Politics and views in the United States.

Nationwide protests erupt against federal policies, Indiana's EV infrastructure expansion stalls due to a funding freeze, and Washington state pushes for rent stabilization to combat rising housing costs.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2025 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

From the House of Representatives to the United States Senate, we will be introducing legislation to stop this assault on our constitution and separation of powers.

And lest you think I'm naive, this is not about left or right.

It's about right and wrong.

Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker says protesters in Washington and nationwide are defending the limits on presidential power.

Numerous state capitals saw rallies against Project 2025 and billionaire Elon Musk's intrusion into federal agencies.

Booker and others argue many of President Donald Trump's sweeping executive orders go beyond the law or the constitution.

Trump's offhand proposal that the U.S. take over Gaza is meeting with resistance domestically and abroad.

Some Republicans in Congress say it directly conflicts with his promises to end American military entanglements.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has walked back some of Trump's remarks, saying it was only an offer to clear the land and rebuild.

Other administration officials insist no U.S. troops would be involved.

The president has signed a "no men in women's sports" executive order barring transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.

Meanwhile, administration immigration policies have sparked opposition in Austin, Atlanta, Sacramento, Denver and Ohio.

Last week, ICE agents raided a restaurant near Cleveland, detaining six undocumented workers.

Most were released on bond.

Cleveland's Mayor Justin Bibb says sweeping up migrants will hurt innocent people.

He is especially critical of a new policy allowing for arrests in places that had been off-limits.

"Targeting schools, hospitals and places of worship is obscene.

Immigrants are human beings.

They have elevated our home by contributing their talents and culture in our great city.

They support our economy."

Electric vehicle ownership is rising in Indiana, with registered EVs up more than 7 percent in the last year.

But plans for more chargers in Indianapolis are on hold due to a freeze on funds in the 2024 bipartisan infrastructure law.

Mo McReynolds with the city's Office of Sustainability says their plans, especially those for underserved communities, are now in limbo.

"We were awarded $15 million in that realm to establish as many sites as we can afford within that budget."

New legislation in Washington state aims to ease skyrocketing rental rates by limiting yearly rent increases to 7 percent, with two companion bills in the Olympia Statehouse.

Chris Walker lives in a manufactured home community for seniors and has been organizing for rent stabilization.

She says the spike in their costs became outrageous.

"Their lot rent started to increase 30, 40, 50 percent.

It's really disgusting what they've done.

They're on fixed incomes."

I'm Farah Siddiqui for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.