House Passes Bill to Limit Nationwide Injunctions

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/rogue-judges-house/2025/04/09/id/1206338/

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 10:36 PM EDT

The House on Wednesday passed legislation that will prevent federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions in a move that seeks to halt rulings that have hampered President Donald Trump's agenda.

The legislation, the No Rogue Rulings Act, passed by a 219-213 vote, with only one Republican, Rep. Scott Turner of Ohio, joining the Democrat minority. Article III of the Constitution gives Congress authority over how lower federal courts operate.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., prohibits district court judges from issuing an injunction unless the injunction applies only to the parties of the case before the court. In a case where two or more states from different districts are challenging an executive branch action, the case will be referred to a three-judge panel randomly selected and not by the circuit's chief judge. The panel could then issue an injunction that would otherwise be prohibited under the bill.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which advanced the legislation to the House floor, said the bill "will rein in activist judges and restore district courts to their proper role."

"By limiting judges' ability to issue nationwide injunctions, [the bill] ensures that policy decisions remain with the democratically elected branches of government, not unelected judges," Jordan said Wednesday night in a news release. "This bill will protect the constitutional separation of powers and prevent rogue judges from undermining the will of the people."

Federal district court judges have issued a smattering of temporary nationwide injunctions against Trump executive orders ranging from restrictions on birthright citizenship, firing probationary federal employees, indefinitely suspending refugee admissions and processing, and deporting violent members of illegal immigrant gangs.

"We took on the activist judges and their rogue rulings," Issa wrote in a post on X. "Now it's on to the Senate to send this to the desk of @realDonaldTrump."

The bill faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Senate because seven Democrats would need to get on board to break any filibuster. Considering no Democrats supported the House measure, Republicans will need to curry favor with the minority party in the upper chamber for the measure to reach Trump's desk.

"Democrats and their allies are fighting tooth and nail to stop Republicans from securing our borders, lowering costs, and reindustrializing America," Rep. John James, R-Mich., wrote in a post on X. "The No Rogue Rulings Act says ENOUGH to far-left activists hell-bent on preserving the failing status quo!"

In another post on X, Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., said in a video: "The United States Congress created the district courts to begin with; of course it's within our authority to decide the scope of the authority that they have. This is an important check to return the balance of power back to the people."

N.M. Gov Mobilizes National Guard to Tackle Albuquerque Crime

https://www.newsmax.com/us/michelle-lujan-grisham-new-mexico-crime/2025/04/09/id/1206330/

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 08:32 PM EDT

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in New Mexico's largest city, saying that a significant increase in crime in Albuquerque warrants the help of the New Mexico National Guard.

She signed an executive order, clearing the way for several dozen troops to be deployed along the historic Route 66 corridor starting in mid-May. The order also frees up state funds for the National Guard to use as part of the effort.

Training for 60 to 70 troops already is underway, the governor's office said.

Governors typically call up the National Guard to help with natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Governors in recent years also have ordered troops to address illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. In New York last year, the National Guard helped patrol the subway system following a series of high-profile crimes.

In New Mexico, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called it a crucial time for the National Guard to provide support that gives police officers more time to patrol the streets for crime.

Medina and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller pointed to a large chart during a news conference, saying nearly every category of crime has come down since the beginning of the year because of the work already being done by the police force.

The National Guard will not be engaging with the public, they said, but rather taking on duties that drain the time of sworn officers, like directing traffic. The troops can help secure crime scenes, distribute food and supplies to the homeless population throughout the corridor, transport prisoners, provide courthouse security, and run drone operations used for locating suspects or assessing incidents, officials said.

Watchdog groups have concerns that militarizing civilian law enforcement will lead to civil rights violations.

Daniel Williams, policy advocate at the ACLU of New Mexico, called the governor's action a show of force, not a solution.

"New Mexico already has one of the highest per capita rates of people killed by police in the nation," Williams said. "History has shown that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, racial profiling, and criminalization of vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness and poverty."

It's not the first time Lujan Grisham has tried to leverage state resources to address high crime rates in Albuquerque. In 2021, the two-term Democrat temporarily assigned state police officers to the area to help local authorities tackle vehicle thefts, drug trafficking, aggressive driving, and the apprehension of violent criminals with felony warrants.

The year before, then-President Donald Trump sent federal agents, including Homeland Security officers, to Albuquerque as part of an effort to contain violent crime. He also targeted Chicago and other U.S. cities with the surge in resources.

Lujan Grisham's latest emergency declaration follows a March 31 request by Albuquerque's police chief, who pointed to the fentanyl epidemic and an increase in violent juvenile crime. Medina wrote that progress has been made in reducing shootings and aggravated assaults along what is known as Central Avenue but that more resources are needed.

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned last month, drawing much criticism from law enforcement leaders, prosecutors, and even the governor for failing to adequately bolster public safety in Albuquerque and other New Mexico communities.

Statistics released by the Albuquerque police department in February showed an 11% decrease in aggravated assaults in 2024 compared to the prior year, while homicides decreased for a second straight year.

Musk Attorney John Bash Launches Texas AG Run

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/elon-musk-donald-trump-john-bash/2025/04/09/id/1206339/

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 10:49 PM EDT

John Bash, attorney to tech mogul Elon Musk and former U.S. attorney during President Donald Trump's first term, announced his candidacy to succeed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first to enter the 2026 statewide race, The Hill reported.

Bash, a partner at the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, declared Wednesday that he is running for Texas attorney general. His campaign follows current Attorney General Ken Paxton's decision to pursue a U.S. Senate seat, setting the stage for a major reshuffling in Texas Republican politics.

Bash, who served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas under Trump, emphasized the significance of the role in a statement to The Hill:

"The Texas attorney general's office is at the forefront of all the critical legal issues facing the country, and that office should be led by the strongest possible attorney – one who is battle-tested and will be ready on Day 1," Bash said.

His background includes clerking for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as well as handling hundreds of cases before the high court. From 2012 to 2017, he served as assistant to the solicitor general at the Department of Justice. Bash joined Quinn Emanuel in 2020, where his practice centers on appellate litigation and internal investigations.

Paxton, who has held the attorney general post since 2015, announced Tuesday that he will run for U.S. Senate, setting up a Republican primary challenge against Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton has long hinted at a potential Senate bid and made it official in an interview on Fox News.

"We have another great U.S. senator, Ted Cruz, and it's time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Trump, Donald Trump, in the areas that he's focused on in a very significant way. And that's what I plan on doing," Paxton said.

Bash represents Musk, a prominent adviser to Trump, in a Texas defamation case. His ties to the Trump administration and conservative legal circles are expected to play a central role in his campaign.

Bash graduated from Harvard Law School and has built a reputation in appellate advocacy, representing clients in high-stakes legal matters. His entry into the race positions him as an early front-runner, particularly given his extensive experience and alignment with Texas' conservative base.

Pentagon Chief: US Could 'Revive' Panama Bases

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pentagon-hegseth-u-s/2025/04/10/id/1206356/

Thursday, 10 April 2025 06:47 AM EDT

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the idea on Wednesday of US troops returning to Panama to "secure" its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the Central American country's government.

Hegseth suggested during a visit to Panama that "by invitation" the United States could "revive" military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of U.S. troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago.

He also said his country was seeking free passage through the canal for its Navy ships – which President Donald Trump had said were "severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form."

Trump, since coming to power in January, has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.

His administration has vowed to "take back" control of the strategic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.

Hegseth suggested on Wednesday the slew of former US military bases that dot Panama could be used again to host U.S. troops.

He said a deal signed with Panama this week was an "opportunity to revive, whether it's the military base, naval air station, locations where US troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way."

Hegseth cited the possibility of "joint exercises" but the mention of a "rotational" force is likely to raise the hackles of Panamanians, for whom sole ownership of the canal is a source of intense national pride.

The United States has long participated in military exercises in Panama.

However, a longer-term rotational force — such as the one the United States maintains in Darwin, Australia — is politically toxic for Panama's center-right leader Jose Raul Mulino.

His government quickly slapped down the idea.

"Panama made clear, through President Mulino that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites," said Panama security minister Frank Abrego in a joint public appearance with Hegseth.

Hegseth also said the United States was seeking an agreement under which its warships could pass through the canal "first, and free."

Jose Ramon Icaza, Panama's Minister for Canal Affairs, said "we will seek a mechanism by which warships and auxiliary ships can have a compensation system for services, that is, a way to make them cost-neutral" but not "free."

The independent Panama Canal Authority (PCA) that manages the waterway said in a statement on Wednesday that it was seeking a "cost-neutral scheme" to "compensate services rendered in security matters for warship tolls."

>>22892426

Pentagon Chief: US Could 'Revive' Panama Bases

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pentagon-hegseth-u-s/2025/04/10/id/1206356/

Thursday, 10 April 2025 06:47 AM EDT

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Under current treaties, the canal is open to all nations and all vessels must pay the same rates according to their capacity and cargo, regardless of their country of origin or destination.

The PCA said the United States recognized Panamanian sovereignty over the waterway, although Hegseth did not mention it in the news conference.

The Pentagon chief's two-day visit has been peppered with comments about China and its influence in Latin America.

He said the United States was not looking for war with China but would counter Beijing's "threats" to the region.

"We do not seek war with China. And war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form," Hegseth said.

"But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China's threats in this hemisphere," the former Fox News anchor said in a speech.

China hit back after Hegseth's comments, saying U.S. officials "maliciously attacked China… exposing the United States' bullying nature."

Trump has zeroed in on the role of a Hong Kong company that has operated ports at either end of the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for decades.

Hegseth asserted that China-based companies are also capturing Latin American land and infrastructure in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications, and that China has too large a military presence in the hemisphere.

"Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain," Hegseth said.

Under pressure from the White House, Panama has accused Hong Kong-backed Panama Ports Company of failing to meet its contractual obligations and pushed for the firm to pull out of the country.

The firm rejected on Wednesday an audit that said it had failed to pay $1.2 billion due under its concession.

The ports' parent company CK Hutchison announced last month a deal to offload 43 ports in 23 countries — including its two on the Panama Canal — to a consortium led by U.S. asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash.

A furious Beijing has since announced an antitrust review of the deal.

The United States invaded Panama in 1989 to oust dictator Manuel Noriega, killing more than 500 Panamanians and razing parts of the capital.

>>22892790

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