Overview

The Biden administration is engaged in a multi-agency legal battle with Harvard University over international student enrollment, freezing nearly $4 billion in funding while Harvard's leadership refuses to surrender institutional independence.

Trump has pivoted from crypto skeptic to advocate, launching a family cryptocurrency venture that creates potential conflicts of interest as companies purchasing tokens appear to be seeking policy influence.

Five years after George Floyd's murder, police reform efforts face significant rollbacks across multiple states, with decreased corporate DEI commitments and a political shift away from social justice initiatives.

The Supreme Court reached a 4-4 deadlock on Oklahoma's religious charter school case, while a district judge blocked a Trump administration attempt to close the Department of Education.

The Treasury Department plans to phase out the penny, which costs nearly 4 cents to produce, potentially saving $56 million annually.

Content

Harvard and International Students

* The Trump administration is attempting to prevent Harvard from enrolling international students * Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims it's a "privilege, not a right" for universities to enroll foreign students * Harvard has approximately 6,800 international students (about 25% of student body) * The administration has launched at least eight investigations against Harvard across six agencies * Nearly $4 billion in grants and funding have been frozen * A federal judge in California has blocked the administration from terminating international students' legal status nationwide * Harvard's president has stated the university will not surrender its independence * Harvard professors argue international students are a valuable resource for U.S. universities

Trump Family Crypto Venture

* Trump has shifted from calling cryptocurrencies a scam to becoming a "crypto president" * He supports crypto regulation and has hired pro-crypto regulators * The Trump family hosted an invite-only crypto gala for top 220 investors * Entry required over $100 million in collective investment * Nearly half of these top investors are suffering net losses * Trump coin launched in January * Trump directly benefits when: * Coin value increases * Token is traded (small fee collected) * Some companies purchasing coins appear to be seeking policy influence * Example: Freight Technologies bought $2 million, hoping to influence border trade policies * Critics are concerned about potential self-enrichment and policy influence through the crypto venture

Police Reform and Social Justice Movements

* Five years after George Floyd's murder, police reform efforts are experiencing significant setbacks * Examples of rollbacks include: * Alabama's "Back the Blue" law expanding police legal immunity * DOJ Civil Rights Division closing police department investigations * Trump administration ending police department oversight agreements * Removal of Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington D.C. * There's been a political and corporate move away from DEI initiatives * The term "woke" is now predominantly used critically * Uncertainty remains about the future trajectory of social justice movements

Recent Incidents and Investigations

* Shooting at Israeli embassy in D.C.: * Two staff members killed were a couple about to get engaged * Suspect charged with murder of foreign officials * Federal investigation ongoing * A Justice Department investigation is ongoing into a case involving the death penalty, examining it as both a terrorism and hate crime

Supreme Court and Education Decisions

* Supreme Court reached a 4-4 deadlock on Oklahoma's proposed taxpayer-funded religious charter school * Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case * Lower court's blocking of the school's creation remains in effect * A district judge blocked a Trump administration executive order to close the Department of Education * Judge ordered reinstatement of fired employees * Trump administration is expected to appeal

Treasury Department Announcement

* Penny to be phased out due to high production costs * Currently costs nearly 4 cents to make a penny * Expected to save $56 million annually * Nickel production remains unchanged (costs nearly 14 cents to make)

Explaining Trump’s latest move against Harvard