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The author was trying to shield themselves from the despair of political doomscrolling by reading books, but was dismayed to learn of Trump's plans to declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. The author speaks with anti-imperialist veteran friends who remind them that this is not the first time Trump has threatened to deploy the military against immigrants, and that actually carrying out such a plan would be a logistical and legal nightmare, requiring a massive expansion of the prison system at immense cost. The author argues that the only reasonable response for active-duty soldiers is to refuse to carry out these immoral orders, drawing parallels to the G.I. resistance during the Vietnam War. They advocate reviving networks of support like "G.I. coffeehouses" to provide a space for soldiers to organize and resist. Experts emphasize that troops have a moral responsibility to disobey illegal and immoral orders, and that immigrants are not the true enemy - it is the ruling class elite who are stealing from the working class. The author acknowledges the impulse to retreat into escapism, but argues that now is the time to collectively challenge these dangerous policies.

Jamal Simmons, a former communications director for Kamala Harris, made an unlikely suggestion on CNN's "State of the Union" about how the vice president might still have a chance of becoming president in 2024. Simmons proposed that Biden could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, which would make Harris the president of the United States. Simmons argued that this move would keep Harris from having to oversee "her own defeat" when the presidential election is certified in the Senate, and "it would dominate the news at a point where Democrats have to learn" to grab the public's attention. However, there is no evidence that Biden would consider leaving office before the end of his term. Others have joked about Biden clearing a potential path for Harris, such as a co-host of "Pod Save America" saying that Jimmy Carter, who has been in hospice care for over a year, had said he was hanging on to vote for Harris. Simmons said that this would be a moment "to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate," but not everyone on the panel was convinced, with one saying Simmons was "writing the new season of 'House of Cards.'"

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart of Presidential Canidates

With the president's decision to drop out of the race, he has effectively begun a longer lame-duck period, which is historically when most presidential clemency grants have occurred.

Vice President Kamala Harris has claimed that the Biden-Harris administration has led to the largest increase in domestic oil production in history due to a recognition that we cannot over rely on foreign oil. This statement, which contradicts the bipartisan claims that they are champions in the fight to slow global warming, surprised supporters and opponents alike. The Biden-Harris administration has set a target to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and accelerate renewable energy projects. Some environmental groups have criticized Harris's comments for missing a critical opportunity to show young voters she will fight for climate action.

The presidential election in Pennsylvania is shaping up to be crucial, with both the Trump and Harris campaigns spending over $130 million on advertising in the swing state. However, the narrative that Pennsylvanians are overwhelmingly in favor of the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for oil and gas is not entirely accurate. Polls show that a majority of Pennsylvanians actually oppose fracking, with concerns over its harmful impact on human health, the climate, and the environment. The natural gas industry in Pennsylvania has also been declining in recent years, accounting for less than 1% of the state's jobs. Some politicians, like Rep. Summer Lee, have won elections on an anti-fracking platform, demonstrating that it is not the "make-or-break" issue that the media portrays it to be. Despite the growing public awareness and opposition to fracking, the media continues to perpetuate the idea that it is a key issue for Pennsylvania voters. This oversimplification overlooks the grassroots efforts that have been working to educate the public and pass local ordinances to protect communities from the harms of fracking. As the election approaches, it is important to listen to what Pennsylvanians truly want and continue the crucial work of addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with this controversial practice.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has repeatedly claimed that she worked at McDonald's while getting her undergraduate degree in the 1980s. This claim has been reported by multiple reputable news outlets, but aside from Harris' own testimony, there is no independent evidence such as a photo, employment record, or confirmation from a friend or family member to verify the story. Harris has invoked the alleged McDonald's work experience throughout her political career, including in a 2024 presidential campaign ad and during a 2024 appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show." Other prominent Democrats, such as former President Bill Clinton, have also repeated the anecdote. However, some internet users have challenged the claim, with unverified reports that "McDonald's Corporate sources" have no record of Harris working at their locations. Snopes reached out to Harris' campaign and McDonald's headquarters seeking evidence to corroborate the claim, but as of the report's publication, no such proof has been uncovered. Without tangible evidence to independently confirm or debunk the story, Snopes has rated the claim "Research In Progress" as they continue to investigate.