Monday, Oct. 13
Naked protest in Portland challenges the Trump administration
Protestors gathered in Portland to oppose President Donald Trump’s attempts at moving National Guard troops into the city to diminish previous immigration led protests, according to the Associated Press.
According to the AP, many gathered Oct. 13 to participate in a nude bike ride to signal protest against Trump’s efforts, riding to the city's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.
Portland is waiting for an appeals court panel ruling to determine whether Trump will have the authority to send federal troops to the city, following an Oct. 5 temporary hold enacted by a federal judge.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Trump administration fires federal employees from HHS
The Trump administration fired hundreds of federal employees working in mental health services, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness, over the last weekend. The mass firing is part of the president's plan to pressure Democrats to end the government shutdown, the AP reported.
The individuals were all employed within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, impacting divisions including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
According to an HHS spokesperson, the terminated employees were deemed non-essential, the AP reported. The spokesperson stated these recent efforts are a part of the agency's goal of reducing waste and following through on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
According to the AP, a court ruling from the Trump administration estimated 1,100 to 1,200 of the almost 80,000 staffers at HHS were receiving dismissal notices.
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Trump administration revokes visas from critics of Charlie Kirk
The Trump administration revoked visas from six foreigners due to “derisive” comments they made regarding the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. U.S. officials claimed the individuals made light of or mocked the tragedy, the AP reported.
According to the AP, these non-identified foreigners were from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa. The State Department claimed any individual who celebrates the assassination of an American citizen while taking advantage of the country's hospitality will be removed.
The recent decision comes as the Trump administration engages in larger efforts to punish critics of Charlie Kirk and expel foreign critics of the U.S., according to the AP.
Thursday, Oct. 16
Trump confirms covert CIA operations in Venezuela
According to the AP, Trump confirmed on Wednesday the CIA has been authorized to engage in covert operations inside Venezuela.
The confirmation follows recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean against alleged drug-smuggling boats. Four out of the five boats that U.S. forces destroyed since September were from Venezuela, the AP reported.
Trump claimed the decision to mobilize CIA assets came as a result of drug cartels from Venezuela and illegal immigration from Venezuelan prisons.
According to the AP, Trump stated the administration is considering the decision to authorize land operations on Venezuelan soil.
Friday, Oct. 17
Former Trump advisor charged with storing and sharing classified information
Former national security advisor John Bolton was charged Thursday for allegedly storing classified documents at home and sharing confidential information regarding his time in the White House with relatives, the AP reported.
Bolton served under Trump during his first term before being fired in 2019. Since then, Bolton has been an outspoken critic of Trump.
According to the AP, the case is the third time in the last month that a Trump adversary has been charged with a crime, with many raising concerns that the administration is using the Justice Department to attack political enemies.
The indictment alleges Bolton shared over 1,000 pages of information between 2018 and this past month, regarding his daily activities in government with relatives.
Sunday, Oct. 19
No Kings protests return nationwide, signify outrage over Trump administration
Protests known as No Kings gathered in cities nationwide Saturday to rally against the Trump administration and alleged authoritarianism, according to the AP.
The demonstrations occurred in large cities such as New York City and Boston, as well as smaller cities across the country. Many of the rallies had marching bands, banners and people dressed in costumes.
The nationwide demonstrations are the third mass protest gathering since Trump returned to office in January, the AP reported. The demonstrations label Trump as a king and display attendees' fear of rising authoritarianism.
