A broadly worded New York state ballot measure could enshrine voting rights in the state constitution for noncitizens even though it is ostensibly aimed at protecting abortions. Proposition 1, known as the Equal Rights Amendment, would guarantee the right to abortion in the state constitution. However, there is mounting concern the measure’s broad anti-discrimination provision could lead to significant unintended consequences.
The proposed amendment states, “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state,” and lists protections regardless of “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” According to critics, the inclusion of “national origin” could extend protections and potentially voting rights to noncitizens, including illegal immigrants.
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Westchester County-based constitutional lawyer Bobbi Anne Cox, who is spearheading a campaign opposed to Proposition 1, argues the anti-discrimination amendment is so broadly worded that it equates noncitizens with citizens in terms of legal protections.
“It covers anybody. That includes people who came here illegally and broke our laws,” she emphasized, suggesting it is a “Trojan horse of epic proportions.”
Additionally, Cox notes the measure could result in taxpayers having to cover even more services for illegal immigrants than they already are—further ballooning state and local budgets.
Republican pollster John McLaughlin agrees with Cox, suggesting that voter support for Prop 1 decreases when they learn of its broader implications, said to include allowing transgenders to compete in women’s sports and share female locker rooms. He described the ballot measure as a “radical wish list.”
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. is considering sanctions and counterterrorism measures to push Nigeria to protect its Christians from genocide by Islamist terrorists and militia groups.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. State Department, and Nigerian authorities.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: November 2025, with discussions at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City and actions involving Nigeria.
💬KEY QUOTE: “They’re killing people by the thousands,” Trump said, adding: “It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
🎯IMPACT: Increased U.S. scrutiny and potential military or economic actions to protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
IN FULL
The United States government is considering a number of options, including sanctions and limited kinetic counterterrorism engagements, as part of an effort to push the Muslim-led Nigerian government to put an end to the genocide of its Christian population at the hands of Islamists. In early November, U.S. President Donald J. Trump floated the potential of a limited military action in Nigeria due to the ongoing attacks against Christians within its borders. On Friday, President Trump went further, declaring the Islamist attacks a genocide against the country’s Christian population.
“They’re killing people by the thousands,” Trump said, adding: “It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
Recently, the Trump administration—in partnership with rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj—highlighted the plight of Nigerian Christians at the United Nations (UN). During the UN meetings, it is believed the United States began laying the groundwork for potential sanctions against the Nigerian government over its lack of action to ensure the protection of its Christian citizens against Islamist terrorists and militias.
Jonathan Pratt, the senior official leading the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday that the time has come for less talk and more action. “The Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom,” Pratt said, confirming that sanctions are on the table: “This plan will consider U.S. State and Treasury engagement on sanctions, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism, and other efforts to protect religious communities.”
In October, President Trump added Nigeria to the list of “Countries of Particular Concern.” The list denotes countries that the U.S. believes have violated the religious freedom of its citizens.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced his candidacy for California governor, entering a crowded race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Eric Swalwell, a seven-term congressman, and several other candidates, including Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, and billionaire green agenda enthusiast Tom Steyer.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Swalwell launched his campaign late Thursday night during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m running for Governor because prices are too high and people are scared,” Swalwell wrote on his campaign website.
🎯IMPACT: Swalwell’s campaign launch comes amid allegations of mortgage and tax fraud, which have been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation.
IN FULL
Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has officially entered the California governor’s race, joining a growing list of far-left Democrats vying to win their party’s nomination and replace Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA). Swalwell, who represents part of the San Francisco Bay Area, initially announced his campaign on his website, stating he is running with “fresh ideas and tremendous heart.”
“I’m running for Governor because prices are too high and people are scared,” Swalwell wrote. The far-left Democrat lawmaker also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday night, where he said, “I’ve been in these fights as a city council member up in Dublin, my hometown, as a prosecutor in Oakland, and taking on the most corrupt president ever in the U.S. Congress, but I’m ready to bring this fight home.”
Swalwell joins a crowded field of candidates that includes former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), former Biden government Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, and radical green agenda billionaire Tom Steyer, among others. The congressman, who has served seven terms in the House, previously ran as an afterthought for president during the 2020 election.
Notably, Swalwell’s campaign launch comes amid allegations of mortgage and tax fraud. Last week, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte criminally referred Swalwell to the Department of Justice (DOJ), citing evidence that the congressman declared his primary residence as Washington, D.C., rather than California, to secure several million dollars in loans and refinancing. The referral recommends an investigation into whether Swalwell committed mortgage fraud, state and local tax fraud, and insurance fraud.
The National Pulse reported in December 2024 that a Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) report named then Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Swalwell as the two primary leakers of classified materials to corporate media outlets during the Democrats’ Russiagate hoax. Swalwell’s mishandling of classified information and the allegations of financial fraud are likely to be major hurdles for his campaign.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Biden-era Justice Department subpoenaed two years of phone records belonging to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan as part of the “Arctic Frost” investigation.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, the Justice Department, Verizon, and federal Judge David Baker.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The subpoena covered phone records from January 2020 to April 2022 and was issued prior to special counsel Jack Smith’s involvement in the investigation.
💬KEY QUOTE: “If they can do it to us, they can do it to you.” – Jim Jordan
🎯IMPACT: The subpoena raises concerns about government overreach, transparency, and the targeting of elected officials.
IN FULL
New revelations indicate that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) was also targeted by the former Biden government’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Arctic Frost scandal. Phone records obtained by the agency from Verizon contained the details of calls, texts, and voicemail messages from January 2020 until April 2022—though the FBI was not granted the content of the communications themselves.
Chairman Jordan revealed the previously unknown subpoena in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “They spied on President Trump. They spied on Senators. Now, we just learned, they spied on me. If they can do it to us, they can do it to you.” Images of the subpoena were shared alongside his post.
Like the other telecommunications subpoenas issued later by special counsel Jack Smith, the seizure of Representative Jordan’s phone records was also ordered to remain under a gag order by a federal judge. The National Pulse has previously reported that U.S. District Court Judges James Boasberg and Beryl Howell were the primary go-to judges for Smith to obtain the gag orders.
However, in the instance of Jordan, it was a federal magistrate judge in Florida, David Baker, who issued the gag order. “The Court finds reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure will result in flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the investigation,” Baker wrote. He also ordered Verizon employees not to disclose the subpoena’s existence for one year, except to their attorneys for legal advice.
A Verizon spokesman, Rich Young, responded to the revelations, stating, “As part of our investigation, we uncovered new information regarding Chairman Jordan and shared it with him as soon as possible. We are committed to restoring trust through transparency and will continue to work with Congress and the administration as they examine these issues and consider reforms to expand notification protections.”
Notably, the subpoena was issued before special counsel Jack Smith took over the investigation, which later led to charges against President Donald J. Trump. Other reports revealed that the FBI analyzed phone metadata from several Republican lawmakers, including Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO).
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ukraine is being pressured to sign a peace deal or risk losing U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons support.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, President Donald J. Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The plan was presented recently, with a deadline set for Thanksgiving.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I have a good relationship with President Putin, but I’m a little disappointed in President Putin right now. He knows that.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: Ukraine faces tough decisions regarding territorial concessions, NATO membership, and military reductions, while Russia has shown cautious interest in the proposal.
IN FULL
Ukraine is facing intense pressure from the Trump administration to accept a sweeping peace proposal by Thanksgiving, with the threat of losing U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons support if it refuses. The plan, presented by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to President Volodymyr Zelensky, would require Ukraine to cede control of the eastern Donbas region and freeze the current front lines in two southern regions, with Russia withdrawing from its more northerly footholds in Ukrainian territory.
Under the proposal, Ukraine would be barred from joining NATO, must limit its armed forces to 600,000 troops, and disband any international brigades. NATO troops would not be allowed on Ukrainian soil, and Kiev would be required to return long-range missiles capable of hitting Moscow, although it would receive some Western security guarantees. Russia would be readmitted to the G8, reversing its exclusion since the annexation of Crimea, but would be required to legislate a non-aggression policy towards Ukraine and the European Union (EU), with some of its frozen assets in the West surrendered.
While the former Biden government had suggested a possible pathway for Ukraine’s NATO membership, Russian President Vladimir Putin firmly opposes that idea. Moscow has expressed some interest in the plan, though a Kremlin spokesman said there is “nothing new in addition to what was discussed in Anchorage.”
President Trump has criticized both sides of the conflict. “I have a good relationship with President Putin, but I’m a little disappointed in President Putin right now. He knows that,” Trump remarked.
At the same time, Ukraine is grappling with a majorcorruption scandal. Its anti-corruption bureau launched a 15-month investigation into a $100 million kickback scheme involving Energoatom, the state nuclear company. Officials allege that contractors paid bribes of 10 to 15 percent to secure contracts, and recordings from over 1,000 hours of surveillance have implicated a network of high-level figures, including Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky. Mindich reportedly fled to Israel just before law enforcement raids, with widespread suspicion that he was tipped off. Two government ministers have resigned in connection with the scandal.
In parallel, the Trump administration has imposed new sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, citing Moscow’s “lack of serious commitment to a peace process.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move aims to cut off key revenue for Russia’s war machine and called for an “immediate ceasefire.” These sanctions bar the firms from U.S. banking systems, putting pressure on Moscow’s ability to finance its military operations.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $10,000 bonuses for 776 air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect attendance during the government shutdown.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Air traffic controllers, FAA technicians, Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Bonuses announced Thursday following the 43-day government shutdown, which impacted air travel across the U.S.
💬KEY QUOTE: “These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown.” – Sean Duffy
🎯IMPACT: The decision has sparked criticism from government unions, citing the exclusion of thousands of workers who also contributed during the shutdown.
IN FULL
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect attendance during the 43-day government shutdown will receive $10,000 bonuses. However, that is not sitting well with an estimated 20,000 other workers who are not being considered for the payments.
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, in his announcement, praised the dedication of the relatively few workers who never missed a shift. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Santa’s coming to town a little early.” He emphasized that these workers “never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown.” However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union pointed out that only 311 of its more than 10,000 members will receive the bonuses, calling for broader recognition of those who worked under difficult conditions.
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union also criticized the decision, stating that thousands of technicians worked to maintain the aging systems that air traffic controllers rely on and deserved acknowledgment. “It took many hands to ensure that not one delay during the historic 43-day shutdown was attributed to equipment or system failures,” the union said in a statement. The FAA has not announced any plans to penalize workers who missed shifts during the shutdown, and the Republican-led stopgap funding measure signed by President Donald J. Trump provides back pay for all federal workers.
The FAA’s staffing shortage, exacerbated by the shutdown, resulted in flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports as air traffic controller absences increased. Secretary Duffy has been working to boost hiring and streamline training for air traffic controllers, aiming to address the shortage over the next several years. Since the shutdown ended, staffing levels have improved, and airlines have resumed normal operations this week.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: An Afghan migrant pleaded guilty to raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, England.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, and co-defendant Mohammad Kabir, 23, both Afghan nationals.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The guilty plea was entered at Warwick Crown Court on October 20. The attack occurred on July 22 in Nuneaton.
🎯IMPACT: The case has sparked protests in Nuneaton, with anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters clashing in August.
IN FULL
A 23-year-old Afghan national, Ahmad Mulakhil, has admitted to raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, England, entering a guilty plea at Warwick Crown Court. The attack took place on July 22.
Mulakhil had previously denied the allegation but ultimately changed his plea to guilty on a single count of rape of a child under 13. His co-defendant, 23-year-old Mohammad Kabir, who is also an Afghan, remains in custody alongside Mulakhil. Kabir denies charges of attempting to kidnap a child, assisting and abetting the rape of a child under 13, and intentional strangulation.
The case has attracted widespread attention, with anti-immigration protests breaking out outside Nuneaton Town Hall in August. Demonstrators opposed to mass immigration waved English and British flags while chanting “Stop the boats,” in reference to the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants who have been crossing the English Channel from France, and “We want our country back.” Counter-protesters from ‘Stand Up to Racism’ were also present, carrying signs reading “Stop the far-right.”
Afghans have the highest rate of sexual offense convictions of any nationality in Britain, at 59 per 100,000 people. This compares to a conviction rate of six per 100,000 people for British citizens.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell is ripping a report from The New York Times, sourced entirely from a group of Democrat Senators, as “careless attacks” that “did not undergo basic fact-checking.”
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TheNew York Times, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Kennedy Center, Richard Grenell, and the Trump administration.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The NYT report was published late Thursday, with Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell responding in a letter to Sen. Whitehouse.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I am concerned about your careless attacks on me and my team. The letter you signed did not undergo basic fact-checking. It is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations. Your staff relied on anonymous sources, inaccurate gossip, and allegations from partisan reporters who never had access to the data or facts…” — Richard Grenell
🎯IMPACT: The report, authored by the NYT‘s Katie Benner, is entirely reliant on the word of a letter sent to Grenell by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)—one of the most partisan lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with a long reputation of abusing his office to pursue personal grudges and politically advantageous lawfare.
IN FULL
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell is ripping a report from TheNew York Times, and sourced entirely from a group of Democrat Senators, as “careless attacks” that “did not undergo basic fact-checking.” The report, authored by the NYT‘s Katie Benner and published late Thursday afternoon, is entirely reliant on the word of a letter sent to Grenell by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)—one of the most partisan lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with a long reputation of abusing his office to pursue personal grudges and politically advantageous lawfare.
While Sen. Whitehouse and his staff, in collusion with Benner and the NYT, attempted to paint a picture of malfeasance by the Trump administration’s management of the Kennedy Center, the performing arts center’s president, Richard Grenell, has laid out a series of concrete facts rebutting them. “I am concerned about your careless attacks on me and my team. The letter you signed did not undergo basic fact-checking. It is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations. Your staff relied on anonymous sources, inaccurate gossip, and allegations from partisan reporters who never had access to the data or facts I’m happy to provide below,” Grenell writes.
“The individual who had the job before me was getting paid $1,210,635 per year. There were 94 people employed in the Development Department (today, there are 16). And the deferred maintenance of the building was quite literally making the building fall apart,” Grenell contends, continuing: “Today, and for the first time in decades, we have a balanced budget at the Kennedy Center. There was no reference to these facts in your letter.”
While the New York Times report, based on Whitehouse’s staff investigation, claim the Kennedy Center has cancelled programming in lieu of other events, Grenell responds, “We have not cancelled shows. We have installed a break-even policy for programming and rentals writ large. I established a new policy that all events must be revenue neutral.”
“This means that if our ticket-sales modeling did not cover all the costs of the program, then the program or rental could not be confirmed without a generous donor or sponsor to make up the deficit. In all the rental examples you mention, we have had donors or sponsors cover in excess of the total costs,” he notes.
Addressing a specific claim that the Kennedy Center discounted the use of space for the FIFA World Cup drawing, Grenell demolishes the NYT’s report. “FIFA has given us several million dollars, in addition to paying all of the expenses for this event in lieu of a rental fee. Your focus on simple rental fees is no way to run an institution as diverse as the Kennedy Center. A simple rental fee would not have been enough to cover the magnitude of the event,” he writes.
Grenell’s letter goes on to defend several staff hirings of individuals who are currently filling the roles of several former staffers, generating savings for the Kennedy Center. Additionally, Grenell reveals that a NewsNation event, even though it was painted as a partisan event favoring President Trump, “was a bipartisan event featuring host Chris Cuomo, Senator John Fetterman, and Stephen A. Smith.”
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Agwara, central Nigeria, abducting students and teachers in the early hours of the morning.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Catholic Church reported the incident, with local residents and officials estimating nearly 100 victims. Armed bandit gangs and jihadist groups are suspected.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred between 1 AM and 3 AM on Friday at St. Mary’s School in Niger State, Nigeria.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” stated Abubakar Usman, Niger State government secretary.
🎯IMPACT: The attack highlights escalating insecurity in Nigeria, where jihadist and bandit violence continues to target Christians and educational institutions.
IN FULL
A Catholic school in Agwara, central Nigeria, was the site of a violent raid on Friday morning, during which armed attackers abducted students and teachers. Local officials fear the number of victims could be close to 100, though the exact count remains unconfirmed as security agencies investigate. The attack on St. Mary’s School is the second such incident in less than a week, following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state on Monday.
The Catholic Church reported that “armed attackers invaded” the school between 1 AM and 3 AM, shooting a security guard during the assault. Niger State’s government expressed sadness over the incident, with Abubakar Usman, the state government secretary, stating that authorities are working to confirm the number of abductees.
This latest attack underscores the growing threat posed by jihadist groups and criminal gangs in Nigeria. For over 16 years, jihadist organizations such as Boko Haram and Islamic State have waged an insurgency in the country’s north, seeking to establish a caliphate. These groups have increasingly allied with local bandit gangs, which are known for their mass kidnappings and ransom demands. The violence has disproportionately targeted Christians, drawing international condemnation.
President Donald J. Trump recently warned of the existential threat to Christianity in Nigeria, directing the Pentagon to prepare for potential military action. “Swift and brutal” measures are being considered, he stated on October 31, as part of efforts to combat the escalating violence against Christians.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu—who is Muslim—has deployed security forces to search for victims of recent kidnappings. The Minister of State for Defense, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, was tasked with leading efforts to rescue the abducted schoolgirls from Kebbi state earlier this week.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its stance on vaccines and autism, stating that a link cannot be ruled out, a reversal from its previous position.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: CDC officials, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Susan J. Kressly, Dr. Paul Offitt, and public health experts.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The changes were recently made on the CDC’s website.
💬KEY QUOTE: The updated wording indicates that a link between childhood vaccines and autism “cannot be ruled out.”
🎯IMPACT: The change shows Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is continuing to challenge establishment dogma in public health.
IN FULL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised language on its website addressing vaccine safety, drawing national attention and igniting debate inside and outside the agency. The updated wording indicates that a link between childhood vaccines and autism “cannot be ruled out,” a departure from the CDC’s long-standing position that no connection exists.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has for years voiced concerns about certain vaccines, welcomed the CDC’s wording change. In September, he had noted that “Some 40-70 percent of mothers who have children with autism believe that their child was injured by a vaccine,” adding: “President Trump believes that we should be listening to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalizing them like prior administrations.”
The controversy comes as the CDC is initiating a new large-scale investigation into potential associations between vaccines and autism using the agency’s Vaccine Safety Datalink. At a September event focused on autism, President Donald J. Trump called for separating the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three individual shots, saying, “When you mix them, there could be a problem.”
The America First leader also criticized the current infant immunization schedule, characterizing it as too intensive. “For a little baby to be injected with that much fluid… it’s crazy,” he said.
“Some 40-70% of mothers who have children with autism believe that their child was injured by a vaccine. President Trump believes that we should be listening to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalizing them like prior administrations.” – @SecKennedypic.twitter.com/491tqIpgKy
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The State Department is proposing to suspend 38 universities from a federal research collaboration program due to their involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and others; the State Department; President Donald J. Trump.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The suspensions, if finalized, will take effect on January 1, 2026, affecting institutions across the United States.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The State Department is reviewing all programs to ensure that they are in line with the President’s agenda.” – State Department spokesman
🎯IMPACT: If implemented, program slots will be reallocated to schools like Liberty University, Brigham Young University, and others.
IN FULL
The U.S. State Department is reportedly considering removing 38 universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, from its Diplomacy Lab program due to their continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. According to a memo dated November 17, institutions that “openly engage in DEI hiring practices” or set DEI goals for candidates could face suspension from the program starting January 1, 2026. Other universities potentially affected include Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and the University of Southern California.
Established in 2013, the Diplomacy Lab connects the U.S. Department of State with academic institutions to collaborate on research related to policy issues. The program currently partners with over 60 U.S. universities. Should suspensions move forward, available program slots are expected to shift to universities such as Liberty University, Brigham Young University, and other institutions in Missouri and Texas.
President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly criticized DEI programs within federal agencies and has cautioned universities that continued DEI engagement could risk federal funding. A State Department spokesman emphasized, “The State Department is reviewing all programs to ensure that they are in line with the President’s agenda.”
The move comes amid a broader shift in higher education, with several universities, including some in California, scrapping DEI offices and initiatives in recent months. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also proposed new funding incentives for universities that promote conservative perspectives, including stipulations to ban race or sex as factors in admissions and hiring, freeze tuition, and cap international student enrollment.
Participating institutions are expected to foster a “vibrant marketplace of ideas” and eliminate departments that “purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”
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