This week, Lisa and David talk about Jimmy Kimmel cancellation; Trump backs down on Chicago crackdown plans for now; California bans ICE from wearing masks (effective January 1, 2026); Republican strategist Karl Rove critical of those looking to politicize Charlie Kirk’s death; LimeWire in the news; Senate confirms 48 Trump nominees at once; Judge dismisses Trump's defamation lawsuit against New York Times; TikTok deal reportedly closer; Trump unilaterally imposes new $100,000 H-1B visa fee; National Guard documents express concerns over Trump's D.C. takeover; Prosecutor fired for not charging political opponents; was Trump’s post ordering prosecutions of political opponents supposed to be a DM? Trump Justice Dept. closed investigation into Tom Homan despite being recorded by FBI accepting a $50,000 bag of cash; National park to remove photo of enslaved man's scars; RFK Jr. CDC vaccine meeting chaos; Hulu’s new virgin dating show; ICE manages to “lose” hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees; and more.
Added context for California ban on law enforcement wearing masks
The law takes effect on 1 January 2026.
Bill Essayli, a Trump appointed US Attorney said California "has no jurisdiction over the federal government", adding the law has "no effect on our operations" and agents "will continue to protect their identities".
Added context for new H1B Visa fees
In terms of legality: the authority of President Trump and the executive branch to unilaterally impose the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee is highly contested and legally uncertain.
Under U.S. law, visa fees are generally set by statute and regulation, with Congress authorizing the fees primarily to cover administrative costs. A large fee of this magnitude, lacking specific statutory basis, is unprecedented and could be challenged as exceeding executive authority.
Past attempts by the Trump administration to restrict H-1B visa issuance via presidential proclamations have faced legal setbacks, including courts ruling such actions illegal for bypassing congressional authority over immigration law.
In short, Trump and the executive branch have announced and implemented this fee via executive action, but they do not have clear, uncontested legal authority to do so unilaterally, making the measure vulnerable to judicial review and potential overturning.
In terms of policy: both the left and right have voiced strong opinions about Trump's new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, with debate centering on economic impact, immigration, and workforce priorities.
The policy has sparked confusion about its scope and implementation, with the White House issuing clarifications that the fee applies only to new applicants, not renewals.
Some business-friendly conservatives warn that a blanket crackdown could inadvertently hurt the competitiveness of American companies, while more nationalist factions remain staunchly supportive.
Overall, the left sees the move as harmful to the economy and global reputation, while the right frames it as a decisive action to protect U.S. workers and assert immigration control.
Links:
Yergz Radio (yergzradio.com)
Dare Talk Radio (daretalkradio.com)
This Week in Outrage Substack (outrageoverload.net/twio)
California bans most law enforcement including ICE from wearing masks (BBC)
Senate confirms 48 Trump nominees at once after GOP changed the chamber’s rules (PBS)
Judge dismisses Trump's $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times (BBC)
Trump's new $100,000 visa fee sets off panic and confusion (NBC)
With no end in sight, National Guard troops deployed to DC grow weary (CNN)
National Guard documents show public ‘fear,’ veterans’ ‘shame’ over D.C. presence (WaPo)
Trump pushes justice department to prosecute his political opponents (BBC)
Trump Officials Didn’t Know If His Order to Prosecute Foes Was Meant to Be Secret (Rolling Stone)
Hotly anticipated US vaccine meeting ends with confusion (Nature)
Virgin Dating Show ‘Are You My First?’ Is as Chaotic as You’d Expect (Daily Beast)
Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid (Miami Herald)
