The Trump administration faced increasing scrutiny this week over its immigration policies, sparked by the death of Alex Pretti during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. A preliminary government review contradicted the administration's initial account of the incident, raising questions about the use of force by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to NPR News.
The review, based on body camera footage and agency documentation, omitted claims that Pretti attacked officers, differing from the administration's initial narrative and aligning more closely with bystander accounts, NPR reported. Pretti's death marked the second of a U.S. citizen by immigration officers in Minneapolis this month, prompting bipartisan calls for investigation into CBP practices.
The controversy surrounding Pretti's death fueled broader protests against the administration's immigration policies. A letter signed by over 450 Silicon Valley staffers from companies like Google and Amazon urged tech leaders to publicly condemn ICE and end contracts with the agency, Time reported. This marked the first major organized protest against Trump in years following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Time noted. The resurgence of activism contrasted with a period of relative silence during Trump's first term and disillusionment with Biden's stance on Big Tech, signaling a potential shift in the tech world's political engagement.
Meanwhile, in other news, the Clarity Act, aimed at legitimizing digital assets, progressed after a contentious amendment regarding credit card swipe fees was withdrawn, removing a potential roadblock to its passage, according to Fortune. Despite bipartisan support and the Trump administration's generally favorable stance towards crypto, the bill faced unexpected opposition from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong over stablecoin yield restrictions, adding to the industry's recent struggles amid significant price declines for major cryptocurrencies, Fortune reported.
Also this week, tensions escalated over immigration policy, including Congressional investigations and visa restrictions, alongside a landmark trial examining social media's impact and President Trump's economic-focused Iowa rally, NPR reported. Global developments spanned entertainment, finance, technology, sports, environmental advancements, and legal actions, with a notable increase in sports betting among young American men due to its integration with cell phones and media, according to NPR.
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