The United States has launched a new government-funded "voluntary deportation" initiative, which includes providing $1,000 debit cards and the possibility of future legal entry as incentives. The first flight under this program sent 68 migrants from Honduras and Colombia back to their home countries on Monday, May 20, 2025. One migrant, Kevin Antonio Posadas, who had lived in Houston, praised the ease of applying through the CBP Home app, stating he received approval in three days. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that those in the U.S. illegally should use the app to arrange their departure and receive financial support, or face fines, arrest, deportation, and a ban on future return. However, the Honduran immigration director predicted limited participation, suggesting it would mainly appeal to those already considering leaving due to challenges in the U.S.
The family of Ashli Babbitt, who died during the January 6 Capitol attack, is reportedly receiving nearly $5 million to settle a $30 million lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by Babbitt’s estate and the conservative group Judicial Watch, accused the U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot her of negligence as she attempted to enter the House speaker’s lobby through a broken window. Investigations, however, had previously cleared Lt. Michael Byrd of criminal wrongdoing, concluding he reasonably believed shooting was necessary for self-defense or defense of Members of Congress. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger disagreed with the settlement, calling it a "chilling message to law enforcement". Former President Trump has frequently cited Babbitt's death in defense of the rioters and referred to her as a "really good person" and "a big MAGA fan," also promising to look into the lawsuit.
U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver has been formally charged with assaulting and impeding law enforcement officers. The charges, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, stem from an incident on May 9 at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center during a protest that included McIver, other members of Congress, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Habba stated McIver violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1) and that legal action was pursued after McIver declined to cooperate despite efforts to avoid criminal charges. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem supported the prosecution, stating on social media that no one, regardless of status, is exempt from consequences for assaulting an officer. Rep. McIver called the charges politically motivated, accusing the administration of attempting to criminalize her legislative oversight. House Democrats supported McIver, denouncing the charges as an abuse of power and noting she was allowed to tour the facility after the incident.
Indiana has executed Benjamin Ritchie, who was convicted for the fatal shooting of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney in 2000. Ritchie, who spent over two decades on death row, was executed by lethal injection early Tuesday, marking Indiana’s second execution since 2009. He was pronounced dead at 12:46 a.m. and expressed love and peace to family and friends before the execution. His final legal avenues ended when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review his case. Toney’s widow had sought closure at a clemency hearing, while Ritchie's defense argued his brain damage and mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, should have prevented the death penalty. Indiana is one of only two states barring media witnesses at executions, a policy recently upheld by a federal judge. The state resumed executions last December after a long pause due to drug shortages.
The Trump administration has canceled a $660 million federal program known as Local Food for Schools, which helped provide fresh, locally grown produce to school cafeterias nationwide. This funding cut, implemented in March under President Trump's push to shrink the federal government, comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocates for overhauling school nutrition for healthier meals, criticizing current meals as unhealthy. Local nutrition leaders argue that cutting such programs undermines efforts to improve children’s health. Lindsay Aguilar of Tucson Unified School District stated that investing in school nutrition is necessary to make America healthy. The situation highlights the irony of dismantling programs like Michelle Obama's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act amid budget slashes and calls for better nutrition. The cuts are particularly impactful in areas like Tucson, where many families rely on food assistance and live in "food deserts," making federal support vital.
Britain, Canada, and France have issued a warning to Israel, threatening "concrete actions," including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not halt its renewed military operations in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. The three nations condemned the expansion of Israeli military efforts and described the resumption of aid to Gaza as "wholly inadequate". They also voiced opposition to expanding illegal settlements in the West Bank and stated they would "not hesitate" to take further measures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by accusing these countries of rewarding attacks on Israel, declaring the conflict a "war of civilization over barbarism," and stating Israel would continue its defense until "total victory". The allied countries reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense but called the current military actions "wholly disproportionate" in the context of the conflict, which followed the deadly Hamas attack on October 7 and has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties in Gaza.
