This is not our America.
Federal agents grabbed a five-year-old in his own driveway after preschool and used him to lure his family outside. His father crossed at a port of entry, filed for asylum through CBP’s own app, and had no criminal record or deportation order. This is exactly the kind of person Trump said would be left alone.
Liam Conejo Ramos spent 11 days in a jail 1,300 miles from home. The government calls it a “family detention center,” which is one of those phrases designed to make you forget that it is a jail for children and their families.
Today a federal judge ordered Liam and his father released. He called it an “ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented” quota system. Then he put Liam’s photo in the order. He added two Bible verses and quoted the Declaration of Independence. Because no matter who won or who voted for whom, you don’t jail a five-year-old in a bunny hat to reach a quota.
People are in the streets because this is not our America.
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TODAY’S CURATED HEADLINES
DISSENT
1. Trump instructs Noem via Truth Social that federal forces won’t help “Democrat Cities” with protests unless local leaders say “please,” warns of “equal, or more, consequence.” - Newsweek
FOREIGN RELATIONS
2. At least 10,000 Danish veterans march silently through subzero cold to U.S. embassy in Copenhagen after Trump said NATO allies hid from frontlines in Afghanistan and embassy staff removed 44 flags honoring Danish war dead. - Deutsche Welle
3. New U.S. chargé d’affaires arrives in Caracas to reopen diplomatic mission one month after American military operation captured Maduro, as interim government announces amnesty bill for political prisoners. - The Associated Press
4. Trump says U.S. is ‘starting to talk to Cuba’ after signing executive order tariffing countries that sell oil to the island, cutting off supplies routed through Venezuela and Mexico. - NBC News
COURTS
5. Federal appeals judge dismisses DOJ misconduct complaint against Judge Boasberg, ruling that even if he warned of a constitutional crisis at a Judicial Conference meeting, that would not violate ethics rules. - Reuters
6. Federal judge denies Minnesota’s request to halt Operation Metro Surge but acknowledges “profound and even heartbreaking” consequences including two shootings by federal agents. - KSTP St. Paul
7. Federal judge orders 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father released from Texas detention center, calling their arrest part of “ill-conceived” deportation quota system. - CBS News
8. Utah governor signs bill expanding state Supreme Court from five to seven justices after legislature suffered court defeats on redistricting, abortion and school vouchers, giving him five of seven appointments. - Desert News
IMMIGRATION
9. Border Patrol leader Bovino mocked federal prosecutor’s Jewish faith on conference call, asking “Do Orthodox criminals also take off on Saturday?” weeks before being reassigned over a separate fatal shooting. - CBS News
OVERSIGHT
10. Trump pushes for 250-foot permanent triumphal arch near the Potomac that would dwarf the Lincoln Memorial and obstruct views of Arlington National Cemetery. - The Independent
11. TSA begins charging $45 per person for travelers without Real ID or passport starting Sunday, with no guarantee the identity check will clear in time to board. - The Associated Press
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CONGRESS
12. Democrat Christian Menefee wins Houston special election to fill seat vacant nearly a year after Gov. Abbott delayed scheduling, narrowing Republicans’ House majority to 218-214. - KHOU Houston
13. House Democrats tell Speaker Johnson they won’t help pass funding bill, extending partial shutdown as party demands ICE body cameras and warrant restrictions. - CNN
ARTS
14. Kennedy Center lists no Black History Month events for the first time after Trump-installed board renamed venue, drove out artists and lost its programming chief in under two weeks. - The Washington Post
FIGHTING BACK
15. Wired publishes a free guide on how to film ICE agents, protect your phone, and preserve footage for courts and investigators, warning there is no way to do it safely. - Wired
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