Donald Trump Jr. made his first political public appearance since his father’s inauguration, taking an election victory lap and growing nostalgic for the campaign trail. “I thought I was out of politics after election day,” Trump said Saturday, speaking at the Dallas County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner, where he recalled his father’s unpredictable path to the presidency.
Category: Texas
Federal judges find Texas gerrymandered maps on racial lines – Sat, 11 Mar 2017 PST
Federal judges found more problems in Texas’ voting rights laws, ruling that Republicans racially gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities, who former President Barack Obama set out to protect at the ballot box before leaving office. The ruling late Friday by a three-judge panel in San Antonio gave Democrats hope of new, more favorably drawn maps that could turn over more seats in Congress in 2018.
Federal judges find Texas gerrymandered maps on racial lines
Federal judges found more problems in Texas’ voting rights laws, ruling that Republicans racially gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities, who former President Barack Obama set out to protect at the ballot box before leaving office. The ruling late Friday by a three-judge panel in San Antonio gave Democrats hope of new, more favorably drawn maps that could turn over more seats in Congress in 2018.
156 Civil and Human Rights Groups Call for Stronger Response to Hate Incidents
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 155 civil and human rights groups today called upon the Executive Branch to respond more quickly and forcefully to hate-based incidents, which have been occurring at an alarming rate in recent months. The statement follows: “Our diversity is part of what makes America great, and incidents motivated by hate are an affront to the values we share.
Ted Cruz sends school choice letter to every Republican in Texas Legislature
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to state lawmakers Thursday urging them to make Texas the next state that gives parents taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or religious schools, or educate them at home.
With Trump on board, Texas puts high-speed rail on the fast track
An $18 billion high-speed rail system, built by a Japanese company, could transform transportation in the Lone Star State. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to a supporter as stage lights color the dance floor after a rally in the South Side Ballroom at Gilley’s in Dallas, June 16, 2016.
Two unsatisfying articles about the 2016 Democratic sweep in Harris County
The Democratic sweep in Harris County has drawn some national attention, as writers from the left and right try to analyze what happened here last year and why Hillary Clinton carried the county by such a large margin. Unfortunately, as is often the case with stories about Texas by people not from Texas, the results are not quite recognizable to those of us who are here.
House panel OKs health bill, industry groups say ‘no’
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, left, listens to the committee’s ranking member, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as the committee began markup of the long-awaited plan by Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. WASHINGTON>> House Republicans scored a pre-dawn triumph Thursday in their effort to scuttle former President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, but it masked deeper problems as hospitals, doctors and consumer groups mounted intensifying opposition to the GOP health care drive.
Women go on strike in US to show their economic clout
Organizers of the January Women’s March are calling for women to take the day off and enco… . FILE – In this Jan. 21, 2017 file photo, Gloria Steinem, center right, greets protesters at the barricades before speaking at the Women’s March on Washington during the first full day of Donald Trump’s presidency, in Wa… The mother of a slain Pennsylvania state police trooper says she is seeking a measure of justice for her son when his alleged killer stands trial.
Texas set to execute triggerman in San Antonio murder-for-hire case
Death row inmate Rolando Ruiz is scheduled for execution on March 7, 2017. He was convicted of murdering Theresa Rodriguez, 29, of San Antonio.
Democrats may call on business community in anti-“sanctuary” bill fight
As Texas Democrats strategize how to continue pushing back against state-based immigration proposals, they’re considering a tactic often embraced by some far-right members of the Republican Party to assist their efforts. “I would just say that all options are on the table to expose the hypocrisy of only focusing on immigrants and not on Texas businesses that rely heavily on them,” state Rep. Rafael Anchia , D-Dallas, told the Tribune.
Joe Biden at SXSW Former vice-president to discuss new cancer initiative
The face that launched a thousand policies and a thousand memes: “Uncle Joe” Biden to speak on his new cancer initiative at SXSW.
COMMENTARY: Texas border security spending not necessary
It is well established that the U.S. federal government is primarily responsible for defending our national borders, enforcing immigration laws, and fighting the Mexican drug cartels. Nevertheless, in 2015, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature approved $800 million for the Texas Department of Public Safety for “border security,” thus creating what many have characterized as the militarization of the Rio Grande Valley.
Senate confirms Carson, Perry for housing, energy posts
Two of President Donald Trump’s former rivals for the GOP White House nomination won Senate confirmation Thursday to join his administration. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development on a vote of 58-41.
EU calls on Canada to defend Paris climate accord against global ‘uncertainties’
The European Union’s environment commissioner is making a noisy pitch about joining forces with Canada to fight to preserve the Paris climate change accord in the face of “geopolitical uncertainties.” EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but his statement Thursday prior to his arrival in Ottawa seemed squarely aimed at the U.S. president.
Federal judge tosses SEC suit against Texas attorney general
In this July 29, 2015 file photo, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during a hearing in Austin, Texas. A federal judge on Thursday, March 2, 2017, dismissed the U.S. government’s securities fraud lawsuit against Paxton, though the Republican still faces criminal charges of duping wealthy investors.
Texas court hears case that could dent gay marriage right
The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a Houston case that top Republicans hope will provide an opening to chip away at the landmark 2015 ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide. A coalition of religious and social conservatives sued America’s fourth-largest city in 2013, challenging its decision to offer same-sex spousal benefits to municipal employees.
Continue reading Under Trump, government takes new position in Texas voter ID lawsuit
The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump will support Texas officials’ claim that the state’s voter identification law did not specifically target minority voters, retreating from the federal government’s previous stance that state lawmakers intentionally discriminated when crafting the law. The law’s opponents were notified of the switch one day before the question of discriminatory intent is set to be argued in federal court, according to officials at the Campaign Legal Center.
What to Watch: Endorsing a constitutional convention again
Gov. Greg Abbott says state legislatures nationwide should convene a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution and restore freedoms embodied by President Ronald Reagan. But Texas lawmakers have been trying to rewrite the Constitution since before Reagan took office – and even since before he was born.
GOP lawmaker invokes Gabby Giffords in concerns about town hall safety
A Texas Republican lawmaker invoked the shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords to explain why he is not hosting in-person town halls. “Unfortunately, at this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety.
Trump administration lifts transgender bathroom guidance
A.J. Jackson, who is anatomically female but planning to take hormones as part of a transition, stands at Green Mountain Union High on Monday, May 16, 2016, in Chester, V.. Jackson says he understands the concerns of classmates but has cautiously begun using the boys’ bathrooms at school.
Beto O’Rourke is a Mexico-loving liberal in Texas. Can he really beat Ted Cruz?
Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, a possible challenger to Sen.Ted Cruz, R, in 2018, argues that a fluid border between El Paso and Juarez, Mexico, has been good for both cities. : Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Washington Post – For The Washington Post Rep. O’Rourke speaks to a constituent in the middle of the bridge between El Paso and Juarez.
Supreme Court orders new hearing for black Texas inmate
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a new court hearing for a black Texas prison inmate who claims improper testimony about his race tainted his death sentence. The justices voted 6-2 in favor of inmate Duane Buck.
Bathroom Bills Are Upending the Meetings Industry Across the U.S.
Visit Dallas President and CEO Phillip Jones speaks at a press conference organized by the Texas Welcomes All coalition, which was mobilized to oppose the state’s pending bathroom bill. Besides stripping away the fundamental rights of an already marginalized group, the stack of “Bathroom Bills” piling up in state legislatures around the country will only drive away meetings and conventions, and the valuable economic income they bring with them.
Trump was right about improper voting in Texas
Election officers in two of the most populous counties in Texas have yet to decide whether to refer suspected cases of improper balloting that were discovered in reviews of the 2016 general election in November. In addition, election officials in other parts of Texas are planning to let the mistakes go.
“No One is Illegal” immigration forum held
Immigration policy and illegal immigrants were topics of discussion tonight at a forum hosted by the Corpus Christi Solidarity Network. “We are largely made up of immigrant communities.
AP Exclusive: Hundreds of Texans may have voted improperly
In this Nov. 8, 2016, file photo, a huge “Vote!” flag waves above Interstate 35 as motorists pass, in San Antonio. Texas election officials have acknowledged that hundreds of people were allowed to bypass the state’s toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law and improperly cast ballots in the November presidential election by signing a sworn statement instead of showing a photo ID.
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President Donald Trump widens his search for a new national security adviser this weekend amid concerns in Washington that the forced resignation of Michael Flynn leaves the White House unprepared to face any sudden foreign policy crisis. Trump is expected to interview several candidates to replace Flynn, whose short tenure ended when he was asked to resign after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his pre-inauguration calls with the Russian ambassador.
AP Exclusive: Hundreds of Texans may have voted improperly
Texas election officials have acknowledged that hundreds of people were allowed to bypass the state’s toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law and improperly cast ballots in the November presidential election by signing a sworn statement instead of showing a photo ID. The chief election officers in two of the state’s largest counties are now considering whether to refer cases to local prosecutors for potential perjury charges or violations of election law.
Records dispute Treasury nominee’s denial of mortgage-crisis ‘robo-signing’
A bank founded by Steven Mnuchin, President Donald Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary, engaged in ethically questionable foreclosure practices in Washington state-including so-called “robo-signing” of documents. OneWest Bank employees robo-signed numerous foreclosure-related filings in the Seattle area, documents show.
ICE cracks down
U.S. and Mexican authorities are pushing back against reports of widespread raids that have sown panic in immigrant communities.
Republican green-card holder who voted illegally in Texas gets 8 years in prison
A permanent U.S. resident living in Texas has been sentenced to eight years in prison for illegally voting, a punishment that will likely result in the woman’s deportation after she completes her sentence. On Wednesday, a Tarrant County, Tex., jury convicted 37-year-old Rosa Maria Ortega on two felony charges of illegal voting, for casting a ballot as a noncitizen in 2012 and 2014.
Police seize Sicilian olive companies linked to Mafia boss
Anti-abortion activists emboldened by the new administration of President Donald Trump are staging rallies around the country calling for the U.S. to cut off payments to Planned Parenthood. Police say a 29-year-old woman plunged about 30 feet to her death off an escalator inside the famed World Trade Center Oculus.
Congressman: Immigration raids in Central, Southa
A congressman confirmed reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are part of an operation that spans through south and central Texas. Congressman: Immigration raids in Central, South Texas part of ‘Operation Cross Check’ A congressman confirmed reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are part of an operation that spans through south and central Texas.
A long-awaited gold depository in Texas remains in limbo
State officials originally planned to announce the winning proposal to create a Texas Bullion Depository last year and hoped to have work on it under way by Dec. 1. Now, more than two months after the original deadline, which officials say was never set in stone, there’s still no news yet on where a depository will be located – or who will build and run it. “Our team is working to get this done as soon as possible,” said Chris Bryan , a spokesman with the Texas Comptroller’s Office .
Federal hiring freeze: Longer waits, unemployment lines for some Texans
President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing a federal government hiring freeze, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The Irving man was so excited to move to Port Aransas on New Year’s Eve with his pregnant wife to start a new job at the Padre Island National Seashore , also known as PINS, on Jan. 8. But soon after the two settled into their new Corpus Christi home, he learned there was a glitch with his paperwork.
Turkish constitutional referendum comes amid media crackdown
Erdogan on Friday approve… . Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Aksaray, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017.
UK offers teens cybersecurity classes to fight attacks
When a judge who helped derail President Donald Trump’s travel ban was hit with online threats, the abuse raised safety concerns among jurists across the country. When a judge who helped derail President Donald Trump’s travel ban was hit with online threats, the abuse raised safety concerns among jurists across the country.
Citizens United lawyer targets Texas campaign finance laws
Political “dark money” and the founder of an organization tied to President Donald Trump’s accusations of voter fraud will be at the center of a Texas Supreme Court case Tuesday that could reshape campaign finance laws in the country’s second-largest state. Chief questions facing the nine Republican justices on Texas’ highest civil court include the legality of the state’s ban on corporate contributions and disclosure requirements for political action committees.
Your Turn: Feb. 7
Muslim women pray towards Mecca in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church during the recent Texas Muslim Capitol Day. A reader is gratified by the outpouring of support extended to the Muslim community.