Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Unrestrained judicial criticism: “A federal judge has accused the Trump administration of terrorizing immigrants and recklessly violating the law in its efforts to deport millions of people living in the country illegally. Citing the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, the judge said that the White House had also ‘extended its violence on its own citizens.’”
* All of the news surrounding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is bad: “A U.S. vaccine advisory committee meeting scheduled for later this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will not be held, with no new dates announced, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”
* When a judge finds it necessary to hold a Trump administration lawyer in civil contempt of court, it’s a big deal. It’s also overdue.
* A lawsuit worth watching: “Three military veterans and a historic preservationist on Thursday sued the Trump administration over President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch, arguing that the new structure would disrupt the experience of visiting Arlington National Cemetery and interfere with the intent of nearby monuments.”
* Sometimes, decisions are ridiculous and predictable in equal measure: “A red, white and blue color scheme championed by President Donald Trump will become the new look for Air Force One, the U.S. military said Thursday. The Air Force said a ‘red, white, gold and dark blue paint scheme’ will be used for the updated jet that is slated to serve as Air Force One as well as other, smaller jets that routinely fly other top government officials.”
* Protecting American workers doesn’t appear to be much of a priority: “New data about the federal agency responsible for workplace safety suggests a substantial drop in inspections in the months after President Trump returned to office last year. The internal data from the Labor Department raises concerns about the government’s ability to police workplaces and protect U.S. workers.” * I can’t wait to learn what kinds of content the State Department collects for its new portal: “The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, a move Washington views as a way to counter censorship, three sources familiar with the plan said.” * Good choice: “Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., will deliver the Democrats’ response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday, party leadership announced on Thursday. Spanberger, 46, is a former CIA officer who served three terms in the House and became Virginia’s first female governor after her victory in the November election.” See you tomorrow.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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