Kennedy Faces Scrutiny in Senate Hearing
U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his work in front of senators at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Sept. 4, justifying his stance on vaccine safety and the recent firing of new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez.Monarez had been in her position for less than a month before she was fired, provoking a group of senior CDC employees to resign in protest.
She had accused Kennedy of trying to force her to “rubber-stamp” recommendations from the newly reformed vaccine advisory panel.
Kennedy has denied any wrongdoing.
ICE Changes Deportation Location for Kilmar Garcia
Federal immigration authorities have changed the deportation destination of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from Uganda to Estwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, according to an email shared on X by the Department of Homeland Security, in the latest events surrounding the Salvadoran accused of being a member of the transnational gang MS-13.After being sent to a prison in his home country, El Salvador, a U.S. District Judge ordered his return because he was mistakenly sent there due to an “administrative error.”
Upon his return to the United States, Garcia was arrested on a human trafficking charge.
He was due to be sent to Uganda but fought against it by expressing fear of being persecuted and tortured there.
Garcia denies the MS-13 allegation, along with another charge of domestic abuse.
Appeals Court Blocks ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Dismantling Order
An appeals court has blocked a previous order to dismantle Florida’s immigration detention and deportation facility, “Alligator Alcatraz,” over allegations related to federal funding.A Florida district court judge had previously sided with environmental groups who claimed that the state had violated regulations during the detention center’s construction.
The State of Florida argues that the construction of the facility was privately funded; therefore, it did not need to adhere to certain regulations.
Alligator Alcatraz has been operating as a detention center for illegal immigrants since July 1, to facilitate deportations from the United States.
It takes its name from the alligator-infested wetlands in which it is built.
Trump Renames Department of Defense
President Donald Trump has renamed the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War—its original name—in an executive order he signed on Sept. 5. Officially changing the name requires an act of Congress.The rename reflects the United States’ focus on “peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend,” according to the executive order.
The Department of War was established by President George Washington in 1789 to maintain the operations of the country’s military and naval affairs.
Its name was changed to the Department of Defense in 1949 by President Harry Truman after World War II to reflect a broader focus on national security.
