Weekly Spotlight: A Horrifying Confirmation

Editor’s Note: The State of the Union address this week spotlighted just how much executive power has expanded and been manipulated under President Trump, and the threat that poses to you and your community. Read a statement from POGO’s Interim Executive Director Isabel Munilla.

EXECUTIVE POWER GRAB

As the Administration Launches Strikes Against Iran, Congress Must Reclaim Its Constitutional War Powers

Only Congress can declare war — Trump’s military actions in Iran are illegal. POGO's David Janovsky says: “The president’s announcement today that the U.S. has conducted military strikes in Iran without congressional approval is yet another flagrant abuse of power by this administration. Significant military actions should have more than the sole backing of a single leader — that’s why the Constitution requires the people’s representatives to make these decisions.” Read the statement on pogo.org.

• Does Trump Have the Legal Authority to Strike Iran? An Expert Explains:POGO’s David Janovsky joined Time for a Q&A on unilateral military action and the power of congressional intervention.

ABUSING POWER AND RIGHTS

“Broken” training program for new ICE recruits

A former ICE official blew the whistle about dramatic cutbacks to basic training for newly recruited federal agents, alleging that the agency is dismantling its training program and cutting nearly 40% of its syllabus, including classes on use of force, firearms training, lawful arrests, and on the scope of ICE’s authority. While horrifying, this is a confirmation of what we have been seeing play out on the streets: agents who have been given the leeway to act violently, operate above the law, and violate your rights while the Department of Homeland Security and the executive branch at large do nothing to hold them accountable. This information is coming to the fore right ahead of Kristi Noem’s hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee next Tuesday. Your senators must question her on DHS’s abuses — we will be watching closely to hold them accountable if they don’t. Follow along on Instagram to get our reactions to the hearing live.

• ICE’s ‘historic’ hiring boom: DHS announced that it hired 12,000 agents and officers over the course of four months last year. Those numbers have been called into question, but there is no denying the agency is expanding rapidly. It plans to spend $100 million on ads targeting gun rights supporters and military enthusiasts in a “wartime recruitment” strategy.
• If slashing training requirements wasn’t dangerous enough, ICE is reportedly struggling to properly vet its new recruits.
• This disclosure underscores the urgent need to support and protect whistleblowers who are coming forward with the truth, especially given the ways we have seen this administration retaliate against those who dare to oppose it.
• As we reported last week, a government watchdog is currently investigating how DHS handles claims of whistleblower retaliation.

POGO INVESTIGATES

DHS Assault Cases Spiked to a Record High. Experts and Judges Have Raised Alarms.

Federal data shows a surge in DHS alleging its agents have been assaulted or impeded. Although many cases have collapsed in court, some fear the risks to constitutional rights. Read the new investigation.

PENTAGON WATCH

These new barracks standards aren’t up to standard.

The Pentagon issued a set of habitability standards for new and existing military barracks and unaccompanied housing. On paper, this sounds like a positive development — we have long been pushing for consistent, enforceable housing standards across all military housing. But the new standards set by the Pentagon simply set the bar too low. The new policy commits to “zero visible mold,” but makes no rules for accurate testing or remediation, leaving the door open for the Pentagon to satisfy itself with literal surface-level fixes. Our service members deserve better.

• Duty, Honor, Mold: Military Housing in Crisis:Read our series of in-depth investigations on military housing, from POGO Investigates’ René Kladzyk.
• POGO’s commonsense solutions for addressing the safety and habitability crisis in military housing.