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Good morning, and welcome to (A)Political. We are now 37 days away from the 2nd Trump inauguration. Plenty of the stereotypical smoky backroom conversations and deals are in the works, but it's only a matter of time before Trump's cabinet picks are voted on by the Senate, and the 47th president begins to take action. Let's get into it!

There probably aren't many who had Eric Adams (mayor of NYC) becoming a Trump ally on their 2024 bingo card. Adams met with incoming border czar Tom Homan to discuss strategies for the illegal immigrants currently residing in NYC. One of the most left-leaning cities is now openly advocating for illegal immigrant deportations, and other means of cooperation between NYC and the Trump administration could now make meaningful progress as a result.

Drones are making a comeback in the news cycle as drones have now been spotted over different locales within New Jersey, D.C., Virginia, and other spots in the Northeastern United States. Questions are coming in a lot faster than answers are coming out. Can't wait to dig in!

The Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is now putting 49 states on notice. After a Texas woman was prescribed an abortion pill via Telehealth in NY, Paxton is now taking matter into his own hands. This case will likely reach the SCOTUS docket during the upcoming Trump admin, and is sure to make more headlines.

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Lets get into it!

• The Mayor of NYC May Have Just Become A Trump Ally

• Drones Are Making Headlines…Again

• The Texas AG Makes A Nationwide Legal Fight

An Unexpected Ally Emerges

_{By: Atlas}

Very few (if any) saw political waves would be made to this degree, but New York City Mayor Eric Adams has undergone a seismic shift in his political positioning, at least when it comes to immigration. Once a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and a proponent of sanctuary city policies, Adams is now advocating what is a complete reversal in his stance on illegal immigrants settling in New York City, along with his willingness to work with the incoming Trump administration. This evolution marks a significant departure from his previous Democratic Party alignment and signals a potential realignment that could reshape New York City's political landscape.

Immigration Policy and Public Safety

Adams' recent meeting with Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan marked a pivotal moment in this transformation. In a press conference that left reporters stunned into silence, Adams declared that New York City would no longer serve as a "safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and long-standing New Yorkers." This stark departure from his previous sanctuary city advocacy demonstrates a growing alignment with Trump's harder stance on immigration enforcement.

The mayor's concerns extend beyond local crime to encompass broader immigration issues. In a particularly poignant moment, Adams highlighted the troubling case of 500,000 missing migrant children with sponsors in the United States. "We can't find them. We don't know if they're doing child labor. We don't know if they're doing sex crimes. We don't know if they're being exploited," Adams emphasized, pointing to what he sees as a "level of hypocrisy" in the current immigration system. This focus on child trafficking and exploitation represents a significant shift in the immigration dialogue, moving beyond traditional partisan talking points to address serious humanitarian concerns.

Political Identity and the "American Party"

Perhaps most telling of Adams' evolving political identity is his recent response to questions about party affiliation. When asked about potentially rejoining the Republican Party – where he was registered from April 1995 to November 2002 – Adams introduced a novel concept: membership in what he calls the "American Party." This rhetorical device allows him to transcend traditional party lines while emphasizing his patriotic credentials.

"The party that's most important for me is the American Party," Adams declared in an interview with Spectrum News NY1. "I love this country. This is the home of the free, land of the brave." He reinforced this sentiment by referencing personal sacrifice, mentioning his "19-year-old nephew" who died in Vietnam. This narrative effectively positions Adams as a patriot first and a partisan second, potentially providing political cover for his increasingly conservative positions on immigration and law enforcement.

Bridge-Building with the Trump Administration

Adams' willingness to work with Trump on mass deportations represents perhaps the most concrete example of his political evolution. The mayor has expressed eagerness to collaborate with Tom Homan, Trump's choice for Border Czar, specifically on addressing those who "are harming our citizens." This openness to cooperation extends beyond mere policy alignment; Adams has actively defended Trump against accusations of fascism from Democrats and mainstream media, calling for people to "dial down the temperature" in political discourse. In a particularly noteworthy statement, Adams demonstrated his independence from Democratic Party orthodoxy by stating, "I know what Hitler has done" and "what a fascist regime looks like," effectively rejecting comparisons between Trump and authoritarian leaders. This defense of Trump, coming from a Democratic mayor of New York City, carries significant political weight and suggests a possible realignment of traditional political alliances.

The Political Implications

Adams' political evolution carries significant implications for both local and national politics. As the mayor of America's largest city, his shift toward Trump and away from traditional Democratic positions on immigration could signal a broader realignment within urban Democratic leadership. His emphasis on public safety and immigration enforcement, coupled with his criticism of President Biden over "record-breaking" levels of illegal immigration, suggests a growing willingness among some Democratic leaders to break with party orthodoxy on key issues. Moreover, Adams' declaration that he doesn't care if he gets "cancelled" by leftists for working with Trump on deportations indicates a calculated political risk. This stance suggests he believes the political costs of cooperation with Trump are outweighed by the benefits of addressing what he sees as pressing public safety and immigration concerns.

Looking ahead, Adams' repositioning could represent a new model for urban Democratic leadership – one that combines traditional Democratic positions on some issues with a more conservative approach to immigration and public safety. His embrace of the "American Party" concept might offer a template for other politicians seeking to navigate increasingly polarized political waters while maintaining focus on practical governance challenges.

As New York City grapples with ongoing illegal immigration challenges and public safety concerns, Adams' political evolution and potential alliance with Trump could significantly influence both local policy and national political dynamics. Whether this represents a temporary tactical shift or a more fundamental realignment remains to be seen, but its implications for American urban politics and the broader national political landscape are likely to be huge.

Drones, Drones...And More Drones

_{By: Arthur Lindh, Political Analyst & Contributor for Atlas}

The recent wave of drone sightings across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania has left residents and officials baffled. Since mid-November 2024, these mysterious aerial vehicles have been reported in clusters, often at night, with some described as being as large as small SUVs. Witnesses have noted unusual flight patterns and distinctive red and green flashing lights. The sightings have sparked questions about the drones' purpose, origins, and potential risks, particularly given their proximity to sensitive locations.

Where the Drones Are Appearing The drones have been spotted near critical sites, including Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and reservoirs in West Milford. In some instances, they have hovered over suburban areas and Coast Guard installations, prompting concerns about security. One Coast Guard officer reported a swarm of 12 to 30 drones following a motor lifeboat, an alarming scenario for those tasked with protecting vital waterways.

Reports indicate that up to 180 drones have been seen in a single night. Their consistent presence around areas like Trump National Golf Club Bedminster and Staten Island’s Coast Guard base suggests a level of coordination that exceeds casual drone usage. Their movements—sometimes hovering, other times darting swiftly—have baffled observers and raised suspicions of advanced technology.

Growing Public Concern

For residents, the drones present unsettling questions. Many worry about privacy, especially given their frequent appearances over private property and near critical infrastructure. The unexplained presence of drones in populated areas also raises fears about potential safety risks, from accidents to more nefarious possibilities like surveillance or malicious activities.

The lack of concrete explanations has fueled a range of theories. Are they part of a hobbyist project? Military-grade surveillance? Testing of new technologies? While experts point out that drones of this size typically require Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, there has been no confirmation of lawful operations tied to these sightings.

Investigations and Official Actions

Federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security, are actively investigating. The FAA has implemented temporary flight restrictions over high-priority areas like Picatinny Arsenal, while local officials in Montvale and other towns have declared emergency no-fly zones. Despite these efforts, definitive answers remain elusive.

To address the mystery, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called for increased federal resources to investigate and manage the situation. Local and state officials are also pushing for legislation that would allow them to deploy drone detection and mitigation technologies. Currently, federal restrictions limit state and local law enforcement’s ability to act independently, leaving many feeling powerless as drones continue to appear.

Military installations, like Naval Weapons Station Earle, have already heightened their security protocols, reflecting the concern these drones have generated. At the same time, federal authorities have set up public reporting channels, which have received over 3,000 tips. Despite these efforts, the lack of physical evidence—such as recovered drones—has stymied progress in identifying their operators or purpose.

What Do We Know About the Drones?

The drones’ size, flight patterns, and choice of locations hint at sophisticated capabilities. Large drones are often used for surveillance, testing, or data collection, but their operations require careful adherence to FAA guidelines. Violations of these rules could point to unauthorized activities, whether commercial, private, or foreign in origin.

Some theories suggest these drones could belong to hobbyists, but the sheer scale and organization of the sightings make this unlikely. The possibility of corporate or military testing has not been ruled out, but no entity has stepped forward to claim responsibility. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who personally observed the drones, described them as "highly advanced" and criticized the federal response as insufficient.

Moving Forward The sightings highlight the challenges of regulating drone activity in U.S. airspace, especially as technology advances. The current patchwork of regulations makes it difficult for local authorities to respond quickly, and federal investigations can be slow. Governor Murphy’s push for new legislation to allow local enforcement of drone mitigation tools could be a crucial step toward preventing unauthorized flights.

Until then, the drones remain an unsettling mystery. While federal agencies assure the public that there is no immediate threat, their presence near critical sites demands answers. For now, the drones continue to dominate the night skies over New Jersey and its neighbors, their true purpose a matter of speculation and growing concern.

Texas AG Makes A National Target

_{By: Trey Spencer, Residing Fellow & Intelligence Analyst at Atlas}

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit in Collin County, Texas, against Dr. Margaret D. Carpenter, a medical doctor licensed in New York, for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas Resident via telehealth. The filing argues that only doctors shall practice medicine within Texas' jurisdiction if licensed explicitly within the state. Paragraph (11) of the lawsuit argues, "A physician or supplier may not provide to a patient any abortion-inducing drug by courier, delivery, or mail service. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 171.063(b-1)." The Texas AG seeks to collect no less than $100,000 per violation.

While the primary motive behind this lawsuit is likely abortions being mostly banned in Texas and an outside doctor attempting to subvert state law, this lawsuit will also be a legal test of telehealth across State lines across all 50 states. Telehealth across jurisdictional lines refers to delivering healthcare services remotely (via video calls, phone consultations, or other digital communication methods) where the healthcare provider and patient are in different legal jurisdictions, such as various states, provinces, or countries.

This raises unique challenges, as each jurisdiction has laws, licensing requirements, and telehealth practice regulations. While Interstate Licensing Compacts (ILC), such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), allows doctors to practice in multiple states, they are still required to follow the jurisdiction's laws where they provide care. In the case of Texas v. Carpenter, Dr. Carpenter was not licensed to practice in Texas and is, therefore, likely violating state law.

If the case were to escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, it could have nationwide implications, particularly about telehealth services that cross state lines. It may set a federal precedent on the limits of state authority in regulating medical services provided remotely. This case could establish a framework similar to how states already regulate items like firearms, recreational marijuana, fireworks, and sports betting. There is no reason to believe that the courts would not apply similar legal standards to medications that violate state laws, such as abortion-inducing drugs.

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