President Trump acknowledged Thursday that his administration's aggressive immigration enforcement is causing significant labor shortages in key American industries. The admission comes as farmers and hospitality businesses report losing long-term workers to deportation efforts.
According to the New York Post, Trump posted on Truth Social that the current immigration policies are removing valuable workers from farms and hotels, creating positions that are "almost impossible to replace."
In his social media statement, Trump specifically highlighted concerns about losing reliable workers while emphasizing his continued commitment to removing criminals. "This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming," the president wrote.
The president's comments follow a significant escalation in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the country. Federal officials have stated their goal is to detain approximately 3,000 people daily as part of what Trump has called the largest deportation effort in American history.
More than 70 individuals were arrested this week during an ICE raid at a meat processing plant in Omaha, Nebraska. Similar enforcement actions have occurred at agricultural sites in California, where agents were seen detaining workers in blueberry fields.
The crackdown extends beyond agricultural settings to construction sites, restaurants, and even day laborer gathering spots outside home improvement stores. This widespread enforcement has created uncertainty for both employers and immigrant communities.
The intensified immigration enforcement is creating ripple effects throughout the American economy. Agriculture officials estimate that nearly half of the country's 850,000 crop workers are undocumented, putting the nation's food supply chain at risk.
Farmers in both Republican and Democratic states report difficulties finding replacement workers, particularly for seasonal labor positions that few native-born Americans are willing to fill. The labor shortage comes at a critical time for many agricultural operations.
The retail sector is also feeling the impact, with major brands reporting significant drops in Hispanic customer traffic. Market research firm Kantar found that in-person shopping by Hispanic consumers fell from 62% to 53% in the first quarter of 2025, while online purchases increased.
Speaking to reporters at the White House Thursday, Trump elaborated on the need for a more nuanced approach. He described scenarios where farm owners have employed the same workers for decades despite their undocumented status.
"We can't take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have," Trump explained. "They've been there for 20, 25 years and they've worked great. And the owner of the farm loves them and everything else."
The president suggested that removing these established workers could lead to worse outcomes if farmers are forced to hire recent arrivals with criminal backgrounds. "And then you're supposed to throw them out and you know what happens? They end up hiring the people, the criminals that have come in," Trump said.
Trump's recognition of economic consequences signals a potential shift in his administration's approach to immigration enforcement. His comments suggest that workplace raids might be modified to focus more specifically on individuals with criminal records.
Industry leaders have called for temporary worker permits or exemptions for long-term employees without criminal histories. Such adjustments could address labor shortages while maintaining the administration's border security objectives.
The president indicated that official policy changes would be announced soon, telling reporters: "We're going to have an order on that pretty soon." Any policy adjustment would need to balance Trump's campaign promises on immigration enforcement with the economic realities facing American businesses.
A once-celebrated mall fashion brand is dramatically scaling back its physical presence. Plus-size retailer Torrid has announced plans to shutter nearly 200 locations nationwide following disappointing sales figures in an increasingly challenging retail environment.
According to Daily Mail, Torrid will close approximately 180 stores after experiencing a 4.9 percent decrease in net sales. The closures represent nearly a third of the company's current 658 locations, bringing their total store count down to around 450.
CEO Lisa Harper framed the decision as part of a strategic pivot toward e-commerce, noting that 70 percent of Torrid's customers already shop online. The company aims to eventually generate 75 percent of its sales through digital channels, with physical stores accounting for just 25 percent.
Torrid, founded in 2001, built its reputation as a pioneer in the plus-size fashion market with high-profile collaborations and fashion industry milestones. The brand partnered with celebrities, including Rebel Wilson, who launched the "Rebel for Torrid" collection in 2015.
The retailer made history in 2014 when it featured Georgina Burke as its first official face, further cementing its status in the fashion world. Three years later, Torrid broke new ground again by becoming the first plus-size label to present at New York Fashion Week.
Despite these achievements and collaborations with designers like Betsey Johnson and models like Tara Lynn, the company has struggled to maintain sales growth in recent years. Retail expert Neil Saunders told Daily Mail that Torrid's declining sales have put "store productivity under pressure," ultimately damaging profitability.
The store closure announcement has reportedly left many Torrid employees feeling shocked and betrayed. Some staff members claim they first learned about the closures from customers who asked questions after seeing news reports.
One employee expressed frustration on Instagram, writing: "When customers started asking me during my shift if our location was the one closing, I had nothing to say... because I didn't know either. I was completely in the dark and had to go online to see what they were talking about."
Another employee described the situation as "confusing, disheartening, and honestly just sad," adding: "We're the ones holding the stores together, and yet we're the last to know? It shouldn't be like this." The company has not yet released a complete list of which locations will be shuttered.
Torrid's downsizing comes amid what many industry observers have labeled a "retail apocalypse" affecting brick-and-mortar stores across the United States. The trend has accelerated dramatically over the past year, with retailers closing approximately 7,300 stores through mid-December 2024—nearly 60 percent more than in 2023.
Department store giant Macy's is currently in the process of closing 150 underperforming locations, including its Center City, Philadelphia store. Several other well-known retailers have filed for bankruptcy protection, including Forever 21 and pharmacy chain Rite Aid, which entered its second bankruptcy in two years.
Home improvement and decor retailers have been particularly hard hit. Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Bargain Hunt, Conn's, and LL Flooring all announced bankruptcies and store closures, though The Container Store and LL Flooring have since emerged from bankruptcy proceedings.
Retail analyst Neil Saunders believes Torrid's store closures represent a sensible strategy that will free up capital for marketing and product development. The company will also invest in remaining stores that show growth potential.
Beyond store closures, Torrid has made other operational changes, including discontinuing its shoe line. The company cited rising costs from tariffs imposed under President Trump as the reason for this decision.
Harper's strategy appears focused on adapting to changing consumer habits rather than simply cutting costs. With most Torrid customers already shopping online, the company aims to strengthen its digital presence while maintaining a more targeted physical footprint.
While her husband fought to contain escalating civil unrest, California first lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom has drawn criticism for spending Monday picking up skincare products amid the chaos of the Los Angeles riots. The timing of her personal errand has sparked controversy as federal troops moved into the city.
According to the Daily Mail, Newsom's representatives defended her actions, stating she "didn't have a spa treatment yesterday, but she does have a prior skin cancer diagnosis and was picking up skin care products on her personal time." The explanation came after reports suggested she was shopping while civil unrest continued.
The controversy unfolds as Governor Gavin Newsom battles with President Trump over control of the riot response. Both the governor and LA Mayor Karen Bass have demanded Trump withdraw military troops from the streets, insisting local authorities have the situation under control.
President Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops and deployed hundreds of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles despite strong objections from state and local leaders. The move represents a significant escalation in the federal response to the ongoing unrest.
Governor Newsom has characterized Trump's deployment as illegal and counterproductive, filing a lawsuit Monday challenging the president's authority to activate the Guard without the governor's consent. The deployment marks the first time in decades a president has activated the National Guard without a governor's request.
"This isn't about public safety," Newsom wrote on social media. "It's about stroking a dangerous President's ego." The governor has maintained that the president's characterization of the protests as a violent occupation greatly exaggerates the situation on the ground.
The unrest began Friday when anti-ICE protesters responded to immigration raids across Los Angeles. What started as demonstrations quickly escalated to include property damage, looting, and confrontations with law enforcement.
Protesters have blocked major freeways, thrown objects at officers, and gathered outside a federal detention center chanting "free them all" while waving Mexican and Central American flags. Police have responded with tear gas, pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds.
By Monday evening, Mayor Karen Bass reported that more than 100 people had been arrested, though she emphasized that the majority of protesters were nonviolent. The situation took a darker turn Tuesday morning with the discovery of a body outside one of the looted stores.
Trump's decision to mobilize 700 Marines based in Southern California has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed being "gravely troubled" by the deployment of active-duty military personnel.
"Since our nation's founding, the American people have been perfectly clear: we do not want the military conducting law enforcement on US soil," Reed stated. The use of active military to respond to civil disturbances remains extremely rare in American history.
The protests have spread beyond Los Angeles to neighboring Orange County and at least nine other U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. In Austin, Texas, police used non-lethal munitions and detained several protesters during clashes with demonstrators.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom's decision to run personal errands during the crisis has added another dimension to questions about state leadership during the emergency. Her representatives have pushed back forcefully against any suggestion she was being insensitive to the situation.
The First Lady previously shared her battle with skin cancer in 2023, which her office cited as context for her skincare errand. However, critics have questioned the timing of her personal shopping while Marines were being deployed to Los Angeles streets.
Governor Newsom continues to insist he has the situation under control despite Trump's claims that the city would be "burning to the ground right now" without federal intervention. The president doubled down on this assertion in a Tuesday morning post on his Truth Social platform.
Far-left Colombian President Gustavo Petro acknowledged Monday that the 14-year-old boy who shot conservative Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was previously enrolled in his administration's "Youth in Peace" social program. The shocking revelation adds a controversial dimension to Saturday's assassination attempt that left the vocal government critic fighting for his life.
According to Breitbart, President Petro admitted the troubled teen was identified by the district government and subsequently transferred to the administration's program. The young assailant, reportedly named Juan Sebastián Rodríguez Casallas, shot Senator Uribe three times during a presidential campaign event in Bogotá.
The attack left Uribe with two gunshot wounds to the skull and one to his left leg. As of Tuesday morning, the senator—a potential presidential candidate for the right-wing Democratic Center party in 2026—remains in critical but stable condition, showing "little medical response" to emergency medical procedures.
President Petro described the young assailant's brief participation in the "Youth in Peace" program in a post on his official Twitter account. The program is part of his administration's broader "Total Peace" plan, which aims to reduce violent crime through negotiation with criminal organizations and social rehabilitation.
"There, according to the report I have from the professionals, he demonstrated a completely troubled personality, with no ability to form interpersonal bonds," Petro stated about the teen. "He lasted two months, did not attend any classes, and voluntarily withdrew."
The "Youth in Peace" program, launched in January 2023, provides money stipends and education to impoverished Colombian youth, aiming to transform them into "peace managers" who can mediate conflicts in their communities. However, reports published in May indicated the program faced significant "operational and administrative difficulties" after a review by Colombia's Equality Ministry revealed numerous implementation irregularities.
The 14-year-old suspect reportedly shouted, "I did it for money, for my family!" when authorities apprehended him after the attack. Officials have maintained strict confidentiality regarding his identity in accordance with Colombian law, but international outlets have published his name.
Astrid Cáceres Cárdenas, head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), told reporters Monday that the minor is cooperating with authorities. "He is in full collaboration, and also in an attitude of assuming responsibilities," Cáceres Cárdenas said, adding that special protection measures have been implemented for his safety.
El Colombiano reported Tuesday that a man identifying himself as the child's uncle revealed the boy's difficult family situation. The man stated the minor's father is in Poland and his mother died when she was 23, leaving the boy to live with an aunt in Bogotá's Engativá district. "The young man is immersed in such a family uprooting that it seems he was easy prey for the criminals who instrumentalized him," the newspaper wrote.
The firearm used in the attack has raised additional questions about how it reached the young assailant's hands. Investigations have revealed a concerning international dimension to the case.
Sources linked to the investigation told El Tiempo that the weapon had been purchased at an Arizona sporting goods store in August 2020 by a man identified as Charles Joe Anderson. How the firearm traveled from the United States to Colombia remains unclear.
Ballistic studies confirmed the weapon is not registered with Colombia's Department of Arms, Ammunition and Explosives Control, and Commerce. This revelation has prompted authorities to expand their investigation beyond the young shooter to identify potential accomplices who may have supplied the weapon.
Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains hospitalized in critical condition as doctors at the Santa Fe Foundation of Bogotá continue their efforts to save his life. The senator, known for his vocal criticism of President Petro's government, was campaigning as a potential presidential candidate when the attack occurred.
Under Colombian law, the 14-year-old suspect must face two separate judicial procedures—an administrative process with a public defender and another with a family defender. The Ombudsman's Office and Attorney General's Office are supervising these proceedings.
The attempted assassination highlights growing political tensions in Colombia as the country approaches the 2026 presidential elections. It also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Petro's "Total Peace" initiatives, which Interior Minister Armando Benedetti admitted in April "has not turned out well."
Nashville's music community is reeling after an emerging country music star was involved in a fatal traffic incident over the weekend. Rising country artist Conner Smith, known for his hit "Creek Will Rise," has found himself at the center of a tragedy following a Sunday evening accident.
According to Breitbart, Smith was driving his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck in downtown Nashville when he struck 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins as she crossed 3rd Avenue North. The collision occurred around 7:30 p.m., just as the city's annual CMA Fest was concluding its four-day run.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department officials revealed that Dobbins was within a marked crosswalk when the accident occurred. The elderly resident, who lived in the vicinity, was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center but succumbed to her injuries.
Police have indicated that the 24-year-old singer appeared to have failed "to yield the right of way to the pedestrian." This detail has become a central focus of the investigation as authorities work to determine exactly what transpired at the intersection.
Authorities confirmed that Smith showed no signs of impairment at the time of the incident. No charges have been filed against the musician as the investigation continues, with police stating they're still gathering evidence and analyzing the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
A source close to the situation told media outlets that Smith was not distracted by his phone when the accident occurred. The same source claimed that police released the singer immediately after determining he wasn't under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
An attorney representing Smith has issued a statement addressing the tragedy. The statement expressed that Smith's "heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time" and confirmed that the artist "continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation."
The accident occurred on the final day of Nashville's CMA Fest, a major country music celebration that draws thousands of fans to the city. Smith had performed at the festival, posting photos from his appearance on Instagram with the caption "Hometown hits different" prior to the accident.
Following news of the incident, comments on Smith's most recent social media posts have been limited. The singer has not yet issued a personal statement about the accident on any of his social media platforms, where he regularly engages with his growing fanbase.
Smith began making waves in the country music scene at a remarkably young age, securing his first publishing deal when he was just 16 years old. His career gained significant momentum after signing with The Valory Music Co. label in 2019.
The Nashville native has been steadily building his reputation in the country music world with songs like "I Hate Alabama" and "Take It Slow." His recent festival appearance demonstrates his growing profile within the industry as he continues to expand his audience.
Smith represents part of a new generation of country artists who have leveraged both traditional career pathways and social media to build their brands. His performance at CMA Fest placed him alongside both established stars and fellow emerging artists.
The accident involving Smith has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a successful Nashville music weekend. The CMA Fest, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, typically showcases both established and emerging talent across multiple venues throughout the city.
Dorothy Dobbins, the victim in the accident, lived near where the collision occurred. Police confirmed she was using a marked crosswalk when she was struck by Smith's vehicle around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, suggesting she was following proper pedestrian protocols.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department continues to investigate all aspects of the incident, including road conditions, visibility factors, and traffic patterns at the time of the collision. Their findings will determine whether any charges might eventually be filed against the country singer as they complete their thorough examination of the evidence.
Former President Barack Obama is facing mounting criticism from progressive Democrats who believe he isn't doing enough to oppose President Donald Trump's second term. Left-wing activists and consultants are calling for Obama to leverage his significant influence more effectively against the current administration.
According to Fox News, progressive leaders are expressing frustration that the former president has largely remained out of the spotlight since Trump won the election. While Obama campaigned for both President Biden before he dropped out and for Kamala Harris after she became the nominee, his public opposition to Trump has been limited.
Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Institute, expressed disappointment over Obama's relative silence. "There are many grandmas and Rachel Maddow viewers who have been more vocal in this moment than Barack Obama has," Green told The Atlantic, adding that it was "heartbreaking to see him sacrificing that megaphone when nobody else quite has it."
Democratic media consultant Tracy Sefl didn't mince words when discussing Obama's role in countering Trump. "Should Obama get out and do more? Yes, please," she told The Atlantic, before adding a more urgent plea: "Help us. We're sinking over here."
Obama has made some public statements opposing Trump, including remarks at an April event in New York where he accused the Trump administration of trying to destroy the post-World War II international order. During that speech, he suggested sacrifice might be necessary to fight back against Trump's agenda.
The former president also weighed in on conflicts between Harvard University and the Trump administration, praising his alma mater for standing up against the president. However, many progressives believe these occasional statements are insufficient, given the current political climate.
Obama's advisers defend his approach, suggesting that his selective engagement is intentional and strategically sound. They argue that overexposure could diminish the impact of his voice on critical issues.
Eric Schultz, an adviser to Obama, explained the rationale behind the former president's measured approach. "We try to preserve his voice so that when he does speak, it has impact," Schultz told The Atlantic. "There is a dilution factor that we're very aware of."
Former Attorney General Eric Holder similarly defended Obama's level of engagement while acknowledging the criticism. "Should he do more? Everybody can have their opinions," Holder said. "The one thing that always kind of pisses me off is when people say he's not out there, or that he's not doing things, that he's just retired, and we never hear from him. If you f------ look, folks, you would see that he's out there."
Some Democrats believe the party needs to develop new leadership rather than continually relying on Obama to be their standard-bearer. This perspective suggests a more fundamental question about the Democratic Party's future.
Jon Favreau, former Obama speechwriter and "Pod Save America" co-host, emphasized the need for fresh Democratic leadership. "The party needs new rising stars, and they need the room to figure out how to meet this moment, just like Obama figured out how to meet the moment 20 years ago," he told The Atlantic.
However, Favreau humorously noted a significant exception to this view, saying he would "be begging Obama to come out of retirement" if Trump attempted to run for a third term, highlighting the unique position Obama still holds in Democratic circles.
Progressive demands for Obama's increased involvement reflect broader concerns about effective opposition to Trump's second term. The situation highlights tensions within the Democratic Party about strategy and leadership.
Obama, who left office in 2017, has maintained a complex relationship with public political engagement since then. While he remains one of the most popular Democratic figures and a powerful voice within the party, he has largely followed the tradition of former presidents maintaining some distance from day-to-day politics.
For progressives concerned about Trump's policies and actions, this traditional restraint appears increasingly insufficient. They view Obama's relative silence as a missed opportunity to mobilize resistance at a critical moment in American politics.