In a move that has shocked human rights advocates and ignited protests across the United States, former President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly advancing plans to detain certain U.S. citizens in prisons located in El Salvador. Speaking at a joint event with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump emphasized the need for additional detention facilities to manage what he called “homegrown” individuals. “The homegrowns are next, the homegrowns. You’ve got to build about five more places,” Trump declared, triggering an immediate firestorm of criticism from civil liberties groups, immigration attorneys, and members of Congress.
Legal experts warn that transferring U.S. citizens to foreign prisons would constitute a severe violation of constitutional rights, including due process and protection against unlawful detention. The controversy deepened after it emerged that U.S. officials recently argued in federal court that they were not obligated to assist an American citizen who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite a Supreme Court order directing his return. This hardline stance, coupled with Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, has raised alarm both at home and internationally about the erosion of legal norms under his administration.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also escalated its battle against academic institutions by freezing over $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in federal contracts allocated to Harvard University. The freeze comes amid accusations that Harvard’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as its handling of campus protests related to Palestinian rights, are “un-American” and “divisive.” The federal government has demanded that Harvard dismantle its DEI initiatives and report international students involved in activism to immigration authorities. In response, Harvard’s leadership has vowed to defend academic freedom and constitutional rights, asserting that the university would not yield to political pressure or abandon its commitment to a diverse academic environment.
As political tensions boil over in the United States, Canada finds itself at a critical crossroads with its federal election underway today. The campaign has been significantly influenced by growing anxieties about American instability. Prime Minister Mark Carney, representing the Liberal Party, has campaigned on a platform of defending Canadian sovereignty and maintaining strong, independent institutions in the face of rising authoritarianism south of the border. His main rival, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, has faced mounting criticism for embracing populist tactics and rhetoric that many Canadians find unsettling.
The Canadian election has been further overshadowed by a tragedy in Vancouver, where at least 11 people were killed in a mass attack during a community event organized by Filipino immigrants. This horrific incident led to the temporary suspension of campaigning by all major parties, with Prime Minister Carney canceling planned rallies in key battleground cities out of respect for the victims and their families.
With polls showing a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives, the outcome remains deeply uncertain. Voter turnout is expected to be high, especially in crucial provinces like British Columbia and Ontario, where concerns about public safety, immigration, and national unity have dominated the conversation. Political analysts predict that the election results could set the tone for Canada’s relationship with the United States for years to come, especially as Trump’s influence continues to reverberate beyond American borders.
As these major events unfold simultaneously, both North America and the global community watch with bated breath. From unprecedented proposals to detain U.S. citizens abroad to dramatic political shifts in Canada, the stability of long-standing democratic institutions is being tested in real time.
This is a developing story. Red Pepper News will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
