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Category: News
April 2, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
News

Texas House Declares Annual ‘Pakistan Day.’

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❓What Happened: The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution to officially recognize March 23 as “Pakistan Day.”

👥 Who’s Involved: State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, Pakistan’s Consul General in Texas Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows.

📍 Where & When: Texas House of Representatives, late March.

💬 Key Quote: “Today, we celebrate Pakistan’s rich history, resilience, and vibrant cultural heritage.” — Rep. Suleman Lalani.

⚠️ Impact: This resolution dedicates a day to celebrating Pakistan annually in Texas, underlining the growing cultural impact of immigration on the United States.

IN FULL:

A resolution recognizing March 23 as “Pakistan Day” has been passed by the Texas House of Representatives. Democratic State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, a Pakistani immigrant, introduced the resolution, highlighting the cultural heritage of fellow Pakistanis, to mark 85 years since the Pakistan Resolution, also known as Qarardad-e-Pakistan.

“This pivotal moment in 1940 laid the foundation for Pakistan’s independence and remains a source of pride for Pakistanis worldwide,” he said.

At the Texas House, Pakistan’s Consul General in Texas, Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, was present to witness the event. Consul General Chaudhry met with House Speaker Dustin Burrows, expressing appreciation for the support in passing the measure. The consul general also took the opportunity to invite Speaker Burrows, alongside a delegation of state representatives and Texas business leaders, to visit Pakistan.

Despite its reputation as a conservative state, the GOP delegation in the Texas House is unusually left-leaning. Burrows, a BlackRock-linked Republican, owes his position to Democratic votes, with more Republicans having voted for rival candidate David Cook. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick remarked at the time, “This may be the first time in our nation’s history where the minority party openly elected the speaker of a legislative body instead of the majority party.”

Similarly, Burrows’s predecessor, Dade Phelan, allowed Democrats to drive much of the House agenda, including a shambolic impeachment effort against Attorney General Ken Paxton, an America First ally of President Donald J. Trump.

Following the House proceedings, Consul General Chaudhry attended a Ramadan iftar dinner at the Texas Capitol, hosted by Dr. Lalani. This gathering included members from both legislative houses and local dignitaries.

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April 2, 2025
Religion
World

Islamist Axeman Attacks Christian Festival.

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❓What Happened: An attack occurred during an Assyrian Christian festival in northern Iraq, resulting in injuries to three people.

👥 Who’s Involved: The attacker remains unidentified. Victims include a 17-year-old boy, a 75-year-old woman, and a member of local security forces. Ninab Yousif Toma of the Assyrian Democratic Movement responded to the incident.

📍 Where & When: The attack took place during the Akitu parade in Dohuk, northern Iraq.

💬 Key Quote: “We request both governments to review the religious and education curriculums that plant hate in people’s heads and encourage ethnic and religious extremism,” said Ninab Yousif Toma.

⚠️ Impact: An investigation is underway, and the Assyrian Christian community plans to file a lawsuit. The incident has raised concerns about religious and ethnic extremism affecting minorities in the region.

IN FULL:

An axe-wielding Muslim caused chaos at a Christian festival in Dohuk, northern Iraq, hospitalizing three people. The event, part of the Akitu parade celebrating the Assyrian New Year, attracted numerous Christians dressed in vibrant attire, waving flags in observance of the New Year.

Local security forces reported that the unknown assailant attacked a group of parade-goers, chanting Islamist slogans including, “Islamic State, the Islamic State remains.” Two severely injured victims—a young man, aged 17, and an elderly woman, 75—sustained skull fractures. A local security officer was also injured during the incident.

Ninab Yousif Toma, affiliated with the Assyrian Democratic Movement, addressed the need for government action to combat ethnic and religious extremism. He urged a review of educational content that might incite hatred. “This was obviously an inhumane terrorist attack,” Toma remarked.

“We request both governments to review the religious and education curriculums that plant hate in people’s heads and encourage ethnic and religious extremism,” he added.

Since the 1990s, Akitu celebrations have been carried out peacefully. Toma observed that the Kurdish community in Duhok often extends goodwill gestures towards Assyrians, even during Ramadan fasting periods. He emphasized that this attack would not intimidate the Assyrian Christian community. Authorities have initiated an official investigation. Simultaneously, the Assyrian community aims to pursue legal action.

The violence comes after severe anti-Christian persecutions in neighboring Syria under the new Islamist regime, with over a thousand people reportedly killed last month.

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April 2, 2025
Election Integrity
Lawfare

Trump Hails Wisconsin Voter ID Win as Key to Long-Term Electoral Success.

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❓What Happened: More than 60 percent of Wisconsin voters approved a state constitutional amendment to enforce voter ID requirements, strengthening existing state election laws.

👥 Who’s Involved: Wisconsin voters, President Donald J. Trump, Republicans, Democrats, Judge Susan Crawford, and Brad Schimel.

📍 Where & When: Wisconsin’s Spring Election this past Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: Trump on Truth Social stated, “This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT.”

⚠️ Impact: Strengthens the Republican position in Wisconsin, making it more challenging to alter voter ID laws through legal and legislative actions. Despite the win, a left-leaning judge was elected to the state Supreme Court, which could pave the way for other Democratic Party-backed changes to Wisconsin’s election laws.

IN FULL:

Wisconsin voters have decisively approved a constitutional amendment that strengthens state voter ID requirements, with over 60 percent in favor. This new amendment will fortify existing voter ID laws, which have been in place since 2011, from legal and legislative challenges.

President Donald J. Trump praised the amendment’s approval by Wisconsin voters, suggesting it secures a strategic advantage for Republicans in the state for the foreseeable future. “VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT. This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Tuesday night.

He added: “IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!”

Republicans in Wisconsin pushed for the constitutional amendment to protect the law from potential changes by a future Democratic government or the state’s Supreme Court. Tuesday’s election also saw far-left judge Susan Crawford defeat conservative candidate Brad Schimel in a race for an open seat on the state’s high court—placing further importance on the adoption of the voter ID amendment.

Voter ID laws remain almost universally popular among the broader American electorate. Notably, an October survey by Gallup found that 84 percent of voters support the election integrity measures. However, the Democratic Party—through lawfare and legislative action—continues to work against voter ID requirements, claiming such laws disenfranchise voters.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 2, 2025
Lawfare
World

Le Pen Will Appeal Heinous Lawfare Case Barring Her From Presidential Race.

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❓What Happened: Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally (RN) party, was found guilty of misusing European Union (EU) funds by a Paris court, sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended, two under house arrest), fined €100,000 (~$105,000), and barred from the 2027 presidential race. The populist political leader is now appealing the verdict.

👥 Who’s Involved: Marine Le Pen; French judiciary; Matthieu Almeras, Paris bar lawyer; Gabriel Attal, former French Prime Minister.

📍 Where & When: Paris court ruling decision announced on a Monday; Paris Court of Appeal ruling expected by summer 2026.

💬 Key Quote: “This is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence,” stated Matthieu Almera, a French legal commentator.

⚠️ Impact: Le Pen has filed an appeal delaying prison and financial penalties but maintaining ineligibility for office; questions are being raised about the speed of the appeal process.

IN FULL:

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s populist National Rally party and 2027 presidential election frontrunner, has declared her intention to challenge a recent Paris court verdict that found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. Following the verdict, the court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two under house arrest, accompanied by a fine of €100,000. The court also ruled that Le Pen is prohibited from participating in any elections for the next five years, rendering her unable to compete in the 2027 presidential election.

While Le Pen’s appeal delays the imposition of a prison sentence and fine, her ineligibility to run for public office remains intact. The Paris Court of Appeal is now set to evaluate her case, with a decision anticipated by mid-2026. According to French legal commentator Matthieu Almeras, the appeal “is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence.”

Should the initial judgment stand, Le Pen has further judicial avenues, including the Court of Cassation, which reviews procedural adherence rather than case facts, and potentially the European Court of Human Rights, although such cases would extend beyond the 2027 electoral timeline, given the exhaustive nature of the processes involved.

The relatively rapid processing of Le Pen’s appeal has also sparked debate within France’s legal circles. Political opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally contend the expedited legal proceedings raise questions of fairness and equality under the law. Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, the leader of Emmanuel Macron‘s Renaissance party, criticized the fast pace of the appeal, telling reporters on Tuesday that he wouldn’t know what to say to those whose appeals might be delayed so that the court can take up Le Pen’s legal challenge. However, the obvious answer to this is that a slower appeal might leave her unable to run in 2027 even if she pleads her case successfully.

Many regard Le Pen’s conviction, which hinges on the fact she used assistants at the European Parliament, paid via EU funds, to perform domestic party work, as a farce. Even liberal journalists concede that “hundreds” of European Parliament members use their parliamentary assistants in this way without sanction.

Image by Vox España.

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April 2, 2025
Health
SCOTUS

Supreme Court Weighs Gutting Planned Parenthood’s Govt Funding.

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❓What Happened: The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating if Medicaid recipients can file lawsuits to access specific healthcare providers, focusing on South Carolina’s decision to exclude abortion giant Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Supreme Court justices, Medicaid beneficiaries, Planned Parenthood, South Carolina government officials, and Julie Edwards, a plaintiff and Medicaid recipient.

📍 Where & When: The case is being heard in Washington, D.C., with arguments presented on Wednesday. The decision is anticipated by the end of the Court’s term in June.

💬 Key Quote: “Congress specifically enacted this provision in response to some States’ efforts to restrict Medicaid patients’ choice of provider,” the plaintiffs stated.

⚠️ Impact: The outcome could impact Medicaid beneficiaries’ choice of healthcare providers and potentially reduce government funding sources for Planned Parenthood.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether Medicaid beneficiaries can legally challenge South Carolina’s exclusion of Planned Parenthood from its state Medicaid program over the vast number of abortions it carries out. This case will test whether states truly have the right to adopt pro-life stances.

South Carolina, led by Republican Governor Henry McMaster, cut Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments in 2018, though these did not cover abortion services. State officials argue this move complies with federal prohibitions on government funding for abortion services. They claim that allocating Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood amounts to indirectly subsidizing abortions.

Julie Edwards, a Medicaid recipient, initiated legal action against South Carolina. She claimed that disallowing Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program infringes on the Medicaid Act. “Congress specifically enacted this provision in response to some States’ efforts to restrict Medicaid patients’ choice of provider,” the plaintiffs said.

Typically, Planned Parenthood receives a significant portion of its funding through government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements. State representatives argue that Medicaid recipients have alternative healthcare options.

Should the court rule in favor of Edwards and Planned Parenthood, the lawsuit against the state’s funding exclusion would proceed. Conversely, a decision in favor of South Carolina could strengthen similar exclusion efforts in other states. The judgment is expected to be delivered by the end of the Supreme Court’s term in June.

While Planned Parenthood claims it does more than abort babies, the organization has been accused of heinous actions in the past involving abortions. Last year, the Missouri Attorney General sued the group for trafficking minors for abortions without their parents’s consent. In another case, documents claimed that the University of California-San Diego was even buying the body parts of aborted babies from the group.

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April 1, 2025
Immigration

March Sees Record Low in Illegal Border Crossings.

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❓What Happened: Illegal crossings at the southern U.S. border declined significantly in March.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Border Patrol.

📍 Where & When: Southern U.S. border in March.

💬 Key Quote: “Migrant crossings have slowed to a near halt” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

⚠️ Impact: A sharp reduction in illegal crossings, reaching a 97 percent decrease compared to March 2022.

IN FULL:

In March, the number of unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border fell sharply, marking a significant decrease from previous years. Under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Border Patrol registered encounters with 7,181 migrants attempting to cross into the United States unlawfully. This marks a substantial drop compared to March of the preceding years under former President Joe Biden, where figures were recorded at 137,473 in 2024, 163,672 in 2023, and 211,181 in 2022.

The term “Trump Effect” has been attributed to this drastic reduction, with proponents crediting specific policies aimed at bolstering border security. The Los Angeles Times reported a notable decline in apprehensions along the California-Mexico border. Where once daily arrests numbered over 1,200 during peak migration periods in April, current figures suggest only 30 to 40 such instances per day.

Since taking office this past January, President Trump has deployed members of the U.S. military to the southern border and secured an agreement with Mexico that has seen thousands of Mexican National Guard soldiers dispatched to the Mexican side of the border. The increased military presence from both countries and the surge in federal law enforcement, including agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal division, have helped to deter unlawful crossings significantly.

Additionally, Trump’s mass deportation initiative—led by White House border czar Tom Homan—has discouraged many would-be illegal immigrants from attempting to make the dangerous multi-country trek to the United States through Central America. The prospect of immediate deportation from the U.S. back to their country of origin is seen by many as not worth the physical or financial risk of attempting unlawful entry.

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April 1, 2025
News
War

Germany Stations Troops Near Russian Border in Historic Military Move.

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❓What Happened: German troops will be stationed permanently along NATO’s eastern flank in Lithuania.

👥 Who’s Involved: Germany’s Bundeswehr, Brigadier General Christoph Huber, NATO.

📍 Where & When: Lithuania, along NATO’s eastern flank; fully operational by 2027.

💬 Key Quote: “We have to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of our Lithuanian allies here on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Brigadier General Christoph Huber.

⚠️ Impact: This marks the first permanent foreign deployment of German soldiers since World War II, strengthening NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe.

IN FULL:

The Bundeswehr has announced that German military personnel will soon be stationed in Lithuania to bolster NATO’s eastern defenses, marking a significant shift in Germany’s post-World War II military deployment strategy. The unit, slated to be fully operational by 2027, represents Germany’s first permanent foreign troop deployment since the war, when Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union.

Brigadier General Christoph Huber, who commands the German brigade in Lithuania, emphasized the mission’s critical objectives. “We have to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of our Lithuanian allies here on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Huber.

The deployment is part of a broader NATO strategy to ensure a robust military presence in Eastern Europe. It aims to deter potential threats by demonstrating the alliance’s commitment to the security of its member states near Russia.

Modern Germany has engaged in some foreign military missions, including their involvement in Afghanistan, but these operations have not been permanent deployments. Stationing troops permanently in Lithuania reflects an evolving security landscape and an increased emphasis on fortifying NATO positions along its eastern borders.

It is also a diplomatic victory for President Donald J. Trump, who has long pushed Germany, as Europe’s economic powerhouse, to pull its weight in defense matters, having hitherto failed to meet its NATO spending targets while enriching Russia through a series of energy deals.

However, the deployment will likely be seen as provocative by Russia, which views its invasion by Germany during the Second World War—or Great Patriotic War—as a defining event. The Kremlin will almost certainly cite the return of German soldiers to Russia’s borders as proof that its hostile posture towards NATO and its entanglement with Ukraine are justified. 

Image by w?odi.

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April 1, 2025
Economy
News

Hooters Declares Bankruptcy.

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❓What Happened: Hooters, a restaurant chain known for its chicken wings and servers in distinct outfits, filed for bankruptcy in Texas.

👥 Who’s Involved: The company founders, current owners, and a private equity firm are involved in the bankruptcy proceedings.

📍 Where & When: The filing was announced on Monday in Texas.

💬 Key Quote: “Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” stated the company in its announcement.

⚠️ Impact: The filing aims to maintain operations and transfer company-owned locations to franchise status.

IN FULL:

Hooters, a restaurant chain recognized for its chicken wings and buxom serving staff, has filed for bankruptcy in a Texas court, as announced by the company on Monday. The bankruptcy agreement puts forth a plan where the company’s founders, who oversee about a third of the independent franchise locations in the U.S., are set to purchase U.S.-based company-owned restaurants from the existing private equity owner.

The restructuring plan intends to facilitate the popular chain’s ongoing operations and keep many locations open. “Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” the company said in a statement following the bankruptcy announcement. “It’s always hang time at Hooters.”

Hooters founder Neil Kiefer stresses that the restaurant chain will undergo a significant rebrand, however. Derisively dubbed a “breastaurant,” the chain will be reimagined as a more family-friendly venue. Kiefer notes that its Clearwater, Florida flagship—where the chain was founded—has long embraced a more family-focused theme than most of its franchises across the country. “You go to some parts of the country and people say, ‘Oh, I could never go to Hooters, my wife would kill me,’” Kiefer said in a recent media interview. “That’s depressing to us. We want to change that.”

Hooters operates over 400 locations across 42 states and 29 countries. Franchised locations, including those internationally situated, are not impacted by the bankruptcy. The company plans for all remaining sites to transition into franchises following the proceedings. Rumors of the bankruptcy filing have been circulating for several months, amid recent closures of several Hooters establishments last year.

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April 1, 2025
News

Air Traffic Controller Arrested Following Disturbance at DC Area Control Tower.

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❓What Happened: An air traffic controller was charged with assault and battery after an incident.

👥 Who’s Involved: Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged.

📍 Where & When: The event occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday night.

💬 Key Quote: “The employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,” stated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

⚠️ Impact: The arrest comes as the airport already faces scrutiny following a deadly January collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter and a recent near-collision involving military jets and a Delta flight.

IN FULL:

An air traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been charged with assault and battery following an incident that took place last Thursday night. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, faces charges related to an altercation.

“The employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. However, authorities have not detailed the specifics of the incident or any potential motives behind it.

The situation arises while Reagan National Airport is already under elevated scrutiny. Earlier this year, a mid-air collision occurred involving a military helicopter and a passenger airplane that resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, including passengers, flight crew, and military pilots. As of last month, 55 of the 67 bodies of those deceased had been recovered from the Potomac River.

More recently, another close call occurred at the airport when military aircraft, on their way to Arlington National Cemetery, activated a collision alarm in a Delta Air Lines plane during takeoff. These incidents highlight ongoing safety and operational challenges at the airport. The proximity of military operations in the region adds complexity to the airspace management surrounding the nation’s capital.

Notably, in January 2024, the Biden government pushed a DEI policy that required the FAA to ensure a greater portion of new hires included individuals with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Image by Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz.

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April 1, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Congressman Seeks Expedited Removal of Judge Blocking Trump Deportations.

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❓What Happened: A resolution has been introduced by a Republican congressman that aims to dismiss a judge who halted deportations to El Salvador under President Donald J. Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Judge James Boasberg, President Donald J. Trump, and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

📍 Where & When: Resolution introduced in Washington, D.C., March 31, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We cannot stand by while activist judges, who incorrectly believe they have more authority than the duly-elected President of the United States, impose their own political agenda on the American people.” — Rep. Andy Biggs.

⚠️ Impact: Could trigger a constitutional crisis if the resolution bypasses the traditional impeachment process, with legal challenges expected.

IN FULL:

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is moving to remove U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who is impeding the deportation of Venezuelan gang members and other violent, illegal immigrant criminals to El Salvador’s CECOT prison facility. The resolution, introduced late Monday night, proposes a simplified procedure to remove a federal judge that would bypass the requirement of two-thirds of the Senate to vote in favor of removal after a standard impeachment process. Instead, Biggs’s resolution cites the Constitution’s “good behavior” clause for judges as grounds for removal.

The controversy began when Judge Boasberg issued an order on March 15, 2025, restricting the Department of Justice (DOJ) from deporting certain Venezuelan nationals until the case particulars were reviewed comprehensively. However, Boasberg’s order came as several deportation flights were already in the air and over international waters, and they were unable to be recalled. This led the judge to accuse the Trump administration of non-compliance and question the DOJ’s cooperation.

According to Congressman Biggs’s resolution, Judge Boasberg has violated his judicial oath by interfering with presidential authority for political motives. The resolution implies that Congress can dismiss a judge based on not maintaining “good behavior,” referencing constitutional provisions. Notably, Biggs has introduced a joint resolution, which will require a Senate cosponsor to move through both chambers of Congress.

“We cannot stand by while activist judges, who incorrectly believe they have more authority than the duly-elected President of the United States, impose their own political agenda on the American people,” Rep. Biggs said in a statement after introducing the resolution. However, the Arizona Republican’s joint resolution removing Boasberg will likely face formidable legal hurdles, particularly in terms of whether it can effectively bypass the traditional impeachment process. If it gains approval from both legislative chambers, court challenges are anticipated.

President Donald J. Trump had previously suggested impeachment for Boasberg, a notion rebuked by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts argued that impeachment is inappropriate for “disagreements” over judicial decisions, advising reliance on the standard appellate procedure.

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