Monday, Sept. 8
Classrooms brace for Trump’s Smithsonian changes
President Donald Trump is reviewing the Smithsonian Institution to ensure its content is in line with his vision of American ideals, according to the Associated Press.
Educators, especially history teachers, refer to the Smithsonian for history materials. AP said the fear among those against Smithsonian changes is a “sanitized version of American history.”
Katharina Matro, a history teacher in Bethesda, Maryland, said people want history “produced by real historians,” according to the AP.
A survey by the American Historical Association found more than 80% of history teachers use free resources from the Smithsonian along with other federal museums, archives and institutions.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Department of Homeland Security initiates immigration operation in Chicago
The Department of Homeland Security began “Operation Midway Blitz” on Monday, targeting people with criminal records who don't have legal permission to live in the United States, according to the AP.
Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement that the Trump administration is “focused on scaring Illinoisians,” rather than collaborating on public safety efforts, according to the AP.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois also condemned the operation in a statement, saying the actions of the DHS “are a waste of money, stoke fear, and represent another failed attempt at distraction,” according to the AP.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Gov. Lisa Cook can keep position as Trump fights to fire her
Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook can remain in her position while fighting against Trump’s efforts to fire her, as ruled by a federal court, according to the AP.
Trump said he would fire Cook over allegations she committed mortgage fraud on two properties she purchased before becoming a federal governor.
U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled such allegations were not sufficient grounds for firing, AP said.
The ruling stated, “President Trump has not stated a legally permissible cause for Cook’s removal,” the AP said.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Charlie Kirk assassinated in Utah
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday at a public event at Utah Valley University, according to the AP.
Federal investigators called for public help locating the suspect Thursday, releasing pictures of a person in a hat, sunglasses and a black, long-sleeved shirt. A $100,000 reward was offered for information, according to the AP.
As of Friday, the suspect had been turned in by his father, identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington, Utah.
Kirk, who was leading a debate hosted by his nonprofit organization Turning Point USA, was speaking about gun violence when he was shot.
Friday, Sept. 12
Radicalized Colorado school shooter injures two
Two students were injured at Evergreen High School in Colorado on Wednesday. The shooter was a 16-year-old boy. According to authorities, the boy was “radicalized by an unspecified ‘extremist network,’” AP said.
Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, said authorities came to the conclusion the shooter was radicalized after examining his home and phone, according to the AP.
The shooter shot himself at Evergreen High School and died afterward.
Sunday, Sept. 14
Patel awaits congressional hearings after Kirk's assassination
FBI Director Kash Patel faces congressional oversight hearings this week after mistakenly declaring the shooter who killed Charlie Kirk was in custody mere hours after the shooting Wednesday afternoon, according to the AP.
Two men who were detained were released, and Utah officials said the shooter was still at large following Patel’s claim. Patel now faces questions on his ability to lead the FBI.
In addition to questions about the Kirk assassination, Patel also faces queries about the Jefferey Epstein files, the firing of FBI senior executives and a shift in FBI top-priorities, which now places illegal immigration, street crime and drug trafficking at the top of the list, according to the AP.
