Politics and views in the United States.

An asylum case sparks alarm, protests invoke the late John Lewis, Trump continues to face backlash over the Epstein files and the Senate moves forward with cuts to foreign aid.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2025 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

This is a watershed decision that could have very far-reaching consequences for a lot of people that have been granted asylum previously.

Rob Ratliff, attorney for a longtime Cincinnati imam, says the religious leader was detained by ICE after an asylum officer reversed his protected status this month.

Officials now say Ayman Soleiman's previous charitable work in Egypt ties him to a group newly classified as a terrorist organization.

Ratliff says the administration is abusing immigration rules to target vulnerable groups and political critics.

The small southern African nation of Eswatini has confirmed that it is holding five migrants deported from the U.S. in isolation units.

DHS officials call the men "depraved monsters."

African leaders say the administration is using them as dumping grounds.

Legal challenges continue, but the Supreme Court is letting immigrants be deported to nations they aren't from.

Protesters nationwide marched under the banner of a late civil rights icon at 1600 Good Trouble Lives On events.

Justin Cuasa with the League of Conservation Voters says after being beaten nearly to death fighting for the right to vote, Georgia Congressman John Lewis spent his life battling voter suppression.

We're really honoring the legacy of John Lewis, who was the civil rights leader, and saying that some of the same battles that he fought 60 years ago are the same battles we're fighting right now with voting rights and civil rights.

Cuasa says they're fighting voter ID rules that target immigrants and voters of color and defending food and healthcare funding.

The White House is reassuring the public about President Donald Trump's health.

Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt says Trump underwent testing after noticing swelling in his legs and was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

She calls that a benign condition common in people over 70.

The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here.

Trump continues to face fire from his base over Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump was a longtime friend of the child sex offender and was president when Epstein died in jail.

But Trump says possible incriminating Justice Department records are a hoax authored by Democrats.

On social media, Trump says he doesn't want the support of people who want the files released, calling them "weaklings."

Congress still looks likely to approve a $9 billion rescissions package slashing foreign aid and funding for public broadcasting.

The package could be held up over a push to release the Epstein files.

Florida's attorney general's threatening to sue sports organizations that allow transgender athletes to compete.

Advocates know the ban has been on the books for years but say it's being invoked now to distract from a brewing scandal.

A half a billion dollar insider no-bid contract to build on the so-called alligator Alcatraz detention camp.

But high school runner Cassidy Carlisle says she supports it.

I was losing because the playing field wasn't level.

It left me feeling defeated, not just as an athlete but as a young woman who believed that Hard work should mean something.

I'm Farah Siddiqui for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.