As the Winter Olympics began in Italy, some Team USA athletes expressed their thoughts on representing the United States amid a tumultuous political climate, while back home, a federal appeals court upheld a controversial immigration policy and thousands in Mississippi remained without power two weeks after a winter storm.
Team USA athletes, including freestyle skier Chris Lillis, shared their perspectives on the political landscape. Lillis, speaking to journalists on Friday, expressed heartbreak over events in the United States, referencing ICE's actions in Minneapolis and the protests against them, according to CBS News. "I love the USA, and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics," Lillis stated.
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Trump administration's mass detention policy for illegal immigrants. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to deny bond hearings to immigrants arrested nationwide, according to Fox News. Attorney General Pam Bondi reacted positively to the ruling, calling it a "crucial legal victory."
In other news, thousands of homes in Mississippi remained without power two weeks after an ice storm devastated the northern part of the state, according to the New York Times. The storm, which downed trees and power lines, initially left ten times as many people without electricity. As of Saturday afternoon, around 15,000 customers, primarily in rural areas, were still without power, concentrated around Lafayette County and the town of Oxford.
The White House also faced scrutiny following a racist video clip posted online by former President Trump. According to the New York Times, the administration's usual response of dismissing criticism proved ineffective, highlighting the limits of the country's tolerance for certain behaviors.
In a separate interview, Guy Fieri and Kevin Costner discussed their shared passion for supporting veterans and first responders, according to Fox News. Fieri recognized the country's heroes, and the two bonded over their collaborative efforts to give back.
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