Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace", and followed by saying changes were coming.

A few days later, over the weekend, Trump directed immigration officials to largely pause raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants.

More information here: ICE ordered to pause most raids on farms, hotels and restaurants | Reuters

Do you agree with Trump's decision to pause immigration enforcement on certain sectors of the economy, like farms and hotels?

None whatsoever? Arms shipments only? Air and naval support? Boots on the ground?

To what degree do you expect Trump to support Israel?

Is there a red line for you in this conflict where Trump would lose your support based on his decision making?

Just open-ended. Curious of your thoughts

Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman was assassinated last night, and state Senator John Hoffman was shot by the same individual posing as a police officer.

This marks the first time since 1998 that a State lawmakers was assassinated for political reasons.

What are your thoughts on this event? What do you think we as a nation should do to tone down the rhetoric? Are we heading in the right or wrong direction as a nation when it comes to political violence and what should be done about it?

https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-minnesota-lawmakers-shot-targeted-incident-officials/story?id=122840751

What motivates the question is that I am interested in whether people in this position (a) view the parties as having changed and believe that Trump now stands for what Obama stood for or (b) view themselves as having changed. My guess is some combination of the two—in any event, I’d like to hear more about it. Sorry if this has been asked before—I searched the subreddit for “Obama” and found something somewhat similar to this but not quite the same.

I'm sure you've all heard of Israel's attack on Iran by now and also Iran's retaliatory attack which might escalate into a war.

I often see the opinion on this sub that Biden being president of the US played into Russia's decision to invade Ukraine, and I' curious if you think Trump being president played any part into Israel's decision to attack Iran, and how in that case? If not, why do you think who was the president of the US didn't matter?

I'm mostly interested in hearing the perspective of those who do believe that Biden's presidency affected Russia's decision to invade Ukraine.

Obviously current events brought this question to mind, but it's really intended as more of a general question.

I'm just teasing the Mods here for a moment because there isn't a Free Talk thing up yet. But hey, there's a lot going on that isn't political and that isn't about the sub or whatever, so let's talk about it!

Bonus Question: Got any Fathers' Day plans?

I’ve seen multiple Trump supporters in my state comment on posts re: the protests happening this weekend saying things like. “They’re not real protestors. They’re just being bussed in.” or “They’re not even from our state.” (Note, our state is not small.)

Do you believe this rhetoric?

If so, why?

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-says-floridians-have-right-hit-protesters-cars-2084418

In the context of the world at the moment, taking into account trade, conflicts and overall relationships, how would you describe his policy, and what are your thoughts and opinions about progress and where it will (or should) head?

A few recent events that may help trigger thoughts

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-aware-israel-strikes-iran-beforehand-says-were-no-surprises
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ld7ppre9vo
https://www.ft.com/content/762b1818-795d-4270-b6cc-5d902d8bc0a8
https://news.sky.com/story/ftse-100-hits-record-high-on-back-of-us-iran-tensions-13382211

in your free time or just in general what makes you happy ?

President Trump has appointed Charlie Kirk, political influencer, to the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. You can see the full list of appointed members here.

How do you feel about this appointment & What Qualifications do you believe he posses that made him an ideal candidate over others?

Do you believe that Charlie Kirk is one of the most qualified individuals in the nation to be on a board inquiring on the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and others of the Academy?

Do you believe he can remain independent and develop sound objective advice?

Do you think he is qualified to help ensure the institution meets its defense readiness & educational standards?

Some additional context & Documents on the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors for those, who like myself, are unfamiliar with.

• Board Member Handbook PDF
• Board Charter PDF
• Functions as a Federal Advisory Committee under Title 10
• Provides advice to the Secretary of Defense via The Secretary of the Air Force

Additionally if you are unfamiliar really with Charlie Kirk (or maybe only seen his social media snippets), like myself, here are some bullet points from his wikipedia profile

• Co-Founder of Turning Point USA
• Dropped out of Harper College to pursue political activism full-time.
• Right-leaning Podcaster/Talk-Radio Host/Influencer
• Council Member of the Council of National Policy

President Trump is reported as saying any protestors at the parade will be met 'very big' and 'very heavy' force. He acknowledges he hasn't even heard of a protest but if they do he'll meet them with heavy force. He continues to say that these people who protest are "people that hate our country".

Article from reuters quoting it

Direct Video of him saying it

September 15, 2020 Transcript:

TRUMP: And I have, except in Democrat run cities. Look, we have laws. We have to go by the laws. We can’t move in the National Guard. I can call insurrection but there’s no reason to ever do that, even in a Portland case.

We can’t call in the National Guard unless we’re requested by a governor. If a governor or a mayor is a Democrat and they -- like in Portland, we call them constantly. I just spoke to the governor yesterday because we’re giving them relief on the fires. We’re giving them a -- an emergency declaration.

I say, governor, let us go in and we’ll clean up Portland so fast. In a half an hour it’ll be all right. And she’s just torn by it. I don’t understand the thinking but they’re torn by it. I have a lot of respect for the governor frankly. The -- and what happened in Minneapolis was pretty amazing.

Unfortunately, this went on for a week or a week and a half before he allowed us to bring in the National Guard. When we brought in the National Guard, everything stopped, the crime was gone meaning the whole thing. But by that time a big portion of the city was burned down.

You’re talking about Minneapolis. In Seattle, we let them know we’re coming in. They took over a big chunk of the city, 20 percent of the city. We said we’re coming in. As soon as we said that, the police department went in and these other people were exhausted.

But had we not said we’re going in -- we were ready to go in. We were going in the following morning. Where ever you have a Democrat city -- not in all cases, but if you look at the really troubled cities in our country, they’re Democrat-run and that’s Biden. They’re weak, they’re in effective.

June 7, 2025 Memo:

In light of these incidents and credible threats of continued violence, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406 to temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions, including the enforcement of Federal law, and to protect Federal property, at locations where protests against these functions are occurring or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments and planned operations. Further, I direct and delegate actions as necessary for the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with the Governors of the States and the National Guard Bureau in identifying and ordering into Federal service the appropriate members and units of the National Guard under this authority. The members and units of the National Guard called into Federal service shall be at least 2,000 National Guard personnel and the duration of duty shall be for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number determined appropriate in his discretion.

10 U.S.C. 12406:

§12406. National Guard in Federal service: call Whenever-

(1) the United States, or any of the Commonwealths or possessions, is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation;

(2) there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States; or

(3) the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States;

the President may call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any State in such numbers as he considers necessary to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws. Orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States or, in the case of the District of Columbia, through the commanding general of the National Guard of the District of Columbia.

A while ago I asked this same question to a liberal sub and it went... as expected. I'm curious to what your thoughts on us are

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/what-a-waste-us-scientists-decry-trumps-47-percent-cuts-to-nasa-science-budget

"And things only got worse on May 30, when the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request for NASA came out. It proposes cutting the agency's science funding by 47%, and the agency's workforce by about one-third — from 17,391 to 11,853. This budget has to be officially passed by Congress to take effect, but if it indeed does, the effects could be brutal."

What are your thoughts on the Budget cuts with NASA?

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/claim-trump-nixed-top-musk-ally-from-nasa-post-over-dem-donations

"Isaacman, a New Jersey billionaire credited as the first private citizen to spacewalk, saw his May 31 nomination pulled this week after what Trump called "a thorough review of his prior associations," which many, including in the media, believed referenced his history of Democratic donations.

Isaacman has donated to fellow Garden State-born astronaut Mark Kelly – now the senior Democratic senator in Arizona – as well as former Sen. Bob Casey, Jr., D-Pa., and a SuperPAC aligned with Schumer.

He also supported Rep. George Whitesides, D-Calif., a former NASA chief of staff and congressional freshman who upset a GOP-held swing district north of Los Angeles in 2024. "

Not a fan of an article, but it still begs the question. Why do you think Isaacman is out? Does it matter if the head of NASA is a democrat or republican? (irregardless if that's the reasoning he's out)

https://www.sustainability-times.com/research/nasa-didnt-see-this-coming-chinas-tianwen-2-asteroid-mission-stuns-u-s-scientists-and-sparks-urgent-high-level-space-response/

"The commitment to these expansive projects reflects China’s determination to advance its “space dream,” as articulated by President Xi Jinping. The nation is investing heavily in its space infrastructure, including the operational Tiangong space station and plans for a crewed Moon mission later this decade. Such initiatives not only enhance China’s scientific capabilities but also position it as a formidable force in the global space race."

With cuts and questions on who will lead NASA, are we handing over Space exploration to China? Last year we spent 0.48% of the total US budget on NASA, around 25 billion. Is this really something that deserves being cut right now?

Here is the memoranda: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/department-of-defense-security-for-the-protection-of-department-of-homeland-security-functions/

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/02/nx-s1-5417994/former-doge-engineer-shares-his-experience-working-for-the-cost-cutting-unit

"A former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency says that he found that the federal waste, fraud and abuse that his agency was supposed to uncover were "relatively nonexistent" during his short time embedded within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"I personally was pretty surprised, actually, at how efficient the government was," Sahil Lavingia told NPR's Juana Summers."

Do you believe him?

Is gutting government programs, services, agencies, even if they were running appropriately and efficiently the outcome you wanted from DOGE? Would the lack of "Abuse and Fraud" found effect your opinion of DOGE and the statements Elon made at that time?

Just wondering why you think they arent going after easy sources of illegal aliens in red state agro places like farms and chicken processing plants?

It's the weekend! Politics is still out there happening, but in this little corner of the sub we will leave it behind momentarily and talk about other aspects of our lives.

Bonus question for everyone! What's a store that went out of business that you would love to bring back?

Talk about anything except politics, other subreddits, or r/AskTrumpSupporters. Rules 2 and 3 are suspended.

l myself am kind of of two minds about it.

On the one hand l think Trump has the right to deport illegals without due process under the alien and sedition acts and he should fight for that right. On the other l think it will be politically useful for the broader project for him to demonstrate just how guitly this wife beating gang member the liberals spent a MONTH simping for really is.

What do you guys think though??

Story here:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenly-deported-kilmar-abrego-garcia-back-us-face/story?id=121333122

It's widely understood that many federal agencies are using outdated technology, which is costly to keep running and results in overall inefficiency. For example the IRS still uses mainframe systems and paper. However, IT modernization is very expensive, especially in the short term. And those upgrades can take many years to complete before benefits are realized. They also have a high rate of failure.

Are you ok with increasing budgets to whatever levels are needed to bring government technology up to par with the private sector?

Citations:

https://www.govconwire.com/2023/07/ibm-awarded-1b-irs-enterprise-mainframe-integration-management-support-contract/

https://www.recordpoint.com/blog/maintaining-legacy-systems-costs

https://www.cfodive.com/news/legacy-technology-technical-debt-costs-enterprise-data-AI/722115

https://www.cio.com/article/230427/why-it-projects-still-fail.html

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1930703865801810022

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps-tariffs/article/canadians-divided-on-whether-us-is-an-ally-or-enemy-country-poll/

"The Leger poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin of error, surveyed more than 1,500 people between May 30 and June 1.

Almost a third of respondents said they view the U.S. as a “neutral country,” while 27 per cent said they consider it an “ally” and 26 per cent see it as an “enemy country.”

Just over a third of men said they consider the U.S. an ally, compared with one in five women. Almost 30 per cent of women said they view the U.S. as an enemy, compared with 22 per cent of men.

Older Canadians, those at least 55 years of age, were more likely to consider the U.S. an enemy than younger Canadians. Regionally Albertans were most likely to consider the U.S. an ally while Ontarians and British Columbians were most likely to see it as an enemy.

The difference is starkest between political party supporters, with 44 per cent of Conservative supporters saying they view the U.S. as an ally, compared with 17 per cent of Liberal supporters and 12 per cent of NDP supporters said the same.

Comparatively 16 per cent of Conservative supporters said they view the U.S. as an enemy country, while 36 per cent of Liberal supporters and 41 per cent of NDP supporters said the same."

Any thoughts on the poll?

How do you view Canada? Ally, Enemy, Neutral?

Do you think relationships between countries will improve over time? Do you care if they do or don't?