Latest News from United States
Mass Free America Walkout Protests Mark Trump's Second Year
Tens of thousands of Americans are set to participate in walkouts from work and school at 2 PM on January 20, the first anniversary of Trump's inauguration, signaling a shift to more disruptive resistance against the administration. The movement's website calls it a 'rupture' and commitment to be 'ungovernable' in the face of authoritarianism, with over 800 events and 38,200 confirmations as of Monday.
Professor Fisher notes that peaceful demonstrations may no longer suffice, amid recent protests following an ICE shooting in Minnesota.
Protests Evolve Toward Potential Violence in Trump Resistance
Mass movements against Trump are becoming more disruptive and potentially violent, driven by frustrations over ICE actions and administration policies. A poll shows 34% of Americans believe violence might be needed to save the country, up 11 points from October.
White House spokesperson counters that Trump is making America greater for all.
Women's March Coordinates Nationwide Walkouts
Tamika Middleton of the Women’s March states supporters want to withdraw consent from the administration through direct action beyond large mobilizations. The protests follow unrest in Minnesota after ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, prompting Trump to consider the Insurrection Act.
Leaders are exploring broader tactics to counter the administration.
Europe Warns Against Trump Annexing Greenland
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen threatens to halt NATO cooperation if Trump attempts to annex Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory. This comes amid fading faith in US security commitments a year into Trump's second term.
Trump's first term nearly collapsed NATO, per former Secretary-General Stoltenberg.
US Defense Secretary Demands Europe Step Up on Security
Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that the US has priorities elsewhere and Europe must handle its own backyard security. Ukraine won't join NATO, and seized territories won't be returned without US help.
Trump blames Zelenskyy for the invasion and stalemate.
JD Vance Claims Europe's Real Threat is Internal
Vice President JD Vance warned at Munich that Europe's main threat is internal, with free speech in retreat, not Russia. He met far-right leaders during German election campaigning.
This aligns with new US strategy criticizing European policies.
EU Launches Multibillion-Euro Arms Fund to Cut US Reliance
The EU created a fund for arms and ammo from European companies, weaning off US suppliers amid Trump's tariff wars. Debt rules eased for security spending, with funds to Ukraine's defense.
European leaders will cover most of Kyiv's needs for two years.
Trump's Tariff War Roils European Economies
Trump's global tariffs, including against allies, are disrupting European economies as they build independent defenses. This follows reworked Ukraine peace plans excluding Putin.
US national security strategy calls European allies weak and supports far-right parties.
NATO Allies Await Trump's Ukraine Plans on War Anniversary
A year into Trump 2.0, NATO allies heard no clear US plans for Ukraine entering its fourth year of war. Trump threatened NATO collapse previously and prioritizes elsewhere now.
Europe presses defense measures independently.
Poll Shows Rising Acceptance of Violence Against Trump Policies
34% of respondents on January 16 agree Americans might resort to violence to save the country, up from prior protests. This follows losses among peaceful protesters by ICE.
Fisher warns non-violent means may prove insufficient.
Trump Threatens Insurrection Act After ICE Shooting Protests
Protests in Minnesota after ICE fatally shot Renee Nicole Good led Trump to threaten the Insurrection Act, though he later saw no reason to invoke it. This fuels the shift to more aggressive resistance tactics.
The events tie into today's nationwide walkouts.