Emergency Powers Threatened as Military Mobilization Hits Legal Roadblocks

As the United States enters a turbulent period marked by political standoffs, President Donald Trump has openly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, raising the prospect of deploying the military in Democratic-led cities beset by protests and civil unrest. The move comes after a federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland, highlighting the administration’s mounting legal hurdles to bypass state authority during periods of unrest.

“We have an insurrection act for a reason. If I had to enact it I would do that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, signalling willingness to override opposition from state governors or city mayors if he deems the response from local authorities to be insufficient.

The Insurrection Act, last used during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, grants the president the authority to deploy the military to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion. Legal scholars have noted that invoking the Act remains deeply controversial and could escalate tensions between the federal government and states’ rights, a debate that is at the forefront of the unfolding crisis.

Federal Courts Take Stance on National Guard Deployments

Legal battles over troop deployments are playing out in multiple states. In Illinois, a federal judge declined to immediately block the deployment of National Guard troops following a lawsuit by state officials opposing the president’s orders. The decision paves the way for Texas National Guard troops to be potentially deployed to Chicago later this week, remaining a flashpoint in the wider debate over federal authority.

These legal maneuvers mirror recent history in Oregon, where the Trump administration faced staunch judicial and local resistance to the federalization of the state’s National Guard. According to recent reports, the administration is actively seeking mechanisms to federalize National Guard units in response to protests or spikes in urban violence, despite fierce opposition from state leaders and civic groups concerned about the erosion of state autonomy.

Government Shutdown Deepens, Federal Workers in Limbo

Amid the ongoing legal skirmishes, the US government shutdown has entered its second week, with critical agencies shuttered and federal employees facing widespread furloughs. The standoff between Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill has shown little sign of resolution, as budget negotiations over spending priorities, border security, and federal workforce funding remain deadlocked.

The Trump administration has responded by warning of imminent plans to reduce the size of the federal workforce, threatening long-term implications for public services ranging from health inspections to regulatory oversight. Programs that subsidize vital air service to rural communities are set to expire, potentially worsening the economic outlook in those regions.

Comparisons to previous shutdowns—such as the 35-day record shutdown in early 2019—underscore the significant impact on government operations, contractor payments, and the national economy. As of the latest government statistics, over 800,000 federal workers remain either furloughed or working without pay.

Justice Department Independence Under Scrutiny

In another high-profile development, a career prosecutor in Virginia, Elizabeth Yusi, has refused to comply with White House pressure to initiate mortgage fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has frequently clashed with President Trump over investigative matters. Sources indicate that Yusi, responsible for major criminal cases in the Eastern District of Virginia, found no probable cause to support such charges and will present her findings to newly-appointed US Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a Trump ally installed in the post mere weeks ago.

This episode has renewed concerns over the independence of the Justice Department, with critics warning of the dangers of politicizing federal prosecutorial decisions. Legal experts and former department officials have pointed to repeated instances in recent years where career attorneys resisted pressure to act on behalf of the administration’s political interests.

Supreme Court Declines Ghislaine Maxwell Appeal

The United States Supreme Court denied a petition to review the sex trafficking conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell, the former confidant of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the notorious sex trafficking ring. The court’s refusal to take up the case ends legal avenues for appeal and reaffirms the lower court’s convictions, closing a significant chapter in the high-profile saga involving prominent political and business figures.

Media Landscape Shifts: Bari Weiss Appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News

In a surprising media shakeup, Bari Weiss—founder of The Free Press and a former New York Times columnist—has been named editor-in-chief of CBS News as Paramount Global acquires Weiss’s media startup. At just 41, Weiss brings a distinctive editorial approach but has no prior experience in broadcast journalism. Her appointment reflects ongoing transformations in the media landscape, where traditional outlets are seeking new audiences and authenticity by embracing heterodox voices.

The move has already sparked internal debate at CBS and across media circles, with some lauding Weiss’s commitment to independent journalism and others expressing concerns about her relative inexperience in television news. CBS News is at a pivotal moment, facing intense competition from both established networks and digital-first rivals in an era of dwindling trust in mainstream media.

Other Key Developments

• The Trump administration confirmed that subsidies for commercial air service to rural US airports will expire soon due to the ongoing shutdown, jeopardizing vital connections for small communities. Read more.
• Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has emerged more popular than President Trump after a recent spat with the administration, according to a new poll which shows Trump’s ratings stagnating amid ongoing controversies. Read more.
• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged President Trump in a recent video call to remove tariffs and lift sanctions on Brazilian officials, as bilateral relations remain in focus in the shifting global trade environment. Read more.