political agenda is a clear warning sign: we must strengthen legal protections around the executive authority to use the military for standard domestic law enforcement. The archaic Insurrection Act is far too broad and grants nearly unchecked powers to a president to abuse the military for their own political purposes — and we must make sure it continues to only be invoked in the most extreme of circumstances.”

    “The president’s dangerous decision to deploy the National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps in Los Angeles over the objection of our governor brings us closer to the very real possibility that the president could invoke the Insurrection Act to turn our military into a political tool. That must never be allowed to happen,” said Senator Schiff. “This bill would prevent any president from deploying military forces domestically when civilian state and local authorities are engaged. This abuse of military resources that we are seeing in Los Angeles risks being replicated around the country if Congress doesn’t stand up to President Trump’s creeping authoritarianism.”

    “Americans believe deeply that our military should be used to defend our national security, not to silence peaceful protest at home. I support – and the Constitution protects – free expression and protest when peaceful and nonviolent,” said Senator Blumenthal. “President Trump may not have invoked the Insurrection Act yet, but he has threated to use our military as an instrument to crush dissent and Congress must act quickly. These urgent reforms would impose oversight and accountability to the President’s broad, virtually unrestricted power to use military force against Americans at home.”

    The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Specifically, the new Insurrection Act of 2025 would:

    • Narrow and clarify the criteria for the domestic deployment of military troops for law enforcement purposes.
    • Specify that the use of the military is a last resort and is authorized only if civilian law enforcement authorities are overwhelmed.
    • Clarify that the law cannot be used to suspend habeas corpus, impose martial law, or deputize private militias to act as soldiers.
    • Require the President to consult with Congress prior to invoking the Insurrection Act and receive Congressional approval if the President seeks to exercise authority under the Act for longer than seven days.
    • Require a report to Congress providing an explicit justification for the use of the Insurrection Act’s authority, as enumerated in this legislation, and a full description of the scope and duration of its use.
    • Provide for judicial review to ensure that individuals, or a state or local government, may bring a civil action if the President’s authority under the Insurrection Act is misused or abused.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin: Instead Of Conducting Critical Oversight, Judiciary Committee Republicans Are Holding Partisan Hearing Armchair Diagnosing Former President Biden

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 18, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, slammed Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans for holding a partisan hearing today where they plan to armchair diagnose former President Biden. In his opening remarks, Durbin called out the lack of oversight the Committee has conducted so far under the Trump Administration, despite the numerous, critical challenges facing the nation that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.

    By this date in Durbin’s first year as Chair, the Committee had already held two major oversight hearings with Biden Administration agency heads, including one with FBI Director Wray on domestic terrorism threats. So far, the Republican majority on this Committee has not held a single oversight hearing.

    “This Committee has oversight responsibility over the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security. We have a constitutional duty to hold these agencies accountable with public hearings,” Durbin said. “In the last week alone, several events have demanded this Committee’s immediate attention: the horrific assassination in Minnesota, the treatment of our colleague Senator Padilla by federal agents in Los Angeles, and President Trump’s unprecedented deployment of the U.S. military in Los Angeles.”

    Durbin continued, “We should hear without delay from Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel about what they are doing to address the unacceptable political violence in our country, including threats to Article III judges and justices, as well as members of Congress. And we need to hear from Homeland Security Secretary Noem about the treatment of our colleagues, Senator Padilla, and this Administration’s mass deportation campaign against immigrants. But instead of exercising this constitutional oversight duty, my Republican colleagues are holding this hearing. Apparently, armchair diagnosing former President Biden is more important than the current issues of grave concern that I have mentioned.”

    Durbin went on to note just a few examples of issues that the Senate Judiciary Committee should be addressing.

    “The Trump Administration has removed dozens of senior career prosecutors and FBI officials with decades of national security expertise, leaving our nation more vulnerable to terrorism and other national security threats. This should be explained to this Committee,” Durbin said. “The Justice Department has diverted hundreds of law enforcement agents away from combatting cartels, drug trafficking, and gun violence to participate in President Trump’s mass deportation campaign. This should be addressed in an open hearing of this Committee.”

    Durbin continued, “The Justice Department is also turning a blind eye to corruption. The Administration has gutted the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, which oversees political corruption cases, just as the President’s shameful crypto scheme unfolds. And the Administration has removed the Department of Justice’s career ethics officials and shut down the office charged with investigating misconduct by DOJ attorneys.”

    Durbin then called out how his Republican colleagues are eager to discuss President Biden’s pardons, but are ignoring the actual pardon crisis of President Trump’s “pay-to-play” scheme. Durbin highlighted the story of Paul Walczak, whom President Trump pardoned after Walczak pleaded guilty in 2024 to withholding more than $7 million of taxes from his employees’ paychecks and failing to pay the IRS.

    “What warranted Mr. Walczak’s swift pardon by President Trump? His pardon application explicitly cited millions of dollars his mother raised for President Trump’s campaigns and other efforts to support the President. But that was not enough,” Durbin said. “It was three weeks after Mr. Walczak’s mother attended a $1 million a person Trump fundraiser in April of this year that Mr. Walczak was miraculously receiving his pardon—and now he no longer must pay $4.4 million to the taxpayers of this country. That’s one example of the many pardons granted to President Trump’s wealthy donors and political supporters.”

    Durbin continued, “And, of course, these pay-to-play pardons are in addition to the more than 1,500 January 6 rioters who received blanket pardons from President Trump, including 169 who violently assaulted law enforcement officials.”

    Durbin concluded, “If my colleagues are truly interested in issues of presidential succession and disability under the 25th Amendment, I would suggest they embark on this constitutional journey with a proposed amendment, not today’s political adventure.”

    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Juneteenth, Momentum Grows for H.R. 40, Pressley’s Historic Reparations Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Bill Would Form Commission to Develop Reparations Proposals for African American Descendants of Enslaved People

    Legislation Now Has Support of Over 100 National and Grassroots Organizations

    H.R. 40 Press Conference | H.R. 40 Bill Text | H.R. 40 Briefing Photos | H.R. 40 Briefing One-Pager

    WASHINGTON – Today, ahead of the Juneteenth holiday and a national celebration of Black joy and emancipation, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) affirmed the strength of the reparations movement and announced growing support for H.R.40, legislation that she is championing to address the harmful legacy of slavery and establish a federal commission to develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people. The legislation now has the support of more than 100 national and grassroots organizations and 85 members of Congress.

    In February, during Black History Month, Rep. Pressley and Senator Cory Booker reintroduced H.R. 40, serving as a powerful counterweight to the unprecedented onslaught against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Trump Administration and a call to action to address the systemic oppression of Black people. Last week, Rep. Pressley hosted a briefing on H.R. 40 to provide congressional staffers and their offices an expanded look into the bill, its 36-year legislative journey – led by Congressman John Conyers and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee – and its vital role in the reparative justice movement.

    “The state of our reparations movement is strong and in this moment of heightened anti-Blackness in America, we are more resolved than ever,” said Congresswoman Pressley, lead House sponsor of H.R. 40. “H.R. 40 is racial justice, economic justice, and a moral imperative, and it is deeply necessary to confront America’s damning history of systemic racism head-on. I’m proud of the growing, broad, and intersectional support behind our bill and I am grateful to our grassroots organizations for their partnership in pushing to get this critical legislation over the finish line.”

    Support for reparations has grown nationwide, with state and local officials taking action, including in Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina and Oklahoma. H.R. 40 now has endorsements from over 100 national and grassroots organizations.

    “We are delighted that Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has picked up the torch from Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee and Cong. John Conyers, Jr. to continue the historic push to achieve long overdue reparations for African Americans.” – National African American Reparations Commission

    “At this pivotal moment in the United States’ existence and identity, we proudly stand with Rep. Ayanna Pressley in the reintroduction of H.R. 40, which if enacted will provide concrete ways to implement reparations,” said Dreisen Heath, Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition. “Providing reparations is a routine practice by the federal government from providing remedy in perpetuity to Holocaust survivors to providing free healthcare to 9/11 victims and veterans exposed to toxic waste waters. By embracing what H.R. 40 legislation will produce, we are not only educating the public on the truth but also energizing a strong movement towards reflection and accountability. While states and cities advance their own reparative efforts, the federal government can no longer neglect and obscure its responsibility to do right by Black Americans, and by extension the rest of the country.

    “The National Urban League, for over a century, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of systemic racism on countless lives. We have championed social and economic justice for Black Americans, striving to overcome the enduring legacy of slavery. For too long, we have avoided a full and honest reckoning with this history. A federal commission to study the vestiges of slavery, from the harrowing experiences of enslaved people to the ongoing struggles of their descendants, is not just overdue, it is essential. This examination is not about dwelling on the past but about better understanding the present. By understanding how the lingering effects of slavery continue to shape our society and policies, we can finally create a level playing field and unlock the full potential of our nation,” said the National Urban League. “The National Urban League fully supports H.R. 40, a bill establishing a commission to study and develop reparations proposals for Black Americans, as it represents a crucial step towards reconciliation and redress. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this vital legislation. The time for inaction is over. The time for justice is now.”

    “Eradicating poverty requires understanding its root causes and the economic injustices that plague Black communities today can be directly traced to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow laws,” said Margaret Huang, President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “This commission would be an important step toward grappling with how our country failed to support so many Americans after slavery and segregation ended. We need to take an honest look at the ugly history of racial discrimination that has denied so many Black and Brown families, particularly in the Deep South, economic opportunities to sustain their families.”

    “This legislation is not symbolic, it’s structural,” said Ebonie Riley, Senior Vice President of Policy & Strategic Partnerships at the National Action Network. “In a moment where the very language of equity is under assault, this bill confronts the unfinished business of this nation: the deliberate extraction of wealth, labor, and life from Black Americans. Under the leadership of Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN has consistently called for federal action that reflects the scale of harm inflicted. Reparations are a matter of economic policy, legal obligation, and historical accountability.”

    “The NAACP has supported the creation and passage of HR. 40/S.40 from its introduction by Congressman John Conyers (MI) through its reintroduction by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) and Senator Cory Booker (NJ) continue to support the passage of this crucial legislation in the 119th Congress,” – NAACP

    “The United Methodist Book of Resolutions and the General Board of Church and Society strongly support HR 40 being reintroduced at a time when truth is under attack,” – United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society

    “Black people have been the backbone to the growth and wealth of this nation and of the global economy, and justly, should be recipients of its fruits. Black people can’t achieve equity without the United States acknowledging the historical past and materially addressing past and present harms. Reparatory justice is a must,” –Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

    “The Council on American-Islamic Relations strongly supports the reintroduction of H.R. 40, recognizing it as a vital measure to confront America’s legacy of slavery and systemic racism head-on. We stand in solidarity with Congresswoman Pressley, Senator Booker, and their colleagues in calling for truth, accountability, and meaningful reparative actions that honor and protect the dignity of Black American communities,” – Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

    “As a church, we understand that the truth shall set us free. We have committed to and embarked on undertaking the work of truth-telling and reconciliation ourselves. H.R. 40/S. 40 would offer the opportunity for our country to begin a process to understand our own history and would present a path forward for repairing historical harms done to African Americans,” – The Episcopal Church

    “It has been nearly 40 years since Japanese Americans received redress for being incarcerated unjustly during WWII. Many of us in the Japanese American community recognize that our own experience of institutionalized racism at the hands of our government is part of a pattern that began with chattel slavery since our country’s inception as a British colony. Although slavery ended formally with the Civil War, its legacy persisted through Jim Crow policies well into the 20th century. Mere words of regret and apology for our history of slavery and Jim Crow do nothing to repay the unfulfilled promise of 40 acres and a mule.” – Japanese American Citizens League

    “We’re making historic progress advancing reparative justice in local communities nationwide.  We stand together in support of HR40, the most promising and just opportunity to repair the harm of the institution of slavery and its uninterrupted legacies to date. The outcomes of the HR40 Commission can result in a comprehensive and tangible portfolio of remedies that transform this nation,” – First Repair

    The full list of endorsing organizations include: AjabuSpeaks, All Souls Movement, Alliance of Baptists, American Humanist Association, Amnesty International USA, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Black Music Action Coalition, Black Veterans Project, Blackroots Alliance, BLIS Collective, California Black Power Network, Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR), Colombia Acuerdo de Paz NGO, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), DC Justice Lab, DC Reparations Coalition, Democrats Abroad Reparations Task Force, Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ), Empowerment Temple, Reparation Education Project, Episcopal City Mission, FirstRepair, Freedom Road Consulting, LLC, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Get Free, Human Rights Watch, Humanity2020 Group LLC, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, Japanese American Citizens League, Johnson & Klein Law, Justice for the 110, KC Reparations Coalition, Loc Community Association, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Anti Racism Center (LARC), Make It Plain, Marijuana Justice, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Media 2070, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Movement for Black Lives, NAACP, National Action Network Education Team, National African American Reparations Commission , National Black Justice Collective, National Council of Churches, National Council of Jewish Women, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National Urban League, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, New Yorkers 4 Reparations, Northampton Reparations Study Commission, Not In Our Town, Princeton, NP/NCRR – Nikkei Progressives & Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi USA, RebuildingTheCommun7ty, Reparation Generation, Reparations Finance Lab, Reparations Interfaith Coalition of Massachusetts, Reparations United, Reparations4Slavery, San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Sanctuary of Hope, SCOPE LA, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team, South Bend Reparations Working Group (SBRWG), State of Loc Nation Global Public Benefit Corp, Terence Crutcher Foundation, The Episcopal Church, The Southern Poverty Law Center, The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, Tsuru for Solidarity, Tulsa African Ancestral Society, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United By Equity, United Church of Christ, USTRHT, Virago Strategies, Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Young LLC.

    Co-sponsors of H.R. 40 include: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-06], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-NY-14], Rep. Jasmine Crockett [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. “Hank” [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McGovern, Jim [D-MA-02], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. David Scott [D-GA-13], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    The full text of the bill is available here.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has championed policies to address the harmful legacy of slavery and support the true liberation of Black America, including Baby Bonds, a People’s Justice Guarantee, student debt cancellation, addressing the Black maternal morbidity crisis, supporting Black-owned microbusinesses, promoting anti-racist public health policy, and more.

    In April 2025, Rep. Pressley met with Northeastern University’s Center for Law, Equity, and Race to discuss efforts and further action in a shared push for reparative justice.

    Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

    Last year, Rep. Pressley and House Oversight Ranking Member Jamies Raskin introduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz, Frost Introduce Legislation to Expose Human Rights Abuses in Immigration Detention System

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    SOUTH FLORIDA — Today, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY),introduced the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, legislation that would expose widespread human rights violations in America’s immigration detention system and shine a light on the secretive practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Across the country and in Florida, ICE detention centers have become synonymous with secrecy, abuse, and due process violations. From documented toxic exposures and medical neglect at Glades County Detention Center, to whistleblower-confirmed racial harassment and excessive force at Baker County, to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions at Krome North — a disturbing pattern has emerged: human beings are being subjected to cruelty and neglect, often without public knowledge or legal transparency.

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    “Donald Trump and Republicans have turned our immigration system into a taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation,” said Rep. Frost. “People are being disappeared into a system that operates in the shadows — without public accountability, without basic human dignity, and often without legal justification. The SUDEM Act is about pulling back the curtain. This bill won’t fix everything, but if Donald Trump and his allies think these policies are defensible, then they shouldn’t be afraid to tell the public exactly what they’re doing. If they’re proud of it, they’ll report it. If they’re ashamed, they need to end it.”

    The SUDEM Act would require all ICE-operated and ICE-affiliated facilities to publicly disclose key data, including:

    ●      Who is being detained — where, when, and why.

    ●      The legal authority and evidence behind each detention.

    ●      Demographic data — age, nationality, and legal status.

    ●      Facility-wide reporting on use of force, disciplinary actions, transfers, and deportations.

    The bill has been endorsed by Public Citizen, CASA, LULAC, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), HOPE Community Center, Orlando Center for Justice, and the Hispanic Federation.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California breaks ground on two affordable housing communities in San Francisco — including for local school district, community college employees

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jun 18, 2025

    What you need to know: Two sites in San Francisco are the latest to be transformed under Governor Newsom’s executive order converting excess and underutilized state land into affordable housing. 

    SAN FRANCISCO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the groundbreaking of two new affordable housing communities in San Francisco’s Fillmore District. Utilizing Governor Newsom’s executive order from 2019 to spur the production of affordable housing in California, the formerly state-owned parking sites will be transformed into 167 homes for low- to extremely-low-income residents.

    “These projects are the latest testament to the innovative work happening across the state to make housing more affordable. The sites announced today help put a roof over people’s heads and place them in a stronger position for opportunities to uplift themselves, their families, and their community.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The Excess Sites program is administered in partnership by the California Department of General Services (DGS) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The program identifies state-owned land available and suitable for housing and creates a digital inventory of those properties available through the State Excess Sites – Affordable Housing Opportunities Map Viewer. DGS and HCD review proposals for unawarded sites on a rolling basis.

    “Thanks to the Excess Sites program, the state has successfully converted underutilized state properties into community assets for current and future generations of Californians,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “These projects in San Francisco will build much-needed affordable homes for people who often find it difficult to live in the very communities they serve.” 

    “As with our other affordable housing developments across the state, this project is a partnership that allows us to zero in on a community’s specific housing needs,” said Government Operations Agency Secretary Nick Maduros. “Providing convenient, affordable housing lightens a significant burden for these valued members of the local educational community.”

    Project details

    Rendering of the project at 750 Golden Gate Avenue

    At 750 Golden Gate Avenue, a surface parking lot will be replaced to create 75 affordable rental homes for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and San Francisco Community College District (SFCCD) employees. This will be the second educator-employee housing project to break ground in San Francisco. The second phase of this project will consist of building 96 affordable homes at an adjacent parcel at Golden Gate Avenue and Franklin Street.

    Rendering of the project at 850 Turk Street

    The second project to break ground—850 Turk Street—will be a 92-unit multifamily affordable housing development redeveloping the site of a former Employment Development Department (EDD) parking garage podium. The project will feature indoor and outdoor common areas, office space, residential service spaces, and a range of available amenities, including a private courtyard, rooftop terrace, and barbecue facilities. Both communities will be developed by MidPen Housing Corporation.

    “We are repurposing excess properties throughout the state to build affordable housing that California communities urgently need,” said DGS Director Ana M. Lasso. “DGS is enthusiastic to collaborate on a project that has the unique distinction of benefiting educators and employees of the SFUSD and SFCCD.”

     “Strong, healthy communities need teachers, firefighters, nurses, and others who have too often been priced out of living in the neighborhoods they serve,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We are honored to help implement the Governor’s vision to transform underutilized state land to meet this critical need for affordable housing options.”

    From state land to affordable housing

    In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order N-06-19, which tasked HCD and DGS with tackling the state’s affordable housing crisis by identifying underutilized state-owned land that could be converted into affordable housing, with consideration to factors such as proximity to job centers, amenities, and public transit. The order has since been utilized to create hundreds of affordable homes, including:

    Recent news

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    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom recently wrote an op-ed on the dangers of President Trump’s reach at authoritarianism, as well as the solution that lies within the power of each citizen to hold their electeds accountable to the Constitution they have sworn…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – El Gobernador Gavin Newsom escribió recientemente un artículo de opinión sobre los peligros del autoritarismo del Presidente Trump, así como la solución que reside en el poder de cada ciudadano de exigir a sus elegidos que rindan cuentas…

    Jun 17, 2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Israel-Iran: Urgent call to end ‘reckless military action’ and protect civilians amid growing hostilities

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Israeli and Iranian authorities repeatedly demonstrate utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law with impunity

    Escalation masks Israel’s deepening starvation of Gaza and West Bank oppression in ongoing apartheid

    Iran responds to Israeli attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists, and executing a man for alleged espionage

    ‘Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, governments must ensure the protection of civilians’ – Agnès Callamard

    As civilians continue to suffer the devastating impact of the escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel since 13 June, and with threats of further violence looming, Amnesty International is calling on both governments to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.

    Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:

    “As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, both parties must comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action.

    “Further escalation of these hostilities’ risks unleashing devastating and far-reaching consequences for civilians across the region and beyond.

    “Statements by the US and the G7 so far have failed to recognise the catastrophic impact this escalation will have on civilians in both countries.

    “Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, governments must ensure the protection of civilians. Preventing further suffering must be the priority – not the pursuit of military or geopolitical goals.

    “Both Israeli and Iranian authorities have time and again demonstrated their utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law, committing grave international crimes with impunity.

    “The world must not allow Israel to use this military escalation to divert attention away from its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, its illegal occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory and its system of apartheid against Palestinians.

    “Likewise, the international community must not ignore the suffering that decades of crimes under international law by the Iranian authorities have inflicted upon people inside Iran, that is now being compounded by relentless bombardment.”

    International law prohibits attacks on civilians

    Under international humanitarian law, all parties must take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and minimise their suffering and casualties.

    International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks which do not distinguish between military targets and civilians or civilian infrastructure.

    Weapons that are extremely inaccurate and have large warheads that produce large area effects, such as ballistic missiles, should never be used in areas with large populations of civilians. Attacks on military objectives that are likely to result in disproportionate civilian casualties or destruction of civilian objects are also prohibited.

    In the shadow of this latest escalation, Israeli authorities continue to forcibly displace and starve Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing genocide. They have imposed a full closure on the West Bank, where state-backed settler violence continues to rise, further entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid system.

    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have responded to Israel’s latest military attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists and dissidents within the country. They have also restricted prisoners’ communication with the outside world, including those in prisons near sites of the bombings. On 16 June, the Iranian authorities executed a man for alleged espionage for Israel, raising concerns about the fate of others on death row for similar charges. The Iranian authorities must release all human rights defenders and others arbitrarily detained.

    Sinister and fear-inducing ‘warnings’

    Over the past three days, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Persian-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Kamal Pinchasi have issued alarming threats and overly broad, ineffective evacuation warnings to millions of civilians in Tehran a major city with a population of around 10 million people, located in Tehran province which is home to around 19 million people. In some cases, warnings were issued in the middle of the night when residents were asleep or did not clarify if they referred to the city or the province of Tehran.

    On 16 June, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense threatened on X that “the residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price” for the actions of the Iranian authorities. Hours later, the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson warned civilians to evacuate Tehran’s District Three – an area of approximately 30 square km and home to over 350,000 people via a video showing unclear danger zones. The video included a map indicating danger zones for civilians but did not clearly specify targeted locations or areas of blast and fragmentation hazard, leaving residents uncertain about which areas to avoid. Iranian civil society activists later republished the map with cleared boundaries and locations named.

    Prior to the “evacuation” warnings on 16 June, the Israeli army had issued another overly broad warning in Persian, instructing people across the country to  “immediately leave areas … [housing] military weapons manufacturing facilities and their support institutions”. The statement sowed panic and confusion among people, as the locations of military facilities are not known to the general public, and no clear guidance was provided on where civilians should or should not go to ensure their safety.

    Evacuation warnings do not release Israel from its other obligations under international humanitarian law. They must not treat as open-fire zones areas for which they have issued warnings. Millions of people in Tehran cannot leave, either because they have no alternative residences outside the city or due to limited mobility, disability, blocked roads, fuel shortages or other constraints. Israel has an obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to these civilians.

    Early morning Tehran time on 17 June, US President Donald Trump caused further panic with a Truth Social post stating: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House amplified the message on X, amid media reports that the United States may join Israel in striking Iran. 

    In reaction to the Israeli warnings, Iranian state media reported on 15 June that the Iranian armed forces had issued warnings urging residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate. In a video aired on state media, Reza Sayed, spokesperson of the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces stated: “Leave the occupied territories [referring to Israel and the OPT], as they will undoubtedly become uninhabitable for you in the future. Parties to armed conflicts are prohibited from issuing threats of violence which are designed to spread terror among the civilian population. They cannot hide behind overly general warnings to claim that they have met their obligations under international law.”

    In Israel, these Iranian warnings have not triggered the same level of chaos and mass evacuation, largely due to the presence of the Iron Dome defense system and available shelters.  However, there have been cases where civilians, particularly Palestinian citizens of Israel and Bedouin communities, who do not have access to underground shelters, such as the Khatib family in the Palestinian town of Tamra, were killed as a result of an Iranian missile strike. Israeli civil society groups are calling on the government to urgently address the chronic lack of protected space for non-Jewish Israeli citizens. 

    Internet shutdowns and media censorship

    In Iran, the authorities have disrupted access to the Internet and instant messaging applications, preventing millions of people caught up in the conflict from accessing essential information and communicating with loved ones both inside and outside the country and thereby exacerbating their suffering.

    The Israeli authorities are also using vague security pretexts to target people over social media posts or sharing videos deemed to breach strict censorship rules.

    Agnès Callamard added:

    “Access to the Internet is essential to protect human rights, especially in times of armed conflict where communications blackouts would prevent people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources, and staying informed. The Iranian authorities must immediately ensure full restoration of internet and communication services in all of Iran. 

    “Israeli authorities must refrain from using military escalations, as they have done in the past, as a further pretext to crack down on freedom of expression, disproportionately targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, including through arbitrary detention over unsubstantiated allegations of incitement.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Urgent need to protect civilians amid unprecedented escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As more and more civilians bear the cruel toll of the terrifying military escalation in Iran and Israel since 13 June 2025, and amid threats of further escalation in the conflict, Amnesty International is urging the Israeli and Iranian authorities to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.

    On 16 June, an Iranian government spokesperson reported that Israeli attacks had killed at least 224 people, including 74 women and children, without specifying how many of them were civilians. The health ministry also stated 1,800 people have been injured.

    In Israel, the Israeli Military Home Front reported that Iranian attacks had killed at least 24 people, including women and children, stating that they were all civilians, with nearly 600 injured.

    “As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International. 

    “Further escalation of these hostilities risks unleashing devastating and far-reaching consequences for civilians across the region and beyond.

    As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action

    Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

    “Statements by the US and the G7 so far have failed to recognize the catastrophic impact this escalation will have on civilians in both countries.

    “Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, states must ensure the protection of civilians. Preventing further suffering must be the priority – not the pursuit of military or geopolitical goals.

    “Both Israeli and Iranian authorities have time and again demonstrated their utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law, committing grave international crimes with impunity.

    “The world must not allow Israel to use this military escalation to divert attention away from its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, its illegal occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its system of apartheid against Palestinians.

    “Likewise, the international community must not ignore the suffering that decades of crimes under international law by the Iranian authorities have inflicted upon people inside Iran, that is now being compounded by relentless bombardment.”

    Under international humanitarian law, all parties must take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and minimize their suffering and casualties. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks which do not distinguish between military targets and civilians or civilian infrastructure.

    For this reason, weapons that are extremely inaccurate and have large warheads that produce large area effects, such as ballistic missiles, should never be used in areas with large populations of civilians. Attacks on military objectives that are likely to result in disproportionate civilian casualties or destruction of civilian objects are also prohibited.

    In the deadliest incident in Israel, eight people including three children, were killed in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on 15 June.

    In Iran, at least 12 people including children and a pregnant woman were killed in one attack in Tajrish square in Tehran on 15 June.

    In the shadow of this latest escalation, Israeli authorities continue to forcibly displace and starve Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing genocide. They have imposed a full closure on the West Bank, where state-backed settler violence continues to rise, further entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid system.

    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have responded to Israel’s latest military attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists and dissidents within the country. They have also restricted prisoners’ communication with the outside world, including those in prisons near sites of the bombings. On 16 June, the Iranian authorities executed a man for alleged espionage for Israel, raising concerns about the fate of others on death row for similar charges. The Iranian authorities must release all human rights defenders and others arbitrarily detained and should relocate other prisoners away from locations at risk of being attacked by Israel.

    Sinister and fear-inducing ‘warnings’

    Over the past three days, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Persian-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Kamal Pinchasi have issued alarming threats and overly broad, ineffective evacuation warnings to millions of civilians in Tehran a major city with a population of around 10 million people, located in Tehran province which is home to around 19 million people. In some cases, warnings were issued in the middle of the night when residents were asleep or did not clarify if they referred to the city or the province of Tehran.

    On 16 June, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense threatened  on X that “the residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price” for the actions of the Iranian authorities. Hours later, the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson warned civilians to evacuate Tehran’s District Three – an area of approximately 30 square km and home to over 350,000 people- via a video showing unclear danger zones. The video included a map indicating danger zones for civilians but did not clearly specify targeted locations or areas of blast and fragmentation hazard, leaving residents uncertain about which areas to avoid. Iranian civil society activists later republished the map with cleared boundaries and locations named.

    Prior to the “evacuation” warnings on 16 June, the Israeli army had issued another overly broad warning in Persian, instructing people across the country to  “immediately leave areas … [housing] military weapons manufacturing facilities and their support institutions”. The statement sowed panic and confusion among people, as the locations of military facilities are not known to the general public, and no clear guidance was provided on where civilians should or should not go to ensure their safety.

    Evacuation warnings, even if detailed and effective, do not release Israel from its other obligations under international humanitarian law. They must not treat as open-fire zones areas for which they have issued warnings. Millions of people in Tehran cannot leave, either because they have no alternative residences outside the city or due to limited mobility, disability, blocked roads, fuel shortages or other constraints. Israel has an obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to these civilians.

    Early morning Tehran time on 17 June, US President Donald Trump caused further panic with a Truth Social post stating: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House amplified the message on X, amid media reports that the United States may join Israel in striking Iran. 

    In reaction to the Israeli warnings, Iranian state media reported on 15 June that the Iranian armed forces had issued warnings urging residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate. In a video aired on state media, Reza Sayed, spokesperson of the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces stated: “Leave the occupied territories [referring to Israel and the OPT], as they will undoubtedly become uninhabitable for you in the future … Do not allow the criminal regime to use you as human shields. Avoid residing or moving near the aforementioned locations and know that even underground shelters will not provide you with safety.”

    In Israel, these Iranian warnings have not triggered the same level of chaos and mass evacuation, largely due to the presence of the Iron Dome defense system and available shelters.  However, there have been cases where civilians, particularly Palestinian citizens of Israel and Bedouin communities, who do not have access to underground shelters, such as the Khatib family in the Palestinian town of Tamra, were killed as a result of an Iranian missile strike. Israeli civil society groups are calling on the government to urgently address the chronic lack of protected space for non-Jewish Israeli citizens

    Parties to armed conflicts are prohibited from issuing threats of violence which are designed to spread terror among the civilian population. They cannot hide behind overly general warnings to claim that they have met their obligations under international law. To constitute effective warnings under international humanitarian law, parties must provide civilians with clear and practical instructions on moving away from military objectives that will be targeted rather than unlawfully calling for the mass exodus of millions – an approach that appears designed more to incite panic and terror among civilians than to ensure their protection.

    Internet shutdowns and media censorship

    In Iran, the authorities have disrupted access to the Internet and instant messaging applications, preventing millions of people caught up in the conflict from accessing essential information and communicating with loved ones both inside and outside the country and thereby exacerbating their suffering.

    “Access to the Internet is essential to protect human rights, especially in times of armed conflict where communications blackouts would prevent people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources, and staying informed. The Iranian authorities must immediately ensure full restoration of internet and communication services in all of Iran,” said Agnès Callamard.

    The Israeli authorities are also using vague security pretexts to target people over social media posts or sharing videos deemed to breach strict censorship rules.

    “Israeli authorities must refrain from using military escalations, as they have done in the past, as a further pretext to crack down on freedom of expression, disproportionately targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, including through arbitrary detention over unsubstantiated allegations of incitement,” said Agnès Callamard.

    Background

    On 13 June 2025, Israeli authorities launched air and drone strikes against Iranian territory. Shortly afterwards, Israeli officials announced that they launched the operation to target Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and decapitate Iran’s military leadership. The Israeli strikes began as Iran and the US were in the process of negotiating a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

    Iranian authorities have retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israeli territory.

    Israeli attacks have struck cities in multiple provinces across Iran, including the provinces of Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Esfahan, Fars, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Lorestan, Ilam, Markazi, Qom, Tehran, West Azerbaijan and Khorasan Razavi.

    Iranian attacks have struck several urban areas in Israel, such as Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Tamra, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, Haifa, Herzliya.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Kamlager-Dove, Chu, Sánchez, Takano, and Rivas Successfully Gain Access to Adelanto ICE Facility, Demanding Accountability and Answers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    ADELANTO, CA – Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), and Rep. Luz Rivas (CA-29) were granted entry to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in order to conduct oversight guaranteed by federal law. The lawmakers demanded answers following reports of unlawful immigration raids, due process violations, and alarming allegations that U.S. citizens may have been wrongfully detained.

    The Members learned that the facility, which held just 300 individuals last month, is now at full capacity with 1,100 detainees. This drastic surge is not about targeting dangerous criminals. It is the direct result of Donald Trump’s policies aimed at rounding up hard-working immigrants who are essential to our communities and economy.

    “Donald Trump’s ICE raids in Los Angeles have terrorized our communities and left families in the dark about the whereabouts of their loved ones,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Alarming reports of inhumane conditions and lack of access to legal counsel at the Adelanto detention facility compelled my colleagues and I to conduct this oversight visit — and what we witnessed confirmed our worst fears. Detainees forced to wear the same clothes for ten days. Individuals lacking access to drinking water and medical care. Meals every fourteen hours. We will not stop fighting until every constitutional right is upheld and every abuse is brought to light.”

    “While I’m relieved that we were ultimately allowed into the Adelanto facility, as is our legal right as Members of Congress, this visit only reinforced how much work remains,” said Rep. Chu. “The conditions many of these people are facing are inhumane. The detainees told me that they have gone days without changing their clothes, and they have been unable to use the telephone to call their families or a legal representative. The people I met are not criminals, they are hardworking individuals who strengthen our communities and they simply want the opportunity to work for a better life. I will continue to closely monitor conditions at this ICE facility, as I have done before, and work with both local and federal officials to ensure that everyone, regardless of status, is afforded their full right to due process.” 

    “President Trump is indiscriminately targeting the hardworking individuals in our communities who keep our economy running. He is not reducing crime. The immigration raids happening today in places like Pico Rivera are racial profiling. Full stop. What we saw and heard at Adelanto is equally as disturbing as the cruel ICE raids in our neighborhoods. The administration is deliberately hiding the truth: immigrants, some here legally, are being detained in inhumane conditions, without enough food, clean clothing, the ability to call their families or access to a lawyer. This is a betrayal of our values and a violation of our immigration laws. It must end,” said Rep. Sánchez.

    “Just because ICE has opened their doors to a few members of Congress does not excuse their inflammatory tactics to meet deportation quotas,” said Rep. Takano. “Accountability means showing a consistent pattern of accessibility, not just a one-off event. ICE and DHS still must be reined, and stop a bad faith enforcement of immigration law to bring relief to my community.”

    “The conditions we saw inside the Adelanto ICE Detention Center prove that Donald Trump’s policies are putting our most vulnerable in harm’s way,” said Rep. Rivas. “From being detained for lawfully seeking asylum to cutting off communication to family and counsel, no one should be forced to live through what this Administration is forcing immigrants to live through. My colleagues and I will continue to conduct oversight of these facilities to expose the effects of Donald Trump’s cruel policies on our most vulnerable communities.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Duckworth Press RFK Jr. on “Dangerous War on Vaccines,” Reckless Decision to Slash HHS Vaccine Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 18, 2025

    RFK Jr. cut hundreds of millions of dollars for bird flu, HIV vaccine development

    “The public has little reason to trust your judgment or your review of the science surrounding vaccines or any aspect of public health.”

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wrote to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pressing him on his recent reckless decisions to slash funding for critical vaccine development. In May, the Trump Administration announced that it would cut off millions of dollars that the federal government had committed to the development of the critical bird flu vaccine, and HHS abruptly ended an over-$250 million program to develop an AIDS vaccine.

    “This is a grievous mistake that threatens to leave the country unprepared for what experts fear might be the next pandemic – and there appears to be no rationale for this decision other than your ill-informed and dangerous war on vaccines,” wrote the lawmakers.

    In January, HHS championed the development of new vaccines to make sure “Americans have the tools they need to stay safe.” Now, the RFK Jr.-led HHS is ripping those tools away — tools which would save lives and save billions in health care costs over time.

    An HHS spokesperson indicated that the decision to cut funding for the bird flu vaccine was made following a “rigorous review.” Another senior HHS official claimed that the decision to slash funding for the HIV vaccine was made after a “review by N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) leadership.” HHS has made neither review available to the American public.

    “You have failed to justify either of these moves to [ruin] vaccine research,” wrote the lawmakers. “This is just the latest example that calls into question your commitment to ‘radical transparency.’”

    The Administration also recently released its “Make America Healthy Again” report containing numerous references and citations that were fully fabricated. RFK Jr. himself has long peddled anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and spread harmful misinformation.

    “The public has little reason to trust your judgment or your review of the science surrounding vaccines or any aspect of public health,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers requested copies of the “rigorous review” that resulted in the termination of funding for the bird flu vaccine and the “review by N.I.H. leadership” that prompted the termination of funding for AIDS vaccine research. The lawmakers also requested a detailed description of the process by which HHS decided to end these contracts, including whether it was based on a recommendation by Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) officials.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Schumer, Wyden, Gallego Lead Democratic Caucus In Rejecting Republicans’ Tax Cuts for the Wealthy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 17, 2025

    Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” would raise costs on 40% of American families, while the top 0.1% would see their taxes cut by an average of $400k per year

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in urging Republican Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Ind.) to abandon their plan to cut taxes for billionaires and instead work together to help American families.

    “Senate Democrats oppose efforts to give the richest Americans a tax break, especially at a time when ordinary Americans are struggling to make ends meet because of this administration’s reckless economic actions,” wrote the senators.  

    Trump promised to lower costs for American families “on day one.” Instead, the Republican agenda raises costs on families while showering benefits on billionaires. 

    Their “Big, Beautiful Bill” takes away health insurance from 16 million Americans and makes it harder for families to put food on the table. Meanwhile, the average person in the top 0.1% would get a tax cut of nearly $400,000 in 2026. When combined with Trump’s tariff tax, which he has suggested helps pay for the bill, the Republican agenda raises costs on 80 percent of American families, funneling its benefits solely to the most affluent.

    “If Republicans continue down the path of slashing taxes for the ultra-wealthy and destroying vital benefits for working families, we will stand opposed to those efforts—and so will the American people,” the caucus concluded. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: During Hearing, Rosen Slams Hegseth for Refusing to Address Antisemitism in His Own Department

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch the full exchange HERE. 
    WASHINGTON, DC – During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) slammed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for promoting Kingsley Wilson to serve as the Pentagon’s spokesperson despite her history of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories. Senator Rosen pressed Secretary Hegseth and called on him to dismiss Ms. Wilson, which Secretary Hegseth refused to do.
    Below is an excerpt from the exchange:
    Senator Rosen: Secretary Hegseth, would you agree that every senior official in the Department of Defense must reflect the values and conduct that our servicemembers must uphold and our citizens expect?
    Secretary Hegseth: Senator, we want to uphold the highest possible standards.
    Senator Rosen: I’ll take that for a yes. Would you also agree that antisemitism and antisemitic conspiracy theories have no place in our government or military? 
    Secretary Hegseth: They should not. 
    Senator Rosen: Would you agree that anyone who has posted “antisemitic conspiracy theories lifted right out of the neo-Nazi playbook,” shouldn’t be anywhere near a position of power? Yes or no, please. 
    Secretary Hegseth: Since I don’t believe the characterization of many officials in the news media, I would need to see precisely what’s being characterized. 
    Senator Rosen: But generally… 
    Secretary Hegseth: Generally speaking, sure.
    Senator Rosen: Would you not say that if you thought something was coming out of a neo-nazi playbook it doesn’t have any place in our Department of Defense?
    Now, Secretary Hegseth, the quote I just read you was referencing Ms. Kingsley Wilson, the DOD press secretary, who my Republican colleagues on this committee have also expressed alarm over due to her public comments. In fact, one colleague said, “Obviously, I don’t agree with her comments. I trust the Pentagon will address this.” 
    However, in the months since, not only have you not addressed these comments, you have promoted Ms. Wilson. This seems to be at odds with President Trump’s commitment to combat antisemitism, which you just said you agreed with. 
    So, Secretary Hegseth, given the rise in antisemitic violence and hate crimes in our nation, and to show that the Trump Administration does have a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism, will you dismiss Ms. Kingsley from her role as the U.S. military’s spokesperson today? Yes or no. 
    Secretary Hegseth: Again, that’s why I referenced the context and characterization. I’ve worked directly with her; she does a fantastic job, and any suggestion that I, or her, or others are party to antisemitism is a mischaracterization attempting to win political points. 
    Senator Rosen: I’m going to assume that your lack of an answer confirms what we’ve known all along, that the Trump Administration is not serious. You are not a serious person. You are not serious about rooting out antisemitism in the ranks of our DOD. It’s despicable. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments 6.18.25

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 18, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his appointment of 16 Superior Court Judges: six in Los Angeles County; one in Merced County; one in Orange County; one in San Diego County; two in San Francisco County; three in Santa Clara County; one in San Joaquin County; and one in Tulare County. 

    Los Angeles County Superior Court

    William Forman, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Forman has been a Partner at Winston & Strawn, LLP since 2021. He was a Partner of Scheper Kim & Harris, LLP from 2009 to 2021. Forman was Counsel at Wilmer Hale from 2008 to 2009. He worked as an Associate at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe from 2003 to 2008. Forman served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender at the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California from 1997 to 2003. He was an Associate at Arnold & Porter from 1992 to 1997. He worked as an Associate at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro from 1990 to 1991. Forman received a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James A. Kaddo. Forman is a Democrat.

    David Garcia, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Garcia has worked as a Supervising Attorney at Inner City Law Center since 2023. He worked as a Director of Investigations at Edison International from 2013 to 2022. He worked as a Senior Attorney at Southern California Edison Company from 1997 to 2013. He worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California from 1990 to 1997. He worked as a Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office from 1986 to 1990. He worked as an Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice from 1985 to 1986. Garcia received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Daniel Feldstern. Garcia is registered as a Democrat.

    Sumako McCallum, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. McCallum has served as a Court Commissioner for the court since 2024. She served as Senior Deputy County Counsel at the Office of County Counsel, County of Los Angeles from 2014 to 2024. She worked as a Staff Attorney at the Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles from 2003 to 2014. McCallum worked as an Associate at Morrison & Foerster, LLP from 2000 to 2002. McCallum received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Anne Hwang to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. McCallum is a Democrat. 

    Alan Z. Yudkowsky, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Yudkowsky has served as a Court Commissioner on that  court since 2019. He worked as Principal at the Law Offices of Alan Z. Yudkowsky from 2011 to 2019. Yukowsky held multiple positions  at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan since 1990, including Partner, Special Counsel, and Associate. Yudkowsky received a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Barbara M. Scheper. Yudkowsky is a Democrat

    Melanie Chavira, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Chavira has served as a City Prosecutor at the Redondo Beach City Attorney’s Office since 2012. She has worked as a Trial Advocacy Instructor at the Trial Advocacy Prosecution Program from 2012 to 2024. Chavira served as a Prosecutor and Assistant Supervisor at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from 2002 to 2012. Chavira received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Lou Villar. Chavira is a Democrat. 

    Terrence Jones, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Jones has worked as Chief Trial Counsel at Cameron Jones since 2022. He worked as Chief Trial Counsel at the Law Office of Terrence Jones from 2017 to 2022. Jones worked as an Associate at Ballard Spahr from 2015 to 2017. He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California from 2008 to 2015. Jones received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Serena R. Murillo to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Jones is a Democrat. 

    Merced County Superior Court

    Ashley Albertoni Sausser, of Merced County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Merced County Superior Court. Albertoni Sausser has worked as an Attorney at Albertoni & Associates since 2015. She worked in multiple roles at Fagalde, Albertoni & Flores from 2010 to 2015, including as an Attorney and a Law Clerk. She was a part-time lecturer at the California State University, Stanislaus in 2011. Albertoni Sausser received a Juris Doctor degree from Humphreys Drivon School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Shelly Seymour. Albertoni Sausser is a Democrat.

    Orange County Superior Court

    Randall Bethune, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Bethune has served as a Commissioner on that court since 2024. He was a Senior Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 2006 to 2024. He was an Attorney at the Law Office of Randall S. Bethune from 2003 to 2006. Bethune received a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James L. Waltz. Bethune is a Democrat.

    San Diego County Superior Court

    Deborah Cumba, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Cumba has served as a Commissioner on that court since 2021. Cumba served as a Deputy Attorney at the California State Department of Transportation from 2011 to 2021. She was an Associate at Wilson Elser from 2003 to 2011 and an Associate at Clark Hill in 2005. Cumba received a Juris Doctor degree from University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Howard H. Shore. Cumba is a Democrat.

    San Francisco County Superior Court

    John D. Echeverria, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Francisco County Superior Court. Echeverria has served as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General at the California Attorney General’s Office since 2024 and served as a Deputy Attorney General from 2016 to 2024. He was an Adjunct Professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco from 2021 to 2025. He worked as an Associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP from 2010 to 2016. He served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2009 to 2010. Echeverria earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anne-Christine Massullo. Echeverria is a Democrat.

    Dawn Payne, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Francisco County Superior Court. Payne has served as an Attorney in the Legal Services office of the Judicial Council of California since 2016. She was a Staff Attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2010 to 2015. Payne was an Associate at Calvo & Clark LLP from 2008 to 2010. She served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Claudia Wilken in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 2005 to 2007. Payne worked as an Associate at Morrison Foerster from 2003 to 2005. She served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Harry Pregerson at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2002 to 2003. Payne received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen A. Kelly. Payne is a Democrat.

    Santa Clara County Superior Court

    Jeffrey El-Hajj, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. El-Hajj has served as a Research Attorney for the Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal since 2013. He was a Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from 2011 to 2013. El-Hajj worked as an Associate at Angel Law from 2009 to 2011. El-Hajj received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Peter H. Kirwan. El-Hajj is a Democrat.

    Eunice Lee, of Santa Clara County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Lee has served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office since 2015. She worked as an Associate at Minami Tamaki from 2008 to 2015. Lee received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Vanessa Zecher. Lee is a Democrat.

    Erik Johnson, of Santa Clara County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Johnson has served as a Commissioner on that court since 2020. He worked as a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Erik Steven Johnson from 2010 to 2020. Johnson was an Associate for Hinkle Jachimowicz, Pointer & Emmanuel from 2007 to 2010. Johnson received a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Carrie Zepeda-Madrid. Johnson is a Democrat.

    San Joaquin County Superior Court

    Adam Ramirez, of San Joaquin County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Ramirez has worked as a Shareholder at Hakeem, Ellis, Marengo & Ramirez since 2023 and as an Associate from 2008-2022. He was an Adjunct Professor at Humphreys University Drivon School of Law from 2019 to 2024. Ramirez was an Attorney at the Family Law Service Center from 2007 to 2008. He was an Attorney at the Law Office of Christopher K. Eley from 2007 to 2008. Ramirez received a Juris Doctor degree from the Humphreys University Drivon School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jose L. Alva. Ramirez is a Democrat.

    Tulare County Superior Court

    Frank Ruiz, of Tulare County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tulare County Superior Court. Ruiz has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Kings County Counsel’s Office since 2014. He worked as an Associate for the Children’s Advocacy Group in 2014. Ruiz was a Volunteer Attorney that same year for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in Riverside. Ruiz received a Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brett R. Alldredge. Ruiz is a Democrat.

    The compensation for each of these positions is $244,727.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jun 18, 2025

    News What you need to know: After more than 170 events last week celebrating California’s state parks, Governor Newsom and his administration are calling out federal cuts to National Parks and public lands. SACRAMENTO – As the Trump administration threatens the future…

    Jun 18, 2025

    News What you need to know: Two sites in San Francisco are the latest to be transformed under Governor Newsom’s executive order converting excess and underutilized state land into affordable housing.  SAN FRANCISCO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom recently wrote an op-ed on the dangers of President Trump’s reach at authoritarianism, as well as the solution that lies within the power of each citizen to hold their electeds accountable to the Constitution they have sworn…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson to ICE Officers: We’ve Got Your Back

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, after meeting with brave and patriotic Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago, Speaker Johnson joined Bill Hemmer on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom to discuss how House Republicans are delivering much needed relief and reinforcements to ICE through the One Big Beautiful Bill. 

    Watch the full interview here

    On Speaker Johnson’s visit to ICE offices in Chicago:

    We came here to make sure that these brave men and women that serve in ICE, who are protecting our communities and upholding federal law, I want to make sure that they know that Republicans have their back. The President, Kristi Noem at Homeland Security, all the leadership, Tom Homan, we are all in this together. And we want them to know that even though assaults on ICE officers have risen by 413% just in this recent period. Democrats are leading that. Republicans are on the opposite side. We are for the rule of law and for law enforcement, and we are doing everything we can to support them.

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on immigration and deportations:

    I can tell you that every Republican in Congress, in the House and Senate, are completely supportive of this idea that we’ve got to give more resources. This was the number one issue in the election in 2024 in the fall. Largely, President Trump was elected, got the record number, 77 million popular votes, because people believed in his ability and his determination to solve this problem, this illegal immigration crisis that we’ve had. And so they need the resources now to do it.

    Tom Homan said, as recently as yesterday, he was in the media saying that yesterday, 95 people were detained who came across the border. That’s the lowest number crossing the border in history ever recorded. And every single one of them are being held and will be sent home. But you need the resources to continue that. Tom Homan said, we have to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill so that they have all those funds that you just listed. Included in that, by the way, is $10,000 bonus for the people on the front lines here. They need it.

    On ICE needing additional resources from Congress:

    They’ve got a very difficult job here in this deep blue territory with a mayor who is on the wrong side of the law. They’re doing everything they can, it’s a patriotic duty. They’re understaffed; they’re overwhelmed with the workload. They’re trying to go after the dangerous, criminal, illegal aliens that are in the country harming American citizens. The mayor of Chicago thinks that is an ill-conceived mission. What is he talking about? It’s madness. They have to do the job and they need to do it better. 

    We’re working on the, the One Big Beautiful Bill to allow them the resources that are desperately needed. I mean, they are doing the job. The border is secured. We are locked down. We’re not allowing illegals into the country anymore. But the enforcement and removal of the dangerous people who got here, is an essential task for our ICE agents and officers to take care of. They need more personnel. They need more facilities. We’re here to see it.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Gomez Hosts Tele Town Hall with Over 4,500 Constituents to Discuss Trump’s Lawless Attacks on Hardworking Immigrants and Working Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    ICYMI: Rep. Gomez Hosts Tele Town Hall with Over 4,500 Constituents to Discuss Trump’s Lawless Attacks on Hardworking Immigrants and Working Families

    LOS ANGELES, CA, June 18, 2025

    LOS ANGELES, CA – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) hosted a Tele Town hall with 4,535 constituents to discuss how he’s fighting back against the Trump administration’s lawless attacks on immigrant families, the illegal deployment of federal troops in LA, and the Republicans’ Big Billionaire Bill that slashes Medicaid and threatens Social Security to fund more tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

    “Thank you to the 4,533 Angelenos who joined my Tele Town Hall tonight—it’s always good hearing from you,” said Rep. Gomez. “From lawless ICE raids to protecting Medicaid and Social Security, we discussed how we’re fighting back and standing up for our working families. We might not agree on everything, but one thing’s clear: we must stop Trump and the billionaire establishment taking root in DC.”

    Over the course of the Tele Town Hall, Rep. Gomez outlined his efforts to:

    Constituents who didn’t get a chance to join the town hall can still reach out for assistance or updates. Please contact Rep. Gomez’s office at (213) 481-1425 or visit www.gomez.house.gov for help with a federal agency—including Social Security, veterans’ benefits, immigration services, or Medicare.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Misogyny has become a political strategy — here’s how the pandemic helped make it happen

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brianna I. Wiens, Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Rhetoric, University of Waterloo

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more overt forms of gendered hate have jumped from obscure internet forums into the mainstream, shaping culture and policy.

    Social media doesn’t just reflect sexist, anti-feminist views; it helps to organize, amplify and normalize them.

    Backlash against women and LGBTQ+ communities has become more overt, co-ordinated and is gaining political traction. As the United States rolls back reproductive rights and passes anti-LGBTQ+ laws, it is important to understand how digital culture fuels this regression.

    While these shifts may seem distant, Canadian politics are not immune. Similar rhetoric has emerged in debates over education, gender identity, health care and so-called “parental rights.”



    Read more:
    ‘Parental rights’ lobby puts trans and queer kids at risk

    Our ongoing research maps how the pandemic accelerated the rise of online misogyny, especially through “manosphere” influencers and far-right rhetoric.

    Drawing from more than 21,000 podcast episodes and digital artifacts, we are investigating how everyday online content works to erode women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. This rhetoric normalizes misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic views and repackages gender inequities as common sense.

    How the pandemic fuelled digital misogyny

    COVID-19 lockdowns set the stage for a surge in online radicalization. Isolated men and boys increasingly turned to social media for connection — spaces where manosphere personalities like English-American social media influencer Andrew Tate and American conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro gained momentum.

    These figures blend anti-feminist messaging with broader pandemic-era anxieties, turning gender roles into moral and political battlegrounds.

    Conservative influencers who once focused on vaccine skepticism began pivoting to anti-gender content. Steve Bannon’s podcast, for example, moved from pedalling public health disinformation to pushing narratives that feminism and LGBTQ+ rights are threats to western civilization.

    Before the internet, radicalization usually required personal contact. Now, people can self-radicalize online, engaging with algorithm-driven content and communities that reinforce extremist beliefs, often without ever interacting with a recruiter. This shift coincided with a marked rise in reported online hate speech and offline hate crimes.

    Misogyny as a mobilizing force

    Meanwhile, women’s experiences during the pandemic — over half of whom are caregivers in Canada — involved increased labour at home and in front-line jobs. This left little time or energy for the organizational work necessary to combat the rising tides of sexism and misogyny.

    Instead, public discourse began to increasingly valourize “tradwife” ideals and homemaking. This ensured traditional gender roles were brought back into the mainstream, not just as personal preferences, but as broader cultural expectations.

    Though this misogyny appears to be fringe, it echoes mainstream policies that threaten reproductive health care, restrict gender expression and paint feminism as a threat to national stability.

    Project 2025, the well-known policy platform from U.S. conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, lays out an agenda to repeal reproductive rights, undermine LGBTQ+ protections and expand state control over gender and family life.



    Read more:
    How Project 2025 became the blueprint for Donald Trump’s second term

    How misogynist narratives are normalized

    These misogynist ideas are reinforced in popular culture. In May 2024, NFL player Harrison Butker used his commencement address at Benedictine College to tell women graduates that their true calling was to become wives and mothers.

    Such rhetoric serves to re-establish patriarchal hierarchies by narrowing women’s roles to domestic life. But this isn’t about family values, it’s about power. Moves in the U.S. to restrict women’s reproductive autonomy and democratic access to vote make this abundantly clear.

    While feminists pushed back, manosphere podcast influencers rushed to Butker’s defense. American white supremacist Nick Fuentes celebrated the speech as a manifesto, while Shapiro framed it as uncontroversial truth.

    Our analysis of podcast episodes from Shapiro and Fuentes, among others, shows how misogynist and racist narratives are reinforced through repetition and emotional framing. In episodes focused on Butker’s commencement speech, there were significant concentrations of hate speech and misogyny in the episodes.

    Both Shapiro and Fuentes positioned feminism as a threat and framed motherhood as women’s true vocation. Shapiro downplayed the backlash against Butker as liberal outrage through calculatedly mainstream language that used sanitized, “family values” language.

    Fuentes promoted an extreme theocratic vision rooted in white Catholic nationalism. In Episode 1,330 of his America First podcast, he said, “I want women to be veiled. I don’t want them to be seen. I want them to be listening to their husbands.”

    These talking points consistently align with Butker’s original sentiment and reflect broader political efforts to erode gender equity, as seen in political documents like Project 2025.

    Other public figures like Texan megachurch pastor Joel Webbon went even further, advocating for the public execution of women who accuse men of sexual assault — a horrifying example that circulated in manosphere circles.

    From the fringes to the mainstream

    What’s happening online is not just cultural noise; it’s a co-ordinated effort by conservative political organizations, media outlets and right-wing influencers to shape gender norms, undermine equality and roll back decades of feminist progress.

    When misogyny becomes a political strategy, it doesn’t stay confined to podcasts or memes. It seeps into everyday vernacular, court rulings and public policy, and it’s global in scope.

    This isn’t new, either. In 2012, Australia’s then-prime minister, Julia Gillard, called out sexist language in parliament, including being labelled a “witch” and subjected to dismissive catcalls. Her speech highlighted the normalization of misogynistic vernacular in politics, but also triggered public backlash, including having anti-immigration remarks misattributed to her.

    Similarly, in the lead-up to Germany’s 2021 federal election, Greens party candidate Annalena Baerbock faced co-ordinated disinformation and smear campaigns from foreign entities aimed at undermining her credibility and questioning her “maternal suitability” in the public eye. Digitally altered nude photos, fake protest images and disinformation graphics were circulated.

    These campaigns reflect how misogyny is weaponized to influence elections, and how such campaigns can be a threat to national security.

    A 2022 #MeToo litigation analysis showed how, despite increasing awareness around sexual assault and harassment, U.S. courts often use legal language that reinforces victim-blaming by placing victims in the grammatical subject position of sentences. For example, phrases like “the victim failed to resist” or “the victim did not report the incident immediately” shift focus onto the victim’s behaviour rather than the perpetrator’s actions.

    These details continue to affect broader legal narratives and public acceptance.

    Digital platforms are battlegrounds

    Recognizing these connections is crucial. As far-right movements gain ground by repackaging ideas about gender as nostalgic “truth” or “tradition,” we need to recognize that digital platforms are not neutral, nostalgic spaces.

    Rather, they are conversational battlegrounds where power is contested and jokes, tweets and speeches carry real political weight.

    In the fight for gender equity, the internet is not just a mirror that reflects multiple realities. It’s a tool built by the tech industry that was never intended to democratize communication, labour or social roles. Right now, that tool is being weaponized to signal and reassert patriarchal control.

    Brianna I. Wiens receives research funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

    Nick Ruest receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

    Shana MacDonald receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. Misogyny has become a political strategy — here’s how the pandemic helped make it happen – https://theconversation.com/misogyny-has-become-a-political-strategy-heres-how-the-pandemic-helped-make-it-happen-256043

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –