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Good afternoon,
On this April Fool's Day, the nation's eyes are on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election that has broken spending records. Elon Musk has dumped roughly $20 million into this race, endorsing conservative candidate Brad Schimel over Susan Crawford. At first glance, it seems Musk is only invested in this election to tip the political balance of the court to conservatives. However, Musk is also all charged up over Tesla suing Wisconsin to overturn a law that prevents an automaker from also owning the dealerships that sell their cars. Tesla has attempted multiple times to open dealerships in Wisconsin despite the state's long-standing prohibition.
Just a week after Tesla filed the Wisconsin lawsuit, Musk tweeted that it was important to vote Republican in the state Supreme Court race. Musk is trying to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Once again, an unelected oligarch is trying to use his wealth to sway the public and hoard even more money. This election is just a means to a financial end for Musk.
The results from this vital election – combined with a pair of special elections in Florida to fill open Congressional seats – will also provide insights into how Americans are feeling at this point in Trump's second term. Will the pendulum swing back to the left, or will the recent rightward swing of the electorate continue?
Here are a few important updates...
WILL TRUMP "LIBERATE" FARMERS?
Tomorrow, Trump is expected to impose sweeping reciprocal tariffs across the globe on his "Liberation Day." Since he took office, Trump's approach to setting tariffs has been unpredictable, threatening them only to quickly pull back. Leading up to the April 2 date, the most significant round of tariffs, Trump has begun to change his tone. He is downplaying the scale of tariffs, telling reporters last Wednesday that he is "going to make it very lenient." No one knows exactly what these tariffs will entail.
As the tariffs loom, the Trump administration is, allegedly, deciding if it should provide emergency aid to farmers. If America's trading partners retaliate, farmers are likely to be caught in the middle of the trade war. The tariffs have the potential to "unleash financial devastation throughout the U.S. agricultural industry," and an aid package would help keep a key voting bloc of Trump's happy. While no details have been announced, Brook Rollins, the agriculture secretary, said the administration may look to offer aid to farmers. However, there are doubts if the USDA even has enough disposable funds to provide assistance to farmers. Will the Trump administration actually help farmers, or simply continue to make empty promises?
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AN ICE CRACKDOWN
If there's one thing Trump has come through on in his second term, it is his promise to crack down on immigration. Trump campaigned on the ideas that he would secure the border and stop illegal immigration. However, his administration seems to be targeting legal immigrants. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is revoking the immigration status of students, without even informing universities or students that their status has been revoked. ICE has arrested several people, targeting those who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests. This is a direct threat to free speech and the right to protest; the government is rounding up students based solely on their political opinions and claiming it is because they pose a threat to national security.
As ICE has ramped up its detainments of both legal and illegal immigrants, local police officers have noted that immigrants are increasingly wary of them. While this is not uncommon, it has intensified due to the tactics used by ICE. In Santa Fe, local officers held community meetings with residents so they know what police officers look like, and what ICE does NOT look like. Local police are trying to send the message that "they are not immigration officers and residents should not be afraid to call them." Immigrants are afraid to notify law enforcement of crimes, including robberies and assaults, because they are worried they will be deported. As immigration policies blur the lines between enforcement and intimidation, the erosion of trust in law enforcement endangers immigrant communities and undermines justice in America.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
$90 million (and counting): The campaign spending for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court election.
As right-wing billionaires pour unprecedented amounts of money into this race – including over $20 million from Elon Musk alone – the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. When the polls close tonight, we will learn a great deal more about our American oligarch's ability to buy elections. 15 years after the Supreme Court's dreadfully-reasoned decision in Citizens United, money continues to drown out speech.
- On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Trump administration is expected to set reciprocal tariffs, referring to the day as "liberation day."
WHAT WE'RE READING
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