Politics and views in the United States

Protestors interrupt a hearing on the White House 2027 budget proposal. The IMF director says the Iran War is already creating global economic issues and Justice Clarence Thomas says progressivism goes against the Declaration of Independence.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Protesters interrupted White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vogt's testimony on the administration's 2027 budget proposal.

That blueprint further shrinks the Presidential AIDS Relief Program despite bipartisan support.

It's credited with saving millions of lives in Africa, but is one of many foreign and domestic programs cut 10 percent across the board to beef up military spending.

Vought takes the legally questioned position that even if Congress appropriates funds, the administration doesn't have to spend them.

Some aid groups claim that's happening to PEPFAR.

Vought also refused to give Congress estimates for the cost of the Iran war.

President Donald Trump warns fighting will resume if the ceasefire ends without a deal.

The sides seem unwilling to compromise on Tehran's nuclear program and their dueling Strait of Hormuz blockades.

Iran or its allies in Yemen, the Houthis, may even begin threatening ships in the Red Sea.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Yorgieva says even if the fighting stops now, there are already major global economic impacts.

Extensive infrastructure damage and supply chain disruptions are pushing prices up and slowing global growth down.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire with talks ongoing.

Israeli soldiers will remain and Lebanon, and it's not clear if Hezbollah will pause its attacks.

Congress is working to fund homeland security through budget reconciliation, and House Republicans are trying to fund immigration enforcement separately, avoiding the need to change ICE and Border Patrol tactics.

Speaker Mike Johnson stopped one bipartisan Senate bill to fund those agencies because it came with strings, but the new House legislation funds both for the rest of Trump's term.

Johnson says Democrats don't care about public safety.

They have refused to fund two major components.

That is the border, which was the number one issue in the 2024 election, I remind everyone, border security, and they've refused to fund any enforcement of our immigration and customs law.

That means Republicans have to do it on our own.

Local officials in Minnesota have charged one ICE agent with two assault charges related to last winter's aggressive immigration sweep.

Other officers may also be charged.

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas says progressivism and the principles of the Declaration of Independence can't coexist.

In a Texas law school speech, He said the founding documents are premised on the, quote, transcendent origin of our rights.

Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government.

It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government.

Historians argue social progress fits the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

They also note many of the signers were not conventional Christians and didn't want church-tied to state.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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