Connect with us

The Center Square

20-state coalition fights Treasury claim that certain banking policies are security threat | National

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – 2024-08-07 07:18:00

(The Center Square) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading a 20-state coalition opposing a Treasury Department claim that state laws preventing de-banking policies are a “national security threat.” The latest action is only an “attempt to stoke confusion about state laws to advance extreme activist agendas,” Moody said.

“The Biden-Harris administration has pushed a radical agenda since its first day in office,” Moody said. “From open borders, to attacking gas stoves and washing machines, they now are attempting to use the power of the Treasury Department to accuse states, that seek to protect their citizens from unjustified radical de-banking, of being a national security threat. This is nothing more than another attempt to leverage the power of the federal government to achieve this administration’s destabilizing, activist agenda.”

In a letter to Yellen, the coalition expressed their “serious objections to your department’s recent letter characterizing state laws attempting to protect individuals from de-banking as harmful to national security.”

At issue is a request from U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ, who argues state laws are “fracturing the national banking system” and “may conflict with federal laws intended to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.” His letter doesn’t mention ESG policies but questions “when states enact laws that subject banks to processes and disclosure requirements that are at cross-purposes with federal law, SAR confidentiality could be jeopardized,” referring to federal law requiring banks to file suspicious activity reports.

No state laws prohibit banks from filing SARs or from complying with the Bank Secrecy Act.

Last month, Gottheimer expressed concerns to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at a U.S. House Committee on Financial Services hearing about “recent state laws that require banks to provide an explanation with specific reasons for closing or denying an account including situations where the decision was related to financial crimes risk.” He was concerned they “may conflict with federal requirements, especially the obligations that banks have under the federal anti-money laundering laws, that prevent terrorists and illicit financing in the US financial systems.”

In response, Yellen said banks are required to file SARs and comply with federal law. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson then sent a letter to Gottheimer saying they shared his concerns.

“State laws interfering with financial institutions’ ability to comply with national security requirements heighten the risk that international drug traffickers, transnational organized criminals, terrorists, and corrupt foreign officials will use the U.S. financial system to launder money, evade sanctions, and threaten our national security,” Nelson wrote, referring to a newly enacted Florida law, HB 989.

Nelson claims HB 989 “defines as an ‘unsafe and unsound practice’ a financial institution’s reliance on any factor that is ‘not a quantitative … standard’ to determine which customers to serve or services to offer” and “prohibits consideration of a person’s ‘affiliations’ or ‘business sector’ to make these decisions.”

An AP “Climate Desk” initiative claims the Florida law bans Environmental, Social, Governance policies. According to the bill language, it was filed to prohibit financial institutions from discriminating against customers based on their religious and political views and from creating a social credit score system to restrict or penalize their purchases or access to credit because of them.

The law protects “consumers from discrimination and entities like religious organizations, gun manufacturers, and those engaged in fossil fuel exploration from improper political pressure for their lawful and often constitutionally protected activities,” Moody said. “No consumer or business should be denied services based on political beliefs or religious views or because of some arbitrary social credit score derived from ideological agendas.”

Nelson’s letter “deliberately misleads financial institutions,” Moody argues, “by falsely suggesting” that HB 989 prohibits them from considering whether a consumer is associated with designated terrorist groups. It was passed to ensure “that financial institutions focus on true risk-based factors and stay out of the business of forcing radical social policies,” she said. Claiming “that prohibiting discrimination will harm national security” is “outlandish.”

Florida already prohibits state pension money from being invested in funds that advance ESG policies. Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken executive action on the issue for several years. Last year, he led a coalition of 18 governors to fight the Biden-Harris ESG agenda; 25 state attorneys general also sued to block a federal ESG plan they argue could jeopardize the retirement savings of two-thirds of the U.S. population.

The Treasury “has once again forsaken its statutory role and instead chosen to intervene on behalf of activists seeking to hijack the financial system for their political ends,” the coalition argues. “It is even more disappointing that the Treasury Department would use ‘national security’ as cover for large banks’ abuse of power to achieve those ends.”

Joining Moody are attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Read More

The post 20-state coalition fights Treasury claim that certain banking policies are security threat | National appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

The Center Square

Trump, DeSantis to unveil ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility | Florida

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – Bethany Blankley – (The Center Square – ) 2025-07-01 08:14:00


President Donald Trump visited Florida’s new large-scale state-run deportation facility in the Everglades, marking the first of its kind. Florida leads with numerous state agencies partnering with ICE and was the first to launch a program protecting ICE officers. The facility, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport near the Everglades, was proposed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and can house up to 3,000 detainees, with the first arrivals expected immediately. Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized Florida’s full support for Trump’s deportation mission, highlighting the facility’s efficiency for processing and deporting criminal foreign nationals.

(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump is visiting the first large-scale state-run deportation facility in the country in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday morning.

In addition to Florida having the most state agencies and law enforcement entities participating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and being the first state to launch a program to protect ICE officers, it’s also the first to build a massive deportation facility to support Trump’s deportation efforts.

The president will meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier who proposed the location and construction of the facility.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Immigration and Custom Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons and Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie will also be in attendance.

Two weeks ago, Uthmeier proposed that the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport be used to assist with ICE deportation efforts. The 30-square mile airport owned by Miami-Dade County is located roughly 60 miles east of Miami near the Everglades National Park. Its 10,000-foot-long asphalt runway is used for military training exercises and was intended to be part of Miami’s new airport before a public outcry halted construction in 1970.

“Florida’s been leading on immigration enforcement, supporting the Trump administration and ICE’s efforts to detain and deport criminal aliens,” Uthmeier said. “The governor tasked state leaders to identify places for new temporary detention facilities. I think this is the best one, as I call it Alligator Alcatraz.”

“It presents an efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don’t need to invest that much in the perimeter,” he said. “If people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.”

He said the facility would be ready within 30 to 60 days after construction, with the potential to house 1,000 criminal foreign nationals.

However, the first detainees are expected to arrive as early as Tuesday, and the site will be able to hold up to 3,000 at a time, Gov. DeSantis said.

In a preview with Fox News, DeSantis explained, “the state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s [mass deportation] mission.” In an effort to help federal agents with processing and staging removal operations, the state identified the airport as a base of operations.

“There needs to be more ability to intake, process and then deport,” DeSantis said. “We’ve got a massive runway where any of the federal agencies want to fly these people back to their home country, they can do it in a one stop shop.”

The post Trump, DeSantis to unveil ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Right-Leaning

The article presents a clear ideological perspective aligned with conservative and right-leaning views on immigration enforcement. The tone is largely supportive of President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ immigration policies, emphasizing state leadership in immigration enforcement and portraying the new detention facility positively. The language used—such as describing the facility’s location as “Alligator Alcatraz” and highlighting the ease and efficiency of deportation efforts—frames the initiative as practical and tough on immigration. There is no counterpoint or critique presented, which suggests an endorsement of the policy rather than neutral reporting. Overall, the article promotes a pro-enforcement, pro-Trump immigration stance consistent with right-leaning ideology.

Continue Reading

News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

Garcia to remain in federal custody until July 16 hearing | Tennessee

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-30 15:55:00


Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains in federal custody following a Monday ruling by Magistrate Barbara D. Holmes. Garcia faces federal human smuggling charges related to a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop where he was caught driving an SUV with eight passengers, suspected of smuggling them for money. Garcia sought release, citing conflicting government statements about potential removal to a third country before trial. Holmes noted these conflicting positions and decided Garcia will stay detained until a July 16 hearing. He is to be held separately from other inmates and given private access to his defense counsel. Garcia was recently returned to the U.S. after deportation to El Salvador.

(The Center Square) – Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not getting out of jail for now.

The Monday ruling from federal Magistrate Barbara D. Holmes comes at the request of Garcia, who is facing federal charges of human smuggling. Garcia is concerned “based on purported conflicting statements by the government, specifically that it intends to remove Abrego to a third country upon his return to DHS custody following release in this case and that it would ensure Abrego is not removed before trial on the instant criminal charges,” Holmes said in the ruling.

Holmes previously said that Garcia should be released but acknowledged that he would likely remain in federal custody. In her ruling Monday, Holmes said she considered the “perceived conflicting positions taken by the government regarding whether it will deport Abrego pending final disposition of this case including the further review by the District Judge of the government’s request for pretrial detention.”

The ruling means Garcia will be held in federal custody until a July 16 hearing.

“He shall, to the extent practicable, be held separately from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal and he shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity for private consultation with defense counsel,” Holmes said in her ruling.

Garcia was returned to the U.S. after being deported to El Salvador to stand trial on charges of “alien smuggling” and “conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.”

The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop. Garcia was driving an SUV with eight passengers. One of the officers believed that he was smuggling them, remarking in a video of the traffic stop that he was “hauling these people for money.”

The post Garcia to remain in federal custody until July 16 hearing | Tennessee appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article presents a straightforward report on the federal magistrate’s ruling regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s detention without promoting or endorsing any political viewpoint. The language used is factual and neutral, focusing on legal proceedings and specific court statements without commentary or emotionally charged phrasing. It describes the charges, court decisions, and events sequentially without framing the issue through a particular ideological lens. Thus, the content adheres to neutral, factual reporting rather than expressing or implying a political bias.

Continue Reading

News from the South - Florida News Feed

DeSantis signs oft-delayed $115.1B budget for Florida | Florida

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-30 13:54:00


Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $115.1 billion state budget featuring $1.3 billion in tax relief. The budget is $3.5 billion less than last year’s $118.6 billion, marking a 3.2% spending cut, including $590 million in line-item vetoes. DeSantis emphasized Florida’s strong fiscal management and prioritized property tax reform, aiming for a 2026 ballot initiative to lower property taxes. The tax relief package phases out Florida’s unique business rent tax and establishes permanent annual sales tax holidays in August for school supplies and in fall for fishing and hunting gear. Local governments may also reduce some sales surtaxes with a two-thirds vote.

The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $115.1 billion budget and a tax relief package worth $1.3 billion in tax relief in a ceremony in Wildwood on Monday.

The second-term Republican governor put his signature on the budget which he says includes about $590 million in line-item vetoes.

“I think signing the budget underscores the fact that Florida is the best-managed state in these United States,” DeSantis said. “So going into this legislative session, our current fiscal year, which ends tonight, we are actually spending less this year than we were the previous fiscal year. How many places are spending less year over year? Not a lot.”

DeSantis said his priority is shifting to property tax reform and he urged Florida voters to hold their local leaders and lawmakers accountable as he seeks to have a ballot initiative on the November 2026 ballot to lower property taxes. 

The $115.1 billion budget passed by lawmakers just weeks before Tuesday’s deadline is $3.5 billion less this year’s outlay of $118.6 billion, a 3.2% cut. GOP legislative leaders needed 106 days, nearly double the normal 60-day legislative session, to find an accord on the state’s budget. 

Also included is $1.3 billion in tax relief and $830 million to pay off the state’s debt into the budget. 

The package includes the phaseout of the state’s business rent tax, with Florida being the only state to mandate such a levy.

“The Legislature has also done something that I’ve been asking for for many years, and that’s eliminating a tax that only Florida has of all 50 states, and that’s taxing business rent,” DeSantis said. “Not good for our economy. It’s not good for for business growth and so that tax is being sunsetted. And again, how many times do you hear governments eliminating a tax like normally, these taxes grow. So thanks for doing that. I think that that’s well intended.”

The amount of tax relief, $1.3 billion, is smaller than what was sought originally by House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, but is the largest recurring one in state history.

“Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature are running to the fight for meaningful, broad-based tax relief to keep more money in the pockets of the hard-working Floridians and local businesses who earn it,” said outgoing Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. “Inflation has led to significant cost increases, impacting families and seniors. Cutting taxes on essentials helps keep Florida affordable. We know our current sales tax holidays are popular and highly utilized as families and seniors map out and plan for specific purchases.

“Creating a permanent tax holiday every August on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and personal computers expands our current holiday and creates a consistency that benefits both consumers and retailers.”

August will have a permanent sales tax holiday for school supplies and another one in the fall for fishing and hunting supplies. Lawmakers also removed sales tax from disaster preparedness supplies.

Previously, those sales holidays were done by lawmakers from year to year. 

The tax relief bill also allows local governments to reduce or repeal certain discretionary sales surtaxes with a two-thirds vote. 

The post DeSantis signs oft-delayed $115.1B budget for Florida | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

This article primarily reports on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s signing of the state budget and tax relief package with a focus on fiscal responsibility and tax cuts, presenting these actions positively through direct quotes and supportive statements from Republican leaders. The language highlights achievements like budget cuts, tax phaseouts, and tax holidays, framing them as beneficial for businesses and families, which aligns with conservative fiscal policy priorities. While the article is largely factual, the positive framing of GOP initiatives and absence of critical perspectives suggest a center-right leaning, emphasizing pro-business and limited government themes typical of conservative-leaning coverage.

Continue Reading

Trending