A new controversy hits the Trump administration. But is it really a controversy? Let’s take a shallow look at it.
Baseball has started and that means it’s time for some controversy.
And Robert Kennedy Jr. is taking a chainsaw to Health and Human Services. I’m all in for it!
I Know How This Could Have Been Avoided
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident with protected legal status in the U.S., was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned in the notorious Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) due to an administrative error by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite a 2019 court ruling barring his deportation to El Salvador, ICE executed his removal on March 15, 2025. The Trump administration has acknowledged the mistake but argued that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction to order his return from Salvadoran custody135.
Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador in 2011 to escape gang violence and extortion threats. He had been accused of MS-13 gang affiliation during a 2019 immigration hearing, but his attorneys maintain that no evidence has ever been provided to support this claim. An immigration judge had granted him protection from removal after determining he would face persecution if returned to El Salvador56. Despite this, ICE detained him earlier this year, claiming his immigration status had changed, and deported him along with other individuals falsely labeled as gang members37.
Abrego Garcia’s family has had no contact with him since his arrival at CECOT, a high-security prison known for harsh conditions. His wife identified him in news photographs released by Salvadoran authorities, showing detainees being marched into the prison under extreme security measures. His attorneys have filed a lawsuit demanding diplomatic efforts to secure his release and halt U.S. funding for his detention in El Salvador357.
This case highlights broader concerns about wrongful deportations under the Trump administration, including accusations that tattoos and anonymous tips were misinterpreted as evidence of gang affiliation. Legal experts argue that these practices have led to numerous innocent individuals being sent to CECOT, where detainees face severe human rights abuses46.
Things the story does not bring up:
- He is an illegal alien.
- He is affiliated to the MS-13 gang, including having tattoos.
- He was found to be an MS-13 gang member by an immigration judge, but not violent enough to be deported to that prison.
- He went through the process.
- The administrative error was to deport him, but not to that prison.
I just want to point out if we didn’t have to have mass deportations to counter mass illegal immigration, this wouldn’t have happened. This won’t be the first time this happens.
Shut Up and Play Baseball!
“I don’t want to say this. Baseball is a White sport. I feel like White people criticize everything that a Black man does. Black men are outspoken. They say what’s on their minds.”
“The unwritten rules of baseball are White. And I always broke the unwritten rules of baseball.”
New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr. recently made headlines for his remarks about racial dynamics in baseball, calling it a “White sport” and criticizing the culture surrounding the game. In an interview with The Athletic, Chisholm expressed his belief that Black players face disproportionate scrutiny compared to their White counterparts. He stated, “I feel like White people criticize everything that a Black man does. Black men are outspoken. They say what’s on their minds”458.
Chisholm tied his comments to his experiences with the Miami Marlins, where he alleged mistreatment by former teammate Miguel Rojas. Chisholm accused Rojas of engaging in hazing practices, including cutting up his custom cleats and pouring milk into another pair. He argued that such actions would not have occurred if he were White, saying, “Nobody would ever cut up my cleats or throw my things away if I were White”125. Chisholm also criticized baseball’s “unwritten rules,” which he described as rooted in a predominantly White culture that stifles individuality and self-expression47.
“Nobody would ever cut up my cleats or throw my things away if I were White. I’ll tell you right now, if this was a White boy’s stuff, you weren’t gonna cut that s— up because if a White boy goes and complains, now everybody’s f—ed. I go and complain, and it’s not that big of a deal. It’s, ‘Let’s try and find a solution for this.’ But if a White boy goes and complains, nah, f— that.”
These comments have sparked widespread discussion about race and inclusivity in Major League Baseball (MLB). The league has seen a decline in the percentage of Black players, which currently stands at around 6%, down from over 15% in the 1970s58. Chisholm’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges for diversity and representation in the sport.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-star-jazz-chisholm-jr-says-baseball-white-sport?intcmp=tw_fnc
What Is a Torpedo Bat?
A “torpedo bat” is a newly designed baseball bat that has gained attention in Major League Baseball (MLB). The bat features an unconventional shape, with more wood and mass concentrated near the “sweet spot,” which is the area where hitters most often make contact with the ball. This design enhances the likelihood of solid contact and improves the potential for power on hits. Unlike traditional bats, which maintain a consistent circumference, torpedo bats taper off towards the end, resembling a torpedo shape124.
The concept was developed by Aaron Leanhardt, a former physicist from MIT who worked with the Yankees’ analytics department. His innovation redistributes weight to optimize performance while adhering to MLB regulations, which require bats to be smooth, round sticks made of solid wood with specific dimensions15.
Why Is It Controversial?
The controversy surrounding torpedo bats stems from several factors:
- Competitive Advantage: The Yankees’ use of torpedo bats coincided with an explosive start to the 2025 season, including a franchise-record nine home runs in one game and 15 home runs over three games. Critics argue that these bats may provide an unfair advantage by increasing the effectiveness of hitters, even though they are legal under MLB rules245.
- Perception of Legitimacy: While MLB has confirmed the legality of these bats, some players and fans feel that their design pushes ethical boundaries. Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill compared them to equipment used in slow-pitch softball and expressed concerns about professionalism16.
- Resistance to Change: Baseball is a sport steeped in tradition, and innovations like torpedo bats often face skepticism. Even within the Yankees organization, star player Aaron Judge has opted to stick with traditional bats despite their widespread adoption by teammates45.
- Impact on Gameplay: The unusual design of torpedo bats has led to debates about whether they fundamentally alter the dynamics of hitting in baseball. While their true impact remains uncertain, many believe they could influence strategy and performance across the league as more teams experiment with similar designs24.
Broader Implications
The introduction of torpedo bats highlights ongoing efforts to integrate science and analytics into baseball equipment design. While some view this as progress, others worry it could widen disparities between teams with access to advanced technologies and those without. As MLB teams increasingly explore bat customization, this controversy may signal a shift in how equipment innovations are perceived in professional sports47.
Happy Trans Day of Visibility!
A violent altercation occurred at the University of Texas at Dallas involving a transgender student, Liam Thanh Tam Nguyen, who also goes by the name Alyssa. The incident took place during a tabling event organized by the conservative group Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Nguyen allegedly attacked two students, Paige Neumann, the TPUSA chapter president, and her secretary Grace, using a metal bike lock as a weapon. Video footage of the incident shows Nguyen swinging the bike lock, striking Neumann on the head and damaging both students’ phones123.
Neumann sustained a head injury and reported ongoing pain from the attack. She stated that she did not provoke Nguyen and had no prior interaction with him before the assault. TPUSA shared the footage on social media, describing the attack as severe enough to shatter Neumann’s phone and cause significant harm13. Grace also suffered property damage during the altercation25.
Nguyen was arrested later that day and faces multiple charges, including two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of attempting to disarm a peace officer, and one count of assaulting a police officer. Additional charges include resisting arrest and criminal mischief125. Authorities have not confirmed whether Nguyen is officially enrolled at UT Dallas5.
The incident has sparked discussions online, with TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk sharing videos of the attack and expressing support for the injured students. The organization emphasized that Neumann and Grace are “physically doing okay” despite the ordeal25.
Go To It, Robert!
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced a sweeping restructuring plan that will cut 20,000 positions, approximately 25% of the department’s workforce. This initiative aims to streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy, and save $1.8 billion annually. Here are the key details:
Job Cuts and Workforce Reduction
- Scope of Cuts: The workforce will shrink from 82,000 to 62,000 employees. Half of the reductions will occur through layoffs, while the other half will result from early retirements and voluntary buyouts126.
- Targeted Roles: The cuts primarily target administrative and redundant positions, including human resources, IT, procurement, and communications departments. Front-line workers and scientists are expected to remain largely unaffected19.
- Agency Impact:
Structural Changes
- Division Consolidation: HHS will reduce its divisions from 28 to 15. This includes merging smaller agencies into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), which will oversee areas like mental health, workplace safety, and substance abuse46.
- Regional Office Closures: Five out of ten regional offices will be closed26.
- Program Eliminations: Offices like the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy and the Office of Minority Health are expected to be dissolved34.
Goals and Rationale
- Kennedy has described HHS as a “massive bureaucracy” with inefficient coordination across its divisions. The restructuring aims to eliminate redundancies while maintaining essential functions12.
- The initiative aligns with President Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” directive and reflects broader federal efforts to cut costs and reduce government size58.
Controversy and Concerns
- Critics worry that these cuts could compromise public health functions, including drug safety reviews, emergency preparedness, and disease prevention efforts611.
- Some officials fear long-term costs may increase due to reduced support staff and potential inefficiencies in reorganized programs11.
- The abrupt nature of the announcement has left many employees uncertain about their roles and how essential services will be maintained11.
This restructuring represents one of the most significant overhauls in HHS history. While Kennedy emphasizes efficiency and cost savings, critics argue that such drastic reductions could risk undermining critical public health services.
Dumbass of the Day