Sign that says protect trans kids with the Supreme Court in the background

Newsbrief

Wednesday October 1, 2025

10.01.25Carlos Aguilar

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No, the government can’t deport people who support Palestine

Say It Louder

Words free speech written on a torn up paper

A federal judge offered a blistering critique of the government’s attempt to silence free speech of noncitizens.

The White House has argued that support for Palestine is grounds for deportation for noncitizen students and professors.

U.S. District Judge William Young described his scathing, 160 page opinion as the most important of his career. “I fear President Trump believes the American people are so divided that today they will not stand up, fight for, and defend our most precious constitutional values so long as they are lulled into thinking their own personal interests are not affected,” Young added. “Is he correct?”

Why are LGBTQ rights lawyers being intimidated and harassed in the South?

Less Of This

Broken mirror overlaid on picture of same sex couple and pride flag

Carl Charles, a civil rights attorney at Lambda Legal, sued Alabama for passing a gender-affirming ban. So did another group of lawyers at a different organization.

But then something strange started to happen: “Over the coming days, in a strange turn of events that defied how cases are normally assigned, both challenges were placed before US District Judge Liles Burke, an appointee of President Donald Trump.”

Rather than have to deal with the most hostile judge in the district, the lawyers decided to dismiss their own cases. Ever since then, Judge Burke has sought retaliation against the lawyers. And on Monday, Alabama federal prosecutors filed criminal charges at the recommendation of Judge Burke.

“This twisted tale hearkens back to the days of mistreatment of civil rights lawyers by Southern judges.”

Civil rights lawyers at HUD fired after raising concerns

Speaking Of...

red x over the words civil rights

Once again, it appears government civil rights lawyers who are trying to do their jobs are being silenced.

Palmer Heenan and Paul Osedebe allege they were removed from their posts when they spoke out about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.

Both lawyers are now considering legal options.

“They are fully aware of the whistle-blowing,” Mr. Osadebe said of HUD. “You’re going to see the union speak out for the illegal retaliation against employees and the silencing of employees.”