What's Happening

Politics

Trump Names "Border Czar," Offering Glimpse Into His Immigration Policy

What's going on: President-elect Donald Trump named Tom Homan as his “border czar” on Sunday. Homan — a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Trump — strongly supported the controversial “zero tolerance” border policy, which led to the separation of thousands of immigrant families. He’s also a contributor to Project 2025. In his new job, Homan will oversee border security and play a leading role in Trump’s mass deportation plans. Over the weekend, Homan told Fox News he plans to prioritize deporting “the worst first,” focusing on individuals deemed public safety and national security threats. He also pledged to reinstate workplace raids, which the Biden administration ended in 2021, to target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

What it means: Trump made immigration a cornerstone of his re-election campaign, striking a chord with voters after migrant crossings at the southern border reached record highs under the Biden administration. While some Republicans try to temper down fears about Trump’s plans, experts question his ability to carry out mass deportations, citing shortages of ICE officers and the potential cost. Still, activists, immigration lawyers, and civil rights groups are preparing themselves ahead of Trump’s return to the White House. For instance, the National Immigrant Justice Center and the American Civil Liberties Union pledged to take legal action if necessary.

Related: Californians Warn Mass Deportations Will Have a Ripple Effect on the Food Supply Chain (The Guardian)

International

What We Know About the Attacks on Israeli Soccer Fans and the Ongoing Investigation

What's going on: Dutch authorities are investigating a recent wave of violence in Amsterdam, including attacks on Israeli soccer fans, which officials have condemned as antisemitic. Last week’s incidents surrounded the soccer match between the local Ajax team and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. After the match, people attacked Maccabi fans in what authorities described as “hit-and-run” assaults. Video verified by The New York Times shows groups of men chasing or beating people who appeared to be Maccabi fans. Police said at least five people were taken to the hospital. The attacks came after Amsterdam authorities said Maccabi supporters removed and set fire to at least one Palestinian flag and vandalized a taxi. Videos verified by The New York Times also showed Maccabi fans chanting racist, anti-Arab sentiments ahead of the game.

What it means: The violence in Amsterdam has sparked outcry around the world. It comes at a time when antisemitism and Islamophobia have been on the rise, fueled by the Israel-Hamas War. As unrest continues in the city, police said they have arrested five more people and have held at least eight in connection with last week’s violence as the investigation continues. Belgian police also arrested two boys — a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old — for allegedly spreading social media calls to attack Jewish people. Meanwhile, world leaders, including President Joe Biden, condemned the violence. Amsterdam police say they’re conducting a broad investigation, and they plan to put out a more detailed account of what occurred this week. 

Related: How President-Elect Donald Trump Might Handle the Israel-Hamas War (WaPo Gift Link)

Sports

Are the Dallas Cowboys Riding Too Close to the Sun?

What's going on: Over the weekend, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb missed a pass from his quarterback while in the end zone, fumbling the chance at a touchdown. (Not that it would have made a difference in the team’s 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles). Lamb said it wasn’t a case of butterfingers that caused him to drop the ball. Instead, he’s blaming the sun. Lamb said he “couldn’t see the ball, at all,” and suggested the Cowboys install curtains at their home stadium — which has an unusual east-west alignment with glass doors and windows. So is the sun the only reason behind the team's last five consecutive home losses?

What it means: This isn’t the first time the sun has proven to be an issue for the Dallas Cowboys, but billionaire and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is tired of hearing about it. He wasted no time throwing shade at his team, saying “The world knows where the sun is.” Jones also added, “Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one.” The sarcasm is duly noted, considering the AT&T Stadium already cost $1.2 billion to build the first time around in 2009. The Cowboys might have bigger issues on the horizon: Their QB Dak Prescott might have to undergo a season-ending surgery on his hamstring.

Related: America’s Sweethearts Is Coming Back to Netflix. But Did They Get a Pay Raise? (People)