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الوسم: Trump policies

  • Massive Turnout at ‘No Kings’ Anti-Trump Rallies Nationwide

    Massive Turnout at ‘No Kings’ Anti-Trump Rallies Nationwide

    Large crowds gathered across all 50 U.S. states on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies during “No Kings” demonstrations. These protests, which some Republicans labeled as “Hate America” rallies, spanned from New York and D.C. to smaller cities in Michigan and Florida, with preparations underway for similar events out west. Over 2,700 protests are scheduled nationwide, with organizers anticipating millions of participants.

    At a rally in Washington near the National Mall, thousands chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!” and “Hey hey ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” Many protesters waved American flags as they voiced their frustrations over what they view as authoritarian tactics since Trump’s January return to power, including media attacks, the prosecution of political rivals, and a broad immigration enforcement campaign.

    The ongoing government shutdown is now in its third week, with the Trump administration dismissing thousands of federal employees, and congressional leaders showing little evidence of resolving the deadlock. Crowds also assembled in New York’s Times Square, Boston Common, and Chicago’s Grant Park.

    Retiree Colleen Hoffman, 69, who was marching down Broadway, expressed despair, saying, “I never thought I would live to see the death of my country as a democracy.” She added, “We’re in a crisis—the cruelty from this regime, the authoritarianism. I can’t just sit at home and do nothing.”

    In Queens, protesters carried vibrant signs like “Queens Say No Kings” and “We protest because we love America and want it back!” Some chanted slogans such as “We love our country, we can’t stand Trump!”

    In Los Angeles, organizers plan to display a giant balloon of Trump dressed in a diaper, expecting around 100,000 attendees. Trump’s response to these protests has been subdued; he told Fox News that the “No Kings” movement was inaccurately suggesting he is a king, asserting, “I’m not a king.” Conversely, his top supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeled the protests as “Hate America rallies,” alleging they bring together socialists, Marxists, Antifa advocates, anarchists, and far-left Democrats associated with Hamas.

    Republican lawmaker Tom Emmer also referred to the event as the “Hate America” gathering, accusing its participants of being part of the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party. Outside the U.S., the “No Kings” movement has organized events in Canada and held smaller protests in Malaga, Spain, and Malmö, Sweden.

    Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer at the American Civil Liberties Union, emphasized that protesters aim to reinforce that America “is a country of equals.” She stated, “We are a nation ruled by laws that apply to everyone, with due process and democracy. We will not be silenced.” Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the Indivisible Project, criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to send National Guard units into cities and to crack down on undocumented immigrants, noting that troops have been deployed to Los Angeles, Washington, and Memphis, with plans to send them to Chicago and Portland being challenged in court.

    Greenberg described such actions as classic authoritarian tactics: “Threatening, smearing, lying, and scaring people into submission.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged Americans to voice their opinions, urging them not to let Trump and the GOP threaten silence. On social media, he advised, “Speak out, use your voice, and exercise your right to free speech.”

  • Cory Booker Sets Record with 25-Hour Anti-Trump Speech

    Cory Booker Sets Record with 25-Hour Anti-Trump Speech

    Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey approaches reporters after his record-setting speech in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on April 1, 2025. — AFP

    On April 1, 2025, Senator Cory Booker, a Democratic legislator from New Jersey, made history with the longest speech ever recorded in the Senate, standing firm for more than 25 hours in a passionate protest against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” policies.

    In a dramatic showcase reminiscent of the iconic filibuster scene from Frank Capra’s 1939 classic film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” Booker maintained his stamina, refraining from even taking bathroom breaks.

    Booker surpassed the previous record held by South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, who engaged in a filibuster lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

    As a trailblazer—being only the fourth African American senator elected by popular vote—Booker’s speech stretched to a remarkable 25 hours and five minutes. The Senate’s public galleries filled with spectators as he approached this new milestone, while many Democratic colleagues joined him in the chamber, though Republicans largely opted out.

    “This is a moral moment. It’s not about left or right; it’s about right or wrong,” Booker declared as he concluded his heartfelt address.

    He referenced his mentor, civil rights leader John Lewis, encouraging activists to get into “good trouble,” before finally stating, “Madam President, I yield the floor.”

    In a lighter moment, once he crossed the record, the 55-year-old senator quipped, “I want to go a little past this and then I’m going to address some biological urgencies I’m feeling.”

    A small crowd gathered outside the Capitol, waving signs that expressed gratitude with messages like “Thank you, Senator Booker.”

    Democratic Mobilization

    While Booker’s marathon speech did not obstruct the Republican majority from conducting votes—a hallmark of a traditional filibuster—his bold stance quickly became a symbol of resilience for embattled Democrats.

    The former presidential candidate commenced his address at 7 PM on Monday and concluded at 8:05 PM on Tuesday, sharply criticizing Trump’s sweeping budget cuts, which were often pushed through by his chief advisor, Elon Musk, without congressional approval.

    Booker exclaimed that Trump’s overreach of executive power posed a significant threat to U.S. democracy, stating, “Unnecessary hardships are being endured by Americans across the spectrum. Unique institutions that are integral to America are being recklessly and, I would argue, unconstitutionally harmed.”

    In just over two months in office, Booker lamented the president had already caused considerable damage to the safety and financial stability of the American people and the very foundations of democracy.

    Yet, he left his adversaries with a message of hope, asserting, “The power of the people exceeds the power of those in authority.”

    The Physical Challenge

    In discussing his endurance strategy, Booker detailed how he managed the rigors of such a lengthy speech. “I stopped eating on Friday and refrained from drinking the night before I began on Monday,” he shared with reporters at the Capitol. “It had its pros and serious cons… My muscles started cramping up from the dehydration.”

    In an official statement, he admitted, “I’m tired and a little hoarse.”

    With Democrats holding minority positions in both Chambers of Congress, they have struggled to counter Trump’s government downsizing initiatives and aggressive deportation strategies. Senator Raphael Warnock applauded him on the Senate floor, thanking him for his relentless dedication to the nation.

    Throughout his oratory, Booker not only voiced his opposition to Trump’s policies but also shared poetry, discussed sports, and even entertained questions from his colleagues. “If you love your neighbor and this country, demonstrate that love. Prevent them from executing their intended actions,” he encouraged.

  • Tourists Shying Away from America’s Trump Era

    Tourists Shying Away from America’s Trump Era

    Times Square in New York City, USA. — AFP/ File

    NEW YORK: The tourism landscape in the United States has become increasingly uncertain due to recent policy decisions made by President Donald Trump. These moves have upset some international travelers, raising concerns about a potential increase in travel costs and a stronger dollar.

    According to a report released by Tourism Economics late last month, arrivals of foreign visitors to the United States are projected to drop by 5.1% in 2025 compared to the previous year, a significant reversal from the previously anticipated growth of 8.8%.

    Visitor spending is expected to decrease by 10.9% as well.

    Since the report’s release, the situation has worsened, with Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks noting the growing “negative sentiment toward the US.”

    In recent weeks, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, while also threatening the European Union with similar actions. A comprehensive initiative to limit immigration has also been intensified.

    Government agencies such as the US Agency for International Development have faced devastating cuts, resulting in the layoffs of thousands of federal employees, including lawyers and park rangers. Additionally, Trump has proposed controversial policies regarding conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    “The divisive policies and rhetoric from the Trump administration are likely to dissuade travel to the US,” stated Tourism Economics, a branch of Oxford Economics. They suggested that “some organizations might feel pressured to refrain from hosting events or sending employees to the US, negatively impacting business travel.”

    The World Tourism Forum Institute remarked that a combination of strict immigration measures, a rising dollar, and international political unrest “could significantly influence international arrivals, potentially reshaping the country’s tourism industry for years to come.”

    A survey conducted by YouGov across 16 European and Asian nations revealed that 35% of respondents said they are now less inclined to visit the United States under Trump, compared to 22% who expressed greater interest.

    ‘A Little Anxious’

    Despite this, tourists from France, Uzbekistan, and Argentina interviewed by AFP in Times Square, New York, did not change their travel plans due to Trump’s policies.

    Marianela Lopez and Ailen Hadjikovakis, both 33, opted to use their European passports instead of their Argentinean ones to sidestep any potential issues at the border.

    “We were a little anxious about the situation, but we decided not to alter our plans,” Lopez remarked.

    The Lagardere family, visiting from France, expressed similar sentiments, stating their plans remained unaffected.

    “Americans elected this president. That’s democracy. If they’re unhappy, they’ll have a chance to make a change in four years,” noted Laurent Lagardere, 54. “It is what it is; avoiding the US won’t change anything,” he added.

    Projected figures indicate that around 77.7 million international tourists are expected in 2024, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office, though the final numbers from last year are still pending.

    Canadians Opting Out of New York

    Visitors from Western Europe, who comprised 37% of tourists in 2024, are among those most likely to consider alternate destinations, along with Canadians and Mexicans.

    The US Travel Association cautioned in early February that customs tariffs may deter Canadian travelers, the largest group of foreign tourists in the US, accounting for 20.4 million visits in 2024.

    Statistics Canada reported a 23% drop in Canadians returning from the US in February compared to the previous year, marking the second month of decline.

    In New York, which welcomed 12.9 million international visitors in 2024, the effects have already become apparent, with Canadians canceling tour reservations and a marked decrease in online hotel and Broadway show searches, as stated by NYC Tourism President Julie Coker in an interview with AFP.

    She revised her annual projections downward in February but noted that, as of now, only Canadians are voicing reservations about traveling to Trump’s America.

    “We aren’t seeing any significant changes from the UK or Europe yet,” she said, “though we are monitoring the situation closely.”

    However, British and German authorities recently urged their citizens to exercise caution regarding their travel documents, highlighting the risk of arrest.

    United Airlines has reported a “significant decline” in travel from Canada to the US, along with decreasing demand for domestic flights, a trend echoed by several competitors.

    According to Tourism Economics, the tourism industry could face revenue losses of around $64 billion in 2025 due to a slump in international and domestic travel.

    The current economic climate has left many Americans feeling uncertain, with terms like “recession” and “inflation” instilling fear in tourists, compounded by the possibility of an appreciating dollar, as experts have suggested.

    “This will make the US more expensive for incoming travelers, suppressing both visitor numbers and the average duration of stays,” cautioned Tourism Economics.

    Industry professionals are also concerned about the implications of stricter immigration policies on major sporting events scheduled to take place in the US, including the Ryder Cup (2025), the FIFA World Cup (2026), and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (2026).