UNBIASED Politics: March 20, 2025

Hosts: Alex and Bailey
Title: JFK Assassination Documents Released. PLUS Did President Trump Remove the Prohibition on Segregated Facilities? And More.

1. Update on the Trump Administration vs. Judge Boasberg Deportation Orders

Alex and Bailey delve into the escalating legal conflict between the Trump Administration and U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg concerning deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act.

• Judge Boasberg's Orders:
  Judge Boasberg issued two critical orders last Saturday night:

  1. Immediate Deportations Halt: "Any deportation flights carrying anyone being deported under the Alien Enemies act must either be turned around or grounded." ([02:04] Alex)
  2. Extended Prohibition: This order extended the initial ban, applying universally to all non-citizens under the Act.

• Administration's Response and Hearing Proceedings:
  Despite the orders, the first two deportation flights had already departed and exited U.S. airspace before the judge's oral order took effect. The third flight departed approximately an hour after the oral order, prompting Judge Boasberg to question the administration’s compliance ([03:06] Alex).

  During the hearing on Monday, the administration argued that the oral order hadn't been formally documented yet, a stance Judge Boasberg dismissed:

  "When I said directly to turn those planes around, the idea that my written order was pithier than this could be disregarded, that's a heck of a stretch." ([03:37] Alex)

  The judge has now requested additional information from the administration, including a sworn statement on specific aspects of the deportation flights, which the administration partially provided but remains incomplete ([05:21] Bailey).

2. President Trump's Call for Impeachment of Judge Boasberg

In a surprising move, President Trump took to Truth Social to call for the impeachment of Judge Boasberg, labeling him a "radical left lunatic" and accusing him of overstepping judicial authority ([07:11] Alex).

• Impeachment Process Explained:
  Bailey provides an overview of the constitutional impeachment process, emphasizing that only Congress holds the power to impeach federal judges.

  "The House initiates the proceeding by bringing Articles of Impeachment against the judge and approving those articles with a simple majority vote." ([08:17] Alex)

  Historically, impeachments of judges have been rare and require substantial evidence of misconduct.

• Chief Justice Roberts' Statement:
  Responding to Trump's impeachment call, Chief Justice Roberts stated:

  "For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose." ([09:00] Alex)

• Congressional Action:
  Following Trump's call, House Republicans swiftly introduced a four-page impeachment resolution targeting Judge Boasberg for alleged abuse of power and compromising judicial impartiality ([10:33] Bailey).

3. Court Ruling on U.S. Aid (USAID) Shutdown by Doge

The hosts discuss a recent court ruling where a district court judge found that actions taken to temporarily shut down USAID operations by entities associated with Doge (Elon Musk) likely violated the Constitution.

• Legal Grounds:
  The plaintiffs argued violations of the Appointments Clause and the Separation of Powers principle. The court agreed, stating the plaintiffs are "likely to succeed on their claims" ([12:26] Alexander).

• Preliminary Injunction Granted:
  Parts of the plaintiffs' request were granted, such as restoring access to USAID's electronic systems, while broader requests remain pending ([14:21] Bailey).

4. Blocking Trump's Attempt to Ban Transgender Individuals from the Military

A federal judge has blocked President Trump's executive order aimed at banning transgender individuals from military service, citing violations of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause ([16:07] Alex).

• Legal Arguments:
  The plaintiffs, including eight transgender service members, argue that the ban discriminates against them unfairly. The administration contends the ban is necessary for military readiness and cohesion.

• Preliminary Injunction Details:
  The judge ruled that enforcing the ban would cause "immediate and irreparable harm" to transgender service members, thereby justifying the injunction ([18:03] Bailey).

• Historical Context:
  The ruling is supplemented with a brief history of transgender military service, noting previous policies under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden ([19:02] Bailey).

5. Release of JFK Assassination Documents

The Trump administration released approximately 60,000 pages related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, fulfilling part of the 1992 JFK Records Act ([19:45] Alex).

• Content of the Release:
  Most documents had been previously released but were redacted. The new release includes unredacted memos, notes, and photographs, though the majority are non-documentary materials ([20:17] Alex).

• Public Reaction and Theories:
  Despite the extensive release, no definitive evidence contradicting the official conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone has emerged. However, information about CIA operations and intelligence on Oswald adds to the historical context ([22:00] Bailey).

• Future Implications:
  The hosts anticipate months of analysis before the full implications of the documents are understood, emphasizing the need for thorough examination ([25:05] Bailey).

6. Quick Hitters

• SpaceX Dragon Returns:
  The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully splashed down in Florida, marking the return of astronauts Williams and Wilmore after a nine-month mission ([26:45] Bailey).

• Suspension of Funds to University of Pennsylvania:
  The Trump administration suspended $175 million in federal funds to UPenn due to the university’s policies supporting transgender athletes. UPenn currently has no transgender athletes, but the action follows historic achievements by Leah Thomas, a transgender swimmer who won a Division 1 NCAA title ([27:18] Alex).

• Ben & Jerry's CEO Removal:
  Unilever, Ben & Jerry's parent company, removed the CEO following a lawsuit accusing Unilever of silencing pro-Palestinian statements. The Board of Directors has filed a complaint alleging a violation of the merger agreement ([27:42] Alex).

• FDA's Operation Stork Speed:
  The FDA announced an initiative to improve baby formula safety, including enhanced nutrient reviews and contaminant testing, marking the first comprehensive update since 1998 ([28:24] Alex).

• Federal Reserve Decision:
  The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, downgraded its economic growth outlook, and now expects the economy to grow at a 1.7% pace this year ([28:58] Bailey).

• Mahmoud Khalil's Habeas Corpus Petition:
  A New York judge denied the Trump administration's request to dismiss Mahmoud Khalil's petition, transferring his case to New Jersey. Khalil, a former Columbia student, faces deportation due to alleged involvement in campus protests ([29:46] Alex).

7. Rumor Has It: Federal Agencies Cutting Specific Words from Documents

In this week’s "Rumor Has It" segment, Alex and Bailey address concerns about federal agencies identifying and eliminating certain words from official documents.

• Initial Rumors and Clarifications:
  Rumors suggested that agencies are targeting words like "activism," "equity," "climate science," and "transgender."

  "The actual list is likely much longer," clarified Alex, referencing a New York Times investigation ([31:59] Bailey).

• Department of Defense Actions:
  In compliance with President Trump's executive order ending DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, the Department of Defense removed content highlighting diversity efforts.

  "DEI is a form of woke cultural Marxism that has no place in our military," a DoD spokesperson stated ([35:01] Alex).

  Approximately 100,000 images were potentially removed, including sensitive historical photos.

• Arlington National Cemetery Website Changes:
  Links to pages about Black, Hispanic, and female veterans were removed. The cemetery spokesperson announced efforts to restore content to align with Department of Defense directives ([35:55] Alex).

• Executive Order on Segregated Facilities:
  President Trump signed an executive order nullifying a 1965 order by President Johnson that prohibited segregated facilities for federal contractors.

  "Contractors are still covered by existing United States laws on civil rights and non-discrimination," the GSA memo clarified ([37:05] Bailey).

8. California's $3 Billion Loan Request Due to Illegal Immigration Costs

California's Department of Finance has requested a $3.4 billion loan to address a shortfall in its Medi-Cal program, attributing significant costs to undocumented immigrants.

• Budget Shortfalls Explained:
  Increased pharmacy costs, a surge in senior enrollment, and higher-than-expected costs for undocumented immigrant coverage are primary factors. The updated budget estimates a need for $8.4 billion for the 2024-2025 fiscal year ([38:47] Bailey).

• Impact on Medi-Cal:
  Undocumented children, young adults, and older adults are now covered, expanding the financial burden on the state’s general fund ([39:07] Alex).

9. Critical Thinking: Universal Injunctions

Returning to a topic from a previous episode, Alex and Bailey discuss the controversy surrounding universal injunctions—the practice of courts prohibiting the enforcement of policies not just against the individual plaintiff but against the entire country.

• Debate Over Judicial Authority:
  The hosts explore arguments on both sides, highlighting bipartisan concerns that such injunctions interfere with presidential policies that secure electoral mandates ([41:08] Bailey).

• Call to Action:
  Listeners are encouraged to reflect on scenarios where universal injunctions are appropriate versus when they might be overreaching, and to consider potential standards the Supreme Court could establish to regulate their use ([41:57] Alex).

Conclusion

Alex and Bailey provide a comprehensive, fact-based overview of the latest political and legal developments, maintaining an unbiased perspective throughout. From high-stakes court battles and impeachment calls to significant policy changes and historical document releases, the episode offers listeners clear insights into pressing national issues without personal bias.

For those seeking to stay informed on the daily news that matters, UNBIASED Politics continues to deliver clear and impartial analysis.

Notable Quotes:

• "When I said directly to turn those planes around, the idea that my written order was pithier than this could be disregarded, that's a heck of a stretch." – Alex ([03:37])

• "DEI is a form of woke cultural Marxism that has no place in our military." – DoD Spokesperson ([35:01])

• "As Secretary Hegseth has said, DEI is dead." – DoD Press Secretary ([35:01])

• "For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision." – Chief Justice Roberts ([09:00])

This summary is based on the transcript provided for the episode released on March 20, 2025. For full details and ongoing updates, listen to the full episode of UNBIASED Politics.