Author: DAMON K JONES
Donald Trump’s recent address in Saudi Arabia was more than a diplomatic appearance—it was a declaration of strategic intent. Beneath the applause and formalities, Trump laid out a stark departure from the foreign policy dogma that has guided U.S. relations in the Middle East for nearly a century. The message was clear: it’s time to abandon the idealistic interventions of the past and return to sovereign partnerships grounded in mutual benefit, economic leverage, and unapologetic national interest. Donald Trump uses Realpolitik because it aligns with his transactional, results-driven worldview that prioritizes national interest, economic gain, and strategic advantage over ideology…
The Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) student teams made a powerful and uplifting impact throughout Earth Month this April, bringing fresh energy and innovation to environmental advocacy in Westchester County and beyond. Their commitment to sustainability, community action, and creative problem-solving continues to set an inspiring example for youth leadership. One of the standout moments of the month was the recognition of the “Don’t Strain Your Drain” team at the Westchester County Environmental Facilities’ Annual Awards Ceremony. Held at the scenic Boat House in Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers, on April 25, 2025, the team was honored with the prestigious 2025…
President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to lower prescription drug prices through a “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) policy marks a defining moment in the battle over who truly benefits from American healthcare policy. While partisan pundits will scramble to frame this through the usual left-vs-right lens, Black America has far more practical questions to ask: Will this help us afford our medication? Will this reduce the number of people in our community dying from preventable diseases? Will this force a health care system that profits off our suffering to give us a break, finally? Black America has long carried a…
If you’re looking for sentimentality or symbolic gestures, you won’t find them in Donald Trump’s second-term foreign policy—especially not in the Middle East. What you will find is a transactional recalibration rooted in one question: What do we get out of this? It’s a question Washington hasn’t asked nearly enough. For decades, America has signed blank checks to foreign allies, policed distant borders, and absorbed trade imbalances that weaken its own economy. Trump’s approach isn’t based on ideology—it’s based on leverage, cost-benefit analysis, and putting American interests first. Israel remains a key strategic ally, but under Trump’s second term, it’s being…
In a striking political moment with implications for immigration policy and states’ rights, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9, 2025, outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in New Jersey (see video below). Baraka, a prominent Democratic figure and current gubernatorial candidate, was among elected officials and activists protesting the reopening of the privately operated detention center, which recently resumed operations under a federal contract despite opposition from state and local leaders. According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baraka was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing on federal property and refusing multiple requests to vacate the premises.…
In a stunning display of self-interest masquerading as governance, New York State lawmakers quietly approved a $10 million taxpayer-funded legal defense fund for elected officials under federal investigation. Baked into the state’s bloated $254 billion budget, this provision allows politicians—many of whom are facing credible allegations of misconduct—to make the public pay for their private legal battles. This isn’t governance. It’s legalized grift. At the root of this scandal lies a deeper truth: corruption festers when one political party holds unchallenged control for too long. In such an environment, loyalty replaces accountability, transparency gives way to entitlement, and the people’s…
During a recent hearing on trade policy, Rep. Gregory Meeks mocked the idea that America’s trade deficits constitute a “national emergency.” He pointed out—almost smugly—that the U.S. has run deficits for over four decades, and since neither Republican nor Democratic presidents have called it an emergency, it must not be one. But that’s not logic—that’s willful complacency. And it’s unacceptable coming from someone who claims to represent working-class communities, particularly Black Americans, who’ve borne the brunt of this economic mismanagement. If your family or business operated at a deficit for 40 straight years, you wouldn’t call it “normal”—you’d call it…
When politicians announce trade deals, they typically speak in grand, abstract terms—“historic,” “groundbreaking,” “mutually beneficial.” But as with most government actions, the rhetoric rarely aligns with results. President Trump’s newly announced trade agreement with the United Kingdom is no exception. The only question that matters is this: What are the actual consequences for working-class Black Americans? To answer that, we must strip away the sentiment and examine the incentives, trade-offs, and downstream effects—because good intentions do not guarantee good outcomes. Lower Tariffs—Who Benefits? The centerpiece of this trade deal is a reduction in tariffs on British exports—steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Advocates…
Today marks the full enforcement of the REAL ID Act, a federal law requiring Americans to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or approved alternative documentation to board domestic flights and access certain federal buildings. While intended as a post-9/11 security upgrade, the rollout has triggered widespread confusion, delays, and concerns, particularly for Black Americans who historically face greater challenges in accessing government documentation. According to the TSA, travelers without a REAL ID will still be allowed to fly but will be subjected to additional screening. This may lead to longer wait times, missed flights, and frustration at airport security.…
In a sweeping announcement from the White House, former President Donald Trump revealed that Washington, D.C., will host the 2027 NFL Draft — marking a historic first for the nation’s capital and igniting plans for a massive football revival in the city’s heart. Standing alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Trump hailed the event as a win for sports fans and a powerful symbol of American renewal and unity. “This is a very big deal,” Trump began. “The 2027 NFL Draft will be held on the National Mall — and I…